CC Evans cup final

Amman United 23 Cwmllynfell 9

AMMAN United beat holders Cwmllynfell to take the CC Evans Cup in this rearranged final at Cwmamman Park on Saturday.

The final had originally been scheduled to take place in May.

In atrocious conditions, handling proved difficult for both sides and some early sparring ensued before concerted early pressure yielded a penalty for Cwm.

Outside-half Rory Williams Morgan stepped up and slotted the ball between the posts for a 3-0 lead.

Dylan Crisp, Nathan Ace and Daniel Jones worked hard up front for Cwm early, but Amman hit back to level when outside-half Rhys Thomas levelled with a penalty.

Thomas’ side almost went ahead when scrum-half Joel Foster’s neat chip ahead and follow-up saw a try ruled out for a slight knock-on.

A blatant body check on Amman’s Gavin Lewis then brought a stonewall penalty, which Thomas again converted on 20 minutes.

Amman welcomed hard-tackling centre Tristan Manning back into the fold, and he made a number of huge hits to drive the opposition back.

United’s indiscipline cost them late in the first half as a flurry of yellow cards were brandished, firstly Sean Mangan was sin-binned followed by Adrian Thomas and then Karl Worsfold as the Amman were reduced to 12.

Critically though, Cwm failed to claim any advantage and they failed to score any points before Amman were returned to their full complement.

Rory Williams Morgan’s second penalty deservedly brought Cwm level before half-time though.

Amman upped their game in the second-half as their pack got on top of the opposition and the dominant front-row of Tom Davies, Liam Mangan and Doug Jenkins created the platform.

With Amman well on top, the pressure ultimately told and Gavin Lewis’ neat grubber kick to the corner allowed flying wing Johnny Bevan to follow up and dive in to score.

Cwmllynfell reduced the arrears to 11-9 with a third penalty after Amman transgressed, but the momentum was with United by now.

With former Brynamman Youth product Alun Lewis showing up well in the back row, they turned the screw once again up front and a great shove from a maul forced Cwm to collapse and concede a penalty try, which Rhys Thomas converted.

The under-pressure visitors lost a man when Dylan Loughor saw yellow, and Amman, who brought Stuart Davies on to bolster the pack, rubbed further salt in their wounds.

The ball swept wide following a knock-on by Cwm, and Thomas sealed the trophy with a try in the corner.

Thomas’ superb conversion attempt from wide out shaved past a post.

STARTING LINE UPS

Amman United: Liam Mangan, Doug Jenkins, Tom Davies, Matthew Wrigley, Chris Rees, Alun Lewis, Sean Mangan, Karl Worsfold, Joel Foster, Rhys Thomas, Adrian Thomas, Tristan Manning, Dean Williams, Johnny Bevan, Gavin Lewis.

Cwmllynfell: Dylan Crisp, Aled Williams, Luke Mayett, Rowan Davies, Nathan Ace, Daniel Jones, Dylan Loughor, Craig Rees, Sean Lewis, Rory Williams Morgan, Alex Williams, Gareth Jewson, Tristan Lewis, Owen James, Leon Gallagher.