Division 3 west
Haverfordwest 22 Cardigan 20
Cardigan were denied a victory in the dying minutes of this hard fought affair when Blues winger Scott Candler crossed for a match winning try.
The Cardi’s who were forced to re jig their side and play a few players out of position did not let this hamper them and they took an early lead when some excellent phase work and direct running from centre Marcus Castle allowed right winger Sion Hughes to race in for a try.
Haverfordwest gradually took a hold and dominated possession for long periods and they hit back when Gareth Owen crashed over the try line following good work by Liam Mainwaring and Ross McKenzie to level matters.
Cardigan regrouped and went back into the lead when diminutive fly half Tom Dunn waltzed over for a try converted by match day skipper John Lumb and the latter added a penalty to put his team 15-5 ahead.
There was little to choose between the teams in the second half but the Blues managed to reduce the deficit when full back Rhys Baker crossed for a well worked try and young replacement Jake Williams slotted over the conversion
Not long after this Baker added his second try to put the hosts ahead for the first time at 17-15 but the Ceredigion men fought back with a touchdown from prop Ben Hughes with just a few minutes to go and he and his team looked set for a very welcome win.
However this all changed when Candler sneaked over for what turned out to be a match winning try with Cardigan having to settle for a losing bonus point but all in all a decent performance by Cardigan with plenty of spirit shown especially when they were under the cosh at times.
Coach Colin Davies has been shorn of some key players in recent weeks with the likes of skipper Emyr Harries, prop Gethin Jones and second row Dean Harries not available and has a small squad to choose from but there is no lack of commitment.
