With promotion very much on the minds of both sides, the stakes
could not be any higher which was evident from the bumper crowd
who turned up to watch in the warm sunshine. Laugharne won the
toss and gave Cardigan the advantage of the stiff breeze going
down the pitch. Laugharne kicked off but for much of the first
10 minutes they were pinned in their own 22 with the Cardigan
eight picking up and driving into the heart of the Laugharne
defence. It was only through the sterling tackling of the back
row of flankers Huw Phillips, skipper Chris McIlwrick and No.8
John Bowen and the midfield of flyhalf Ross Harries and centres
Carl Morgan and Huw Jenkins who kept them at bay for much of
this time. However in the 12minute this relentless pressure told
with good interpassing between the Cardigan eight which resulted
No.8 C.Davies taking the final pass to cross in the corner for
the opening try. Davies then converted from the touchline to put
icing on the Cardigan cake.
With tensions high, Laugharne did not seem to have much of the
run of the green and were repeatedly penalised when they got
themselves into good positions which was very frustrating for
both players and the healthy home support. Laugharne No.8 Bowen
did more than his fair share of picking up and driving, but
Cardigan were also up to the task. Cardigan No.8 Davies did have
two further kicks at goal which were very close but off target,
but on the stroke of half time he slotted one over from half way
for a Laugharne player not releasing the ball in the tackle.
However for their endeavours and for not exploiting the strenght
of the wind, Cardigan were obviously not happy going into the
break at 10pts - 0pts, but for Laugharne it was `job well done`.
Cardigan restarted the 2nd half but the Laugharne forwards with props
and brothers Robert and Lyndon Jones, together with livewire
hooker Mark Jones itching to get amongst their vaunted opponents
and they made their presence felt, being ably supported by the
no nonsense approach of locks Sam Palmer and Chris Thomas.
Very much against the run of play, Cardigan worked their way up
to halfway and from a scrum they exploited the blind side and
exposed Laugharne`s frailty on that side of the field. With good
support, wing G.Compton was on hand to complete the movement
with an unconverted try in the corner.
This score shocked Laugharne who then got down to the business
of taking the game to Cardigan. From the restart they worked
their way deep into the Cardigan 22 and were awarded a penalty
under their posts for killing the ball in the tackle. Up stepped
Laugharne flyhalf Harries to slot over the kick and close the
scores at 15pts - 3pts in Cardigan`ns favour. Sensing that an
upset was on the cards, Laugharne began to take control in the
set pieces with No.8 Bowen and his fellow forwards driving at
Cardigan relentlessly. They patiently worked their way into the
Cardigan 22 with backs joining the forwards in the rolling maul.
Eventually, Laugharne crossed the Cardigan try line with hooker
Mark Jones emerging with a huge grin on his face in appreciation
of the efforts his fellow forwards and backs had made.
The game then became a nervous affair with the `sinbin` being
regularly occupied and Cardigan trying to close the game down
and Laugharne beginning to open up with their dangerous backs.
Substitute wing Shane Williams came very close on one
occasion in closing the gap with a good turn of pace which took
Laugharne deep in the Cardigan 22.
With the match approaching fulltime Laugharne took the game `by
the scruff of the neck`and launched one final assault from
midfield. The ball came out on the Laugharne side and making
inroads, young lock Chris Thomas found promising fullback
Jonathan Owen on his outside who carried the ball deep into the
Cardigan 22. He probably could have scored himself
but unselfishly he passed to wing Shaun Lynch who finished off
the movement with a try in the corner to silence the volatile
Cardigan crowd. Flyhalf Harries completed the `coupe de
grace`with a magnificent conversion from the touchline to tie
the scores at 15pts all at the final whistle.
For Laugharne it was a fitting end to a wonderful season and
congratulations to Cardigan for reaching the Division 2 playoff
which was so closely in Laugharne`s grasp. Sincere thanks for
the superb home and away support we`ve had throughout and we
look forward to seeing you all again after the summer break.
Alun Jenkins Team Manager laugharne R.F.C.
