LAMPETER START WITH A WIN

WRU Wales Womens League

Division 2

Lampeter Ladies 40 Croesyceiliog 5

Lampeter Ladies kicked off the season in style with a resounding win over Croesyceiliog to keep intact their year-long undefeated home record.

There was little to choose between the two teams in the opening quarter with both sides tussling for possession but this almost changed when a clean line break from the hosts full back forced the home defence to scramble and debutant right winger Arran Cumming stopped a certain try with a big hit.

With stand off Fiona Davies-Protheroe pulling the strings the ball was spread wide and the talented playmaker looped around centres Anest James and Rhiannon Davies to put left wing Sioned Llywelyn over in the corner for the first of her three tries.

Straight from the kick off the Lampeter Ladies went on the charge once again with some strong ball carrying from number eight Mererid ‘Siop’ Jones and second row Alaw Hughes, again linking well with the backs to allow Protheroe to cross from short range and add the extras to make it 12-0.

Croesyceiliog went deep from the kick off and a rare knock on from home skipper Nerys James gave good field position for the visitors but a powerful scrum from the hosts recovered the situation to turn defence into attack. Loose head James then quickly made amends when she made a timely interception and the ball was spread wide to Arran Cumming who sprinted down the wing for her first senior competitive try. Protheroe added the extras to extend the lead to nineteen points.

Sioned Llywelyn crossed for her second try soon after, following good work from her pack with openside Nia Gwyther, blind side Cerian Jones and Angharad Williams prominent and the conversion by Protheroe all but killed the game off early at 26-0.

The visitors to their credit rallied and bounced back and held on to possession for a lengthy period but the Lampeter defence held firm thanks to some outstanding tackling from the front row of Nerys James, Tracey Evenden and front rower Angharad Williams along with big hitter Anwen Jones.

Lampeter crossed for one more try just before the break when Llywelyn was first to react to a loose ball and she gathered and scored to put her team ahead by 33-0.

The heavens opened after the interval to make life difficult and this helped produce some scrappy play and a succession of dropped passes from both sides and the hosts rung the changes with Layla Cook, Rhian Wyn Jones and another debutant Sally Reay coming on to replace Nerys James, Tracey Evenden and Holly Griffin.

With ‘Croesy’ camped in their own 22 Lampeter spun the ball wide and some excellent footballing skills from Cerian Jones dribbled the ball over the line only for her to be tackled off the ball but Natasha Roberts who was very impressive was on hand to ground the leather and the try was once again converted by Protheroe.

The hosts emptied their bench towards the end with debutant Lucie Wright, Carys Haf Davies, Caryl Dwaf and returning player Aisha Aroussi replacing Cerian Jones, Nia Gwyther, Anwen Jones and the injured Arran Cumming.

Croesyceiliog though refused to throw the towel in and played the heavy conditions very well with a ten man approach and they were rewarded for their determined effort with a consolation try to make the final score 40-5.

Lampeter Ladies would like to thank the fans for their support in the dreadful conditions and to the sponsors of their new playing kit for their generous contribution.

 Dunbia Group

LHP Chartered Accountants

Black Lion Aberaeron

Cegin Gwenog

Castle Green

The Captains Rendezvous New Quay

Simon Hall Meats

Pro Ground Works

iTech Repair

Next game for Lampeter Ladies is away to Bonymaen on the 8th October.