Lampeter 18-12 Bynea

Lampeter's stuttering season finally came to an end at North Road against a patched up Bynea side. With the season going on some three weeks longer than scheduled,the home side were forced to play two games in 4 days against two sides who brought in permitted players from other teams who play in higher leagues. Indeed,whilst Lampeter were made to fight for the spoils in this game, the general feeling all game was for the final whistle to bring an end to a season of indifferent form for both sides. Pressing from the start Lampeter took the lead, down to an error from the visiting Flyhalf fumbling a pass as Openside Dan Hage flew up at him. Seizing the loose ball,Hage had the presence of mind to spin to ground the ball to score his first senior unconverted try. Keeping pressure on the visitors Lampeter pinned the corners through fellow Youth product Arwel Thomas who followed up his tally of a hat trick,eight conversions and a drop goal against Llandybie midweek, with another well taken line burst and try from the stand off position,adding the extras with relative ease to earn his second Man of The Match award in as many games. Strong carries from Number Eight Meirion Jones helped Lampeter upfield yet Bynea and co shored up their defence ensuring the half time score stayed at 12-0 to the home side. The second half proved somewhat difficult for the home side as Bynea broke the line on many occasion yet were undone by their own poor handling. The defensive task became more difficult as home Wing Ollie Ien spent time in the bin for a tug off the ball on his opposite number. Coming back into the game Bynea scored two tries,one a length of the field cracker to bring the scores level and shake up the home side. Captain Daryl Davies looked to the sidelines for assistance,with Coach Dafydd Jones responding well by introducing fresh legs to the home pack. Regular Coach Paul Jones serving a two week touchline ban for a Code of Conduct offence could only hope that his trust and confidence in his players would pay off as the game entered its final quarter. As Bynea had called for uncontested scrums from the start,the home side had to adapt as they were unable to wear their opponents down at scrum time which is a big part of their game. Retiring Prop Chris 'Bola' Thomas was fuming with the decision in this final game for him and would have seen red, had referee Stan Griffiths seen the flurry of fists unloaded during a skirmish off the ball. Thomas made the point after the game, that Uncontested scrums are killing the game of rugby, in a week where some sides have success in their respective League after calling Uncontested scrums throughout their season as a tactical ploy. The WRU must look at this ruling next season as honest sides like Lampeter who want to play within the laws of the game are being penalised with these under handed tactics. Thomas nevertheless carried well with some saying he has time left on the field,yet at 52 Thomas is adamant he will not take to the field again in his lifetime. As the game entered its final quarter it was another Thomas, Arwel, who took the plaudits again with two long range penalties to take the game away from Bynea, leaving the home side relieved at the final whistle. Bringing the curtain down on the season called time on two other players in Huw and Geraint Thomas. Both have served the club with honour and distinction and the players wished Huw all the best as he undergoes facial reconstruction after a season of coaching the backline,and for Geraint who leaves for family reasons in an honourable manner. All three Thomas's are a credit to the club and shining examples to the younger generation of players of commitment, pride in the jersey and sportsmanship even though Prop Thomas won't be remembered for a moment of glory where he resembled a blind octopus as the ball slipped through his hands over the line in what would have been his crowning moment in front of the packed clubhouse. Players paid tribute to Team Manager Mark Jenkins also as he leaves the post due to allegations of match fixing on key games this season. In truth his humour and colourful personality will be missed on the sidelines, as will his match reports that have always accurately reflected the true events of the games. Lampeter finish second in the League,being an improvement on last season but not good enough to attain promotion as the Union tinker with the Leagues. Perhaps on a parting note the Union would be better served by reviewing the rules surrounding Uncontested scrums and Permits for players in these lower Leagues as both are a blight on the game allowing sides to gain results they truly do not deserve. Rugby is a wonderful game and a sport of honourable men and we already look forward to Season 2015-16 with a World Cup along with an exciting young side developing at North Road ensuring a bright future. The future's bright,the future's Maroon!