Fixture

Crymych RFC 52 - Fishguard& Goodwick RFC 14 - 

Crymych played some excellent rugby as they moved smoothly into the second round at the expense of a Fishguard & Goodwick side which made such a tentative start that they found themselves 28 points adrift at the end of the first quarter.

To be fair to The Seagulls they battled hard thereafter, particularly in the second half, but were never able to master the Preseli Men’s slick handling game.

The home side took an early lead when a beautifully-timed pass by Luke Rogers put No 8 Joe Powell in for a try which Rogers did well to convert from wide out – and after the Seagulls had elected to run an eminently kickable penalty Crymych added a second try when Rogers won a little chip and chase and also added the extra points.

A dropped ball in defence by Fishguard allowed Sam Phillips to score Crymych’s third try and they added their fourth from veteran centre Gareth Davies, both converted by Rogers.

The Seagulls finally opened their account with a good try by Rhys Lewis after the outstanding Simon James and Chris Shousha were involved in the build-up, with James Griffiths converting – but Crymych led 33-7 at half time as prop Jason Nicholls ploughed over from close range.

Fishguard scored the first points of the second half when skipper James crossed the whitewash and Griffiths converted – but from then on it was the Preseli Men who maintain control with tries from replacement winger Dylan Thomas, hooker Carwyn Rees and centre Carwyn Phillips (from a clever Sam Phillips’ chip over the top).

Rogers converted two of them to set the seal on a good win for Crymych, whilst Fishguard will surely have learned a great deal after playing a quality team from a division above them.

Crymych: Tomos Phillips: Tomos Lewis; Carwyn Phillips; Gareth Davies; Nick Bevan: Sam Phillips; Luke Rogers: Jason Nicholls; Carwyn Rees; Lewis Davies: Gruffydd Howells; Andrew Phillips: Rhys Davies; Tom Powell (Capt); Joe Powell. Replacements: Ifan James; Michael Ryan; Dion Gibby; Dylan Thomas.

Fishguard & Goodwick: Ed Bendall: Steffan Lewis; Gareth Adamson; Mike Jenkins; Matthew George: James Griffiths; Alun George: Gerwyn Davies; Gavin Walsh; Andrew Morillo: Rhys Lewis; Richard Hunter: Mark George; Chris Shousha; Simon James (Capt). Replacements: Ryan McVeigh; Dai Evans; Rhodri Morgans; Gwilym Evans; Steve Jenkins.

MATCH REPORT BY BILL CARNE