Division 1 West.
Crymych 12 Penclawdd 14:
Crymych were outscored by two tries to nil in this division one clash but they could still have won the game as they had their opponents Penclawdd under the cosh in the final quarter and let them off the hook. Writes Andrew Clarke.
The Cocklemen will argue that they thoroughly deserved their win as they took their chances when they came along and played some smart rugby at times but the hosts will look back at a few crucial moments that may have cost them a narrow win.
Twice they were awarded penalties on their opponents ten metre line with the score difference only two points and on both occasions they chose to take a quick tap penalty rather than kick. From one of these the penalties the ball was knocked on with a spare man on the outside shoulder and earlier in the second half Crymych saw a two man overlap on the edge of the Penclawdd 22 spoiled by a deliberate knock on from a visiting centre and which went unpunished apart from being awarded a penalty.
Narrow margins on the day and some will say you make your own luck but there was very little in this game and on another afternoon Tom Powell and his men could well have sneaked a win.
Penclawdd were very impressive in the opening quarter and threatened to run away with the game with their big ball carriers in the form of Simon Stoneham, Dan Tucker and Richard Jones making the hard yards and taking advantage of a defensive line that was making life difficult for itself and getting caught on the blind side. Their centre combination of Sam Devonald and Stoneham created some decent openings for team mates to break through and they put the hosts under big pressure in the scrum and it came as no surprise when a try eventually came after number eight Richard Jones crashed over and full back Dan Guarneri converted.
The hosts responded with a well struck penalty from Rhys Davies following a good spell of play from Crymych with number eight Guto Davies and skipper Powell scrapping for every loose ball and fly half Davies getting his three quarters into space with some smart passing but Penclawdd kicked themselves back into the Crymych corner once again and they stayed there until they crossed for a second try on the half hour when second row Mathew Donoghue powered his way over from close range after good work from centre Stoneham and blind side Jon Hughes.
Guarneri added the extras to put his team in at the break 14-3 ahead and it really should have been a lot more such was their territorial advantage but some tremendous defending kept Crymych in the game with none better than Powell, Dylan Phillips and Andrew Phillips.
The second half was a completely different affair and very entertaining with the match in doubt right up until the final seconds with Crymych building up a head of steam and creating opportunities but they just couldn’t find a way through a solid defensive unit who were well organised.
Davies added his second penalty to bring the scores a little closer at 14-6 and a third soon after to make it 14-9 and the visitors looked rattled as Powell and co mounted a series of attacks. Replacement Jake Jenkins who impressed when he came on with his quick hands put centre Carwyn Phillips away but some stubborn defending held him up and the Preselimen sensing that the Cocklemen were tiring picked up the tempo and they were rewarded with another penalty which Davies duly despatched between the sticks to set up a very nervy final ten minutes with only one score needed to win.
Crymych pushed hard in the dying minutes to find a way through but some curious and very crucial refereeing decisions went against them and the momentum was lost and this gave Penclawdd the opportunity they needed to clear their lines and go on and win.
A disappointing afternoon for the home side but there was no questioning their overall commitment and ability especially on the counter with their pace causing the opposition a few problems and with a bit more luck they could have pinched a win late on although Penclawdd were the best team on the day.
This weekend Crymych travel to Gorseinon.
