Division Three (West) A:

St Davids 10 - Laugharne 49

The Bank Holiday weekend in St Davids was rounded off with a Division Three West A clash as Laugharne notched their second bonus point win in three days.

The Saints meanwhile, became the first club side in any of the West divisions to complete their league fixture list, and gave a committed display for coach Matthew ‘Taff’ Williams in his last game in charge after five years at the helm.

Spiers starts scoring as The Cocklemen take control

On a soaking pitch, The Cocklemen led when winger Gareth Spiers dived over in the corner following a neat off-load from flanker Mikey Williams but the home side responded as stand-in outside half Dafydd Williams led a series of charges into the Laugharne half, and after the visitors were penalised, it was the No 10 who landed three points from a 25-metre penalty.

But the Cocklemen then took control as the prolific Williams powered under the posts and centre Ross Michael converted – before prop Dorian Harries rounded off a series of forward charges with their third try.

It was Williams who then sealed the bonus point as he won the race to Michael’s clever grubber kick to grab his second try, and full back Tom Davies rounded off the first half by outstripping the cover defence to give his side a 27-3 interval lead.

Conditions worsen in second half

As conditions worsened, it was Laugharne No 9 Gethin Jones who started the second half scoring after a charging run and offload from prop Rhys Thomas, before Williams sealed his try hat trick after The Saints coughed up possession on their own line.

Scrum half Jones got his second score with a blindside break from close range, before No 8 and skipper Carl Smith, who carried well all afternoon, got the score he deserved as he took a pop pass and powered over from 10 metres, and Michael added only his second conversion in what proved to be tough kicking conditions.

But to the credit of The Saints they finished strongly, and after a series of carries where veteran No 8 Anthony ‘Ianto’ Davies featured heavily, it was prop Will Davies who broke through the Laugharne defence to crash over for his first senior try, and Williams converted.

Thankful goodbye to coach ‘Taff’

It was still a satisfactory afternoon of work for The Cocklemen as they backed up their big win at Pembroke Dock Harlequins on Saturday, while St Davids coach Williams said he was proud at the improvements his side had made during his tenure.

“The team I started with five years ago wouldn’t have fought back like that in the last 20 minutes,” he said.
“They are a great group and I want to thank all the boys for their commitment.”
 

PHOTOS:

Prop Will Davies claimed  St Davids only try

Ianto Davies - as involved as ever for The Saints