Division One West: Tenby United 10-41 Crymych

The stage was set for a full blooded Pembrokeshire derby – but it ended in a comfortable Crymych win.

A hat trick of tries from winger Laurence Headlam underlined their dominance as they hammered Tenby United at Heywood Lane last night, although the was marred late on with Osian Edwards stretchered off and later taken to hospital with a serious looking head injury.

Thankfully, Telegraph Sport can report this morning that despite severe bruising on his Vertebrae, his CT scans have come back clear and he is expected to make a full recovery within six weeks.

His injury meant a slightly premature conclusion as referee Matthew Thomas opted to blow for full time after consulting with both captains and coaches, but the official also confirmed afterwards the result will stand with all parties in agreement.

Indeed, the outcome seemed inevitable from the start as the Preseli Men dominated the early possession, and outside half Gareth Davies ensured it didn’t go to waste with a snap drop goal.

And moments later the veteran was instrumental in his team’s opening try.

It was his inside pass that set outstanding No 8 Osian Davies on a charging run into the 22, and then with men over out wide, the No 10 chipped across field into the hands of Nick Bevan – who in turn popped a pass inside for Headlam to score.

It was a brilliantly executed score, and one that set the tone for the remainder of the half.

Tenby threatened briefly has a chip ahead deflected back into the hands of outside half Lloyd Thomas, but the Seasiders were struggling to retain the ball for any length of time and Crymych soon moved further ahead with a superb team score.

No 8 Davies burst out of his own 22 and then had the presence of mind to offload to Headlam on half way, who made ground before returning the favour and after Davies was stopped just short of the line – scrum half Dafydd Phillips was on hand to go under the posts.

Gareth Davies converted for a 15-0 lead.

The visitors then made their intentions for a four try bonus point clear by turning down a simple three points in favour of a scrum, another area in which they were dominant early on, but the call came to nothing and on the 25 minute mark, Tenby got a foothold.

From a penalty on half way, Thomas kicked his side within 20 metres and from the lineout that followed the pack executed a classic rolling maul – with flanker Luke Hansford touching down for an unconverted score.

The hope was short lived though as Headlam struck again with a carbon copy of his first try as again Davies kicked to Bevan wide out on the left touchline, and the full back gathered the high ball and linked with the winger 10 metres out for Crymych’s third try.

And then the bonus point arrived in style via flanker Guto Davies, who picked up a loose ball 40 metres out and showed serious pace to outstrip the cover defence and reach the posts.

Gareth Davies converted both scores to make it 29-5 – and there was still time for a fifth Crymych try before the break as prop Ryan Rees, another to make inroads all night, drove over from close range.

The second half didn’t start at the same pace as the first and Tenby appeared to shore up somewhat defensively, but while Thomas again and winger Jordan Asparassa threatened with breaks from deep, spells of pressure were rare.

And it was the Preseli Men who duly struck again after a big hit from centre Gethin Gibby on opposite number Aaron James forced a turnover, and it was Headlam who evaded the tackle of full back Jack Tucker to speed down the left for his hat trick try. Davies converted.

The Seasiders did then grab a second score after a series of forward drives culminated in skipper Luke Dedman going over by the corner flag, but then just before the 70 minute mark the game was halted, and then subsequently ended.

Asparassa’s tip tackle on Edwards appeared reckless with the winger yellow carded by referee Matthew Thomas, and with a long wait imminent after an ambulance was called for the Crymych player, it was agreed by all involved to end matters there with the result standing.

Correct call from Thomas:

So for the second time in six days these sides failed to go the full 80 minutes, but just like Saturday, the referee made the correct call.

The contest was done and dusted, a long wait was pending, and the clock had passed the 60 minute mark needed for the score to stand. And above all, treatment to Osian Edwards had to take precedent and the most important thing is that he had suffered no long term damage.

My initial thought was the tackle warranted a red, but Thomas is one of the better young WRU referees and was well placed to see it. Fair to say we should trust his judgement.

Dominant derby display:

Last season, I watched Crymych hammer Tenby and wondered how they had started that season so badly.

Last night, I watched Crymych hammer Tenby and wondered how they had started this season so badly.

The coaching staff afterwards said it was the first time they had really clicked this season and it appeared that way. They played with structure and with purpose and the ball carriers up front regularly got them across the gain line. And once the Preseli Men are on the front foot, they will always have a back line ready to do damage.

Gareth Davies was also masterful in orchestrating things and his two cross field kicks which led to tries capped a controlled display. The front row of Steff Harries, Carwyn Rees, and Ryan Rees meanwhile, also got in the ascendancy at the scrum.

Crymych are now up to sixth and if they can maintain the accuracy and intensity they displayed last night I see no reason why they can’t finish higher. The downer of course, was the knock to Edwards while No 8 Davies also appeared to badly damage his shoulder.

Randal Williams won’t want this new found momentum to be halted by injuries.

Seasiders struggling:

I genuinely envisaged a close contest last night.

After the results of Kidwelly and Aber on Saturday this was must win for Tenby - and having already pushed the Preseli Men close in September I thought at home under lights, they would take it to the visitors.

But in truth, they were starved of ball and never got in the contest. There were moments of threat with isolated bursts from Lloyd Thomas, Moritz Neumann and Asparassa, but they never built up a head of steam or put any controlled phases of play together until Dedman’s try.

By that point, it was way too late.

I have seen teams in Division One appear down and out at Christmas (Crymych last season) and then rally thereafter - and Tenby have to somehow pull that trick off now. They do have games against Kidwelly (twice) and Aber to come, but currently lie 12 points off safety and next up have another derby at Whitland on December 29th.

Lose that, and it’s a mountain to climb.

Man of the match - Laurence Headlam:

The carrying of Osian Davies, not to mention his off loading, was superb last night and on most normal occasions man of the match would have gone to him. Crymych will hope is injury is not long term because if so, his absence will be hard felt.

Gareth Davies also had a great tactical game at No 10 but I guess you cannot ignore a guy who ran in for a hat trick of tries in the manner that Laurence Headlam did.

His first two he ran intelligent inside angles of Nick Bevan and his third was a superb finish from long range. Aside from that, despite wet conditions, he threatened every time with ball in hand.

So he gets the nod.

Tenby United: Jack Tucker, Jordan Asparassa, Aaron James, Moritz Neumann, Geraint Powell, Lloyd Thomas, Ben Pugh, Huw Evans, Tom Barrass, Ethan Morgan, Luke Dedman (capt), Charlie Patching, Luke Hansford, Jack Broadhurst, Roy Osborn. Replacements: Jack Davies, Shane Rossiter, Rob Luly, Jack Brown, Will Swales.

Crymych: Nick Bevan, Tomos Lewis, Gethin Gibby, Tomi Jones, Laurence Headlam, Gareth Davies, Dafydd Phillips, Steff Harries, Carwyn Rees, Ryan Rees, Matthew Freebury, Rhys Richards, Rhys Davies, Guto Davies, Osian Davies. Replacements: Jason Nicholls, Aled Harries, Sion Colella, Harri Williams, Osian Edwards.

Referee: Matthew Thomas.