Burry Port convincing ladies' rugby win

PHOTO:
Haverfordwest Ladies

Haverfordwest Ladies 7 - Burry Port Ladies 53

Referee: Ian Paddick (Tenby)

Haverfordwest Ladies found it hard going against their experienced counterparts from Burry Port, who showed why they are second-placed in the league table as they ran in nine tries, four of them from outstanding outside half Rhian Jenkins, who scored a constant threat to the Lady Blues with her ability to ruin the ball or kick for position.

Her twin sister Marie played in the centre and was also one to catch the eye, as were experienced scrum half Keeley Evans and skipper Katrina Bowen, a real tearaway in the back row.

Blues play their part and start brightly

But Haverfordwest deserve every credit for their part in an entertaining floodlit tussle where they were without several key players through illness or injury nut they never shirked a tackle and ran the ball at every opportunity, inspired by skipper and No 8 Ali Hopson-Griffiths alongside half backs Steph Harries and Rhian Swift, centres Awen Prysor and Anna Ridge.

The pack made an excellent start as Maria Phillips, Emily Carrington and Delyth Foster won quality possession and when play was spread wide the highly promising Ridge brushed off two would-be tacklers and raced 30 metres to the posts for Swift to add the extra points.

There was also no lack of effort from Claire Lawrence, Hayley May Thomas, Jess Denham and Jana Neumann in the tight against much bigger opponents but once Evans and Jenkins began to exit an influence behind the scrum there was only likely to one winner, despite the Lady Blues’ brave efforts.

Rhian Jenkins starts to exert her influence . . .

Rhian Jenkins opened their account from a nice loop move and then Bowen sliced through to the posts for Evans to convert - and Charlotte Hunter added the third in the far corner to press home Burry Port’s advantage.

No 10 Jenkins again caught the eye with a shimmy from half way and strong run to the posts, with Keeley Evans adding the extras and then also claiming her second try to give her team a 29-5 interval lead.

. . . And keeps on scoring!

Haverfordwest wingers Evelyn Colman and Jo Bolland tried hard to run the ball from deep and covered well but there was no stopping Burry Port as Marie Jenkins set up twin sister Rhian for her hat-trick try which Evans goaled and Charlotte Hunter rounded off a forward-orientated score which went unconverted – before the mercurial No 10 grabbed her fourth score and half back partner Evans converted.

There was still time for one last try and again it went to Burry Port as full back Eleri Williams, another influential player in defence and attack, crossed the whitewash to round off an entertaining game where Haverfordwest Ladies certainly played their part against a talented Burry Port team where there is clearly a great camaraderie between the opposing players.

Haverfordwest Ladies: Ceri Coleman-Phillips: Evelyn Colman; Anna Ridge; Awen Prysor; Jo Bolland: Stephanie Harries; Rhian Swift: Claire Lawrence; Hayley May Thomas; Jess Denham: Jana Neumann; Maria Phillips: Delyth Foster; Emily Carrington; All Hopson-Griffiths (Capt).