Crows through to cup second round (From Free Press Series)

Crows through to cup second round

CWMBRAN RFC made it through to the second round of the Minolta Welsh Cup after an impressive 29-22 victory over Trinant.

The Crows were missing 17 of their squad on Saturday through injuries and non-availablity, but they still sealed the five-try victory.

Everyone rallied around stand-in captain John Hopkins and excelled in all departments, especially upfront.

However the start was poor and Trinant were able to open up a 10 point lead after just five minutes.

However the Crows hit back with Hopkins, Copeman and Smithy dominating the scrum, Barnes and Williams soaring in the line-out and number eight Gary Coombes and falnkers Matthew Norman and John Tunley cleaning up the loose ball.

Hooper Richard Copeman crashed over for their first try following good work by Chris Barnes and James Didcote kicked the extras.

Lock Jamie Williams capped a fine display with two first half tries to put Cwmbran in control.

Trinant kicked an early second half penalty to reduce the lead before prop Mark Smithy bulldozed his way over for a brace of close range tries. Didcote converted on before a late Trinant rally resulted in a converted try.

On Saturday, Cwmbran travel to Tredegar for a league game.