RUGBY ROUND-UP

IT WAS not to be for Cardigan as Llyr Griffiths and team-mates went down 29-3 against unbeaten Amman United in a pulsating WRU National Bowl semi-final at Lampeter.

But Griffiths and Co will have to put the defeat behind them before this Saturday when they visit leaders St Clears in a game many consider to be a League 3 West A title decider.

The Amman Valley high-flyers deserved their Bowl passage to the Principality stadium but the final scoreline rather flattered them as Cardigan turned in a performance brimming with pride and passion.

Amman lost fullback Gavin Lewis after ten minutes when the referee decided he should take no further part after a knock on the head left him concussed and he was replaced by his brother-in-law and Wales legend Shane Williams.

The 40-year-old replacement was subjected to a barrage of high balls from Cardigan outside half Llyr Jones and appeared rather shaky during the early stages.

But the Wales record try scorer did not grace the top stadiums in the world for no reason and as the game progressed he gained in confidence and showed his class with superb footwork in initiating moves that culminated in two tries.

He is sure to be a part of the Amman set-up for the final at the Principality Stadium on Sunday, April 16, when United lock horns with Caerphilly who were 20-14 semi-final winners over Cilfynydd at Taffs Well.

After a tremendous contest in which no questions were asked or given Amman delighted Amman coach Tony Williams was quick to praise the opposition.

"The scoreline was not really a true reflection of the game as Cardigan gave us a real test and they can hold their heads high despite defeat."

For the Scarlets, who led 15-3 after the opening 40 minutes, tries came via tight-head prop Liam Magnum, blindside flanker Alun Lewis, Shane Williams's brother Dean, who has scored more than 200 tries for the club, and centre Mathew Bailey who got the score of the game.

Scrum-half Joe Foster contributed nine points with the boot while Llyr Jones landed a first half penalty for the Cardis.

Newcastle Emlyn are a cosily placed fifth in the WRU Championship after producing a five-star first half performance to spring a 32-12 win over Bedlinog.

It completed a double for the Red and Whites who won 24-20 in the Taff Bargoed Valley in south-east Wales back in November last year.

It was virtually game, set and match before the break with Emlyn in control having crossed for four tries although the visitors hit back during the second period with two tries.

For the Teifisiders there were tries for skipper Alex Williams, winger Llyr Davies, winger Dan Davies who bagged a brace and No. 8 Brynmor Jones with replacement prop Nathan Evans and scrum-half Jamie Soanes getting tries

for the visitors.

Crymych of League 1 West also completed a double when running out 21-17 winners over Llangennech at Parc Lloyd Thomas, having been victorious 34-31 at Park Rugby Ground in November.

For the Preselimen there were tries for Gavin Thomas, Jake Jenkins and Dion Gibby with Jenkins converting three of the scores.

Hooker Rhodri Owen (2) and Liam Tobias got tries for the visitors with Carwyn Richards landing one conversion.