Pencoed situated on the outskirts of Bridgend are a club established over 120 years ago and when you look around at the memorabilia in their clubhouse and see four different sets of British Lions shirts hanging on their walls, you knew the credentials of this club were very impressive.

They have managed to produce players of the calibre of Scott Gibbs, Gareth Cooper, Gavin Henson and the current Welsh Captain Gareth Thomas over the last few years through their Junior Academy. Their playing record so far this season also makes impressive reading, played five, won five with an average points scored of thirty five per game, thus, Lampeter knew from the outset they were in for a huge challenge in this game.

The game started in bright conditions and it shone even more brightly for the visitors when fly half Huw Thomas slotted over a penalty from the ten yard line to give his side a surprise three point lead.

The home side through their powerful pack came back strongly and we did not have to wait too long before they took the lead. A blind side move caught the Lampeter defence flat footed allowing Pencoeds fly half Andrew Griffiths to score the first try of the day.

They extended their lead soon after helped by some poor defensive and weak tackling by the visitors with flanker Gareth Jenkins scoring close to the posts ensuring a comfortable conversion for Ken Morris.

It looked ominous for Lampeter at this stage but they fought back bravely with second row Gary Davies and flanker Llion Russell outstanding in the loose.

The front five for the visitors were looking more powerful as the game progressed with young prop Carwyn Jenkins giving his opponent plenty to think about.

As the game approached the interval, the weather conditions also worsened, but it proved a great leveller, with both sides struggling to control and handle the slippery ball.

The visitors almost reduced the deficit shortly before the break. They were awarded three successive penalty kicks on the Pencoed five yard line and despite some valiant attempts by the forwards with Russell going closest to score, the home side managed to keep them out and hold on to their 12 –3 advantage at the interval.

The heavens opened during the interval and both sides as well as referee Steve Smith should be commended for continuing the game in what were atrocious conditions.

They seemed to suit Lampeter more than Pencoed and it was the North Road outfit who reduced the deficit early in the second half when Thomas converted a penalty from short range.

Lampeter were forced to make two substitutions, bringing on Centre Marc Saunders for Carwyn Gregson and Chris Walters for the impressive Davies in the second row who seemed to have been singled out for some personal attention by the home team, such was his threat.

Despite this interruption, a piece of individualism by Huw Thomas saw the fly half collect a clearance kick on his own ten yard line, place a chip kick over the opposing defensive line which the Pencoed cover failed to control cleanly allowing Thomas to kick forward to cross for an outstanding try.

Although he failed with his conversion, Thomas had brought his side right back in to the game, reducing the deficit to just one point, and this was proving to be Pencoeds hardest game of the season to date.

With the game entering the final quarter, both sides were still looking to keep the ball alive and the win was there for either side. Unfortunately for Lampeter, they gave away a simple penalty close to their twenty two which Morris converted to stretch their lead to four points.

Both sides were now looking tired in the closing minutes with the conditions having taken its toll and despite a spirited finale by the Visitors, the game was settled by almost the last move of the game.

A well worked move again on the blind side from a scrum on the Lampeter ten yard line enabled winger Morris to cross for his sides second and decisive try to win the game by Twenty points to eleven.

Although the Pencoed outfit remain unbeaten for the season, this was unquestionably their biggest test of the season to date and the men from West Wales can certainly hold their heads up high after pushing them all the way.

Their display was full of pride, passion and commitment and if they can take this forward to next Saturdays league encounter, away to Pembroke Dock Quins, then they can certainly enjoy a well deserved break when the Autumn Internationals start in early November.