WRU National Plate round up
Crymych and Aberystwyth go through but Fishguard edged out.
Mumbles 17 Aberystwyth 47
Aberystwyth moved comfortably into round two of the WRU Plate competition following a convincing win over Mumbles.
The Ceredigion outfit were forced to rest a number of regulars but they were still strong enough to get back to winning ways following a heavy defeat away at Tenby.
First half tries from centre Steff Rees, full back Carwyn Evans, winger Ben Jones and captain and number eight Lee ‘Truck’ Evans and three conversions from Llyr Thomas, put Aberystwyth 26-3 ahead at the interval after Ewan Gully had kicked a penalty for the home side.
Mumbles started the second half positively and took play deep into the visitors’ 22 metre area and they were rewarded for their hard work with a try from scrum half Harry Davies who crossed under the posts and Gully added the conversion to close the gap to 10 – 26.
The hosts added another try before the Placrug men hit back with three second half tries. The first came from winger James Coulon after good interpassing between Ifan Thomas and number eight Evans. The second came from Carwyn Evans who intercepted a loose pass on his line and ran the whole length of the field to score and the third was provided by substitute wing forward Steffan Evans following another fine break by Carwyn Evans. Stand off Llyr Thomas converted all three to make the final score 47-17.
Llanybydder 16 Crymych 58
Crymych also went through comfortably after they disposed of Llanybydder and the Preselimen ran in a total of nine tries as they dominated possession up front with winger Lawrence Headlam helping himself to a hat trick and there were two for centre Tomos Phillips. Others to cash in as the hosts tired were full back Jake Jenkins (pic below), right wing Nick Bevan and outside half Ifan Phillips who also landed a penalty and five conversions.
Flanker Bleddyn Jones crossed for a try for the hosts which was converted by stand off Steff Richards who also added three penalties.
Fishguard and Goodwick 22 Penclawdd 26
Fishguard were edged out in the latter stages of an entertaining contest when the Cocklemen ran in for a match winning try and despite the best efforts of the home side they managed to hang on for a victory.
The hosts made arguably their best start to a game all season and went ahead with a try by winger Mathew George before the Cocklemen responded with a try and conversion by talented stand off Dan Guerreiro. Powerful number eight Mark responded with a try for the seagulls and there was little to choose between the sides after the break.
Fishguard were then awarded a penalty try following an excellent period of phase play and close driving by their forwards in the shape of Jac Evans, George and McVeigh and they added another try through skipper Walsh but tries by Tom Hill, Jonathan Hicks and James Smith proved to be just enough to see the cocklemen over the line and into round two.
