Featured Match:

 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Blues win again – but pushed all the way by Quins’ commitment

 

Haverfordwest 17 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 11

 
Referee: Steve Harwood (Morriston)
 
Haverfordwest maintained their 100% record after five matches but not before they had been pushed all the way by a Pembroke Dock Harlequins’ side that started like express trains and stopped The Blues getting into their 22 for 30 minutes and were also in contention until the final moments, writes Bill Carne.
 
But Haverfordwest were totally dominant in the scrums as Terry Lovell, Jamie Zambas and Tom Carrington exerted huge pressure but in every other area of play the teams were even and their relative places in the league table were never evident.
 

Quins make a committed start

 
The Quins set the tone from the opening exchanges when skipper Harry Owen put in a thudding tackle that gained possession for No 10 Euan McDonald to kick a simple 12-metre penalty
 
They had another chance when good work by Liam Scourfield, James Hughes, Ben Gibby and Sam James established the platform and half backs Jonathan Rogers and McDonald helped set winger Jamie Topp on a run which looked as if he might score in the right corner but Blues’ full back Archie Thomas effected a saving tackle and the danger was cleared by the covering of Lewis Tingay, Jack Clancy and Isaac Hathaway.
 

Blues’ forward power pays off – but Quins still lead at the break

 
McDonald missed a 40 metre penalty and it wasn’t until a strong run by Blues’ skipper Josh Thomas, whose midfield power clash with old friend Price was a feature, and Carrington’s first touch after replacing Dan Berry set up a pressure point in the Quins’ 22 that saw referee Harwood, who had a good game, lose patience with The Quins’ scrum and award a penalty try.
 
But straight from the kick off The Quins returned to the attack and after several good ball recycles No 9 Rogers spread play left and Jack Price supplied the scoring pass for full back Sam ‘Rasher’ James to score an unconverted try to give his side an 8-7 interval lead.
 

Tight second half before The Blues take the verdict

 
The Quins also started the second half well and Rogers fielded a clearance attempt and tried a snap dropped goal but it went well wide – but they increased their advantage when The Blues got offside and McDonald slotted the easy three-pointer.
 
But The Blues forward power paid off as outside half Jake Morgan kicked a penalty to the left corner and it was prop Terry Lovell who was driven over by his team mates for a try which Morgan couldn’t convert.
 
And that is the way things stood until the 78^th minute when Haverfordwest added a third try after committed defence by The Quins but the ability of The Blues to retain possession saw winger Jack Blockwell squeeze in at the corner.
 
Morgan’s fine conversion attempt hit the near post which meant The Quins could still snatch the game out of the fire but when they were awarded a last-ditch penalty the kick to the corner failed to find touch and Haverfordwest were victors in an absorbing clash where there were mistakes aplenty but both side played with total commitment.
 

Final thoughts

 
Quins’ skipper Harry Owen was involved alongside backs coach Jack Price and former player Jonathan Rogers, playing on permit from Narberth, until he went off injured in the second half and coach Ian Osbourne was understandably full of praise for the way his inexperienced squad played.
 
The Blues were lucky to have an experienced ‘bench’ which included Carrington, Jon Mason, Scott Candler and coach Matthew John, who came on to settle things down in the final quarter and he was pleased to pouch another win and the way that his players kept plugging away despite being put under a lot of pressure.
 
Haverfordwest:  Archie Thomas: Johnny White; Lee Davies; Josh Thomas (Capt); Jack Blockwell: Jake Morgan; Lee Summons: Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas; Terry Lovell: Gareth John; Jack Clancy: Isaac Hathaway; Brad John; Lewis Tingay. Replacements: Ieuan Bevan; Tom Carrington; Jon Mason; Scott Candler; Matthew John.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Sam ‘Rasher’ James:  Jamie Topp; Jack Price; Aaron Cookson; Dan Wilkes: Euan McDonald; Jonathan Rogers: Jack Davies; Rhys Roberts; Dam McCloud: Ben Gibby; Sam James: Liam Scourfield; James Hughes; Harry Owen. Replacements: Kieran Cookson; Martin Cully; Liam Smith; Carl Scott; Jack Webber.
 


 

Division One (West):

 

Scarlets suffer against Felinfoel

 

Felinfoel 55 - Pembroke 3

 
Pembroke found it hard going against a very strong and experienced Felinfoel side which ran in eight tries and all The Scarlets could muster in response was a first-half penalty by outside half Luke Alderwick before they trailed 22-3 at the interval.
 
“To be honest it was very hard-going for us with such an inexperienced squad, the youngest we have had sine I can remember,” admitted skipper Scott Powell, “but I am proud of the way that no-one gave up in terms of tackling and covering until the final whistle blew.”
 
Coach Geraint Lewis deserves credit for the way that he is determined to give his squad the chance to adapt at this level, with no relegation at the end of the campaign, and they will soon pick up a first win because there are some useful players coming to the fore like hooker Shane Gwyther and back rowers Billy Kinnear and Evan Sheldon catching the eye in this tough tussle.
 
Tom Harding-Jones was also available for the first time for a while from college in Bath but sadly he sustained a hamstring injury during the match.
 
For Felinfoel there were tries by winger Elliott Dawe, full back Andrew Roberts (2), second row Jordan Evans, hooker Matthew Moore, No 8 Ryan Evans, flanker Connor Ford and Jonathan George, who also landed six conversions and a penalty for a side which looks assured and should gain a top-three place if they continue to play like this.
 
Pembroke: Tom Hartland-Jones: Steve Brown; Jordan Cornick; Tom Lewis: Shane Rossiter: Luke Alderwick; Jarred Sharratt: Tom Zoogah; Shane Gwyther; Lloyd Davies: Scott Powell (Capt); Will Edwards: Billy Kinnear; Rhodri Walters; Ryan Sheldon. Replacements: Seamus Wiseman; Johnny Palmer; Matthew Price; Danny James; Matthew Lewis.
 
 

Cracking win for Crymych

 

Penclawdd 7 - Crymych 50

 
Crymych produced one of their best performances for some time as they travelled to Penclawdd to play a side which had lost both of their other matches but is known for their fast, open rugby.
 
But The Preseli Men made a cracking start and were deservedly 24 points ahead at half time having scored tries by   hooker Carwyn Rees, centre Ilan Phillips, plus wingers Lawrence Headlam and Eilir George, two of them, converted by full back Osian Hill.
 
The Cocklemen started the second half well with an early converted try by John Davies which was converted but from then on it was all Crymych as their pack got on top and set up the platform for attack - and there were two further scores by George to give him a hat-trick, a second for Headlam and one for full back Hill, who also landed another three conversions to give him a personal haul of 15 points.
 
 
Crymych: Osian Hill: Tomos Lewis; Tomos Phillips; Ilan Phillips; Lawrence Headlam: Gavin Thomas; Dafydd Phillips: Ifan James; Carwyn Rees; Rhys Richards: Matthew Freebury; Llyr Davies:  Carwyn Phillips (capt); Rhys Davies; Dafydd Gibby. Replacements: Jonathan Phillips; Jason Nicholls; Osian Davies; Rhydian Howells; Huw Rees.
 
 

Borderers have to settle for a bonus point

 

Yr Hendy 22 - Whitland 17

 
Matches between Yr Hendy and Whitland are traditionally hard-fought and this one was no exception as the homesters established  a 17-5 interval lead before The Borderers fought back to earn a deserved bonus point in defeat as second row Dai Ebsworth made a welcome return after injury despite being past the 50-mark in terms of age.
 
Whitland suffered an early set-back when prop Tom Finnucane was yellow carded but they still managed to take an early five-point lead with a try by winger Olly Hughes after a clever cross-field kick by Nico Setaro.
 
But Hendy went ahead with tries from hooker Ben Brooks from a lineout drive and full back Josh Davies added a second which No 10 Rhydian Morris converted – and with the last move of the period made it 17-5 when flanker Dean Courtney turned pressure into five points.
 
Whitland skipper Marc Jones, playing prop instead of hooker, scored his team’s second try but hopes of a real comeback were dented when Hendy winger Tom Harvard sped over for an unconverted try.
 
It says much for Gareth Bennett’s team’s resolve that they had the final word, however, as pacy winger Hughes claimed his second try to earn their bonus point, with full back Geraint Jones slotting the conversion.
 
Whitland: Geraint Jones: Olly Hughes; Dylan Richards; Gino Setaro; Trystan Rees: Nico Setaro; Josh Thomas: Marc Jones (Capt); Iwan Lewis; Tom Finnucane: Dai Ebsworth; Benji Kirk: Calum Evans; James Lewis; James Thomas: Replacements: Trystan Bowen; Tomos Evans; Danny Evans; Dan Bennett; Jonathan Thomas.

 

Division Two (West):

 

Superb Seasiders claim deserved first victory

 

Tycroes 5 - Tenby United 21

 
After four defeats on the trot Tenby United travelled to Tycroes and produced an excellent, committed all-round performance to pouch a derived win over a side that had only lost once in four previous outings.
 
Coach Jonathan Evans has been committed to give his talented youngsters every chance and their gaining of experience and confidence was evident in this tussle as they started very strongly to establish a 12-point lead within ten minutes and then played with commitment afterwards, especially in the second half when their sound defence and good use of their own possession, paid dividends.
 
Jake Roberts, back in the second row from injury, showed his ability to shake off tacklers as he received the ball from a set-piece and powered through to the posts for outside half Lloyd Thomas, another making a welcome return from injury, added the extra points.
 
Then Cam Broadhurst showed his class with a break that saw a perfect off-load close to the Tycroes line and winger Gwion Jones crossed in the corner.
 
The Seasiders continued to press but conceded a try that was against the run of play as Tycroes showed how dangerous they could be with a long-range try for winger Scott Bowen – but Tenby kept their shape, didn’t get steam-rollered and were still in front by 12-5 at the break.
 
It was a similar story after the oranges as The Seasiders stayed in control and although they didn’t add any further tries had three penalties by No 10 Thomas to set the seal on an excellent win. There was also further cause for celebration when pacy winger Jordan Asparassa came on as a replacement to celebrate his 100^th appearance for Tenby United.
 
Tenby coach Evans said afterwards,
“Overall this is a very young side but if they can keep learning like this we have a strong future together. As well as our other teenagers we were able to give a run out to 18-year old local boy George Rossiter, who is in the Scarlet’s under 18s but coming back from injury with this appearance for us.
 
“Our policy is to keep building and this will show the players, and our supporters, what we can do.”
 
Tenby United: Joe Owen: Matthew Morgan; Yannic Parker; Dan Colley; Gwion Jones: Lloyd Thomas; Cam Broadhurst: Frankie Boyd; Dan Allen; Rob Luly: Luke Dedman; Taran Richards: Jake Roberts; Ryan Jeremias; Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Ethan Morgan; George Rossiter; Jack Byrne; Jordan Asparassa; Harvey Johns.
 


 

Seagulls beaten by battling Bont 

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 8 - Pontarddulais 17

 
It was tight, physical, and often rigid - but the game between Fishguard and Goodwick and Pontarddulais ultimately went the way of the visitors as tries from Gethin Williams and Owain Davies were enough for them to win at The Moors, writes Fraser Watson.
 
With neither side having played since December 8, ring-rust was perhaps inevitable as neither side were able to mount prolonged periods of possession or pressure - but it was The Bont who made better use of the chances they had to deservedly take four points.
 

Teams trade early blows at The Moors

 
They led 7-0 early on after a concerted lineout drive fell short, and the spell of pressure that followed yielded a tap penalty from which scrum half Ethan Dunne went quickly and slipped a pass to winger Williams to dive over in the corner. Liam Lazarus converted superbly from out wide.
 
Fishguard had been dealt a blow before kick off when full back Robbie Jones went down with injury, meaning Creegan Foot switched to 15, but it was Jones' replacement in the starting team - James Reynolds - who then touched down after No 10 James Griffiths had made a clean break down the blindside before putting his namesake over out wide.
 
Griffiths himself couldn't add the extras but the hosts then upped the ante, with no 8 Chris Shousha thundering into former teammate Dan Smith in a collision that left the latter needing treatment for a blood injury.
 
A high kick upfield from no 9 Max Jones then saw away full back Josh Goss pressured into conceding a penalty, and after Griffiths went for the corner, hooker Gavin Walsh, Shousha, and Foot were all stopped short of the line before The Bont infringed again - and Griffiths landed the simple three points from in front.
 
The visitors finished the half stronger though and a chip ahead from Goss forced Foot into a scrambled last-ditch slide to save his team - but moments later the home backline were pinged for offside and Lazarus made no mistake from the 30-metre penalty.
 

Fishguard threaten a fightback before The Bont take control

 
There were encouraging signs for The Seagulls right on half time as they dominated two set-scrums, and they started the second period strongly - with Griffiths just short with a long-range penalty.
 
The outside half later booted his team into the corner and more pressure followed, but after centre Sion Rowlands was stopped inches short The Bont forced the turnover they needed.
 
And from there, Fishguard seemed to stagnate, and midway through the half the away side struck a decisive blow when a clean break from Goss created the platform from which flanker Davies powered over from a few metres out - and Lazarus added the extras.
 

A Killa touch helps the visitors see it out

 
The visitors brought on a familiar face to help see things out in the final quarter, former Narberth No 9 Adrian Killa, and in truth they were comfortable in the final minutes as handling errors plagued any home hopes of a fightback.
 
It was Killa, now 45, who spoke to Pembrokeshire Sport.co.uk afterwards and admitted his side were "delighted" with the result.
 
"We were talking as boys before the game and said we've lost a lot more than we've won down here. They are a tough side, big pack and with a heavy pitch, so we are delighted to come away with a win because the boys had to dig deep."
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Robbie Jones: Luke Marshall; Rhys Evans; Sion Rowlands; Creegan Foot: James Griffiths; Max Jones. Will Delaney; Gavin Walsh; Ryan McVeigh: Gwilym Evans; Osian Rowe: Griff Williams; Cai Llewellyn; Chris Shousha (Capt). Replacements: James Reynolds; Andrew Morrillo; Liam Wilkes; Simon James; Richie Hunter.
 
 
 

Mariners’ match called off at The Obs

 

Milford Haven P-P Burry Port

 
**Ground unfit for play**
 
 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Saints win top of table clash

 

St Clears 36 - Cardigan 14

 
St Clears were worthy winners of this top of the table clash as they led 24-0 at half time against opposition boasting a 100% record and quelled a determined Cardigan comeback to make it five wins from seven starts.
 
The Saints’ four first-half tries ensured a bonus point to complete The Teifisiders’ disappointment as they could only muster a try brace by outside half Llyr Jones, who scored all 14 of their points by slotting both conversions.
 
But Daf Walters again caught the eye with his attacking flair from deep positions which earned him two tries alongside others from Aled Jones (2), Shane Morgan and Tom Rees.
 
Walters also notched three conversions to earn the man of the match tag as The Saints showed that on their day they are capable of playing quality rugby.
 

 

Wasps lose to lively Aberaeron

 

Llangwm 7 - Aberaeron 40

It was a welcome return to game time for Aberaeron as they made the journey to Pill Park, in what was only their third league outing for the season but the visitors got away to the perfect start when within minutes fullback Morgan Llewelyn showed pace and guile to scythe through the home defence to score under the posts, giving Rhodri Jenkins an easy conversion.
 
Aberaeron showed no sign of rustiness after the long layoff and doubled the score within the first quarter with a well-worked move started by Dyfrig Dafis and ending with Llewelyn going over before Jenkins duly adding the extras.
 
Lewis scores a Llangwm try but Aberaeron lead 21-7 at half time
 
Llangwm always give a strong account on home soil and they eventually found momentum and they were rewarded following strong forward play with a try by flanker James Lewis and conversion from Luke Hayman after good work up front by Ieuan Power, Gethin Thomas, Gavin Jones and Jason Mock.
 
As The Wasps continued to take the game to their opponents there was no shortage of effort from Callum Jenkins, Dave Reynolds and centre Michael Jones, full back Mattie Lewis and especially winger Jack Roberts.
 
But against the run of play Aberaeron regained the advantage with a try from No 8 Bleddyn Thomas, Jenkins again adding the conversion for a half time score of 21-7.
 
Visitors use power to good effect in the second half
 
In the second half Aberaeron played up the slope and into a dazzling sun and they quickly got back into the groove with the unstoppable Llewelyn claiming his hat-trick, and Jenkins adding a fifth conversion
 
Further tries came from veteran back-rower Tudur Jenkins and prop Rhys Jones on debut Rhys Jones, leaving Jenkins to convert for a 40-7 final score in Aberaeron’s favour as Llangwm had given their all but were not able to contain Aberaeron’s bustling back division.

Llangwm: Matthew Lewis: Jack Roberts; Dan Woodward; Michael Jones; Paul Jonkers: Jacob Lay; Luke Hayman: Ieuan Power; Gethin Jones; Callum Jenkins: Gavin Jones; Dave Reynolds: James Lewis; Mikey Phillips; Jason Mock. Replacements: Morgan Rees; Daniel Morgan; Ian Griffiths; Yale Grice; David Lewis.
 


 
 
 

All Blacks’ match postponed

 

Neyland P-P Lampeter

 
**Illness in Lampeter camp ***
 
 

Saints’ match postponed

 

Tregaron P-P St Davids

 
**Tregaron unable to use their changing rooms**