HAFODYRYNYS 18 MARKHAM 11
This was the day that Hafodyrynys retained the Cyrus Davies Cup in a splendid final at Blackwood RFC, but heard that Monmouth had pipped them in league play by winning the Five East title.
It did not deter either Hafodyrynys, or fellow finalists Markham, who also had finished as a league runner-up - to Caerleon in 6 East.
Markham did however prevent the try-machine, Hafod’s full back Robert Smith, from notching a cup final five-pointer for the third successive season, though he has now joined an elite band to score over 100 league tries.
With the match put back from the previous day due to the weather, both clubs lost players to holidays, including the influential David Tovey of Hafodyrynys, while Markham full back Gavin Price, younger brother of Cross Keys hooker Gerwyn, suffered injury in the warm-up.
It did not stop both playing good running rugby with action galore and a good referee in Mr. Tom Davies.
Fortunately the pitch had dried up well enough to allow open play and a strong vociferous crowd helped the fine spectacle.
Hafod flanker Gethin Foxwell opened the scoring with a try but Markham flanker Liam Cook levelled it before penalties came from Hafod centre Rhys Davies and Markham scrum half Shane Davies.
Another Rhys Davies penalty and his conversion of a try by fly half Derry Gurmin took Hafodyrynys clear even though Shane Davies landed a penalty in reply.
Underdogs Markham pressed strongly in the final minutes and were on the Hafod line hoping to send the game into extra time but Hafod held out for a deserved win.
The Cyrus Davies Cup, which started in 1927, is claimed to be one of the oldest Rugby cups in the whole of Wales.
Hafodyrynys – R Smith; D Rossiter, D Williams, R Davies, S Davies; D Gurmin, M Williams; S Gameson, A Slocombe, R Martin, C Wilson, G Hockey, R Phelps, G Davies (captain), G Foxwell.
Markham – G Price; N Hughes, D Carpenter, L Hughes, C Davies, S Morgan; S Davies; E Powell, M Parkin, J Jones, N Morris, C A’Hearne (captain), L Cook, L Hagerty, R Davies.
