Watkins The Hero As Castlemen Hit Back To Win

NARBERTH 15 CAERPHILLY 19
Welsh/Scottish League strugglers Caerphilly scraped into the last eight of the Principality Cup thanks to a late try from back row ace Ben
Watkins.
Watkins pounced in the 70th minute for a try that Luke Richards converted to
end Narberth’s hopes of springing a seventh round upset.
Caerphilly backs coach Mark Ring said: “It was as tough as we thought –
they are a good side. However, we battled well and were pleased to be in
the next round.
“You don’t come up against a team with Alan Reynolds in it and find things
easy.”
The Castletownmen made the perfect start when centre John Colderley swept
through for a try that Richards converted in the 10th minute.
But it was anything but a one-sided battle and with Reynolds, the
former Swansea and Wales flanker, leading from the front Narberth were more than a match for their visitors.
It was Reynolds who bagged the try which brought the home side back into the contest. Barging his way over, Reynolds punched the air with delight as Narberth cut the deficit to just two points at the interval.
The second half was every bit as tight and tense as the first with Caerphilly
once again scoring first but being made to fight all the way by Reynolds and
co.
Andrew Williams was on the mark this time but Narberth struck back through
scrum half Chris Macdonald who bundled his way over for a try that Simon Daniel converted to level matters.
At that stage it could have gone either way and Narberth must have fancied
their chances of pulling off a shock when Daniel popped up with a penalty on the hour.
Sadly for them, Caerphilly had just enough gas in the tank to summon up
a late effort from Watkins who found enough space to cross in the left hand
corner.
Scorers: Narberth: Tries: A Reynolds, C Macdonald; Con: S Daniel; Pen: S Daniel
Caerphilly: Tries: J Colderley, A Williams, B Watkins; Cons: L Richards 2