CARDIGAN CLOSE GAP

Division 3 West

Pembroke Dock Quins 5 Cardigan 31

Cardigan made the perfect start when they ran in for a try after only two minutes of this mud bath and they never looked like relinquishing their lead after this score as they were by far the better team all through.

Experienced fly half Iestyn Crompton who started at full back for this match, crossed the whitewash after only two minutes to put his team ahead and this was converted by stand off Llyr Jones.

Ten minutes later Cardigan added a second try when powerful skipper and number eight Llyr Griffiths barged his way over for a try which was again converted by Jones to put the visitors 14-0 ahead in the appalling conditions.

The Quins came back and enjoyed a purple patch and tucked the ball up their jumper and drove hard at the Cardi’s led by number eight Sam Dolling playing on permit from Milford Haven and it was Dolling who claimed the only try of the game for his team on the half hour mark.

Cardigan though responded positively and winger Rhydian Jenkins crossed for a third try wide out to put the visitors well ahead at the break by 19-5.

Centre Emyr Harries, who will miss the crunch WRU Bowl encounter against Amman United in a few weeks as he is getting married crossed for the bonus point try ten minutes into the second half to kill the game off and this was converted by Jones and the Cardi’s followed this up with a push over try late on with Gareth Clifford claiming the touchdown to complete the scoring.

There were several games called off in division three west because of the weather with leaders St Clears having to sit out the afternoon. This bonus point win for Cardigan now leaves them just six points adrift of the saints but crucially they have two games in hand.

This weekend Llyr Griffiths and his men entertain Laugharne, a side they have already beaten at home as they met in the WRU Bowl and they will be expected to come through for a win especially as there are places up for grabs in the team with the Amman United game just around the corner.

Leaders St Clears welcome Pembroke, a team that looked like they would feature prominently in the race for the title at one time until they came unstuck against the Quins. They are still good enough though to worry the Saints ona good day.

Games called off in 3 West on Saturday:

St Clears v Neyland, Laugharne v Milford Haven, St Davids v Tregaron .