Blues beaten as Cardis break winless streak (From Western Telegraph)

Blues beaten as Cardis break winless streak

WRU Lloyds TSB National League, Division Three (West) Cardigan 15 Haverfordwest 14 Cardigan players, officials and supporters celebrated their first league win after 11 unsuccessful attempts with this hard-fought victory over old rivals Haverfordwest at the King George V Ground.

Centre Phil Leighton grabbed an opportunist try and Steffan Williams marked his return at fly half with the conversion and three penalties.

But it was an all-round team display by the Teifisiders which gave them the verdict.

Talented young scrum half Ben Turner caught the eye with a terrific all-action display to edge flanker Colin Davies and No 8 Seimon Rees out of the man of the match award.

The Cardis had lost 27-0 in Haverfordwest but have made steady strides over recent weeks under coach Keith Leighton and the return of veteran prop Eurfyl Davies to prop made sure that they had a solid scrum.

Skipper Richard Jones and Neil Morris formed a tight three and lineout ball came from Llyr Evans, Ian Rowley and Colin Davies.

The Teifisiders got an early boost with a cleverly conceived try when Morris took a short throw-in and Davies sped up the touch line to reach the right corner before the Blues' defence had time to react.

Cardigan were made to pay for missing several chances when Rob Norton charged through the middle for Haverfordwest and Mike Venables slotted the simple penalty when he was held up.

Venables added a second penalty right on the interval, despite the fact that his side was down to 14 men after prop Arthur Daye had been yellow-carded for blocking a tap penalty by Turner.

Haverfordwest also opened the second half scoring with a 52nd minute try that stemmed from a smashing outside break by fly half Marc Williams, who found Richard Brazell at his elbow for the flanker to register a deserved support try.

But Cardigan refused to crack under pressure and their efforts were rewarded after 61 minutes with as soft a try as they are likely to score.

Home supporters groaned as Williams was just off the target with a penalty but Norton, who had looked one of the best players on view, dropped the ball behind his line and as his colleagues stood transfixed, Phil Leighton was up in a flash to dive on the ball.

Williams also added a penalty soon afterwards before Venables landed a good penalty into the breeze with six minutes remaining.

Gary Souter and Eurig Lloyd marshalled the home defence well and Cardigan snatched the win by a single point after their supporters had bitten their finger-nails down to the quick!

Cardigan were sponsored by David Harries and Co, with the match ball sponsored by DBD Insurance Services.

Cardigan: Eurig Lloyd: Huw Davies; Phil Leighton; Gary Souter; Rhydian Jenkins: Steffan Williams; Ben Turner: Richard Jones (Capt); Neil Morris; Eurfyl Davies: Llyr Evans; Ian Rowley: Colin Davies; Mark Hughes; Seimon Rees. Replacements: Aled Richards; Geraint West; Dyfed Simmonds; Geraint Tilley.

Haverfordwest: Darren Salmon: Mike Venables; Jamie Barnes; Andrew Thicker; Ceri Jones: Marc Jones; Matthew Kelly: Arthur Daye; Graham Jenkins; Justin Mountstephens: Matthew Lewis (Capt); Gareth Phillips: Karl Weake; Richard Brazell; Rob Norton. Replacements: Dafydd Bowen; Jeff Clout; Paul Williams; Owen Thomas.