Sport
Quins upset Blues to reach KO Cup semi-final
PEMBROKE DOCK Quins upset all the odds by beating League 3 West A leaders Haverfordwest on Saturday (Apr 16) in a pulsating clash with the result in doubt up until the last minute.
The win now puts them into the semi-final of the KO Cup against Aberystwyth at home on a date to be arranged.
On a beautilful Easter Saturday in front of probably the biggest crowd in Pembrokeshire rugby this season, it was the Quins who forced the first error after just three minutes. Outside Half Euan MacDonald sent his 45-yard attempt just wide of the Blues Uprights.
The Blues were dominating the early scrums but were not taking full advantage of the penalties that the Quins were conceding, the Quins first up tackling was stopping the Blues virtually every time they tried to mount a serious attack, and with Prop Jack Davies and a resurgent Flanker Jordan Palmer causing all sorts of problems at the Breakdown and with Centres Jack Price and Gethin Bradney bottling up the middle, things were not going the Blues way as they found the Quins difficult to break down.
On 26 minutes the Quins struck when Centre and Captain Jack Price scattered Blues defenders everywhere and touched down near the posts, Euan MaDonald converted and against all the odds the Quins were 7-0 up.
Once again the Blues responded, but still could not make any inroads into Quins defence.
Then right on half time the Quins scored their second try through Jack Price with a carbon-copy of the first try, Euan MaDonald added the extra to stretch the Quins lead to 14-0 and a few minutes later the referee blew for half time with the Quins on the attack.
The second half started and the Blues showed that they are not unbeaten in the League for nothing, when Wing Jack Evans hauled his side back into the game, out flanking the Quins defence to touch down wide out with the half just four minutes old, Outside Half Jake Morgan missed the difficult conversion.
Points were now a precious commodity for the Blues as they tried to get within one score of the Quins.
The Quins, after defending as if their lives depended on it finally transgressed, and Jake Morgan slotted over a penalty from in front of the posts to drag his side back into it at 14-8.
The home side still held on, barely getting out of their half as they dug deep.
With 10 minutes to go the Blues struck when Centre Matthew John cut through the Quins defence to touch down wide out. The Quins defenders to their credit made the conversion difficult and Jake Morgan missed.
The Quins were now leading 14-13 and it was going to be a tough ask for the young side to hang on.
But this they did admirably, the forwards were putting in a huge effort with Hywel Baker, Harry Owen, Ben Gibby coming to the the fore as the Quins rang the changes from the bench and the interchanges.
With five minutes to go the Quins almost put the game beyond doubt when replacement Centre Aaron James hacked through but the bounce of the ball eluded him about a yard from the line.
The Quins were now firmly deep in Blues territory for the first time in the half. As the game went into injury time and with the Blues’ backs behind their own goal line, the Quins looked odds on favourites.
The Blues tried to run out of defence with 6 minutes into injury time already gone, they transgressed more in desperation than anything else and up stepped Euan MaDonald to put the penalty over, the referee blew for no side and the Quins Marched into the Semi Final.
The Pembrokeshire KO CUP is one of the oldest cup competions in Wales, it has struggled over the years since professionalism, but by hook or crook it has still managed to keep going.
With Grass Roots Rugby struggling,this match was a beacon of hope with a large crowd and a local Derby played on a Bank Holiday which is very important to the respective Clubs.
Sport
Crunch time – Pembrokeshire Division 1 Round Up
An important round of fixtures last weekend, saw Fishguard’s fate in theory sealed if not mathematically. Neyland join them in the relegation places and look unlikely to be able to escape them now. While the Seasiders moved up to fourth, in what is an excellent return to Pembrokeshire’s top flight.
Noir’s men won 2-1 over Monkton Swifts, in a win that puts Tenby on 28 points in fourth but level on points with the Bridge who sit in third. Goals from two of their star players ensured the three points, with Darryl Mansbridge and Adam Muskett finding the back of the net.
Meanwhile, Hakin saw off ten men Pennar 3-1 who lost Connor Roberts a key player to a red card after just 29 minutes. Frustration got the better of manager Carl Vincent who also saw red near the end.
Carew came out on top of a five goal thriller away at Fishguard Sports who now look to be all but relegated. The visitors played a large portion of the game with ten men after losing keeper Harries to a red card just before the interval. It ended 3-2 with the visitors taking the points thanks to goals from a Hinchcliffe brace and Morgan.
In the six pointer at the foot of the table, it ended up being a single point for both teams. Neyland and Kilgetty couldn’t be separated as they drew 2-2, a result that is far more damaging for Neyland than Kilgetty. Neyland now sit three points behind Kilgetty but having played four games more than them. A win for Kilgetty in their remaining seven games would mean Neyland have to win at least two of their remaining three games which seems unlikely.
Sport
The Treble is on – Goodwick win again.
Goodwick went into their visit to Merlins Bridge in the Senior Cup as firm favourites, against a Bridge side capable of causing an upset. However there was no magic of the cup on this occasion for the Wizards.
Goodwick put five past the hosts and made sure it was a comfortable afternoon for them as they’ve become very used to lately. A brace a piece for Dalling and Haworth along with a Horgan goal sealed the deal for O’Sullivans men.
Another dominant display for an excellent outfit, who were missing a key player in Rhys Jones although their strength in depth was really demonstrated here. The treble must now be on everyone’s minds even if they don’t want to talk about it too much yet. You definitely wouldn’t bet against this team right now.
The win means Goodwick are into their second semi final of the season, ahead of their huge clash with Penlan in the West Wales Cup semi final on the 2nd of April.
Sport
Rocky delivers knockout blow
Marble Hall was the stage for an absolute huge cup tie, we billed this as a mouthwatering clash. It certainly did not disappoint.
The visitors got off to an absolute flier playing towards the clubhouse end. Within just twelve minutes the visitors were two nil up.
The first goal was a well worked passing move saw the ball played out wide to Laurie Howarth who beat his man and set the ball back for Ben John to hammer home
Clarby then saw themselves double their lead. This time Laurie turned from provider to scorer as he got onto a Matthew Davies through ball to slot home with a far post finish that beat Charlie Malloy in the Milford goal
It could have been three, minutes later but Haworth couldn’t latch onto a Davies cross which was begging to be converted into the back of the net.
Milford showed great character to fight back and got themselves level before the interval. The first goal came from a long cross field ball to Scott Reid and after his effort was well saved by Mansell, however he was on hand to follow up and slot home
The second was a direct free kick taken by Morgan Picton which found its way under the body of Mansell in the Clarby net, 2-2 at the oranges.
In the second half Clarby playing with wind at their backs we’re seeing plenty of the ball but not many clear chances and those that were created were not converted. Credit to the hosts for limiting clear cut chances and showing tremendous spirit to comeback from a tough start. At the end of the 90 minutes is was all level, extra time needed.
As expected is was tense and nervy it became obvious the next goal was very like to be the winner and with just ten minutes to play, a Laurie Haworth corner was neatly headed home by Ben Rocky John. The goal sent the hosts through to the semi finals of the competition much to the delight of all the players and manager Matthew Fox. However Milford United can hold their heads high, in their return to the first division they’ve secured a safety very swiftly and been a thorn in many teams side in cup competitions.
Photos courtesy of Ethan Ellis
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