RUGBY ROUND-UP

A performance brimming with pride and passion and an abundance of attractive rugby were still not enough for Newcastle Emlyn of League 1 West as the Teifisiders went down 23-17 against a classy Brecon of League 1 East in round four of the WRU Plate at Parc de Pugh.

With two unbeaten sides going head-to-head something had to give and after a pulsating tie which was a credit to division one in Welsh rugby the home side and holders prevailed to reach the last eight.

It has to be said that Brecon deserved the passage as they had that little bit extra, but the visitors rose to the occasion and pushed their opponents all the way.

After trailing 10-7 at the interval Emlyn re-grouped and threw everything at the homesters who defended superbly.

Led from the front by No. 8 and skipper Ewan Williams the home side, roared on by a sizeable crowd, had man of the match in young loose head prop Richie Davies who scrummaged powerfully and set up his side’s second try.

Centre Andrew Owens went over for an Emlyn try in the opening 40 minutes, prop Emrys Davies sprang a late score and the remainder of the points were from the boot of fullback Shaun Leonard.

For Brecon scrum-half Scott Gibson, who controlled the tempo of the game for lengthy periods, ran in for a first half try, fullback Jake Crocket broke clear to touchdown after the break while outside half Dean Gunter converted both scores and landed three penalties.

The looks of dejection on the faces of Crymych players and supporters said it all at the end of a League 1 West clash with Penclawdd on the Gower Peninsula after the Preselimen slumped to a fourth defeat on the bounce when appearing to turn fortunes around with a narrow lead in the dying moments.

The north Pembrokeshire villagers looked to have ended their barren run of results and eased their relegation worries.

With the visitors leading by four points it became heartbreak time for them as powerful forward Johnny Hughes got a try from a driving lineout and pipped Crymych by a point.

The rivals shared the spoils at half time after home outside half Dan Guarneri and his opposite number Ifan Phillips landed two penalties apiece.

During the second period Crymych flanker Jon Hill won a race to the line for a try under the posts and Phillips added the extras.

A penalty by Tom Howell reduced the deficit for the Cocklemen before that late dramatic winning try.

Neyland arrived at King George V Playing Field with a below strength side in League 3 West A and never threatened to upstage fellow strugglers Cardigan who emerged 49-15 winners.

Winger Ceryth Griffiths stole the limelight for the Cardis with a try hat-trick, outside half Llyr Jones bagged a brace of tries and others came via Tom Taylor and Kieran Greenland with Jones landing four conversions and two penalties for a personal haul of 24 points.

Chard Monk, Henry McBeth and Shane Phillips got tries for the Pembrokeshire All Blacks.