Division 3A West
Cardigan 15 St Clears 10
Cardigan looked to be heading for defeat with just a few minutes left of this top of the table affair with two of their players back in the stand after receiving yellow cards. Writes Andrew Clarke.
The Cardi’s who had been on the end of a twenty minute battering in the second half after they had taken a healthy 15-3 lead were forced to dig deep as replacement back rower Colin Davies was carded for infringing and he was followed by full back John Lumb, who had to go after he dump tackled his opponent.
The Gollop Stand which had been vociferous throughout was all of a sudden very quiet as it dawned on supporters that Cardigan, who had led for an hour could well lose out with St Clears very much in the ascendency and their team having a two player advantage.
However Llyr Griffiths and his men dug deep and managed to cling on to win an enthralling match which was very physical, entertaining and just the sort of rugby match that the Gollop Stand faithful have been missing in recent times.
The visitors looked as if they were going to run away with the game in the opening quarter as they spent most of it in the Cardigan 22 metre area and were held up on the try line on three occasions as some brave defending kept them out with the likes of Gethin Jones,Tomos Evans, Kieran Hurley and Luke Rogers putting in some big hits.
The deadlock was eventually broken on the half hour mark when St Clears outside half Geraint Jones slotted over a penalty but the hosts hit back soon afterwards with a splendid try albeit with a hint of a knock on. The ball was booted upfield by fly half Luke Rogers and the wicked bounce deceived the visiting full back and found its way to second row Dean Harries and then to winger Llyr Jones who fed supporting back rower Kieran Hurely and he touched down. Rogers converted from the touchline to put his team 7-3 ahead.
Cardigan pushed hard for another score before the break and they were rewarded for some smart play with a penalty in the last minute which was duly dispatched by Rogers for a half time score of 10-3.
St Clears came flying out of the blocks after the restart but it was Cardigan who scored first and this proved to be the most crucial score of the game. Skipper Llyr Griffiths was the player to claim the try but it was a collective forward effort as the Cardigan pack pushed their opponents over the try line from a scrum five.
Cardigan made a number of changes to their line up when they emptied their bench but on this occasion it seemed to hinder the team rather than help them and they lost much of their earlier cohesion and the Saints who were far from finished, came back strongly for the final quarter and scored a try. Blind side flanker Mathew Owens, who had a very good game, barged his way over to put his team within sight of victory and the conversion by Jones added to the tension that was noticeably cranking up in the Stand.
The yellow carding of back rower Davies added to the nerves with nine minutes to go and soon after this full back Lumb was sent packing for a dump tackle and St Clears looked odds on winners with the two man advantage. However some brave defending and a touch of good fortune saved the day for Cardigan and they hung on for a slender win to retain their slot at the top, level on points with Pembroke.
A very satisfying win for coach Colin Horscroft and his squad against very tough opponents who really tested the mental strength of the hosts who were forced to defend bravely for long periods.
This was very much a team effort but there were some outstanding performances with Emlyn hooker Bedwyr Davies superb throughout as was flanker Kieran Hurley and fellow back rowers Gethin Jones and number eight Griffiths put in big shifts.
One tackle by Jones on St Clears hooker Dafydd Page sent a shudder across the ground and summed up the togetherness and steely determination of this Cardigan squad who on this occasion really fronted up.
Fly half Luke Rogers was very composed under pressure and centre Emyr Harries was impressive once again. However the front row of Tomos Evans, Ben Hughes and Davies who produced the goods when it really mattered with the push over try were an outstanding unit against street wise opponents.
