66 Feature
Milford RFC through to last eight
THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 20 2017
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MILFORD HAVEN made it
Proud to support the MilfordMariners
through to the last eight of the WRU National Bowl after they beat Nantyffyllon 17-12 on Saturday (Jan 14). The win is a fantastic achievement
for the Mariners and they will now look forward to their tie in the last eight, with a place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for the final at stake. Milford Haven got to this stage
with a 14-12 win over Nantgaredig in the previous round following other wins against Pontardawe and Pembroke. This is the first time Milford
has reached the last eight of the competition, having previously reached the last eight of the Schweppes Cup in 1977 where they played Ebbw Vale. Their opponents from Saturday
Wishing both Cardigan RFC and
Milford Haven every success in the last 8 of the competition.
play rugby in Division 3 West Central and gave the Mariners a stern test of their credentials, but they held on for an excellent victory. The Marniers were virtually at full
strength for this cup tie with a side who are currently sitting comfortable in Division 3 (West Central). With the weather and heavy
underfoot conditions, this encounter was a pure battle of strength between two equal packs.
The Mariners front row of skipper
Jamie Parr, Luke Ryan and Adam Rees never gave up and worked tirelessly in both the tight and loose. Milford nearly gained an early
advantage when pacey winger Jamie Lewis latched onto a pass, but unfortunately lost control over the line. Both sides tried to gain the upper hand through driving line-outs and mauls, but the only points of the first half came from the boot. Nantyffyllon number 10 Tighe
McGuffin slotted three penalties and Milford’s number 15 Craig Barnett slotted one penalty to leave the scores at 9-3 at the half time whistle. Milford then lost the experience
and powerful running of their talisman number eight Mark Wonnacott due to a leg injury. The Mariners never gave up the
cause and continued to battle through the conditions and their defence held firm through relentless tackling from the entire squad. Both teams then exchanged
further penalties and the scores were levelled at 12 apiece. Neither side was able to break
the other’s defence as both held strong and neither breached, with the Mariners’ winger Jimmy Thomas and hooker Ryan putting in try-saving tackles.
With eight minutes left on the
referee’s watch, this was sure to be a nail-biting finish for both the home supporters and the extremely large and loyal gathering of the travelling Mariners supporters. Milford were awarded a scrum
virtually on the half way line and Milford’s Sam Dolling picked the ball up from the base of the scrum and drove up the field. The ball was passed through the hands, eventually ending up in the safe hands of Milford’s trump card, Dan Jenkins, who slid over the line to score the winning try and secure a win and a place in the last eight of the WRU National Bowl. They will now look forward to
their quarter-final tie, having been drawn away to fellow League 3 West A side Cardigan. That match will take place on
Saturday, February 18. Cardigan have already played
Milford earlier in the season and that match finished 19-8 in Cardigan’s favour but Milford will be keen to avenge that loss as they look for a place in the last four of the competition.
Last eight draw: • Amman United v Burry Port • • •
Caerphilly v Taffs Well Cardigan v Milford Haven Swansea Uplands v Cilfynydd
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