Haverfordwest's winning form continued on Saturday (Dec 20) with a 31-3 win over visitors to their Merlins Bridge ground, writes Jonathan Twigg, the Blues bagging a bonus point as they ran in five tries to maintain their unblemished home record in the league this season whilst also securing the double over the visitors after an opening fixture win in September.
Departing fullback, Guy Barrons was given the honour of captaining his side before returning to America and won the ‘rock paper, scissors’ for choice of ends after both sides observed an impeccable minutes silence in memory of former Haraft player, John "Landers" Lewis. Barrons side were kept at bay for long periods of the opening half as Cardigan absorbed the offensive play whilst also creating the best opportunities in the opening 25 minutes, the back three of Shaun Leonard and wings Llyr Jones and Alun Jenkins enterprising in their incisive running angles and speed to accompany Leonards astute kicking into a strong wind. They led 3-0 inside the first 5 minutes as Jones kicked an early penalty from 35 metres as the hosts eagerness at the offside line saw them penalised by Carmarthen referee Richard Thomas, which was a feature of the opening exchanges as Haverfordwest were also penalised for holding the ball on the floor after being tackled.
Haverfordwest were over eager in their endeavours, not only being penalised for their indiscretions but also guilty taking the wrong choices when better options were available, be that in territory or delaying the final pass, that changing on 15 minutes when the Blues scored the opening try, Barrons drew his opposite number Leonard to allow man of the match Scott Candler to scoot over unopposed from 20 metres, centre Jack Codd adding the extras.
Wingman Candler was a thorn all game for the ‘Cardis’ defence having a brace of assists alongside scoring a second try in the second half, by which time his side were firmly in control of the game, Logan Hughes on the right wing also a pacy runner with ball in hand. They turned around at half time 12-3 ahead after the pack, led by the unselfish and often unseen ground work of Jamie Zambas, his fellow prop Dan Berry and livewire hooker Iori Curtis put second row Dylan Williamson over for a score, despite the valiant efforts of former Crymych hooker Owen Fletcher, flanker Dafydd Rotie on the openside and his captain Kester Adams at Number 8.
To compliment his defensive labours, Rotie was the go to man for the visitors in the line out, which were often unchallenged as the Blues who then targeted the second phase, scrum half Liam Eaton having a platform from which to play as his back row of number 8 James Hart and flankers Dylan Williamson and Mike Griffiths were impressive as a unit but also in their tenacious play to secure the ball. The scrums were one sided as Cardigan had little answer to the well drilled pack, at times conceding crucial yardage and in doing so allowing playmaker Adam Phillips, introduced at half time as pivot, to build an array of offensive plays, centres Codd and Iestyn Arnold crossing the gain line with direct running as did Jack Morgan, now at fullback and second row Karl Busch, who was on hand to support his colleagues to supplement his option at the line outs whilst enjoying many marauding runs with ball in hand.
Prior to Candler crossing the whitewash for his second try, converted by Phillips to make the score 26-3, Griffiths popped over from a yard which Phillips converted, the home side forwards and backs seamlessly linking with slick handling and unselfish work to set the ball for their team mate.
The games final score came as Curtis touched down, Barrons recalled for his final lap of honour as Candler graciously stepped aside having an opportunity to run with space ahead of him but also his final hurrah was spilled and a fitting coupe de grace lost. He will reflect that the second half performance was one of a side with a clear goal of securing promotion his charges having a clear vision by which to execute their game plan, testament perhaps how well the visitors played into the wind themselves, which will bode them well as the season heads into the New Year.
Home head coach Simon Lepetit acknowledged how hard the game was despite the 31-3 final scoreline, this evident with his beaming smile when Thomas, a vocal and assured match official, blew the final whistle.
Lepetit was full praise to Rob Evans and his side “for the game today; we had to work hard for the full 80 minutes and have been justly rewarded for our efforts with a bonus point victory. Its pleasing to see our exertions away from the amphitheatre both in attack and as importantly in defence, rewarded with this performance. We have a strong squad within the Club and the introduction of a second XV bodes well as the season develops, both in player availability and club hiraeth.”
The Blues next game is the festive derby at Llangwm on Boxing Day before Tumble, the side 3 points ahead of them in The Division 3 table and sitting in the second promotion place are the visitors on Saturday (Jan 3), unbeaten leaders then the visitors a fortnight later. Cardigan welcome Llandeilo to their King George IV ground on the first weekend in January, before Neyland a fortnight later, the Pembrokeshire All Blacks welcoming the Blues on Saturday (Jan 10) whilst the Cardigan travel to take on Tumble at Parc Y Mynydd Mawr, the Magpies a club steeped in Welsh rugby folklore.
Photo Gallery (click to view in full)
