Division One West.
Crymych 9 Waunarlwydd 8:
Three penalties from the boot of fly half Rhys Davies proved sufficient to edge out Waunarlwydd in a very tough opening fixture at Parc Lloyd Thomas.
This is very much a rebuilding season for the Preselimen as they have been hit by the loss of a few key players to neighbouring clubs and they have had to start the new term without some experienced old heads who have decided to call it a day.
However there have been some ‘new’ arrivals and one of these in the shape of Dylan Phillips, who has returned to his home club following a year out of the game and this bodes well for the rest of the season whilst Davies at outside half looked very sharp.
Crymych were forced to dig deep in this hard physical encounter and they were under the cosh for long periods and especially so in the closing stages but to their credit they hung on in there with their forwards putting a big shift in and they managed to sneak through for an important confidence boosting win.
The hosts were deservedly ahead at the break with two successful penalties from Davies cancelling out a try from Waun winger Rhys Slattery but the visitors went in front midway through the second half when centre Leigh Evans slotted over a penalty but scoring chances were scarce in the difficult wet and windy conditions.
However the home pack worked tirelessly through the likes of Aled Harries, Guto Davies and man of the match Dylan Phillips and they kept things tight and made the hard yards when they needed to and behind them Davies and Tomos Phillips were outstanding with Phillips crashing over for a try only for it to be disallowed.
With time running out Crymych broke from deep down the flank and from the recycle they were awarded a penalty which Davies accepted confidently and his kick between the posts secured a hard fought win for his team.
This weekend Crymych travel to take on a Kidwelly side that also enjoyed a winning start to the season after they defeated Gowerton 34-12 away.
