Wrexham edged out in their Tenby United cup classic

Phil Parkinson’s Reds tackle Cardiff City on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup and Wrexham’s rugby team kicked off the north-south saga with their clash against Tenby United in the Welsh Division One Cup.

A humdinger of a tie was settled by Lloyd Thomas’ 73rd minute penalty, which confirmed Tenby’s 21-19 success.

There was no coach-lag from the visitors, who had the lead with a converted try in the first minute.

Wrexham responded with a score from number eight Jack Harrison and Jacob Hughes added the extras to tie things up after a quarter-of-an-hour.

An unconverted try had Tenby ahead at the break, but back came Wrexham and Greg Thomas’ score made it 12-12.

Two Thomas penalties regained Tenby’s advantage, but Wrexham had the lead for the first time with 10 minutes left. Hughes crossed the whitewash and he duly added the extras to put his side a point clear.

The final word went to Thomas as his late penalty settled an exciting tie. Liam Price and Gwion Jones were Tenby’s try-scorers.

Cup holders Caernarfon are out following a 31-17 reverse at Blaina, but Pwllheli marched through in a 33-0 outcome at Barry.

Bethesda lost 51-22 at Builth Wells, COBRA lost out 46-14 to Penarth, Heol y Cyw got the better of Llandudno 30-16 and Llangefni departed the competition with a 34-12 reverse at Lampeter Town.

Wrexham Athletic progressed in the Division Five Cup via a thumping 71-7 triumph at home to Caernarfon Athletic.

Ianto Roberts claimed four of Wrexham’s 11 tries, with Evan James crossing the whitewash twice.

Fellow Division Three North East side COBRA Athletic are also through thanks to their 68-16 success at Old Tyleryan.

Other results: Bala Athletic 14 Bridgend Athletic 2nds 29; Bangor 10 Beddau Athletic 30; Banwen 40 Colwyn Bay Athletic 12; Menai Bridge 20 New Tredegar 22.

Division Three Cup: Newtown 27 Tonmawr 31; Rhigos 41 Rhyl & District 14; Teirw Nant Conwy 15 Llandaff 10.

In Super Rygbi Cymru action, RGC lost out 45-35 at Aberavon.

Dion Jones, Billy McBryde (2), Louis Williams and Tudur Parry shared the tries for RGC.

Ebbw Vale’s undefeated start ended with a 12-5 reverse at Newport. Llandovery went top with their 35-17 success over Bridgend, while Cardiff saw off Pontypool 31-3 and Swansea were pipped 17-14 by Carmarthen Quins.