Division 1 West
Llanelli Wanderers 6 Crymych 8
Crymych provided the shock of the day in division one when they defeated title chasers Llanelli Wanderers at Stradey.
The hosts who were previously unbeaten at home had chances late on to snatch a victory with two penalties within kicking distance but these went begging and the Preselimen held on to complete the double over the Wanderers.
The visitors started well and were given the first opportunity to open the scoring but Tomos Phillips was wide with his penalty kick but the hosts made no mistake with their opening penalty and Jonathan George put his team 3-0 up.
Crymych bounced back with a try when a break from centre Phillips from his own 22 line was backed up by returning number eight Guto Davies and the back rower crossed for an excellent try.
There were very few scoring opportunities in the second half but the Wanderers made the most of their opener when they landed a second penalty from the boot of Lloyd Thomas to go 6-5 ahead and division high fliers pushed hard for a try but couldn’t find a way past a resolute defence.
Crymych unloaded their bench in the form of Newcastle Emlyn WRU Championship first teamers in Shaun Leonard, Alex Williams and scrum half Mikey Jones who were available to play on permit and it was Leonard who landed the penalty that effectively won the game for the visitors.
However, despite this slender lead, a lack of discipline by Crymych gifted Llanelli Wanderers two kicks at goal in the last five minutes, but fortunately for Tom Powell and his team the kicks were missed.
This was a very good win on the road with some stand out performances with the back row unit of number eight Davies, who returned from an eight week absence, skipper Powell and blind side Richard Sharp Williams excellent as a unit whilst in the engine room the ever consistent Dion Gibby put in another good shift along side Rhys Davies.
This win for Crymych has severely dented the title hopes of the Wanderers as they were only three points behind leaders Kidwelly and the two teams are due to meet in Stradey on March 11. There chances of lifting the silverware may now be lost. Next up for Powell and co is a home fixture against mid table side Felinfoel a week on Saturday and an opportunity to avenge a heavy loss back in October.
