Defeat for Cardis

Cardigan went down to defeat at Birchgrove but the final margin flattered the home side as Derek Burton's men battled hard throughout. But they failed to take their chances after a promising start where debutant Duncan Lewis scored a cracking try - and missed tackles and taking wrong options cost them in the final analysis.

The Cardis are traditionally slow starters at away games and they conceded three points in the very first minute as home centre Justin Evans landed a penalty. But they grabbed the lead early on when fly half Gareth Mason was put away by partner Dyfed James and made a scorching outside break before slipping the ball inside for full back Duncan Lewis, signed from Newcastle Emlyn, to race clear to the line. Mason added the extra points.

Cardigan enjoyed their 7-3 lead until the 30th minute but then good handling by Birchgrove prised open the visiting defence and scrum half Steven Rees rounded things off with an unconverted try to put his team a point ahead.

They added another score right on half time as centre Justin Evans crossed wide out and after a very even third quarter Evans made an impact again when he skipped a tackle from Dylan Rees and gave winger Darren Curtis the scoring pass. Although Evans missed the conversion the Birchgrove centre continued to be involved as he landed a penalty which finally killed off Cardigan hopes of a come-back.

But there were good displays up front from the redoubtable Eurfyl Davies, Aled Harris, Chris Jones and Colin Davies and although Cardigan went down to defeat they certainly battled hard until the final whistle and might well have grabbed some points in the last 10 minutes as they finished the stronger but couldn't turn pressure into further points.