SUPPORTERS at Cardigan were treated to an exciting local derby, with the result in doubt until the final play of the match.

Llanybydder, trailing by a single point at 21-20, pressed hard for a late winning score - only to be denied at the death when the ball was ultimately knocked on.

It brought a sigh of relief from the Gollop Stand faithful, who had seen their side concede a 21-0 lead in the final half hour.

Indeed, had former Cardigan outside half Llyr Tobias slotted over the final conversion of the match, visitors Llanybydder would have sneaked the winning verdict.

His conversion to win the game cruelly bounced back off the woodwork, after the same thing happened with his attempted conversion of the first Llanybydder try.

Cardigan, without influential coach and number eight Colin Davies, started well and Emyr Harries slotted over a couple of early penalties to put his team in front.

They added to this with a splendid try when a powerful burst from number eight Tom Taylor saw the ball spun out to Aaron Tompkinson and his superb pass put hooker Luke Palmer Davies away for a try.

Cardigan looked to be running away with it at this point, and especially so when Harries added a monster of a penalty to increase the lead before the break.

A second home try followed five minutes into the second half when number eight Taylor burst through on a superb angle to set up Tompkinson for a try out wide, and the conversion by Harries put Cardigan almost out of sight at 21-0.

Llanybydder, however, came storming back with a try from a forward drive,which was claimed by skipper Ricky Davies. Tobias missed the conversion.

The visitors then added another try two minutes later when the ball squirted out of a scrum on the blind side and scrum half Thomas scampered over to make it 21-10.

Cardigan lost the services of blind side Bedwyr Davies to a yellow card, and Llanybydder made the most of their advantage with a third try, when Davies powered his way over for his second try of the game.

The sudden quietness in the Gollop Stand reflected the drama unfolding, and Llanybydder added their fourth try late on when Aled Evans barged his way over.

Tobias was presented with his golden chance to put one over his old club, but his well struck conversion hit the woodwork.

The visitors gave it one final shot, but just as they were setting themselves up, the ball was spilled and hopes ended.

MILFORD HAVEN 12 ABERAERON 7

THIS much-anticipated clash between the two form teams in Division Three West A proved to be a tense affair between Milford Haven and Aberaeron, as predicted.

In a colossal battle, it was a second half try from Lee Riley that ultimately settled this crucial match in favour of the hosts.

It meant a 12th straight league win for the Mariners, whose destiny now appears in their own hands as they seek the title and promotion to Division Two West.

It also means that Aberaeron’s title hopes are now dependant on favourable results by other teams, to make up the deficit.

A huge crowd at The Obs was treated to a physical opening quarter, with Aberaeron maximising field position, without managing to break the home rearguard.

Milford slowly gained parity, and they were first on the scoreboard, crossing in the 23rd minute when Dewi Williams charged towards the line, and from the ruck that followed scrum half Dan McClelland threw a dummy and sniped over. Winger James Trueman then converted.

That only seemed to spark Aberaeron, however, and centre Ollie Sawyer twice broke through the midfield, but he was thwarted by some good cover defence.

No 10 Rhodri Jenkins was uncharacteristically off target with a penalty attempt, to leave the hosts 7-0 ahead at half time.

With the result still in the balance in the second half, Aberaeron had the upper hand, and a concerted effort resulted in wing Dyfrig Dafis pouncing on the loose ball for his second try of the campaign.

With Jenkins converting, the scores were now level and the result in the balance.

It was finally decided when a quick penalty by the hosts created the opportunity for Lee Riley to cross over in the corner - although the final pass was quite controversial, and very much on the borderline.

The final 10 minutes saw Aberaeron doing their utmost to try and claw back the deficit, and despite Jenkins pressurising the home defence with a series of corner kicks, the all-important possession at crucial locations never materialised - despite them being encamped near the try line.

The final whistle signalled a huge roar from the home crowd, with the consensus being that a draw would have been fair .

Aberaeron were left to reflect on a brave but fruitless performance, with only a losing bonus point to show for their efforts.

LLANGWM 7 TREGARON 7

TREGARON had to settle for a share of the spoils in a low-scoring 7-7 draw away at Llangwm in Division Three West A.

The visitors’ defence had worked overtime in the opening period as Llangwm created a number of chances, and numerous last-ditch tackles had to be executed.

When they gained possession, the visitors looked dangerous, but were unable to sustain any continuous momentum.

On 25 minutes the Tregaron defence was broken, as the home half backs, both on permit from neighbouring Neyland, created a gap, which saw centre Robbie Neal cross under the sticks for the first try.

Outside half George Evans slotted the extra points for a seven point advantage.

Prior to the interval the Tregaron forwards carried the ball effectively, with prop Dorian Pugh prominent throughout, but handling errors interrupted the flow.

In the second half, they used the advantage of the slope with good effect, but good tackling and enforced errors made it a frustrating 20 minutes for the visitors.

Finally, on 65 minutes a maul was set up on Llangwm’s 25 metre line, and as the referee was going to blow, Ieuan Wyn Rees appeared with the ball and ran unchallenged to score. Everyone looked in amazement, including the Bridgend official, but the try quite rightly was allowed.

Huw Bonner levelled the scores at 7-7 with the successful conversion kick.

The home pack pushed on hard for the win late on, and a series of scrum fives had to be defended, with some excellent tackling by flanker Martin ‘Barrels’ Lloyd.

A draw, however, was a fair reflection of the contest, and the visitors were happy to return with the two points in the bag.

TRIMSARAN 12 LAMPETER 8

LAMPETER cruelly lost a hard-fought battle at Trimsaran, with a last-gasp try securing the home victory in Division Three West B.

Lampeter have been a bogey team for Trim the last few seasons, and were looking to repeat their bonus point victory last season.

Trimsaran, however, had won nine of their first 10 league games, with Lampeter having only won four of their opening 12 matches.

Trim opened their scoring after just five minutes, when winger Dan Griffiths broke up the wing and a great switch with Rhys Evans saw the full back cross the whitewash for the opening score. The conversion was then successful.

The hosts continued to apply pressure, but couldn’t get through a tough visiting defence, and Lampeter made things difficult with great control by their backs.

Lampeter almost crossed for their first try but lost the ball. The referee came back for a penalty in front of the posts, and Huw Thomas took the three points to make it 7-3 after 20 minutes.

Lampeter continued to make yards and apply pressure, and after a few phases and good ball retention they scored their first try.

Emyr Richards got through three Trim defenders to score, and although the conversion was missed and the score was now 7-8.

The second half was similar to the first, with Trim conceding a number of penalties and Lampeter had no problem in booting the ball deep into home territory.

It was only strong defence which kept the hosts in the game, with Lampeter dominating territory and possession, and gaining ground through big ball carriers.

When Trim did manage to get into Lampeter’s territory with some turnover ball and a couple of penalties of their own there was error after error - and Lampeter were able to clear the ball.

It remained scoreless in the second half, but with four minutes left Trim had a scrum near the 10 yard line in their half. With the ball secured, they opted to kick into Lampater territory, and Rhys Evans managed to collect the ball to score their winning try.

An error from the restart gifted possession back to the visitors, and they applied heavy pressure for the remainder of the game.

The Trim pack had to defend very well, and after a couple of phases the pressure on the visitors’ attack told and a knock-on finally earned Trim the victory.

It was a victory that probably wasn’t deserved, but for some great defence and a never-say-die attitude.