Haverfordwest 19 Ynysybwl 7
Eleven points from Graham Badham helped Haverfordwest gain a smashing Welsh Cup win against Ynysybwl, the team from the outskirts of Pontypridd which plays its league rugby in Division Three (East) - and a key feature of the Blues' success was the superb play of the back row of Karl Weake, Andrew Thicker and skipper Richard Brazell.
They were everywhere in attack and especially in defence, joining the rest of the team in tackling as if their lives depended upon it to make sure they held the edge from the seventh minute, when the 'Bwl were penalised for crossing in midfield and Steve Williams landed the 35 metre penalty to put the home side 3-0 ahead.
The win was all the more praiseworthy because a mixture of injuries and unavailability meant that Haverfordwest had an almost entirely revamped three-quarter line as Dean Lewis, Wayne Davies and Paul Mason joined regular incumbent Dai Jones, all playing with total commitment and with Mason in particular catching the eye for his tackles on much bigger opponents.
Bruce Evans and Steve Williams called the shots at half back and it was a clever long kick ahead by Evans which allowed Graham Badham to follow up and win the race for the touchdown as he does so often.
Evans also featured right on half time as he intercepted 10 metres from his own line and set off on a long run to the opposition try line - only to be recalled for an offside by someone else.
It was a lucky let-off for the 'Bwl and they scored a try from second row Carl Bedgood from the resulting penalty which James Rowlands converted so that the Blues were only 8-7 ahead at the break when they might well have been 15-0 in front.
Steve Williams had to leave the field at half time and Matthew Kelly joined the fray at scrum half, Evans switching to the pivot's berth and using his experience to good effect as he kept the Blues' pack going forward as a result of good lineout ball won by Matthew Lewis and Mark Busch.
The front row of David Maddocks, Chris Banner and Chris Thomas also looked strong and although 'Bongo" Maddocks had ten minutes in the sin-bin the Blues simply tightened up their play and Badham took over the kicking duties to notch two late penalties which earned Haverfordwest a good win - and an away trip to Treherbert for the next round on Saturday.
Haverfordwest: Graham Badham: Dean Lewis; Dai Jones; Wayne Davies; Paul Mason: Steve Williams (Matthew Kelly): Bruce Evans: David Maddocks; Chris Banner; Chris Thomas: Mark Busch; Gareth Lewis: Karl Weake; Richard Brazell; Andrew Thicker.
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