Llantwit Fardre celebrating title success

Having dominated the first 40 minutes and built a 22 point lead, the Division 2 East Central side had to withstand a spirited reaction from their lower division opponents as the newly crowned Division 3 East Central A champions levelled things up with a converted try with the last play of the game.

That made it 27-27, but it still wasn’t enough for Treharris to win the title. With no extra-time, it was Fardre who took home the trophy after edging the contest five tries to three. Fardre skipper Andrew Evans was presented with the Bowl by Colin Smith, account manager for Molson Coors, before paying tribute to Treharris.

“It was a tough. Treharris are a really good team, who have only lost one game all year,” said Evans. “We really came out of the blocks for the first 20 minutes and thought we’d blown them away but they were dogged and, as we knew they would, just kept coming and coming.

“They never gave up and they did themselves proud, it was a great final. In the end, I think a long season caught up with us, but we’ll take this.”

Fardre were dominant early on and scored the first try after four minutes through prop Lee Williams which was converted by full-back Scott Burrows. Burrows added a second try on the quarter of an hour mark which went unconverted before two more tries in as many minutes just past the half-hour strengthened Fardre’s grip.

The first was scored by openside flanker Luke Benjamin before outside half James Cumpston sent Burrows over for try number four moments later. Neither try was converted but they were 22-0 the good.

That prompted some harsh words in the Treharris changing room at half time and, to their massive credit, they responded magnificently in the second half. Full-back Lloyd Bennett kicked two penalties and they were then certainly deserving of the try scored by wing Owain Rees on 58 minutes, converted by Bennett, to pull the score back to 22-13.

Replacement Dean Thomas the went over for a fifth Fardre try and that looked like being that. But Treharris aren’t a side used to losing this season and responded in turn with a try from No 8 Barry John Gwynne.

Bennett’s conversion reduced the deficit to only seven and set up a frantic finale. And, after a barrage of late pressure, Rees crashed over for his second and Treharris’ third try at the death, converted by replacement Ben Jones to cap a superb comeback.

“We’re gutted really that there wasn’t any extra-time,” said Treharris head coach Barry Morgan. “It’s a bitter pill to take but we’re very proud.

“When they went 27-13 up I thought we were going to just fold, but the spirit the boys showed was second to none, we’ve had it all season.”