Division Two West: Cardigan 14 Cwmllynfell 27

Cardigan were made to pay for some sloppy handling as they went down to a home defeat against fourth-placed Cwmllynfell, who were already 22 points to the good at half time and able to prevent the home side's brave attempts at a fight-back through some 'catch-up' rugby that brought them two converted tries in the third quarter.

With both sides eager to play an expansive game the Cardis had three golden chances of adding to their try count but on each occasion lost possession over the line, something that inevitably cost them dear against an in-form side who enjoyed their lucky breaks to score three tries in the first period after scrum half Martin Harries had kicked them into the lead with a penalty.

The first try came after 15 minutes when a Cardigan move broke down in midfield and Cwmllynfell counter-attacked for second row Chris Locke to cross for a try, which outside half Paul Davies converted. Worse was to follow for Cardigan when Cwmllynfell right-winger Lee Davies intercepted a pass and raced a full 50 metres for a soft try and when Cardigan lost the ball in a tackle it was centre Andrew Luther who out-paced the Cardigan cover to sprint 45 metres and claim a try, which Harries converted.

It says something for the Cardis' spirit that they replied almost straight from the second half kick-off, skipper Barry John playing out of position as flanker alongside Mark Hughes and Chris Jones and linking with full back Alun Williams to provide centre Gary Souter with a try, which fly half Gareth Mason goaled.

There was a sniff of a chance for the homesters after 22 minutes when they grabbed their second seven-pointer as John thrust away on the blind side and found Mark Hughes at his elbow, pacy young winger Huw Davies taking the scoring pass and Mason adding the conversion.

Skipper John almost continued the Cardigan come-back as he charged fully 60 metres but lost the ball in the tackle on the line - and a relieved Cwmllynfell finally made the game safe with a late second try for Lee Davies leaving Cardigan to reflect on what might have been with a little more rub of the green.