Milford Haven Sport
Pembroke 0-31 Aberystwyth
3:00pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
Pembs KO Cup semi final - THREE tries from ace finisher Richard Read helped Aberystwyth ease into the KO Cup Final at the expense of Pembroke.
However, the final margin of success for the mid Wales side certainly gave no credit for Pembroke’s part.
The Scarlets gained parity up front and might consider themselves unlucky to be 0-7 down at the interval because on several occasions they gained a strong foothold in Aber’s 22.
But they couldn’t turn pressure into points as they sometimes took wrong options or final passes went astray.
Jordan Gwilliam, Luke Hansford, Gary Pickering, Robin Badham and skipper Mark Boswell were always involved alongside the gritty front row of Tom Jones, Sean Beynon and Chris Phillips.
But Aber half backs Ifan Thomas and Jason Rees were adept at getting their backs into motion – and paceman Read served notice of intent as he sliced through to score a try which Rees converted from wide out.
Aberystwyth quickly used the slope after the interval to gain a territorial advantage which saw Rees notch a 40 metre penalty.
He then added the difficult conversion to Read’s second try, again scored after Pembroke had kicked poorly, the Aber pack setting up the platform and quick hands gave the winger the necessary space.
Read missed a chance of a hat-trick when he knocked on with the line at his mercy but added his third try midway through the period as he again rounded off a good handling move – with Rees again adding the extras from wide out.
Pembroke never gave up trying but conceded a fifth try when a charged-down clearance attempt allowed Aber No 8 Lee Gower to claim a try and Jason Rees inevitably converted to help Aberystwyth into the KO Cup Final for the second successive year.
They must now wait to see if their opponents will be either Tenby United or Pembroke Dock Harlequins.
Pembroke: Neil Powling, Geraint Jackson, Mark Williams, Barry Bowen, Sean Dalling, Simon Hooper, Ross McNally, Tom Jones, Sean Beynon, Chris Phillips, Robin Badham, Mark Boswell (captain), Luke Hansford, Gary Pickering, Jordan Gwilliam. Replacements: Bryn Williams, Richard Mason, Will Edwards, James Skeels, Joe Jackson; Max Hayward.
Aberystwyth: Ian Lewis, Matthew Green, Llywarch ap Myrddin, Owain Aled, Richard Read, Jason Rees, Ifan Thomas, Tom Pluck, Gareth Flynn, Alan Minifey, Iestyn Jones (captain), Gethin Hughes, Dan Binks, Aaron Lewis, Lee Gower. Replacements: Bryn Sheppard, Rob Rudge, Chris Randall, Llyr Thomas, Aled Sweeney.
Referee: Mr Jason Ludgate (Llandyssul)