Ferndale win Rhondda derby to bag Worthington’s Mid District Division 4 Cup

Ferndale ended their season by picking up another piece of silverware as they defeated Tonyrefail in their Rhondda derby at Sardis Road to lift the Worthington’s Mid District Division Four Cup.

The two sides had both beaten each other once in Division Four East Central this season, where Tonyrefail finished second and earned promotion while Ferndale finished third.

Ferndale had been victorious 22-20 at Tonyrefail in the last meeting between the sides on 23 March and they were victorious again as the sides went head-to-head in their Mid District final.

Outside centre Zen Bevan and blindside flanker Sam Hodder scored for Ferndale. Wing Evan Wheeler converted the Hodder try and sent over four penalties.

Full-back Garreg Lewis went over for Tonyrefail’s try, converted by outside half Jordan Jones, who also kicked two penalties.

It meant that Ferndale – who were promoted as champions of Division Five East Central last season as well as reaching the Principality Stadium in the WRU Division Five Cup – also ended this campaign with a trophy.

Head coach Marc Whitford had stepped down after leading his side to glory last season, but returned in November after a difficult start to life in Division Four for the side.

After losing 29-5 at home against Tonyrefail on the opening weekend, Ferndale picked up just one win from their opening six league games, drawing one and losing four.

But they pulled together and lost just once since 9 December and added the season with seven successive wins, guided by Whitford and other coaches Wicks and Ceri Bessant.

Speaking after their Worthington’s win, Whitford said: “It’s an outstanding achievement for the boys.

“Obviously I left last season due to personal reasons; I went back in November, they had a tough time of it at the start of the season, but the boys have just pulled together tight.

“To finish the season third in the league and win this cup is a massive achievement for the club and community.

“We’ve got to give credit to Tonyrefail, they’ve been promoted, but for us a Rhondda derby is something special and we look forward to these challenges.”

Ferndale were never behind in the final, with Bevan’s unconverted try and three Wheeler penalties giving them a 14-6 half time lead. Tonyrefail responded with two Jordan Jones penalties.

Hodder’s try in the second half, converted by Wheeler, sealed it despite Tonyrefail threatening a comeback when Lewis went over for a converted try with just under 10 minutes remaining.

The final word went to Wheeler with his fourth penalty three minutes from time.

Tonyrefail 13-24 Ferndale

Written by Carl Field