Division One West
Crymych 15 Llanelli Wanderers 10
If ever there was a performance that bristled with pride and passion this was it on Saturday at Parc Lloyd Thomas, Writes Andrew Clarke.
To a man Crymych were quite superb and don’t be fooled by the scoreline as their performance was much better than the five point advantage.
The Wanderers coached by former British Lions hooker Barry Williams, arrived with a swagger but midway through the second half they looked like a team who had not even considered the prospect of losing and they were quickly running out of ideas and urgency.
Crymych,in complete contrast were hard edged, determined, and very clever in their no nonsense approach using their home pitch knowledge to good effect.
The visitors started very impressively in the heavy conditions and just as Penclawdd had done a few weeks earlier they threatened to run away with the game following an early try and a monopoly of possession.
The try came from a defensive kick that was charged down and scrum half Osian Williams dived over in the corner. Centre Johnny George then slotted over a splendid conversion.
Crymych though defended doggedly and they responded to the try with a penalty from Jake Jenkins. Back came the Wanderers with some powerful driving from back rowers Nicky Harries and young number eight Lloyd Pike and the hosts were penalised for spoiling and Jenkins was handed a yellow card. Crymych were forced to dig deep with every player putting in a shift in defence but none were better than skipper Tom Powell, centre Tomos Phillips and second row Dion Gibby.
Playing towards the clubhouse and with a slight wind advantage the home side were unlucky not to score in the opening minutes of the second half when Dylan Phillips went close. However a try soon followed when second row Gibby pounced following superb work by his forwards.
Crymych with Jenkins back on the field took the game to their opponents, keeping the ball tight and making the hard yards and they scored a second try when following good work by outstanding scrum half Mathew Roebuck number eight Guto Davies kicked ahead and beat the cover defence to the loose ball. The Preselimen went a man down when Jenkins took one for the team with his second yellow but they were still in the ascendency with their scrum dominant and this must have delighted forwards coach Lyn Williams.
The visitors pushed hard in the final ten minutes desperately looking for any score to give them a bonus point and they did this in the dying minutes when George slotted over a penalty.
The final whistle brought a big cheer from the touchlines and this was just reward for a fine performance.