Division 1 West
Crymych 22 Kidwelly 20
League leaders Kidwelly were sent crashing to only their second defeat of the season after Crymych produced a second half performance brimming with pride and passion and plenty of skill to pull off the surprise result of the day.
The hero of the hour for them was scrum half Rhys Davies who contributed 17 points with the boot which included three penalties in the second half to bring his team back into the game and into the lead and one which they never let go.
Captain and open side Tom Powell who was one of a number of players who put in a superb shift said that he was delighted with the win against the division top dogs and said:” This was a very good team effort and one of our best wins of the season with a great atmosphere in the team.
“We were not too happy with the penalty try that was awarded but it didn’t matter at the end of the day as we got the win and that was down to a team effort and to some very good individual performances.
“We were forced to bring in youth team hooker Lee Griffiths with players unavailable and he produced a man of the match performance along with back rower Richard Sharpe Williams who hadn’t played for six weeks and he was also superb but we couldn’t have done it without the kicks from Rhys who did the business when we needed him to and gave us 17 points.”
It was the Preselimen who drew first blood when ever present second row Dion Gibby, another outstanding performer powered his way over for a try and this was converted by Davies and he added a penalty soon afterwards to increase the advantage. Kidwelly hit back with a penalty from scrum half Lee Evans and they were then awarded a penalty try for an alleged trip by home full back Gavin Thomas on his opposite number who the official in charge thought would have been through for a guaranteed try. Home supporters though were of the opinion that there was a defender in place who could have stopped a touchdown and that it should have been a penalty only. However a try was awarded nonetheless and this was converted by Evans to square the match.
Davies added his second penalty five minutes before half time but Kidwelly bounced back once again when winger Sion Pearce raced in for a try which was converted by Evans to take the score to 17-13 at the break in favour of the league leaders
Crymych played down the slope in the second half and towards their favourite corner of the field and they pegged their opponents back with some intelligent kicking from Davies and half back partner Jake Jenkins and as the pressure mounted Kidwelly were forced to concede penalties.
The hosts forwards in the shape of number eight Rhys ‘Beakey’ Davies, second rows Gibby and Joe Powell and front rowers Griffiths, Ifan James and Lewis Davies took the ball up and made the hard hards and kept the ball tight and Kidwelly were punished by the boot of Davies who slotted over three more penalties which effectively won the game for his team. Black and ambers inside half Evans added one more three pointer for the visitors late on but it was Crymych who held out for a narrow win to send their supporters home very happy.
