With both sides unbeaten in their respective leagues, this east v west clash was bound to see something give. Sadly for the green, white and blacks and for the sizeable contingent travelling to Llanelli, it was the Stars who moved on to the next round after a tight contest.

It all started so well for Gwernyfed. After pressing down the right, Will Lloyd was tackled into touch. The Llanelli men won the line-out but when fly-half Jason Williams chipped over the advancing attackers, the ball fell to Lloyd Powell 25 metres out. Powell turned and ran through the Stars back line without hindrance to allow skipper Joe Winfield a simple conversion from under the posts.

The score stung the home side into a series of attacks, well handled by the Gwernyfed defence, if at the expense of a shoulder injury to Winfield, supplemented by some impressive turnover work at the ruck from Will Pugh and Tom Lloyd. The referee was always keen to stop play with both sides attracting his attention. New Dock Stars benefited to the tune of two three-pointers from ex-Newport outside half Williams.

Gwernyfed had their own chances but a couple of line-outs close in were stolen and the only consolation for what could have been a couple of five-pointers was a Tyler Morris penalty to extend the visitors’ lead to four points at the end of the first quarter.

If there was any discernible difference between the sides it was that the hosts just about had the better of the set piece, efficient with their own ball at line-out and scrum and always challenging when Gwernyfed had the put in. That advantage put Stars on the front foot in the second quarter and it was no more than their effort deserved when they finally ploughed over from a maul, Williams converting the try.

As half-time beckoned, Gwernyfed returned to the attack, but, in spite of incursions from Gethin Davies and Will Lloyd, failed to cross the line. The green, white and black frustration was eased when skipper Winfield, returning after treatment, stood back from the melee and produced a beautiful drop goal from 30 metres. That score saw the sides enjoy their half-time oranges with honours even.

One has to say that the second half was a drab affair, punctuated by lengthy periods of treatment for injured Stars players and for evergreen Gwernyfed prop Craig Parry. When play did break out the home side had the better of it thanks to their sound set piece play and while Gwernyfed huffed and puffed, perhaps over-keen to resort to the punt forward, they made little headway while not conceding anything in defence.

The dam was finally broken with 10 minutes to go, a series of attacks by New Dock Stars causing the Gwernyfed defence to leave a narrow gap near to the left hand touchline which the hosts exploited with aplomb, the left wing plunging into the corner. The conversion was taxing but Williams was unerring.

Gwernyfed looked to claw their way back into the game and charges by Geraint Powell and Kyle Davies offered hope, as did several forays by centres Gethin Davies and Rhodri Williams, but a combination of the referee’s whistle and some stout defence kept Stars ahead, a lead extended in the last minute when Williams put a penalty over to put the result beyond doubt.

Gwernyfed’s hopes of another cup final were dashed, on balance the right result on the day, though on another occasion the Talgarth men would fancy beating what was an accomplished Llanelli side. Be that as it may, league action resumes next weekend with a trip to Chepstow, the Severn-siders representing a real challenge to Gwernyfed’s unbeaten league record.

Elsewhere, the green, white and blacks covered much of South Wales with the Athletic enjoying the scenery in Pill, Newport, and enjoying a fine 38-24 win under Jo Coles’s leadership. The Youth also travelled exotically, this time to Gilfach Goch in the cup where a last-gasp penalty gave the home side a 22-21 victory over Aled Skyrme’s outfit.