Division 3 west
Cardigan 38 Llangwm 29
Cardigan finished their second game in succession with thirteen men but the biggest difference on this occasion was that the Cardi’s started with a full compliment whereas at Milford the week before they only travelled with a bakers dozen.
The handful of supporters in the Gollop Stand were left shaking their heads in disbelief as Llangwm came back from 31-3 to within just ten points short of what would have been their first victory of the season and possibly their first ever win over Cardigan in modern times.
The hosts did their utmost to lose this game as they suffered the ignominy of two red cards with the second of the two likely to have severe repercussions. Llangwm were also shown two yellow cards as the game deteriorated.
Prop Ben Hughes was first to go early in the game after a big punch up and one of several that exploded during the course of the match and he must have wondered how he alone was the individual singled out as there was a lot going on.
The second of these was near the end when winger Casey Walters was given his marching orders following a very unsavoury incident involving the official in charge who had little choice but to show the red card. Walters reacted very poorly to a high tackle on him that went unpunished and he vented his anger at the referee.
Back to the rugby and it was Cardigan who opened the scoring when full back Llyr Jones crossed for a try after just seven minutes and he then converted and this was followed in quick succession by tries from scrum half Mathew Roebuck who impressed many with his performance, number eight Sion Hughes and young outside half Iwan John. All three were converted by Jones to take Cardigan into a healthy 26-3 lead.
Centre Marcus Castle added a fifth try when he raced in from the half way line before the Wasps hit back with a solo try from outstanding number eight Josh Hicks. The same player added a second try as he waltzed through the Cardigan defence following a run from within his own half, which was converted by Luke Hayman before Castle also bagged a brace following another powerful run. Llyr Jones added the extras.
Burly loose head prop Ieuan Power barged his way over from a short tap penalty to bring his team closer with the home team at sixes and sevens with players off the field and a first win of the season looked highly likely with five minutes to go and the tension at boiling point following a couple more dust ups.
Cardigan though hung on for the win they deserved with some good performances from half backs Roebuck and Iwan John and full back Jones whilst up front back rower Tom Taylor, second row Dean Harries and prop Andrew Jones worked tirelessly throughout whilst Sion Phillips impressed when he came on.
