Worthington East District Cup Final
Dinas Powys 59, Llantwit Major 26
By Howard Evans
Dinas Powys ran in nine tries to add the East District Cup to the Division 2 East Central League title they had gained three days earlier.
Despite a lot of good play by Llantwit Major, especially in the second half, the match was really over well before half-time when the score stood at 45-14.
Dinas came out firing and both their centres – Ciaran Driscoll and Adam ‘Buffalo’ Williams – roared over for tries in the second and fifth minutes with fly-half and captain Ben White converting both.
Llantwit fought back and were given hope when Josh Austin broke through and flanker Gareth Watts crashed over for Austin to convert.
But within 15 seconds of the re-start, No. 8 Lewis Dunleavy scored the third Dinas try and White landed a touchline conversion.
It got worse for Llantwit as powerful prop Damian Gardner-Ponting left with an arm injury and Dinas ran in further tries by centres Williams and Driscoll, plus a White conversion.
Llantwit scored their second try as No. 8 Dan Carter crossed for Austin to convert. But scrum-half Nathan Williams and hooker Tom Baister scored further Dinas tries and White added another conversion.
In the second-half Llantwit came back and as Dinas unloaded their bench, they only just shaded the half by 14-12.
Flanker Corey Imperato scored and White converted at 52-19 before prop Andrew O’Malia went in for the ninth try, which full-back Sam Middlemiss converted to make it 59-14.
Llantwit kept going, however, and were rewarded with tries by Dave Taylor and Rhys Balmont plus a splendid Austin conversion.
It was entertaining stuff with Dinas leading the try-count by 9-4 and they had really wrapped it all up in the opening quarter.
Dinas coach John Dunleavy said: “It has been a great season for us and Division 1 next season will be interesting. I look forward to the challenge.”
Skipper Ben White said: “I can’t believe I missed the easiest of all conversions, although I kicked others from
further out.”
White received the Cup from Amanda Thomas, who represented the sponsors, Molson Coors and Sam Middlemiss took the Man of the Match award, while referee Stuart Kibble (Cardiff) did a fine job.
For Dinas it was their second cup win in three seasons while Llantwit, who lost in the 1983 final, hope to be back next season for another shot.
Dinas Powys – Tries: A Williams 2, C Driscoll 2, L Dunleavy, N Williams, T Baister, C Imperato, A O’Malia.
Cons: B White 6, S Middlemiss.
Llantwit Major – Tries: G Watts, D Carter, D Taylor, R Balmont. Cons: J Austin 3.
In the second semi-final of the Worthington Mid Distrct Cup, Penallta defeated Treorchy by 37-17 at Penygraig RFC.
Wing Lloyd Rowlands scored the last two tries after lock Lee Rowlands and prop Matthew Angel had cross earlier.
Outside half Bleddyn Corns placed all four conversions and three penalties for a 17-point haul.