What is more remarkable about the victory
was that they did it with only eight players in this nine a-side tournament,
after having a bye in the quarter-finals Cefn were drawn against Gwent side
Bettws in the semi-finals and had to start the match one nil down due to
having no ninth player.The first four matches were shared 2-2 with wins for
Matthew Quinlan and Mervyn Matthews leaving Cefn trailing 3-2, the last four
matches saw the merthyr boys need to win 3 out of the 4 games to reach the
final. Phil Evans started the ball rolling by defeating Shaun Palfrey and
further wins by Geraint Thomas, Wayne Titcomb and Peter Aleman saw them home
comfortable 6-3 winners.
The final would be played against favourites
Cwn Cynon of Glamorgan and again Cefn would have to forfeit a 1-0 deficit, a
bad start in the first four matches saw only Geraint Thomas win for Cefn
with Chris Bailey, Tony Bradley ad Martin Davies all in good form for Cwm
Cynon to give the glamorgan boys a commanding 4-1 lead. Having now to win
all four remaining matches Cefn were relying on Andrew Rough to beat former
Lakeside runner-up Richie Davies and he didn't disappoint winning 3legs to
1. All three other matches saw Cefn leading and when Wayne Titcomb nailed an
86 out against Wayne Glover to win his game within 10 seconds Matthew
Quinlan and Phil Evans both hit winning doubles to give Cefn and
unbelievable victory.
The team now travel to Daventry this sunday
19th August to represent wales in the british finals, the eight remaining
teams in the uk will battle it out for the £1000 first prize and the british champions
cup.