Division 3 west
Cardigan 19 Pembroke 48
Cardigan rounded off their season by playing some exciting rugby against the league champions and the overall score was not a true reflection of their play as for most of this entertaining match they were very competitive.
Colin Davies and his men took the game to the Scarlets right from the off and were 14-0 ahead after only six minutes with veteran Davies powering his way over for the first try and full back John Lumb adding the second and two conversions.
The buzz in the Gollop Stand was as positive as it had been for many months but the newly crowned champions as expected came storming back and hit back with two tries from right winger Barry Alderman-John and one apiece for number eight Sam Smith and outside half Toby Smith to make it 26-14 at the break.
Full back Luke Hartland crossed for a try early in the second half before right winger Alderman-John added his second but at the other end Cardigan also went close with back rower Davies rolling back the years and taking the ball up effectively along with blind side Tom Taylor, centre Marcus Castle, second row Toby Neilsen and prop Will Brice and putting the Scarlets under pressure.
However the visitors weathered the storm and Pembroke centre Dan Collery extended the visitors lead with a try before replacement second row Kyle Weatherall completed the scoring for his side with a sprint down the touchline late on.
It was Cardigan though who had the final word when replacement outside half Iwan John gathered a clever chip through by Castle and the youth team captain sprinted in unopposed to claim try number three for the hosts.
A spirited performance by the Cardi’s against a polished outfit playing with plenty of confidence but with the added luxury of a some big heavy ball carriers who were far too powerful for a lightweight Cardigan team who nevertheless defended courageously.
Some positive performances from some of the new kids on the block with none better than scrum half Gwern Phillips who played with great maturity as did the young second row partnership of Dafydd Rotie and Toby Neilsen.
Pictures by Julie John.
