Pembrokeshire Knockout Cup Quarter-Final:
Whitland 11 - Fishguard & Goodwick 9
Referee: Chris Oliver
Venue: Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn
Whitland vice-captain Scott Newton grabbed the only try of a very competitive KO Cup quarter final against Whitland and in the final analysis it proved to be the decisive factor as neither side was able to cross the whitewash despite a great deal of effort and near misses.But the Borderers’ hardy band of supporters had their hearts in their mouths in the last 30 seconds of an absorbing clash as The Seagulls’ talented teenage replacement Olly Rothero made an electric break from half way and looked a favourite to score near the posts but was halted by a try-saving tackle by Whitland youth player Ben Taylor, normally a forward but on as a replacement winger and becoming the hero of the Whitland hour!
Young players in evidence – and some ring-rustiness too!
As well as these two youngsters, Fishguard also had other youth players in flanker Rhys Lewis and second row Griff Williams making a start whilst Cae Llewellyn and Osian Rowe were also on the bench for them.
Both teams inevitably looked ring-rusty in the current circumstances and despite a lot of effort there were lots of basic errors and lots of penalties, mainly in Fishguard’s favour as Whitland fell foul of a raised arm, often when they were on the attack – and had flanker Danny Evans yellow-carded at a key time in the second period.
But it was The Borderers who took a second-minute lead with a well-struck penalty from scrum half Nico Setaro after a good break by full back Matthew Jess, one of their most potent attackers alongside winger Olly Hughes.Fishguard soon drew level, however, as James Griffiths landed a simple penalty – but almost from the kick off the Seagulls conceded a penalty at a set-piece near their own 22 and centre Geraint Jones judged his kick perfectly.
Both sides kicked good ball away when placed and The Borderers had a really good chance on the interval when they found space going right but the final pass was knocked on.
Action-aplenty in the second half
Jess and winger Trystan Rees combined to create a chance for Whitland after the oranges but then Olly Hughes set up a vital platform from which Setaro called his backs into action and when they were held up veteran second row Dai Ebsworth, James Lewis Benji Kirk and skipper Marc Jones combined to create the space for No 10 Newton to squeeze over in the left corner before Jones’ conversion attempt went narrowly wide.
Griffiths reduced the deficit with a simple penalty and the match fortunes ebbed and flowed as both sides gave 100% but were unable to turn pressure into points until Griffiths slotted his third penalty after previously missing one – and then came those dramatic late moments when Whitland survived and gained entry into the last four of the competition!Whitland: Matt Jess: Olly Hughes; Dylan Richards; Geraint Jones; Trystan Rees: Scott Newton; Nico Setaro: Tom Finucane; Marc Jones (Capt); Tomos Evans: Benji Kirk; Dai Ebsworth: Danny Evans; James Lewis; Dan Bennett. Replacements: Ceirion Evan; Tristan Bowen; Ben Taylor; Raff Williams; Aled Phillips; James Thomas.
Fishguard & Goodwick: Ed Bendall: Rhys Evans; James Griffiths; Sion Rowlands; James Reynolds: Creegan Foot; Andrew Williams: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Adam Bowen: Griff Williams; Gwilym Evans: Rhys Lane; Lewis Davies; Gavin Walsh. Replacements: Iwan McVeigh; Andrew Morrillo; Cae Llewellyn; Osian Rowe; Max Jones; Olly Rothero.