A competitive final, fought between two talented rugby sides.

An unaware spectator could have been forgiven for thinking that last Wednesday’s Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup final was an occasion fitting for such a keenly contested trophy.

In reality, the game between Crymych and Milford Haven simply glossed over a situation that has descended into farce.

This season, the Pembrokeshire District and Rugby Union (PDRU) removed Narberth and Whitland from the cup, believing it would produce a more exciting competition.

But it appears Narberth and Whitland were never the problem.

Out of the four scheduled quarter finals and two semi-finals, just two games were played. Both Crymych and Milford, who received byes in their semi-finals against Aberaeron and Aberystwyth respectively, played just one game each before the final.

The causes of these problems are endless — fixture pile ups, midweek availability, and extended fixture deadlines to name but a few.

But the main problem lies within the clubs themselves, who simply do not treat the Pembrokeshire Cup as a priority anymore.

Sides can forfeit fixtures with little consequence. For the lesser county sides, who do not fancy testing themselves against the best, there is an easy escape route. For those involved in promotion and relegation battles, the cup is a hindrance that can easily be disposed of.

To top it all, fans were asked to travel to Whitland on a Wednesday night and pay £4 for the privilege. The PDRU has talked of attendances of 1,000 or more at past finals, but it is of little surprise that gate receipts for last week’s game suggest there were around 250.

The PDRU needs to take action quickly. This may mean introducing harsh financial penalties for clubs that don’t fulfil fixtures, or even disbanding the competition entirely.

To local rugby lovers that may seem extreme, but otherwise a trophy that was once coveted and steeped in tradition is set to become little more than a laughing stock.