Lampeter Escape From The Dock!

Lampeter took to the road for the last time this season with a depleted squad comprising of many second team players along with Coach and Team Manager also booting up due to the unavailability of many players. The result was all the more satisfying in the circumstances as the Ceredigion men eturned to North Road with a bonus point win. The win however was overshadowed by a sickening injury to talented Fullback Carwyn Lewis who broke both bones in his lower leg on his way to the tryline. The home side had started on fire,playing with the stiff breeze racing into a 15-0 lead in the opening quarter of the game through two pick and go tries,a conversion and a penalty. In fine sunny conditions the game resembled 7-a-side rugby at times as Lampeter ran from anywhere and everywhere gaining ground with their fitness based offloading game as they struggled in the set piece against an excellent home pack playing their last game of the season. Gaining ground Lampeter earned a penalty as match referee Andrew Crook laid down the law on offside to both sides in the opening exchanges with Fly Half Huw Thomas opening the account for the Maroons. Working their way upfield with skillful interpassing, Lampeter spurned the opportunity to score further points as a certain try went begging as Hooker Aled Jacobs threw a forward pass just feet from the line. From a penalty clearance New Dock rued the missed touch as Number 8 Meirion Jones, who had an excellent game on his return from lambing duties fed Fullback Lewis who accelerated past would be tacklers to score an excellent try to boost confidence in a tired looking Lampeter side.From wide out Lewis added the extras as a bonus to take the game within a try as it became obvious that the home side's strength lay with their pack as Lampeter's upper hand became evident through their pacey backs. Rushing up defensively New Dock's back line got picked open by wiley campaigner Huw Thomas in their own half as Lampeter again ran a full fifty metres off offloads and interpassing before finally the move came to an end just metres from the tryline. From the restarting scrum Number 8 Jones fed Scrum Half Joe Thomas who brushed off the challenge of the entire home back row to power over proving there is life in the old dog still. With the conversion drifting wide and the half time whistle sounding the scores tied at 15-15 accurately reflected a rollercoaster first half where both sides had shown a desire to attack from anywhere. At the turnaround,with the wind and the slight slope advantage Lampeter pressed early as the broke down the blindside of a ruck as Fullback Lewis made a try for himself with tacklers hanging off him leading to the injury which ended his game,season and possibly his career in a Lampeter jersey. After an extended break waiting for the ambulance to take Lewis to hospital along with his Man of The Match accolade. Lampeter picked up where they left off as Left Wing Rhys Davies added to his impressive strike rate for Lampeter,converted by replacement Fly Half Arwel Thomas. Tiring in the heat however as the game wore on,slack tackling as well as poor decision making led to Lampeter being on the back foot for large parts of the final quarter, with pressure finally telling when New Dock Stars once again crashed over from close range for another converted effort and just five points in the match. Momentum began swinging the way of the home side as 50/50 decisions fell their way with time running out. Penalised for holding on in the tackle, a huge clearing kick from youngster Thomas took Lampeter down into the opposition twenty two setting up a catch and drive from the Maroon pack. Going through several phases, edging ever closer to the tryline Thomas dropped back into the pocket to slot the coolest of drop goals,his first at senior level to take the game along with a deserved losing bonus point away from New Dock Stars. With three home games left Lampeter return to North Road next week to face a rejuvenated Nantgaredig side hell bent on registering a double over Lampeter for the first time since they were in the Llanelli and District League with the Lampeter Second team in what seems like an age ago as Nantgaredig have developed immeasurably, with Lampeter smarting from their previous encounter hoping for a competent referee this time round along with a competent performance from the entire squad against the Towy Valley men.