Saturday, 18 May 2013

Late drama in Gwent Cup final

WORTHINGTON GWENT & DISTRICT (CYRUS DAVIES) CUP FINAL

TREFIL13-14 ABERTYSSWG

Season after season it seems that few competitions rival the Worthington Gwent & District (Cyrus Davies) Cup final for excitement, and this season brought possibly the most thrilling finish of them all!

Division 6 East winners Trefil took on Division 5 runners-up Abertysswg at Glan-yr-Afon Park, the home of Blackwood RFC.

Abertysswg celebrate with the Gwent & District (Cyrus Davies) Cup.

If Abertysswg were thinking of a SWALEC League play-off in four days’ time it did not show, as they had all the early pressure, but Trefil soaked it up with a great defence.

After 21 minutes the deadlock was broken when Aber centre Richard Theophilus kicked a penalty, while Trefil fly half Matthew Edwards almost levelled with a drop goal attempt.

Then came a surprise score as Abertysswg’s pack shoved but rose to find Trefil had scored when David Kearney broke and full back Matthew Harley kicked ahead and regained to cross. Edwards converted.

A 7-3 interval lead was pegged back by another good Theophilus penalty, but flanker Christian Jones replied with a great run at the line for Trefil.

After 54 minutes Edwards placed a penalty for 10-6, but back surged Abertysswg with Rikki Jones running well and, after wonderful defence, Trefil just had to break under the pressure as centre Jamie Parry, having moved to scrum half, dived over to give Abertysswg the lead.

Now Trefil hit back, having superbly handled the threat of experienced Aber fly half Jamie Howells, and centre Lee Brooker banged over a massive penalty via the crossbar.

Abertysswg were down 11-13 with just 10 minutes remaining and hammered away for nine minutes and 30 seconds before replacement centre Josh Perry kicked a splendid goal to win it amidst terrific scenes.

While Abertysswg flanker Liam Buckley was voted man of the match, great credit went to referee Dion Tuck, who though only a district official in his second season, will surely rise quickly up the WRU Referees’ ladder.

Mr Gethin Morgan of Molson Coors presented the Cup to Abertysswg skipper and full back Steven Klein.

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