Rugby round-up (From Tivyside Advertiser)

Rugby round-up

11:04am Monday 28th April 2008

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It is destiny time for Cardigan on Saturday and for fans all roads lead to Laugharne when Colin Davies and Co go in search of victory that would give them the runners-up spot in Division 3 West and a promotion play-off the following weekend against Tondu or Aberavon Quins of Division 3 South West.

The Cardis put themselves in the right mood for the showdown with a 31-13 away win against Amman United, and as was the case the previous Saturday sprang a last gasp fourth try for a vital bonus point.

Back after suspension blindside flanker Dylan Rambo' Davies had a big game for the visitors and was superb in the lineout.

Afterwards 23-year-oold Davies told the Tivy-Side "It's been gut-wrenching sitting out two games and having to watch my comrades play after a very dubious sending off against Newcastle Emlyn.

"I know we will have great support at Laugharne on Saturday for what is definitely the biggest game of my career to date," he said.

Another to impress was 18 _ stone 6' 3" loose head prop Owen Evans who replaced Richard Jones for the final 20 minutes.

The bonus point try came in the last minute with a tried and tested move involving centre Aled Jones acting as a decoy at the back of the lineout and going through the home defence like a knife through butter.

Earlier the Cardis notched tries through outside half Iestyn Crompton, scrum-half Michael Diggle and skipper Colin Trigger' Davies who added 11 points with the boot.

Going into the clash with leaders Ammanford at Ddol Wyber with a weakened line-up Newcastle Emlyn were taken to the cleaners as they ended up losing 77-14, the heaviest defeat suffered by the Red and Whites since a 50-0 hammering by Cardigan on their own patch some ten years ago.

The rampant Amman Valley side stashed up 49 points before the break with eight tries and in outside half Craig Maloney had a jewel in the crown, the No. 10 contributing 27 points with the boot.

Hooker Rhydian Harries bagged a brace of tries for the Red and Whites but that was scant consolation as the under strength Teifisiders were run ragged.

Crymych have come with a surging run in Division 4 West and are on the verge of promotion as runners-up to Morriston.

The Preselimen take on Birchgrove at Parc Lloyd Thomas tomorrow (kick off 6.30pm) and host Pembroke on Saturday in the knowledge that two victories would take them up.

After a 29-18 win over visiting Llandeilo club secretary Gordon Eynon said: "It has all come together over the past six weeks or so with players returning from injury and other players hitting top form."

The homesters made a bright start with tries by outside half Carwyn Jones and hooker Trystan Griffiths with the former converting both scores and landing a penalty.

Outside half Andrew Morgan hoisted two penalties for the visitors.

Llandeilo came back strongly after change of ends with tries by centre Dean Owen and No. 8 Chris Mosley and Morgan landed one conversion to nudge his side ahead.

With nine minutes remaining it looked as if Crymych had blown it, but they kept plugging away and created an overlap for winger Mark Hamilton to go over for a try, and with the last move of the game Carwyn Jones kicked through and got the touchdown for a bonus point.

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