Rugby

Lampeter slip into relegation danger

Swalec Division Three West

Laugharne 43

Lampeter 8

LAMPETER suffered one of their heaviest defeats of the season last Saturday, and with only six league games left, there will be a lot of soul searching over the coming weeks as Huw Williams and his team prepare for the crucial final games, which will decide where they play their rugby next season, writes John Jones.
With the next two Saturdays being taken up by the final games of the Six Nations international campaign, they have three weeks in which to try and get some of their injured players back, and to improve some of their basic skills, many of which were lacking last week.
The game was over as a contest after the first quarter, with Laugharne managing to cross Lampeter’s line on no less than three occasions, and the writing was on the wall with Lampeter’s first scrum going backwards.
This came as a surprise to many present, especially when one considers that the home side had the previous week started a cup tie against Aberystwyth with uncontested scrums.
There was certainly no danger of that being repeated in this game, with the home forwards dominant in most facets of play. They produced some excellent play early on and were deserving of their lead, provided by Tom Dinan, Ross Harries and Ross Michael, who also converted a try and a penalty to give the home side a 20 point lead after only 20 minutes.
Lampeter did finally get on the scoreboard, with Huw Thomas slotting over a penalty, which had made up for an earlier miss.
Laugharne stormed back and they should have scored their fourth try before the break from a pushover try. However, they failed to control the ball, and the pressure was cleared.
From the ensuing flowing move, which saw the ball being passed through several pairs of hands, winger Gareth Griffiths crossed over for a try, which gave his side some hope.
Michael, however, slotted over a penalty right on the whistle to give his side a 23-8 lead.
The visitors’ lineout was once again not functioning well, losing regular possession on their own throw in, and this just served to put more pressure on Lampeter’s defensive line.
The home team scored their bonus point try after 10 minutes of the second half, ex-Cardigan player Barry John getting the touchdown.
To their credit, the visitors were not lacking effort, but when they had opportunities, they failed to take them, with too many players playing as individuals, rather than a team.
With the game entering the final quarter, it was damage limitations, but they weren’t helped again this week by the match official.
He awarded a try to fly half Harries, when it was clear the ball went forward in the tackle, and even the home players were surprised.
The final moments of the game saw the home team score further tries through Andy Davies and prop Lyndon Jones, even though they had seen their other prop Rob Jones being shown a red card for an offence on Dafydd Jones.
Laugharne ran out worthy winners by 43 -8, and the work now starts for the Maroons if they are going to succeed and maintain their status for another season in Division Three West.
They have been hampered by some serious injuries this season, and they should have won games earlier in the season when in control, but the fact remains that they must now regroup, continue to work hard in training, continue to believe in themselves, and continue to do the basics correctly - all of which should be enough to steer them clear of the drop zone.