By Carl Field
Cambrian Welfare rounded off a triumphant campaign as they came from behind to beat Nelson, 43-27 at Sardis Road and secure the Worthington’s Mid District Division One Cup.
It bagged a second piece of silverware of the season for the Welfare, who had already been crowned champions of Division One East Central to earn promotion to next season’s new look Championship.
Nelson had themselves battled back from behind to defeat Builth Wells in a play-off at Brecon to book their place in the district final.
They were also looking to end the season on a high after missing out on the top three promotion spots in Division One East.
Mid District Cup Final – Div 1
Cambrian Welfare RFC v Nelson RFC
25th May 2024. Mike Jones/Replay Images
Mandatory Credit ©Replay Images / Mike Jones
Full-back Ethan Dunning’s early unconverted try put Cambrian in front after a strong start, but that was cancelled out by a try from Unicorns skipper Jarrad Walters, which also went unconverted.
Then two tries in quick succession saw Nelson hit the front; No.8 Walters went over for his second score and then, moments later, hooker Kieran Williams went through for another try.
Both tries were converted by full-back Ross Jones to put Nelson 19-5 ahead.
But Welfare hit back and tries from outside half Jonah Huntley and scrum-half Julian Huntley – who added the extras to both scores – saw the sides go into the break level 19-19.
But the second half would belong to Cambrian who would go on to secure the cup through further tries from blindside flanker Jordan Richards, player coach Matthew Llewellyn and Jack Owen.
Mid District Cup Final – Div 1
Cambrian Welfare RFC v Nelson RFC
25th May 2024. Mike Jones/Replay Images
Mandatory Credit ©Replay Images / Mike Jones
Julian Huntley added a further two conversions and a penalty while Dunning also sent over a conversion.
Nelson’s second half try was scored by scrum-half Sean Roberts with outside half Reegan Davies adding a penalty.
It caps a brilliant season for Cambrian, who won 18 of their 20 matches in a league campaign where they lost just twice. Their only other defeat came against Llandudno in the WRU Division One Cup.
The team have been coached for the past three seasons by Llewellyn, Ashley Copic and Christian Pritchard.
“We’ve just worked hard for the last three seasons and it has really paid off,” said Llewellyn.
“What is pleasing is that 90 per cent of the boys we’ve had from the start; they’ve all just bought in to what we want to do – which has achieved great things.”
Mid District Cup Final – Div 1
Cambrian Welfare RFC v Nelson RFC
25th May 2024. Mike Jones/Replay Images
Mandatory Credit ©Replay Images / Mike Jones
Aside from the silverware, there is a real family feel about the club, off the field as well as on it – where Huntley brothers Julian, Jonah and Jackson all-lined up in the final against Nelson, while father and son Mark and Callum Jones lined up together in the back row.
And Llewellyn hailed the togetherness within the club.
“We were without our first choice back row for this cup final with two on holidays and one banned,” he continued.
“That was a big blow but we have confidence in our boys, we’re a squad at the end of the day and the three boys who came in stepped up which was pleasing.
“It was a father and son, number eight and number seven, so that’s massive for the club.
“You can see all the families here, the kids here, we are a family club and this is what it’s all about; that’s what keeps us going and that’s what gives us the drive.
“I mean I’ve got more clubs than Tiger Woods, but I’ve never been with a club that’s so close, on and off the field.
“The close-knit bond between the boys is incredible and you can’t buy that. When you go down the leagues it’s tough to get that togetherness with a group of boys.
“We’re just building momentum constantly.”
Mid District Cup Final – Div 1
Cambrian Welfare RFC v Nelson RFC
25th May 2024. Pic: Mike Jones/Replay Images
Mandatory Credit ©Replay Images / Mike Jones
Cambrian were presented with the cup by Colin Smith of Molson Coors. The match brought the curtain down on the Worthington’s Mid District finals which, this season, has seen a revamped format introduced, with divisional finals replacing the old Cup and Bowl finals.
The fresh format has certainly proved popular, with crowds packing Sardis Road over two ‘Worthy Weekends’– incorporating two Friday nights and two Saturdays – rather than in midweek as was the case previously.
Sold as a ‘festival of community rugby’, the two weekends have also featured a number of junior matches – with the aim of building on that even further next season.