Super Seagulls are at the Millennium!

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 22 - Cilfynydd 20

 

Well done Fishguard and Goodwick RFC on being the first-ever Pembrokeshire rugby club to reach a final in the trio of Swalec Cup competitions as they fended off the sternest of challenges from Cilfynydd!

It enabled the Seagulls to reach the final of the Bowl, which will be played against Wattstown at the Millennium Stadium on 4th May, along with the finals of the Swalec Cup and Plate competitions.

Co-coach Randall Williams had watched Cilfynydd, situated four miles north of Pontypridd and so the Seagulls knew they would be up against a big pack but they rose to the occasion as Gerwyn Davies, Gavin Walsh and old war-horse Romeo Colella anchored the scrum, with Nathan Jenkins and Richard Hunter working hard in the linesout so that the back row of Simon James, Mark George and skipper Steve Jenkins could operate well as a unit.

 

Great start for Seagulls

 

The Seagulls played with the wind in the first half in very heavy conditions at Loughor and took the lead after only three minutes when Steve Jenkins beat his man on half way and put winger Ed Bendall over at the posts for James Griffiths to add the extra points.

Fishguard added a second try, this time unconverted, from broken play following a lineout where Simon James swooped to pick up and crash over the line.

Whenever Cilfynydd, who are top of their Division Four section, tried to attack there was some good defence from Gareth Adamson, Bendall, Dai Evans, Mike Jenkins and Matthew George, who had to be replaced by Rhodri Morgan after 30 minutes following an ankle injury. Alun George and Griffiths kicked well and so Cilfynydd were limited to a penalty by Sion Griffiths as the Seagulls led 12-3 at the interval.

Cilfynydd showed why they are doing so well in Mid Glamorgan as they clawed their way back to take a 13-12 lead as No 8 Alex Atkins scored a try which Sion Griffiths converted alongside another penalty.

 

Griffiths leads great fight back

 

But Fishguard called on their total commitment to the cause as James Griffiths raced 40 metres for a brilliant try and his conversion was the icing on the cake – and the Seagulls’ supporters were ecstatic when a Griffiths’ penalty took their team more than a score ahead with time running out.

By then Gwilym Evans, Chris Sousha and Ryan McVeigh had come on up front to help tired legs and although Cilfynydd managed a second Atkins’ try, converted by Sion Griffiths from the last kick of the match, it was Fishguard who created a little bit of Pembrokeshire Rugby history.

“I am so proud of the whole squad effort,” said co-coach Huw Evans, “and the lads fully deserve this chance to play at the Millennium Stadium.

PembrokeshireSport.co.uk could only agree with those sentiments and we wish Fishguard and Goodwick RFC every success on the 4th of May!

 

Fishguard & Goodwick: Gareth Adamson: Ed Bendall; Dai Evans; Mike Jenkins; Matthew George (Rhodri Morgans): James Griffiths; Alun George: Gerwyn Davies; Gavin Walsh; Romeo Colella (Ryan McVeigh): Nathan Jenkins; Richard Hunter (Gwilym Evans): Steve Jenkins (Capt); Simon James (Chris Sousha); Mark George. Replacements (Not used): Huw Evans; Owain Morgans; Randall Williams.

 

PHOTOS:

Fishguard defend well

Seagulls are strong in a maul

Pictures supplied by Andrew Butler.