Porthcawl through to Worthington semi-final

Porthcawl 46 Porth Quins 18

A superb performance by fullback Ricky Thomas, who notched 26 points, helped Porthcawl win the last of the Worthington Silver Ball matches played at the Glamorgan Wanderers ground. Thomas, who appeared for Aberavon against Swansea last Saturday, opened the scoring with a long-range penalty after two minutes and 16 minutes later ran from his own half, kicking ahead, collecting and tearing away for a great try that he also converted.

Porth hit back with a penalty by wing Richard Davies, but when Fijian outside half Tevita Manaseitava was held, it was Thomas who placed the penalty and then the pair combined to send wing John Phillips, another who appeared for Aberavon recently, over for a try. Thomas fired over a penalty after Porth had fly half Jamie Caple and then flanker Ryan Robertson yellow-carded and it was 21-3 at the break.

Though Porth struck early when scrum half Shaun Davies slipped over, Thomas was at it again as he dropped a smart goal and converted a try by wing David James and again added the extras as hard-working backrower Blair Driscoll crossed. Porth still fought back and scrum half Shaun Davies again scored but Thomas replied with a penalty and replacement scrum half Dick Jones notched a fifth Porthcawl try, though fly half Caple finished with a splendid solo try for Porth.

Porthcawl now meet Aberavon Green Stars in the first semi-final at Llanharan on April 23rd 2008 (7.15pm) while Bargoed meet Tonmawr in the other semi at Llanharan on May 2nd 2008 (2.30pm). Among the Porthcawl spectators was the former Wales and Lions prop forward Clive Williams.

Porthcawl: Ricky Thomas; David James, Serevanaca Tui, Jim Godbeer, John Phillips; Tevita Manaseitava, Matt Roberts (Richard Jones); Tim Lunn, Ian Walker (Capt), Andy Richards, Karl Rose, Neil Davies, Lloyd Cony, Blair Driscoll, Dan Farrell

Tries: R Thomas, J Phillips, D James, B Driscoll, R Jones
Cons: R Thomas 3
Pens: R Thomas 4
DG: R Thomas

Porth Quins: Gregg Morris; Andrew Owen, Richard Williams, Ross Pearce, Richard Davies; Jamie Caple, Shaun Davies; Marvin Bailey, James Jones, Darren Griffiths, Jonathan Bunyan (Capt), Alun Crutchley, Ryan Robertson, Dan Evans, Jamie Lewis

Tries: S Davies 2, J Caple
Pen: R Davies

Referee: Neil Perkins (Pontypridd)