Crickhowell RFC - 46

Abergavenny Quins - 12

 

IT'S 'game on' for Crickhowell to do the double this season after they beat the Abergavenny Quins to win the Ivor Jones Cup.

Although it is going to be a huge ask, Crickhowell are still in the promotion race and entertain league leaders Cambrian Welfare at Parc Broyd this Saturday in a must win game for the home side.

Yet, Crickhowell can draw a lot of confidence from the first class performance which saw them comfortably beat the Quins to the silverware last weekend.

For all their courage and commitment, Aber found it difficult to compete up front and as a result their efforts behind were off slow ball going backwards.

Early in the second half their best player scrum half James Harris sustained a serious ankle injury and any hopes the Quins could cling to departed the field alongside their number nine.

The game was an exciting spectacle, with both sides trying to play entertaining rugby. And there was certainly no shortage of incidents, with each side having three players yellow carded, much to the bemusement of those concerned and the amused spectators who witnessed some obvious indiscretions going unpunished.

Crickhowell opened the scoring with an Adam Howells penalty goal.

Following some good approach work by Ioan Lilley and Leon Rees, Bleddyn Carrington exploited some space out right to cross for a try which remained unconverted.

Abergavenny bounced back with a penalty goal kicked by Keiron Skinner, who in the first half converted another three efforts which was a creditable performance given the blustery conditions.

A rolling maul set up by a James Webb lineout saw a 15 metre drive from the Crickhowell eight carry Matt Price over the line for the first of his three tries. The conversion failed and Abergavenny closed on Crickhowell through Skinner's efforts but Adam Howells added a penalty goal of his own for Crickhowell to lead 16-12 at half-time.

With the wind at their backs, Crickhowell began the second half with a slight advantage.

Outside half Ioan Lilley dominated with his decision making and match play which has really matured this season. His kicking out of hand pushed the Quins into the corners from which, with the Crickhowell pack dominating, there was no escape. 

A driving rolling maul from Crickhowell saw Price claim a second try and the all action Alan Taylor another. Adam Howells converted one before enjoying a ten minute rest courtesy of the referee. In his stead Leon Rees took on the kicking duties, converting two penalty goals.

A ruck on the Crickhowell line saw Matt Griffiths rally his three into action and with Joe Powell coming into the line from fullback, Bleddyn Carrington got on the outside of his marker and set off for glory.

Carrington was in the act of scoring as the cover defence tackled him but he showed great presence in being able to offload the ball to the supporting Powell to score an unconverted try.

Crickhowell maintained the pressure and Price added his third try, scampering in between the Quins' posts. Howells added the extra points for a well deserved win with Matt Price taking the man of the match award.