Crickhowell RFC - 21

Garndiffaith RFC - 27

IN typical quarter-final cup tie fashion, Crick's match against Garndiffaith saw the lead and fortunes fluctuating wildly in the favour of both sides until the Parc Broyd outfit finally succumbed in the last five minutes.

In a powerhouse performance from Crickhowell, their pack dominated the scrummage area and although they fell behind to two early converted tries, they forced their way back into the match to share the spoils at 14 points apece going into halftime, courtesy of tries from Adam Howells and Chris Williams. Howells converted both tries.

Into the second-half and it was a case of more of the same with the quick Garndiffaith backs causing all sorts of problems, but the midfield of Howells, James Ralph and Ioan Lilley, backed up by the backrow, led by Captain James Webb, held firm.

Crick turned the tables and the screw, when they drove their way up field with props Ken Birch and Martin Lane leading the charge.

With the ball being recycled, Garndiffaith were stretched from one touchline to the other and eventually they cracked as the recycled ball went quickly through the three quarters hands to Ben Withey who cut back inside to score. Howells added the extra points.

The visitors tried to up the pace of the game but Crick reacted well and the defence held firm until with five minutes to go, a misjudged kick bounced straight into the Garndiffaith fly half's hands, and needing no second invitation he pinned back his ears and sprinted some 40 metres for the unconverted try.

A harshly awarded penalty kick on the 22 metre line in front of the post left Crick with no time to repair the damage as they bowed out of the Ivor Jones cup.

However, this was a very useful workout for Crick, who have played only two games since October.

The players are now looking forward to next Saturday's trip to Hollybush in a WRU Division Six South West league match.

At Saturday's game, prior to the kick-off a two minute period of silence was held in tribute to Abergavenny player Lewis Smith.

Lewis trained with Crickhowell during the summer break and was known by many of their players.

A club spokesman said, "Our sympathy as a club goes out to Lewis's parents and family and to his rugby family at Abergavenny RFC who have lost such a young precocious talent and friend."