National Bowl quarter final
Cardigan 16
Milford Haven 6

THERE will be no fairytale finish to Milford Haven’s run in the National Bowl as The Mariners had their Principality Stadium dreams ended by Cardigan on Saturday.

As expected, the pair played out a hugely physical clash, but it was The Teifisiders who edged matters as they scored two tries to nil - and secure themselves a place in the final four.

In front of a huge local crowd at the King George Vth Memorial Ground, it was Cardigan who led early via a Llyr Jones penalty, before Milford full back Craig Barnett levelled matters with three points of his own.

But it was then that the home side seized the initiative, as they won turnover ball from a Mariners attack, and a subsequent kick down field was gathered by winger Daf Watkins, who beat the cover defence and dived over.

Still the visitors were in it at just 8-3 at the break, but were left aggrieved in the second half as influential centre Dan Birch was dubiously yellow carded, and it was Cardigan full back John Lumb who extended the lead out wide when his side utilised an overlap.

Jones missed the conversion but then landed a penalty - before Barnett kept his side in it when he kicked a second penalty of his own.

But then came another controversial moment as Milford’s Ben Johnson, on as a second half replacement for Mark Wonnacott, saw red for an alleged dangerous tackle.

Still Steve Barnett’s side pressed and on 76 minutes, Sam Dolling thought he’d reduced the deficit, but was adjudged to have knocked on as he tried to drive over from close range.

The Teifisiders also lost a man in the dying moments when centre Emyr Harries received a second yellow card, but they held out to book their place in the semi final, and move to within one match of a televised final in Cardiff.

Afterwards, Milford skipper Jamie Parr thanked all supporters who travelled to watch the team, and admitted he was disappointed at the outcome.

“Getting down to last eight in the Welsh Cup is a massive achievement for such a young squad and the club as a whole,” he said.

“Everyone involved should hold their heads up high. Thankyou to all the supporters who turned out for us - I’m sorry we couldn’t get the win for them, but that’s rugby.”

Parr added his side now had to target maximum points from their final four league games, which may yet be enough to clinch the Division Three West A title.

“We just have to what we can now and hope other results fall for us - so winning every game has to be the plan.”

The Mariners return to league action in Laugharne on Saturday, March 4.

Milford Haven: Craig Barnett, Josh Thomas, Dan Birch, Dan Jenkins, Lee Riley, Jamie Barnett, Dan McClelland, Jamie Parr, Luke Ryan, Adam Rees, Mark Wonnacott, Archie Smithies, Sam Dolling, Ryan Mansell, Alun Harries.

Replacements: Mike Cockburn, Ben Johnson, Dai Sweeny, Ben Groves, Chris Hall, Efan Morgan, Jimmy Thomas, Craig Thomas.