Disappointment with derby result

Three penalties by outside half Huw Evans gave Newcastle Emlyn a narrow, but deserved home victory against old rivals Cardigan in this ill-tempered local derby in front of a huge crowd at Ddol Wiber.

The bad weather of the previous day relented but there were storms aplenty on the pitch before the final whistle from referee Peter Saroka (Ystradgynlais) gave the homesters revenge for two derby defeats last season - and Evans was duly adjudged man of the match for the way that he controlled matters with his trusty kicking.

There was little fluidity, as so often happens in a match that means so much to both sides, following a big early fracas where punches were thrown - and referee Saroka clearly decided that he wasn't going to allow rucks and mauls to become too developed and so the crowd witnessed a tense, stop-start match.

But Evans, playing in his first local derby, would be the first to admit that he had quality ball from a pack which played really well and took the game to Cardigan.

It was a point illuminated by Emlyn coach Kevin Phillips, who said afterwards: "I was delighted by our display and our forwards were superb. They wanted to win and hard work in training has paid off, especially in the scrums, where we were immense. To be honest, I was disappointed by the tactics from Cardigan but a win is a win and we fully deserved this one."

Leading the way was the front row of Gary Walters, Richard Evans and Dai Bryant, who were like tigers in the loose, with Eirian Evans, Gethin Phillips and Dylan Evans a good breakaway unit that linked well with scrum half Hefin Jones. Another real boost for Emlyn was the fact that in the second period they were able to bulk up their eight with Derek Thomas and Aled Evans joining the back row, so that Huw Evans could sit back in the pocket and kick for position, despite the yeoman efforts of Cardigan forwards Eurfyl Davies, Chris Jones and Colin Davies to stop good quality ball reaching the outside half.

Cardigan coach Eifion Collins was understandably disappointed by the defeat .

"It was a very scrappy game, tough all the way through. We scored a cracking try by Barry John and if we had been allowed to develop our normal game then we were good enough to win it," he said.

The Cardis' try came right at the end and it was an excellent score where Cardigan won quick ruck ball and quick hands set up the chance for skipper John to race 30 metres for a try which centre Alun Williams converted - but it was too little, too late as there was insufficient time for the visitors to add further points.

Huw Evans slotted the only points of that very tense first period after Cardigan had been penalised for offside near their 22, missing other chances as Malcolm Jones and Eirian Evans worked hard up front. Cardigan lost former Emlyn winger Duncan Lewis with a cut ear, but a boost for the Teifisiders was the fact that they had Simon Rees in their back row for the first time in two season, joining Mark Hughes and Chris Jones, who had another good game at No 8, but fly half Gareth Mason was rarely allowed the service provided for Evans and Emlyn had another six points from their pivot's trusty right boot to set up the victory that both sides desperately sought, despite the pre-match comments that this was just another league match where only points were at stake.

Emlyn team manager Andrew 'Poppy' James was quick to praise his team afterwards. He said: "There was really only one team in it and we might have won by more points. I was disappointed with Cardigan's tactics but at least we have the win we deserved."

Cardigan secretary Graham Rees provided his usual post-match verdict and added: "We couldn't develop the speedy game we wanted and all credit to Emlyn because they had done their homework well. But there were plus points because we have some young players who will learn from this encounter in readiness for the return match."

And perhaps the last word should be left to points-gatherer Huw Evans, who told the Tivy-Side on Sunday: "I played in local derbies with Fishguard and Tenby but none that mean so much as this one."