Seasiders strike to knockout Cardis (From Western Telegraph)

Seasiders strike to knockout Cardis

Tenby United 27 Cardigan 18

Tenby United upset the form book as they entertained Cardigan under the Heywood lane floodlights and reached the final of the KO Cup as they outplayed the Teifisiders for much of a hard-fought tussle.

Cardigan are a side which plays its league rugby a section higher but encountered a team for whom winning this particular silverware has always been a target.

Led by fly half Neil Powling, who was dubbed man of the match by coach Gareth Thomas, the Seasiders were 10-6 ahead at the break and were always in front as their powerful pack laid the platform for a victory which now has them waiting to see whether they meet Haverfordwest or Fishguard in the final.

It was Powling who opened the scoring with a penalty which was cancelled out by a similar kick from Cardigan full back Aled Thomas.

But the Seasiders had centres Neil Truman and Sean Brace as a lively pair eager to release wingers Jonathan Dodd and Steve Hartland - and they responded with the game's opening try when good work by back row colleagues Rob James and Justin Richards, in conjunction with nippy scrum half Will Crockford, allowed Nicky Allen to crash over from quick second phase ball.

Powling added the extras and although Thomas slotted a second penalty the Seasiders were good value for their half-time lead - which they extended when Ben Armstrong stole a Cardigan lineout ball and livewire prop Lee Tucker stole away up the blind side and diving over in the corner before Powling added the difficult conversion.

Cardigan pressure paid off when New Zealander Liam Hall grabbed his first try for the club. Thomas slotted the conversion but Powling soon responded with a penalty which put Tenby seven points to the good. In a tense finish the Cardis grabbed a late try from a kick by Aled Thomas which was followed up by Gavin Morris for a try.

Thomas needed the conversion to tie but his kick drifted wide - and Tenby made doubly sure of a place in the final with a last-gasp try by Powling as he side-stepped through for a try which he also converted to steer Tenby home.

Tenby United: Darren Rees: Jonathan Dodd; Neil Truman (Paul Luger); Sean Brace; Steve Hartland: Neil Powling; Will Crockford (Oliver Brace): Dai Balkwill (Mark Badham); Richard Rossiter; Lee Tucker: Paul Broaders; Ben Armstrong: Nicky Allen; Rob James; Justin Richards.

Cardigan: Aled Thomas: Gareth Davies; Eurig Lloyd; Alun Williams; Dyfed Simmonds: Gavin Morris; Dylan Rees: Eurfyl Davies; Aled Harries; Richard Smith: Chris Jones; Kevin Hurley: Steve Liptrot; Colin Davies; Liam Hall.