A Step Back in Time Report 1965/66 v Pontardulais (WWRU Cup Final)

A STEP BACK IN TIME

(By Percy |Jones) 

SEASON 1965 – 66 

The Quins made it to the final of the West Wales Rugby Union Cup having taken some tough scalps on the way. They beat Felionfoel away in the first round by 9pts – 6pts; Ammanford at home in the second round by 3pts – 0; Cwmllynfell away in the 3rd round by 14pts – 3pts; Ystradgynlais away in the Quarter Final by 3pts – 0; Amman United in the Semi-final held at Ammanford by 6pts – 3pts with two tries scored by Peter Evans and Graham Thomas. The following is a report in the Carmarthen Journal of the Cup Final between the Quins and Pontardulais held at Ammanford.

Saturday 23rd April 1966 at Ammanford 

Carmarthen Quins 6pts.,   –    Pontardulais 14pts.

(By kind permission of the Carmarthen Journal)

 

It was the same sad story all over again! Carmarthen have a tremendous run every season in the West Wales Rugby Union cup competition but somewhere in the final stages they lose their rhythm and fight.

After a good first half, Carmarthen lost their grip in the second and allowed Pontardulais to win the West Wales cup for the third successive year at Ammanford on Saturday.

Half-backs Peter Evans and Derek Lewis showed intelligence and understanding in their moves and helped Carmarthen to gain a territorial advantage throughout the first half. It was Derek Lewis who made a neat break which ended in left wing Dewi George putting Carmarthen ahead with a fine try in the corner. Carmarthen continued to press and further scoring chances failed when a 50 yard run by right wing Tudor Lewis ended in touch and full back Gwyndaf Jones came close with a penalty attempt from wide out.

Pontardulais most certainly turned the tables in the second half and gradually gained command in all spheres of the game. Scrum-half Alan Alexander proved quite a handful to the Carmarthen back row. Right wing Teifion Thomas equalised for Pontardulais with a try in the corner. Soon after, Pontardulais outside-half Malcolm Edwards put his side ahead with a well taken drop goal. Carmarthen equalised when centre Aubrey Davies made a break and the ball came to Dewi George who put in a good run to score in the corner for the second time.

Malcolm Edwards came back with another dropped goal. Centrte Meirion Bishop wrapped it up for Pontardulais with a try near the posts after kicking ahead and gaining a lucky bounce. Full back Gilbert Miles converted. 

A photograph of the Quins team that played in this cup final is also included in today’s match programme along with a photograph of the Quins 7’s team which took part in the first ever Welsh National Sevens Competition held at Aberavon on the 7th May 1966.