They defeated Division Two East side Pill Harriers in a thrilling encounter which saw Lampeter only edging ahead to secure the win in the last fifteen minutes of a passionate game.

The Newport based outfit making their first visit to North Road, which was acknowledged by a presentation from home Chairman Ieuan Jones, were gracious in defeat and wished the Lampeter side well as they go in to the hat for the third round draw.

The visitors started powerfully with a high tempo and they dominated the early exchanges. Following three successive penalties deep in the Lampeter all of which they chose not to go for the posts; they were rewarded when fly half Carl Bennett scored the first try which was converted by Carwyn Morgan.

Almost immediately from the restart, Lampeter were awarded their first penalty and fly half Huw Thomas slotted over from the ten yard line.

The visitors regained their seven point margin when scrum half Morgan converted a penalty from close range.

Lampeter lost the services of last weeks double try scoring Llyr Thomas mid way through the first half and he was replaced by Richard Davies, making a welcome return to the team, let’s hopes we see more of him during the season, his experience and all round understanding of the game would be an excellent addition to the squad.

The home pack were slowly finding their feet despite several changes to the previous week and when they managed a strike against the head after twenty minutes, it was evident the pack could certainly hold their own.

Apart from a few half chances to ether side, the score remained 10 –3 in favour of the visitors at the interval in a half best remembered for the torrential rain midway through the half which made handling extremely difficult for both sides.

The second half started well for the home team and a speculative kick forward was caught by winger Carwyn Gregson and although supporting forward Geraint Thomas managed to ground the ball over the try line, referee Gareth Wildlake disallowed the score as the ball had gone forward on the ground.

Lampeter seemed to have lost the advantage for their early territorial possession, guilty of overelaboration in the backs, but then fly half Thomas managed to evade the Harriers defensive line and score a try close to the posts, thus ensuring a comfortable conversion to level the scores.

However, the visitors from Gwent soon regained the lead when scrum half Morgan kicked a penalty only for this to be cancelled out by Thomas to level the scores again as the game entered the final quarter.

Lampeter continued to press for that elusive score to put their noses in front and eventually it came. A penalty awarded on the ten yard line by referee Wildlake for offside was coolly slotted over by Thomas.

Within the space of the next five minutes a further three penalty attempts by Thomas flew through the uprights to give his side a nine point cushion.The visitors tried to move the ball from all parts of the field but failed to break a determined defence and eventually Lampeter ran out worthy winners by 22 –13.

Fly half Thomas had scored all his sides points on the day, but I’m sure he would admit that this had been a Team performance ranked as one of the best for many years. It was an outstanding performance of grit and determination, of passion and commitment, by a side that are showing some excellent early season form.

The players and officials are all now hoping for another home draw in the next round but the next major test of the season occurs next Saturday when Lampeter travel down to play unbeaten Llanelli Wanderers in the league.