Rugby: Pembrokeshire KO Cup Final Crymych 10 Whitland 52

Whitland gained their expected comfortable victory in the Knock Out Cup Final at Haverfordwest but Crymych deserve credit for their part in a match where David was never going to beat Goliath.

The Preseli Men fought hard but were unable to shackle the greater pace, power and street-wise ability of a side who regularly play three divisions above them in the Welsh league pyramid.

The Borderers were already home and dry at the interval with a 33-3 lead.

The final margin of defeat once again opened up the debate about whether Whitland (and Narberth) should be included in the competition and while there is no doubt that both top clubs have every right to participate there is also no doubting that the relatively small crowd reflected the fact that most neutrals considered the result a foregone conclusion and so stayed at home.

That takes nothing away from Crymych's involvement either because the Borderers paid them the compliment of fielding almost a full-strength team.

This was Crymych's second successive cup final appearance (they lost to Pembroke Dock Quins last campaign when Whitland and Narberth elected to sit things out) and they showed that great strides have been made under Glyndwr Richards and Robin Davies (senior).

They also had Llanelli and Wales star John Davies helping out with the forwards on the evening.

The Borderers served notice of intent from their first attack when a pre-planned move allowed Aled Davies to put young centre Lee Glanville in at the posts for Davies to add the extra points.

Crymych soon bounced back, however, as good work up front by Robin Davies (junior), Andrew Morris, Paul Jenkins and Cennydd James earned a penalty at a ruck, which full back Carwyn Jones wobbled over the crossbar.

But then Whitland applied a stranglehold on the close exchanges as Aperaamo Tauialo was held up over the line but the No 8 had better luck almost straight away as skipper Phil Morgan took a quick tap penalty and put him over for an unconverted try.

The Borderers spurned a certain three points by running a penalty in front of the posts but Romeo Colella's charge was halted by some excellent cover by Gareth Davies, Matthew Hill and Wyn Jenkins.

From the same platform, though, Whitland added another seven points when Phil Morgan motored over and Davies converted from the left touchline.

Crymych were guilty of missed tackles as hooker Aled Harries set Whitland on the attack again with a rumbling run. Morgan was again the catalyst for Randall Williams to grab a good support try which Davies converted from the opposite flank.

The Preseli Men lost scrum anchor man Eurfyl Davies just before the interval and conceded another seven points right on half time when Jack Tremlett raced clear and Davies was on target with another challenging kick.

Whitland gave a run out to their replacements after the oranges and Barry John created space for Will Davies to squeeze in at the right corner for Aled Davies to convert.

It is to Crymych's credit that they kept out the Whitland attackers until the end of the third quarter, when Johnny Koloi set up the platform with a strong surge and prop Gareth Williams was credited with the touch down before Will Davies kicked the simple conversion.

Will Davies also scored a try from an interception 55 metres out to take the Borderers over the half century of points but the loudest cheer of all was reserved for Crymych, as they applied pressure up front and outside half Gareth Davies latched on to a loose ball and crossed at the posts for a try which he converted with the last kick.

Whitland skipper Phil Morgan received the Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup from Phil Thompson (Texaco) and George Releen, president of the Pembrokeshire and District Rugby Union.