Determined Cefn fall short
THIS enthralling encounter had all the ingredients of Cup rugby at its best, apart from the disastrous start the home side made to give their illustrious opponents, leaders of a Division higher a 17 point lead after only 5 minutes play.
Cefn, initially on the attack saw lock Matt Dyer pulled down just short, and then, number eight Lewis Cox have the ball dislodged from his hands when over the line.
Pembroke responded immediately with two tries within minutes.
Cefn fly half Joe Galifant slowed the game up with a fine penalty, but some poor tackling in the middle saw Pembroke fly half Dan Colly go in under the posts again
At 24-3 down, Cefn replied with some good build up work resulting in an excellent break and try by centre and skipper Owen Davies; but each time Cefn showed a glimpse of inspiration, they let themselves down with some more shoddy tackling, this time impressive centre Sean Dalling going in under the posts for his second to give the visitors a 31- 10 lead; Galifant responded with a penalty for Cefn to make it 31-13 to at half time.
Cefn showed great determination, throwing everything at the visitors. Galifant converted another penalty early on in the second half to make it 31 -16, only for Cefn to give another penalty away to cancel out that score and the visitors added another penalty to make it 37-16 to the visitors; but Cefn retained belief and scored an excellent try by flying winger Dan Harris, to make it 37- 23, and then in the dying minutes some superb hands by the Cefn backs saw winger Sam Young score another for Galifant again to convert to make it 37 -30.
Cefn were on top in the dying minutes looking to snatch a miraculous result, but it was not to be, when Pembroke suddenly hacked the length of the pitch for Elliott Evans grab his second of the match.
A great match that both sides can be proud of, with a proper rugby day in the Bar afterwards.
For Cefn, a bit more concentration will surely hold them in good stead for the League and the remainder of the season.