Newcastle Emlyn Youth 13 Lampeter Youth 14
A monster kick from Lampeter outside half Sam Whittingham in the dying minutes of this entertaining game earned his team a win over local rivals Newcastle Emlyn.
Played in perfect conditions this really was a superb advert for rugby in Ceredigion and the decent crowd in attendance were treated to some enterprising play from both teams.
It was the hosts who were first out of the blocks and they kept the ball well for long periods but they struggled to turn pressure into points and after 15 minutes Lampeter hit back and from a ruck near the half way they attacked the blind side and scored a well finished try by impressive youngster Ieuan Wyn.
Further woe was to follow ten minutes before the break when ill discipline by Emlyn flanker Ifan Davies resulted in a yellow card for him and Lampeter took full advantage and outside half Sam Wittingham kicked a penalty which saw the visitors going in at half time 8-0 ahead.
During the break the home side introduced Thomas Jones and James Williams and both made huge impacts, and Emlyn started to get the upper hand and centre Dan Jones slotted over a penalty to make it 8-3.
Lampeter though rallied and came back and increased their lead with another penalty from Whittingham after good work by their forwards but this sparked another fine passage of play from the hosts and they were rewarded for moving the ball wide with a try which was converted by Dan Jones who shortly after added another penalty to make give Emlyn a two point advantage with time running out.
With just seven minutes remaining Emlyn kicked poorly to gift Lampeter possession and to their credit the visitors held on to the ball and were eventually awarded a penalty on the ten metre line and up stepped Whittingham to slot over a huge a penalty to win the game for Lampeter by 14-13.
Man of the match for the home team was Ifan Lloyd at prop and captain Ifan Thomas at half back and they were impressive in a great spectacle of local youth rugby with both teams having 25 players available to play on the day.
Photographs kindly provided by Gethin Vobe.
