Division 3 West A
Cardigan 45 Neyland 3
Cardigan coasted to a seven try win over the All Blacks and this victory was all the more satisfying as the division high fliers had lost to Neyland earlier in the season.
The 15-13 defeat at the Athletic Ground had been the only negative aspect of what is fast becoming an exciting season with plenty to play for on both the league and cup front and coach Colin Horscroft could not hide his satisfaction at putting one over the Pembrokeshire rivals.
Speaking just after the game the former town hooker said:” I was pleased with the bonus point win and the way we played in the first half especially as we were given an opportunity to play some rugby this time whereas down at Neyland we were not.
“It was not as intense or as good a performance as in our win against Denbigh in the WRU Bowl last weekend and we were not even blowing at the interval which was very different to last week but we got the job done and that’s all that matters as we need to keep winning to remain in the title race.”
“We are in a good place with players having to fight for their positions and that is a nice headache for me to have especially as we are going for promotion and we now focus on Llangwm this Saturday.”
This game was all but over after thirty minutes with Cardigan well ahead against a depleted Neyland team struggling in all departments. The visitors had been hit hard with players dropping out at short notice and they were also missing a few who were away on holiday although Cardigan were not at full strength either.
These changes to both teams caused the opening quarter to be very scrappy with a succession of mistakes and unforced errors but Cardigan eventually settled down and ran in for their opening try when outside half Llyr Jones, who had one of his best games for Cardigan, set up winger Rhydian Jenkins for a try. This was converted by full back Iestyn Crompton but the visitors hit back almost immediately when Mark Riley chipped over a penalty.
Skipper Llyr Griffiths added a second try soon after when he was at the head of a rolling maul that had developed from a powerful scrum and a third try followed just a few minutes later when centre Sion Hughes was put through after second row Dan Evans had stolen the ball in the line out and this was also converted by Crompton. The all-important bonus point try duly arrived on the half hour when centre John Lumb broke a weak defensive line and the conversion from Crompton put his team out of sight with fifty minutes to go.
Cardigan continued to dominate and the visiting cause was not helped when they had a man yellow carded and it came as no surprise when the hosts ran in for another try just before half time when again from the scrum, the Cardi’s demolished the opposition set piece and Griffiths emerged from a pile of bodies with the ball. This was converted by Crompton to complete the scoring with his team 33-3 ahead at the interval.
The hosts were a little disappointing in the second half as they took their foot off the gas but they do have bigger fish to fry in a few weeks in the form of league leaders St Clears and with this in mind Horscroft made a number of early substitutions and the game went very flat. Neyland to their credit never gave up the ghost and they spent large periods camped in Cardigan territory and were well served by Steve Martin, Mark Riley and Aaron James but they never really looked like scoring apart from one chance that went begging.
The hosts increased their lead midway through the half when stand off Llyr Jones made another searing break and he ran over 60 yards before he unselfishly fed the ball to supporting winger Dafydd Watkins who scored out wide. Centre Hughes added his second of the game late on when he waltzed over and the conversion by Crompton completed a very one sided success for Cardigan.
This was a decent performance by Cardigan and they ran in some splendid tries with fly half Llyr Jones one of the stand out performers and instrumental in a number of try making breaks. Jones showed that he has the ability to break the gain line and has a good turn of speed. Hughes made some good breaks in midfield, Watkins looked sharp on the wing and the home forwards went well once again. However there are far more difficult challenges to come with none more so than a league encounter with St Clears a week on Saturday. The Saints who lead the table visit second placed side Milford this weekend and Cardigan supporters will be waiting anxiously to hear the result of this game.
