PHOTO:
Fishguard & Goodwick RFC line-up  at the Millennium Stadium with their proud supporters in the stand. Picture supplied by Andrew Butler

Swalec Bowl Final:

 
 

Wattstown 27 – Fishguard & Goodwick 17

 
Fishguard made a terrific start to their historic visit to the Millennium Stadium and they were deservedly ten points ahead with three minutes of the first half remaining – but in ten minutes of mayhem either side of the oranges they conceded points and their hopes were dashed!

Wattstown, who are nicknamed The Ducks, were awarded an early penalty in the fourth minute for hands in at a ruck that outside half Ian Jones pushed wide from 30 metres allowing for the angle.

The Seagulls were awarded penalty in the 9^th minute that outside half James Griffiths missed from the left hand touchline.

But two minutes later Griffiths struck a superb 35 metres penalty that gave the 1200 travelling Seagulls supporters’ plenty to cheer.

Outside half Griffiths then grabbed a brilliant solo try in the 16^th minute; the outside half sold a dummy and darted over for a tremendous score underneath the posts that he also converted, as The Seagulls built-up a healthy ten points lead.

The Seagulls were reduced to 14 men when skipper Steve Jenkins received a yellow card for what was deemed a professional foul at a ruck.
The Ducks then had number eight Brendon Lyons sin-binned for a dangerous tackle as both teams were down to 14 men.

Two minutes before half time The Ducks grabbed a good unconverted try in the left-hand corner from centre Richie Lewis and as they maintained the pressure Ian Jones slotted a drop goal with the last kick of the half to reduce the deficit to 10-8 to The Seagulls at the interval.

Even worse was to follow as Wattstown capitalised on a Fishguard error at the start of the second half and quick hands put Ducks’ winger David Gibbs in for an unconverted try.

James Griffiths missed a penalty chance that would have hauled The Seagulls level and then The Ducks delivered a body blow when No 8 Lyons smashes way over at the posts for Jones to add the simple extra points which put his side 20-10 ahead after 47 minutes.

Fishguard’s lingering hopes were dashed as they had replacment Romeo Colella yellow-carded for a scrum offence and when the scrum was reset centre David Evans joined him in the sin-bin. Wattstown went perilously close through winger Matthew Evans but the video replay showed he was just short – but there was no denying The Ducks as replacement Nathan Bruford sliced through for a try, which he also converted.

The Seagulls had the final say when right wing Edward Bendall crossed for a consolation try that Griffiths converted from the touchline.

However, it was too little too late for a brave Fishguard side who served Pembrokeshire so well.
 
Wattstown: Berwyn Phillips, Matthew Evans, Richie Lewis, Dano Roberts (Captain), David Gibbs, Ian Jones, Jack Foulkes, Lee Davies, Thomas Foulkes, Barry John Ward, Christopher Lacey, Matthew Davies, Jamie Lewis, Adam Phillips, Brendon Lyons. Replacements: David O’Sullivan, Brett O’Hagan, Christopher Davies, Christopher Evans, Nathan Bruford, Ryan Maddern, Rhydian Williams.

Fishguard & Goodwick: Gareth Adamson, Edward Bendall, David Evans, Mike Jenkins, Matthew George, James Griffiths, Alun George, Gerwyn Davies, Gavin Walsh, Andrew Morrillo, Nathan Jenkins, Richard Hunter, Steven Jenkins (Captain), Simon James, Mark George. Replacements: Romeo Colella, Owain Morgans, Christopher Shousha, Gwilym Evans, Mark James, Rhodri Morgans, Tomasi Ilisau.

Referee: Julian Smith.
Assistants: Jon Hardy, Ian Buckland.