Lee leads Mariners to huge end of season victory
National League Division Two (West)
Milford Haven 71 - Amman United 19
What a fairytale finish to a long and loyal service to one club over 24 years!
Lee Riley is now 41 and made his debut for The Mariners as a 17-year-old and on Tuesday evening played his last game as they slammed bottom-club Amman United at The Obs.
And with a huge 71-19 victory over the basement battlers, Lee played at full back throughout the full 80 minutes and scored a first-half hat-trick of tries - and then put the icing on the Riley Cake with eight minutes to go when he intercepted a floated pass in his own 22 and sped 80 metres without a hand being laid upon him - and also slotted the conversion from in front of the posts!
On a night of celebrating seventh slot in a very strong division over a long season, there was also due appreciation for centre Jamie Lewis as he has decided to step down from the game because of other commitments and he also rounded off some very good years with Milford Haven with a try and conversion - and both players will be missed.
Also rounding off a marvellous season as a young skipper was second row Zac Davies, who has captained the team well, leading by example and marking a good year with three tries, a couple of them demonstrating his ball-carrying skills and ability to punch holes in any less than strong tackles.
There were also useful performances from James Williams at outside half, the front row of Aaron Mayne, Luke Ryan and Ben Jenkins, whilst the tireless back row of Jack Morgan, Ryan Mansell and especially Dewi Williams were joined by Jay Goodall and replacement Ryan Williams in the ball-winning stakes.
Other tries came from strong-running centre Robbie Jones, who has been an asset to The Mariners since joining them in mid-season, powering his way through for a brace of tries alongside another from James Trueman, who showed his versatility by playing at scrum half instead of on the wing, snipping away for a try alongside six conversions.
To be fair to Amman United, they never gave up trying and claimed three tries by Shane Edwards, Rhodri Newton and Iwan Davies, two of them converted by Adrian Thomas, but on an emotional night at The Obs it was The Mariners who celebrated Riley’s great loyalty as coach Steve Martin told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk:
“Lee has been a great example to the youngsters in our developing squad with his commitment to training and maintaining high standards, on and off the field, so we couldn’t let him completely hang up his boots and he is taking on a coaching role next season, which will be great for Milford Haven RFC.”
Milford Haven: Lee Riley: Ieuan Davies; Robbie Jones; Jamie Lewis; Dean McSparron. James Williams; James Trueman: Aaron Mayne; Luke Ryan; Ben Jenkins: Jay Goodall; Zac Davies (Capt): Jack Morgan; Ryan Mansell; Dewi Williams. Replacements: Lee Devonald; Ethan Aldred; Chris Jenkins.