Fixture

Welsh Cup Final at Principality Stadium

CRUMLIN 38 Ferndale 24

Massive credit to the WRU for the Cup Finals they are staging, allowing so many community based club players, at a range of ages, and through so much of the senior leagues structure to play at the best rugby stadium in world rugby. It really is a dream come true for so many players, supporters and officials to take that pitch and to support their teams on that pitch. The streaming coverage and commentary of the game on youtube was, some may argue, a cut above that of the big TV companies and is still available for all to enjoy.

History was made today a little before 1pm at the Principality Stadium. It was made by a group of men representing the Western Valley town and community of Crumlin. At this time and place they were crowned Welsh National Champions. In the 143 year plus existence of this great club these men became the first Crumlin team to lift a Welsh National Cup.

350 supporters took to the 7 coaches organised by the club. Over a hundred more tickets were sold by the club and many, many more travelled by car and train from the western valley to pay on the day and lend their voices to the cause. Ferndale brought 700 of their own supporters leaving both valleys like ghost towns.

Crumlin had achieved the peak of the game by reaching the final at the Principality Stadium last season. In that landmark for the club, they had laid the foundation for today’s historic win for the Mighty Crum. Last year was a huge statement in the quality of these players and of their ambitions. This season the need to realise the dream of being crowned champions was all consuming.

Unbeaten Ferndale sit atop Division 5 East Central with 13 wins dropping just one bonus point and 16 points clear of second place.  On their road to the Principality they had 5 wins including over the only team to beat Crumlin this year, Crickhowell 22-0.  In the semi-final they had beaten Tonna who beat Crumlin in last year’s final.

Crumlin lie in second place in Division 5 East just one point off top spot but with 3 games in hand.   6 wins in 7 league outings show a staggering points difference of 267.  Crumlin’s run to the final was through wins over Magor, Beaufort, Pantyffnon, Forgeside and Pontardawe.  They did not score less than 24 points and 3 tries in each game.  In the cup Crumlin scored 229 points and conceded just 22.

In the early morning air of the capital Crumlin coach Rob Burgwin put his charges through their final preparations on Cardiff Rugby’s, Cardiff Arms Park pitch before most of the supporters had had a chance to wipe the sleep from their eyes. Crumlin then entered the arena with their mascots Sonny Morgan (full back Joel Witcombe’s brother) and Charlie Hipkiss (second row Rhys Hipkiss son) in attendance.

From their 11am kick off Ferndale won the ball back ominously but as they tried to move it along their backline Crumlin’s defence stood firm and blindside Kiaran Lewis got the first turnover of the game. As play developed around halfway Crumlin went right and with little room being covered by two defenders Lewis found himself at outside centre. The offload was truly outstanding giving the outside backs the opportunity to take Crumlin from half-way deep into the 22.

Play stayed in the 22 and Crumlin were unlucky to knock the ball forward and Ferndale had a scrum five. The first scrum set the tone for the rest of the Crumlin forward domination at set pieces. The front row of Gavin Spencer, Jacob Morgan-Hill and Dan Lewis (Kiaran Lewis’ cousin) have been instrumental in the sides route to the Final. In particular, the quarter-final and semi-final successes, as the front row have overpowered their opponents. Today they would be the absolute bed rock that would lead to victory. The very first scrum Ferndale flew backwards and being pushed off the ball slightly to the left off the posts saw outstanding Crumlin number 8 Kyle Walton drive for the line but was adjudged somehow not to have crossed the whitewash. No matter as the ball was recycled at speed and scrum half Cole Jones fed his cousin at outside half Ethan Chess to the right of the posts. Captain Chess did the Ali Shuffle and his fast footwork allowed him to dart over and behind the posts to open Crumlin’s account. Having been a finalist last year with his brother Kian, Chess was on a mission to lead the team to the win today, with his injured brother looking on from the side line.

CRUMLIN 5 Ferndale 0

Outside centre Ryan Lewis stepped up for the conversion and was using a tee borrowed from Islwyn’s Tyler Lewis, the young relative of forwards Dan and Kiaran are. The tee will be returning to the Principality on Saturday 25th April as Tyler and his Islwyn Under 11 teammates play in the DC Thomas Cup Final. With such quality equipment Ryan Lewis easily slotted the extras.

CRUMLIN 7 Ferndale 0

From the restart Crumlin broke out of their half through a huge bump by Gethyn “Pony” Hockey. Not only was Hockey and his second-row partner Jordan Hughes supplying the force to allow the front row to make scrum time Crum time, but these pair would control the line out set pieces providing a procession of quality possession.

Crumlin were between the 10 metre and 22 when Chess got the backs running again and led to a moment of skill the commentators compared to those of Brian O’Driscoll or Gareth Bale. At just 20 years old, Ryan Lewis was the youngest player on the pitch, but showed skill beyond his years by deftly chipping a pass heading for the floor into his own hands. The moment was particularly appreciated by both sets of fans as it was replayed on the big screen. More importantly it allowed the move to keep flowing and full back Joel Witcombe fed wing Corey Strikland was incredibly unlucky to be brought down just metres short.

Good defence by Ferndale allowed them to make it into the Crumlin 22, where Crumlin were penalised and up stepped Ferndale’s 10 Kieron Parrish to superbly dissect the uprights with his first points of the day.

CRUMLIN 7 Ferndale 3

There was no way Ferndale were going to lie down today and after some excellent approach play their big lock Steve Daniels appeared on the wing to take 2 defenders over with him right in the corner.

CRUMLIN 7 Ferndale 8

The conversion from the side line by Kieron Parrish was pure class for a kicker on this stage.

CRUMLIN 7 Ferndale 10

Cole Jones at 9 got Crumlin into the 22 with a penalty kick. Play remained there till a big carry by Tyler Madden-Smith saw an indiscretion by Ferndale that gave Ryan Lewis the opportunity to tie the scores, which he duly obliged.

CRUMLIN 10 Ferndale 10

From the restart Crumlin came out of their half through a sublime dummy by Hockey, with the lock demonstrating skills any three-quarter would be more than proud of. Jones drew another penalty and nudged the kick to within striking distance. The next series of plays lead to the Crumlin backs swinging the ball right across the pitch and Corey Strickland tidied up a pass under pressure by proceeding to kick deep into the 22 to keep Crumlin in good field position. Back across the back line to the left and wing Dylan Foxwell was only thwarted by superb defence. The ball went right again but the Crumlin backs couldn’t get through the cover. However the referee had spotted an offside way back on the left hand side and as Cole Jones ran across and took the quick tap he was immediately clobbered. The referee and the linesman consulted and were in agreement. The offence was a yellow card and they awarded the penalty try.  This took Crumlin through 600 points in the 14 games played so far.

CRUMLIN 17 Ferndale 10

Another huge scrum and ball against the head by the front row saw the Grand Master Chess orchestrate a devastating move with Morgan Smith at 12 and Ryan Lewis at 13 running mesmerising angles and the flying right wing Strickland appear off his wing in the middle of the park to take and deliver Chess’ pass to Witcombe. This was too much for the defence to puzzle out as Witcombe went through two tackles at the same time. It was a 2 v 1 with the full back. Witcombe slowed dramatically to draw the 15 and timed a perfect pass that left Dylan Foxwell to fly down the wing and under the posts for his 14th try of the season.

Ryan Lewis maintained his 100% record with the conversion.

CRUMLIN 24 Ferndale 10

Halftime and there was a feeling that if Crumlin scored next that could be too much for Ferndale to claw back.

Stalwart prop Gavin Spencer left the field and was replaced by front rower Nathan Evans who made a telling appearance off the bench in the semi-final.

Ferndale were not letting this get away from them and struck first through a thunderous carry by loose head Andrew Headford to take him over the line. The excellent kicking of Keiron Parrish continued as he added the conversion.

CRUMLIN 24 Ferndale 17

The pressure on Ferndales lineout was starting to tell and when Madden-Smith caught the overthrow in the Ferndale half Chess had Morgan Smith and Ryan Lewis run the lines that saw the ball to Strickland. Strickland once again put in a superb kick to give Crumlin field position at the lineout. Crumlin took the ball against the head and set up a ruck 10 metres in and 10 metres from the line. Jacob “Frankie” Morgan-Hill tried to deliver the ball as a stand in 9 only to pass straight into the referee’s face - literally. The ref awarded Crumlin a scrum when he recovered. Evans, Frankie and Dan Lewis demolished their opponents and Ferndale were lucky that the ref reset rather than awarding anything else. However, it was excruciatingly obvious what was coming next. Ferndale went flying up and backwards. They tried to wheel and just before the 90 degree Cole Jones picked the ball up and dived over carrying the defender with him.

CRUMLIN 29 Ferndale 17

Ryan Lewis completed his scoring with a well taken kick from the right hand side that hit the inside of the far post to bounce through. It took Ryan through 75 points for the season and Crumlin two scores ahead. However, he didn’t make it to half-way before Scott Barnes came onto the field to replace him in a straight swap 13 for 13, and kicker for kicker.

CRUMLIN 31 Ferndale 17

25 to go but Ferndale knew that was more than enough and launched further attacking waves which eventually saw loose head prop Andrew Headford score his second from close range. A special day for Headford as not many props get a brace on the stadium. Parrish once again nailed the conversion, and it was going to be an interesting last 20 minutes with just one score in it.

CRUMLIN 31 Ferndale 24

Crumlin brought on Euan Lewis (Ryan’s brother) on the flank for Gethyn Hockey causing a slight pack reshuffle. Steele Jones took over from Cole Jones at 9 and Taylor Smith replaced Strickland on the wing.

Ferndale were by no means done as they retained possession for a good 10 minutes but despite 5 or 6 kicks to the touchline, Crumlins pack brought the same level of dominance seen in the scrum to the lineout. Crumlin however couldn’t get further than passed their own 10 metre line and then disaster as a totting up of penalties gave the official no alternative but to yellow card Frankie. The Ferndale crowd sensed the opportunity with 10 minutes to go against 14 men and dominance in possession, and the Stadium began to shake with excitement. However, Crumlin’s own 16th man came up to meet them to set the tone for a tense finale.

Morgan Smith had been immense in defence to this point and continued to smash whatever moved but the his next body cruncher allowed Smith and the poacher Euan Lewis to force a, momentarily relieving, turnover.

Eventually Ferndale had another lineout on the 22. They had no option but to try the quick throw at the front. Nathan Evans demolished the catchers ribs the second he landed and Euan Lewis was there once again to effect the turnover. This allowed Crumlin to get to halfway. Ferndale tried to run with their backs but placed the ball too far back from the ruck and out in the open. Stunningly Euan Lewis was there to pick up another turnover, and Crumlin finally returned to Ferndale territory.

Madden-Smith was Crumlin’s hooker in last year’s final and so slotted in not just seamlessly but for Ferndale – soul destroyingly. In fact, the now magnificent seven sent the Ferndale 8 barrowing backwards at a rate of knots allowing Steele Jones to wrap up the Ferndale eight with the ball and win the scrum for Crumlin from the knock on.

From the scrum Chess chipped deftly left into the 22 and under the close attentions of Kyle Walton and Taylor Smith the full back could not field the ball without knocking on. Crumlin set a ruck from from the scrum before the magical Captain put the ball along the floor over the line and raced to dive and get his hand on the ball milliseconds before the defender. It was check mate Chess as he scored his second try.

CRUMLIN 36 Ferndale 24

The straight swap of kicker Barnes for kicker Ryan Lewis did not affect the outcome as Barnes launched the ball over and the referee blew the final whistle and

CRUMLIN ARE CHAMPIONS

CRUMLIN 38 Ferndale 24

THE EUPHORIC CELEBRATIONS BEGAN to the rapturous cheers of the travelling supporters.

Captain Ethan Chess was voted unofficial man of the match by the commentary team and lifted the Cup high surrounded by the Crumlin squad, coaches, support staff and officials.

Celebrations took place all over Europe in the night as not only was Crumlin clubhouse absolutely banging but Tyler Madden-Smith left straight after the game to catch a flight to Paris and Ryan Lewis never got to the club as he caught a flight to Benidorm that evening.

#UPPACRUM!

CUP FINAL SQUAD

1. Gavin Spencer

2. Jacob Morgan-Hill

3. Daniel Lewis

4. Jordan Hughes

5. Gethyn Hockey

6. Kiaran Lewis

7. Tyler Madden-Smith

8. Kyle Walton

9. Cole Jones

10. Ethan Chess (Captain)

11. Dylan Foxwell

12. Morgan Smith

13. Ryan Lewis

14. Corey Strickland

15. Joel Witcombe

16. Nathan Evans

17. Cameron Powell

18. Lloyd Davies

19. Evan Miles

20. Euan Lewis

21. Steele Jones

22. Scott Barnes

23. Taylor Smith

24. Cerrig Wilson

25. Gavin Hipkiss

Playing support

Aaron Lloyd, Connor Lloyd, George Price, Daf Clissett, Blake Smith, Rhys Hipkiss

Coach

Rob Burgwin

Technical support

Craig Hamer, Simon Lloyd, Emma Lewis, Sam Davies, Jack Morris, Iwan Burgwin.