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27 May 2019 / Club News

Nantgaredig 25 - Trimsaran 28

Tycroes RFC was again this year's venue for the West Wales Plate Final where Nantgaredig were defending the trophy they won last year. This year Nant were up against Trimsaran whom they had beaten both at home and away in the league this season and so Nant went into the match as slight favourites although the most recent match had been a one point margin of victory.

It was Trimsaran who took the early initiative with two penalties kicked by outside half Corey Phillips with Nant responding with three penalties by wing Lloyd Williams. Trimsaran had the edge in the scrums and were keen to put pressure on George Gleeson who is always a threat at scrum half. Nant were always looking to quicken the game whereas Trimsaran were happy to disrupt the flow and allow their forwards to dictate matters. Towards the end of the first half and into 5 minutes of injury time, Nant were awarded a penalty inside the opposition 22 and opted for a scrum. Whilst Trimsaran managed to disrupt the forward drive the ball was fed out along the backs for full back Dafydd Lewis to score the games opening try. The successful conversion gave Nant a 16-6 lead at half time.

The second half started with Trimsaran immediately taking the game to the opposition with their pack driving forward metre by metre. With 5 minutes played the ball was released to centre Thomas Bonnell who beat his opposite number to cross for their opening try. The score had the effect of lifting the Trimsaran side whereas Nantgaredig found it increasingly difficult to secure their own lineout and provide quality ball for their backs. Trimsaran continued with their pack driving forward and repeat their earlier move by working their full back Dan Griffiths over in the corner for a second try. The best that Nantgaredig were able to offer in response were three further penalties by Lloyd Williams and Meirion Davies. With the match finely balanced it seemed that Nant had scored a winning try through wing Rhydian Davies only for the assistant referee to call a forward pass. In the dying minutes of the game, and with Nantgaredig leading 25-21 the Trimsaran forwards carried the ball  from a driving lineout to cross for the decisive try converted by outside half Corey Phillips.

The Nantgaredig team can be proud of their achievements this season by winning the Division 3 West B with a 100% record and over 100 points. They reached the semi final of the National Bowl competition only to be defeated by a narrow margin by the eventual winners Abergavenny RFC. And of course, finalists in the West Wales Plate this evening.

Scorers

Nantgaredig

Try: Dafydd Lewis

Conversion: Lloyd Williams

Penalties: Lloyd Williams(5) Meirion Davies (1)

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