Blackwood beaten in final despite valiant second half showing

Blackwood RFC Women were beaten 38-22 by Lampeter in a highly competitive WRU South Wales Plate final at the Principality Stadium on Sunday, May 1.

A strong first half showing from Lampeter saw the Ceridigion-based side storm into a 26-0 lead at the break.

A spirited Blackwood side came out for the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.

Lampeter’s Sian Davies opened the scoring in the second half to complete her hat-trick, but Blackwood kicked into gear, with penalties stacking in their favour as they edged towards the try-line.

A yellow card against Lampeter’s Sioned Jones allowed Blackwood to capitalise but a knock on over the line denied them the score.

But their hard-fought efforts were soon rewarded, with Lily Snape piercing through the defence for Blackwood’s first try of the game.

Blackwood looked for their second score as Ceri Bailey-Lewis made the break to race deep into Lampeter’s half to set up the attack. Quick work from the pack sent Snape over for her second try of the game, with Kayleigh Phipps converting.

Blackwood soon grabbed their third try after powering their way through Lampeter’s defence – sending Megan Vidal to put the scores at 31-17 with ten minutes to go.

But hopes of a remarkable Blackwood comeback were soon ended, with Lampeter’s Davies scoring her fourth try of the afternoon soon after, with Fiona Protheroe converting to take a 38-17 lead.

Determined to finish strongly, Blackwood raced into Lampeter’s 22 – with Snape crossing over the try-line for her hat-trick.