Winning streak continues

11:38am Monday 14th April 2008

Cardigan 19 Laugharne 12 Division Three West Playing controlled rugby the Cardis kept their promotion hopes alive with a deserved win over second in the table Laugharne in front of a bumper crowd at King George V Playing Field.

Although Cardigan are coming with a surging run leaders Ammanford appear favourites to win automatic promotion to Division 2 West as champions, with perhaps Cardigan or Laugharne finishing runners up and facing a promotion play off on May 10 against their counterparts in one of the other third division sections.

Slick passing by forwards and backs was a feature of the home side's display and more of the same this Saturday when Pembroke Dock Quins come calling could set up Colin Davies and Co for a grandstand finish to the season.

In the absence of the suspended Dylan Davies the Cardis switched prop Owen Evans to the second row and the youngster acquitted himself well.

Not for the first time this term skipper Colin Trigger' Davies was a shining star as he appeared to cover every blade of grass on the pitch and his kicking was top class, the backrower hoisting three penalties, two of them from near the halfway line.

Behind the scrum outside half Iestyn Crompton was on top of his form, the No 10 getting his side out of trouble with long touch-finders and kicking accurately to the corners.

Replacement Dai Jones was given a huge cheer by the home supporters when drafted on during the second period sporting a natty hairstyle in the Cardigan colours.

Afterwards 22-year-old Jones, who returned to the Gwbert Road club after a spell with Newcastle Emlyn, said: "I'm so happy to be back with Cardigan where I started in the youth ranks under present senior coach Derek Burton, I decided to show my pride by having my hair coloured red yellow and black."

Skipper Davies contributed 14 points with the boot and the solitary home try came courtesy of impressive fullback Dafydd Evans who took a pass on the blindside to pierce the Laugharne defence.

Coaches Derek Burton and Adrian Varney will not have been pleased when their charges conceded a penalty try in the second half that gave the visitors a vital bonus point.

Left winger Mike Stephenson notched a first half try for Laugharne.

Newcastle Emlyn went down 29-21 against Lampeter at North Road. The visitors appeared to be heading for a heavy defeat when Llion Russell, Lee Hicks (2), Llyr Jones and Aled Morgan notched tries for Lampeter. But the Red and Whites rallied in the final quarter with tries by Llyr Evans, Gethin Davies and Euros Evans.

In Division 4 West Birchgrove defeated Crymych 32-26.