photo by Mark Harris

Torfaen Tigers and Cardiff Demons, finalists in 2005 and 2006 respectively served up a classic at Pontypool’s Memorial ground with and outstanding Demons comeback overturned by a last minute breakaway try.

Torfaen had dominated the first half with hooker Jason Hill scored two tries along with Matthew Davies and Gareth John Jenkins getting one each. Three of the four were converted by Gregg Jones.  The Demons only response came from Andy Lee try that was converted by Shane

Goddard taking the score to 22-6 up at the interval.

Torfaen started to lose their discipline early in the second half and two sin binings in two minutes allowed Cardiff back into the game.  Demons stalwart Gareth Jones, playing his first game of the season, capitalised on fifty one minutes with a try under the posts and with eleven minutes left Rhodri Thomas added another.  Both were converted by Goddard bringing the Demons within four points.

On seventy four minutes the Demons finally hit the front with a length of the field dash by Shane Goddard which he converted himself giving the away team a two point lead. An error in the last minute allowed the Tigers one final chance and a great interception by Matt Entwhistle was finished of by Gareth John Jenkins to seal the win.

article by Simon Davies
28 June 2008