CRYMYCH produced one of their most gutsy performances for many a day to reach the last eight of the WRU Plate with a 12-7 win against holders Penallta.

The Preseli men, who have endured a difficult few months, with a long list of injuries, were almost back to full strength, and they proved that on their day they are a test for any side.

The visitors, who are flying high in Division One East, took time to settle in the bitterly cold and windy conditions, and Crymych did a great job with the elements in their favour.

The Preseli men pinned Penallta into the corners and took the ball through their forwards, in the shape of Jason Nicholls, Lee Griffiths, teenage prop Kemsley Mathias, Owain Evans, and their skipper Rhys ‘Beaky’ Davies.

They had a 12-0 lead at the break to show for this, with outside centre Ifan Phillips slotting over four penalties.

The second half was always going to be tough and half backs Rhys Davies at nine and Luke Rogers at stand off, along with vastly experienced inside centre Gareth Davies, needed to box clever and keep the ball tight, and keep their mistakes to a minimum.

Penallta hit back early with a try, when front rower Kieran Mahoney barged his way over after a sustained period of pressure, and fly half Joe Scriven converted to make it 12-7.

The final quarter was a torrid affair as the weather took hold, and the pitch cut up in the afternoon gloom.

It looked just a matter of time before the holders finally broke away from the Crymych’s shackles, but some outstanding tackling from back rowers Aled Harries, Richard Sharp-Williams and Sion Colella, and returning number eight Guto Davies off the bench, managed to keep them at bay.

In the last eight, Crymych will play hosts to last season’s other finalists Ystalyfera, who were agonisingly beaten by Penallta in the final last season.

That game actually finished 16-16, with Ystalyfera missing out on try count, but the south Wales side have been in great form in this campaign.

They are third in Division One West Central, and have beaten Cwmavon (38-0), Llandudno (16-3), Bonymaen (8-5) and Maesteg (30-3) on their way to the last eight of the competition.

Crymych’s route to the quarter-finals saw them beat Llanybydder (16-58), a walkover against Blackwood, Tondu (27-25) and Penallta (12-7).

Swalec Plate Quarter-Final draw: Crymych v Ystalyfera; Glamorgan Wanderers v Brynmawr; Nant Conwy v Maesteg Quins; Nelson v Ystrad Rhondda. To be played on 10 March.