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Nelson just fell short in their bid to end the season with silverware as they went down against Cambrian Welfare in their Worthington’s Mid District Division One Cup final showdown at Sardis Road in Pontypridd.
The Unicorns, who came from behind to overcome Builth Wells in a play-off at Brecon to book their place in the Mid District final, were looking to end the season on a high after just missing out on the top three in Division One East.
After falling behind to an early Cambrian try scored by full-back Ethan Dunning, which went unconverted, Nelson hit back through a try from skipper Jarrad Walters, also unconverted.
But then two tries in quick succession saw Nelson hit the front; No.8 Walters went over for his second score and then, moments later, hooker Kieran Williams went through for another try.
Both scores were converted by full-back Ross Jones to put Nelson 19-5 ahead.
But Welfare hit back and tries from outside half Jonah Huntley and scrum-half Julian Huntley – who added the extras to both scores – saw the sides go into the break level 19-19.
But the second half would belong to Division One East Central champions Cambrian who would go on to secure themselves a league and cup double courtesy of further tries from blindside flanker Jordan Richards, player coach Matthew Llewellyn and Jack Owen.
Julian Huntley added a further two conversions and a penalty while Dunning also sent over a conversion.
Nelson’s second half try was scored by scrum-half Sean Roberts with outside half Reegan Davies adding a penalty.
Next season Cambrian will battle it out against the likes of other local sides Bedwas and Penallta in the new look Championship after gaining promotion.
Cambrian were presented with the Mid District Division One Cup by Colin Smith of Molson Coors.
The match brought the curtain down on the Worthington’s Mid District finals which, this season, has seen a revamped format introduced, with divisional finals replacing the old Cup and Bowl finals.
The fresh format has certainly proved popular, with crowds packing Sardis Road over two ‘Worthy Weekends’– incorporating two Friday nights and two Saturdays – rather than in midweek as was the case previously.
Sold as a ‘festival of community rugby’, the two weekends have also featured a number of junior matches – with the aim of building on that even further next season.