Division 3 west A
Cardigan 26 Pembroke 44
A season that just a few weeks ago looked as if it could end with a bang looks as if it will now close with a wimper after the Cardi’s produced one of their less memorable performances of the campaign.
This heavy defeat to one time title candidates Pembroke was painful to watch and coach Colin Horscroft must have felt like pulling his hair out at times as his team consistently missed tackles and gave the ball away carelessly.
Defeats in the recent WRU Bowl semi final followed by losses against table toppers St Clears and Milford Haven have knocked the stuffing out of a Cardigan team that played well for so many months and they will be glad to bring the curtain down on the fixture list.
The Scarlets opened the scoring when hooker Max Hayward was driven over or rather, was walked over by his fellow pack from a driving line out which looked all too easy in the opening minutes of a competitive match but the hosts bounced back when Emyr Harries crossed for a try after a break from scrum half Llyr Jones. This was converted by outside half Iestyn Crompton.
Back came Pembroke and Dom Colman barged his way over for a try and a minute later he intercepted on the half way to touchdown unopposed to put his team 15-7 ahead.
Cardigan responded with a fine try when number eight Colin Davies made the initial break and this was taken on by full back Alun Jenkins who showed quick hands to put winger Rhydian Jenkins over to leave his side trailing at the break by 20-12 following a penalty from Luke Hartland.
Lewis Gibby ran through for a sparkling try just after the break before Town scrum half Llyr Jones, who had another excellent game waltzed through for a superb individual try which was converted by Crompton to make the scores 25-19 in favour of the visitors and game on.
However any thoughts of a Cardigan comeback were quickly banished when from a very promising attacking line out deep in opposition territory the hosts spilled the ball following a long throw to the tail and within a couple of minutes Pembroke went back up the other end of the field and scored a try through Tom Lewis before further tries from number eight Sam Smith and Lewis killed Cardigan off.
It was the hosts though who completed the scoring late on when they were awarded a penalty try after their opponents had pulled down a driving maul and Crompton added the extras to end a miserable afternoon for the home supporters despite a couple of excellent tries from their team.
A half hearted performance at times by a Cardigan side who missed the positive presence of their captain Llyr Griffiths but there were a few who put their hands up especially young scrum half Llyr Jones who once again showed that he is a quality number nine and should be allowed to grow into that position over the next few years. Up front flanker Bedwyr Davies topped the tackle count as usual and props Ben Hughes and Tomos Evans were a cut above the rest.
Next up for Cardigan is the final league game of the season this weekend against Pembroke Dock Quins and the Gollop Stand will be expecting a try fest against a struggling basement team to complete a season that has been very good in parts especially during an exciting cup run that brought Cardigan so close to a final at the National Stadium.
