Friday Night Rugby – Division Three (West):

 
 

All Blacks beat the Athletic in terrific floodlit tussle

 

Narberth Athletic 10 - Neyland 30

 
Neyland played with total commitment and conviction in front of a big crowd at The Lewis Lloyd Ground to not only beat Narberth Athletic but pouched a bonus point as reward for a team which overcame the fact that the home side ruled the roost in the set-pieces but were unable to stem the All Blacks’ ball-winning capacity in the loose in a combative but very entertaining tussle in quite tricky weather conditions.
 
Their win was even more surprising because for the first ten minutes the visitors were under the cosh as they were jerked back five metres at the first scrum and Athletic skipper Stephen Pilot featured alongside Harry Phillips and Jac Norcross in two powerful thrusts into the Neyland 22, but from then on it was a case of chances coming and going in the conditions.
 

All Blacks maintain their battle plan

 
But Neyland maintained their battle plan for the full 80 minutes and that was to win the contest for the loose ball as Ben Williams, Owain Evans and especially Tal Tamilia were immense, ably assisted by Alex Swales, Iestyn Evans and veteran second row Andrew Slark as they got through a tremendous amount of support work, with Adam Peel, Ben James and Iestyn Evans ever-ready to drive forward.
 
Skipper George Williams was immense and put in some huge clearance kicks but the key factor was their half back combination of Owen Hamer and man of the match Rio Phillips, who both got on the try sheet as well as being totally involved in all that The All Blacks did.
 
When Neyland finally broke the shackles, they were awarded a penalty and from 40 metres out Rio Phillips sweetly-struck penalty sailed between the uprights.
 

Hamer hares through for great solo score

 
Phillips was only just short from 52 metres but soon afterwards added the extra points to a superb solo try by Owen Hamer after Narberth had gifted them possession from an awful clearance – and from the ensuing penalty for offside the No 9 spotted a gap and took a quick penalty to slice through, outflank the cover defence from 54 metres out.
 
Midway through the half The Athletic finally opened their account after more missed chances caused them to take a simple shot at goal which Adam Phillips gratefully accepted.
 
But within six minutes Neyland added their third score when a series of thrusts in the bottom left corner saw Rio Phillips suddenly claiming an unconverted try when George Williams again booted them on the attack and prop Peel powered his way over, after his pack colleagues had combined to set the platform.
 
Neyland also made a good start to the second half as Iestyn Evans and Hamer powered forwarded and when play was spread wide winger Josh Watts, who had previously defended well alongside Oli Rothero, Henry McBeth and  Matthew Coles, did well to stretch out in the right corner and secure a deserved bonus point.
 

Neyland manage a deserved try – but Neyland take the deserved honours

 
Narberth finally got on the try sheet when their forwards held possession for eight phases for prop Jac Norcross to score a try which Adam Phillips converted – but soon afterwards play was held up for 18 minutes when Shay Norcross suffered an accidental head injury, following a tackle attempt, and after careful treatment was stretchered off. Sadly, Shay had to wait until well past 2am for the ambulance to arrive but after treatment at Withybush he was allowed home around 5am – and rugby lovers will wish this popular and gifted rugby player a speedy return to action.
 
It was perhaps appropriate that Rio Phillips should have the final word with a penalty as his father Shane joined veteran prop Mark James, second row George Evans, James Hamilton and Liam Rees as replacements – and it was two very tired teams who left the field, with The Athletic team manager Bill Ridge being absolutely honest about the opposition deserving victory, whilst All Black coach Steve Hamer must have been really proud of the way his team had given their all on the night!
 
Narberth Athletic: Adam Phillips: Iestyn Doble; Brad Cramb; Will Davies; Stephen J Brown: Shay Norcross; Andrew Williams: Declan Cole; Rhys Jenkins; Jac Norcross: Henry Foster; Kieran Arran: Kyle Williams; Harry Phillips; Stephen Pilot (Capt). Replacements: Wil Nicholas; Richard Watkins; Jack Tucker; Ashton O’Riorden; Elliot Evans; Lori Lewis; Cory Nicholson.

Neyland: Oli Rothero: Henry McBeth; Matthew Coles; George Williams (Capt); Josh Watts: Rio Phillips; Owen Hamer: Adam Peel; Alex Swales; Ben James: Andrew Slark; Iestyn Evans: Tal Tamilia; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Mark James; James Hamilton; George Evans; Shane Phillips;  Liam Rees.
 
 
 
 

Premiership Division:

 

Fuller scores three in three games as Otters beat Cross Keys

 

Narberth 21 - Cross Keys 17

 
Harry Fuller showed his worth to Narberth as the young winger added his third try in as many league matches to help The Otters to a mid-table place alongside their opponents, with an excellent team performance that will have pleased coach Ricky Guest, not least because they had to show real grit on a very heavy Lewis Lloyd Ground that did well to survive the awful weather.
 
The Otters had changed their half back pairing to give Josh Thomas and Nico Setaro a run out and both put in solid performances, with Setaro landing a penalty and after it had been cancelled out by opposite number Lewis Stevens he converted a close-range try by long-serving prop Tom Slater, who was also making a welcome return to the starting grid after injury and provided a good anchor to the team alongside George Rossiter and especially Kyle Hamer.
 
A second Setaro penalty put The Otters 13-3 ahead at half time as the powerful back row of Will Boyd, Roy Osborn and skipper Tom Powell functioned well – but The Keys showed they weren’t going to lie down and they reduced the deficit with a try by Ralph Miller, converted by Stevens.
 
It was a warning to The Otters not to sit back and Fuller sped over and although Setaro was off-target with the conversion he soon made amends with another penalty.
 
But The Keys ensured they went home with a bonus point when Aneurin Jenkins ploughed over and Steves converted – but there was no further scoring as Aled Davies was chosen as man of the match for his hard work in the centre alongside Llew Jones, Ashley Sutton and Dean James.
 
So now it’s on to the Premiership Cup and The Otters travel to face a number of old friends at Llanelli Wanderers, not lease former head coach Sean Gale and his son Nick, a  record points’ scorer for The Otters in his distinguished career there!
 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Harry Fuller; Llew Jones; Aled Davies; Dean James: Nico Setaro; Josh Thomas: George Rossiter; Kyle Hamer; Tom Slater; Caleb Salmon; Rhys Williams: Will Boyde; Tom Powell (Capt); Roy Osborn. Replacements:  Luke Tucker; Jake Bowen; Ryan Rees; Jac Bennett; Sam Martin; Lewys Gibby; Jonathan Rogers; Ifan Phillips
 
 
 

Championship Division (West):

 

Crymych lose heavily but pouch a welcome bonus point

 

Ammanford 62 - Crymych 24

 
Crymych continued their slow start to the season with a third successive defeat but their only consolation was the fact that scored four tries and so pouched a welcome bonus point against an Ammanford side whose second win from three starts puts them in fourth place.
 
The Preseli Men battled hard in the first half and were only 19-12 adrift because they conceded a late third try and were still in contention at 21-24 but then the wheels came off and they conceded four quick tries.
 
The Crymych tries  were scored by outstanding back rower Iestyn Wood (2), Laurence Headlam and Carwyn Phillips alongside two conversions by Eilir George, whilst winger Osian Herbert scored two tries for Ammanford alongside others by Keanu Evans, Jay Willington, Rhys Thomas-Jones. Ceri Rees, Tiaan Sparrow, Marco Dallavalle and Fraser Gregory as Sam Potters completed their points glut with seven conversions and a penalty.
 
 
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Seasiders game called off

 

Waunarlwydd P Tenby United P

 
**Ground ruled unfit for play**
 
Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Keanu Williams; Liam Price; Jackson Gravatt; Gwion Jones; Lloyd Thomas; Bowyn Clark: Hywel Baker; Kyle Rossiter; Ethan Morgan: Alex Jenkins (Capt); Luke Dedman: Josh Hamer; Jesse James; Dom Colman. Replacements: Joe Poole; Tom Barrass; Jack Brown; Dan Colley; Cam Broadhurst.
 
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Seagulls stumble in final stages

 

Tycroes 12 - Fishguard & Goodwick 10

 
Fishguard and Goodwick came within minutes of victory at Tycroes as they led 10-7 but then a late try by the home side gave them a second win and joint top spot in the table at this early stage in the season.
 
Played in very difficult conditions it inevitably developed into an arm-wrestle but the young Seagulls’ pack, well led by new skipper Rhys Lewis, defended really well against the wind in the first half so the only points came from a try by winger Tom Davies, which was converted.
 
Handling conditions worsened after the break but hard-working Liam Wilkes scored a Fishguard try, converted by outside half Jake Jenkins alongside a well-struck penalty – only for Tycroes’s late thrusts to be rewarded with a match-winning try by Steve Roberts.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Dan Evans: Ed Rathbone; Mike Jenkins; Dylan James; Dom Sinnott: Jake Jenkins; Will Thomas: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Ryan McVeigh: Griff Williams; Cai Llewellyn: Bryn Thomas; Jac Delaney; Rhys Lewis (Capt). Replacements: Will Robinson; Iwan McVeigh; Ely Hennigan; Jack Richards; Ifan Evans.
 
 
 
 

Dance leads Borderers to welcome win

 

Whitland 22 - Betws 13

 
Two tries by centre Lucas Dance helped Whitland gain a morale-boosting win over Bettws at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn and a vital bonus point into the bargain as Liam Price returned to the fold on permit and scored a try converted by Shane Rossiter – and Ceiron Evans also scored as reward for his efforts alongside the likes of Rhys Nicholas, Rossiter, Matt Driver and Nick Greene on debut as an effective replacement.
 
Tom Best scored both Betws tries and Jack Goodall added a penalty in his side’s second defeat as The Borderers got their belated start to the campaign off with a deserved victory. And five vital league points.
 
Whitland: Tom Day: Morgan Lewis; Lucas Dance; Gareth Davies; Luke Watkins: Shane Rossiter; Rhys Nicholas: Trystan Bowen;  Matt Driver; Ceirion Evans: Charlie Watson; Benji Kirk: Thomas Iraia; Gavin Smith; Dan Bennett (Capt). Replacements: Johnny Phillips; Jack Evans; Jack Jenkins;  Nick Greene; Tomos Evans.
 
 






 

Division Three (West):

 

Blues battle their win to excellent win

 

Haverfordwest 15 - Llandeilo 16

 
Haverfordwest continued their good start to the season as they beat a well-organised Llandeilo side which featured four former youth players like centre Ioan Thomas and looked strong up front and behind the scrum as experienced outside half Steffan Roberts worked well behind his pack – but The Blues limited them to a 6-3 interval lead and then took control up front thereafter, especially when replacements Jamie Zambas, and especially big Jack Clancy, who was only called in late for the bench made a huge impact despite it being his first touches of a rugby ball this season, an matches or training.
 
They joined second rows Karl Busch and newcomer James Hart as powerful candidates for the man of the match award, alongside old-timers like Terry Lovell and Dan Berry and ex-youth players Iori Curtis, Kieran Harries, Logun Young and Defin Williams
 
Jack Codd opened up the scoring with a with a penalty from 30 metres but was off-target from longer range before Llandeilo number 10 Steffan Roberts levelled the score after 20 minutes with a close range penalty and gave Llandeilo the lead 10 minutes later as Llandeilo took control of the game in terrible conditions. 
 
Jack Codd had a penalty just fall short on the last play of the first half so Llandeilo led 3-6 at half time but Haverfordwest started the 2nd half with more physicality and  held on the ball far better, taking the lead after 10 minutes with Terry Lovell crashing over from short range. Jack Codd added the conversion to make it 10-6.
 
Haverfordwest continued to maintain control of the game and with 10 minutes to go, Iori Curtis gave Scott Candler the final pass, the winger doing well to hold on to a high ball to score a try in the bottom corner after some good work from the forwards. Jack Codd was off target with the conversion but it mattered little because there was no further scoring as The Blues celebrated a very good win in terrible conditions.
 
Haverfordwest: Guy Barrons: Scott Candler; Jack Evans (Capt); Jack Codd; Logun Young: Liam Eaton; Ion Hawkridge-Jones: Dan Berry; Iori Curtis; Terry Lovell:  James Hart; Kark Busch: Devin Williams; Mikey Griffiths, Kieran Harries. Replacements: Teifion Owen; Jamie Zambas; Jamie Phillips; Isaac Kelso-Jones; Jack Clancy.
 





 

 Action pictures by William John

 

Williams helps Stars to win at The Obs

 

Milford Haven 3 - New Dock Stars 15

 
New Dock Stars maintained their flying start to the season with this hard-fought victory against Milford Haven at a wind and rain-swept Observatory Field, with The Mariners as the first team so far to deny the league leaders a bonus point.

 
Leading the way for The Stars was Jordan Williams, who played first-class rugby for The Scarlets, Bristol Bears and The Dragons before returning to the club where he started out his career – and inevitable influencing play with a good try, conversion and penalty as they led 8-3 at half time and added a second-half converted try from centre Luke Morris.

 
James Williams landed The Mariners’ first-half penalty and there was no shortage of effort by the entire team, with Zak Davies, Robbie Jones and Owyn Griffiths worthy of a special mention.
 
 








 

Trim takes the honours as Cardis battle hard

 

Trimsaran 22 - Cardigan 16

 
Cardigan found it hard going in awful weather at Trimsaran as they were in contention throughout but in the final analysis had to settle for a bonus point as a late penalty by outside half Jac Davies saw them collect a consolation bonus point and Davies added the extra points.
 
Trimsaran were 7-3 in front after a tight first half where they were only 7-3 ahead thanks to a try by Steff Roberts, converted by No 10 Corey Phillips, after Jack Davies had kicked an earlier penalty for The Teifisiders, who regained the lead as prop Will Brice ploughed over just after the restart
 
But Trimsaran gained the upper hand with further triers from prop Josh Daniels and  centre Lee Porter, plus a Phillips conversion and penalty.
 
Then Jac Davies slotted another Cardigan penalty and a late three points more to come within seven points of their opponents but with a second successive defeat nonetheless.
 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: Ben Rogers; Iwan John; Emyr Harries; Tomos Jones: Jac Davies; Ifan James: Will Brice; Luke Palmer-Davies; Andrew Jones: Dan Jones;  Flyn Tjoonk: Dean Harries; Dafydd Rotie; Marcus Castle (Capt). Replacements:  Sior Phillips; Sion Phillips; Kieran Hurley; Guto Davies; Sam Lloyd.
 
 




 

Division Four (West):

 

Seasiders Seconds stun out of sorts Scarlets

 

Tenby United Athletic 41 - Pembroke 10

 
Tenby United’s second string maintained their excellent start to their first season as they proved too strong for a Pembroke side which somehow was unable to produce the form they showed against neighbours The Quins and paid the price against a home side that was full of running and enterprise.
 
The writing was on the wall for The Scarlets by half time as they trailed 31 5 after conceding four tries in 20 minutes and had team manager Simon Edwards ready to concede the fact that  The Scarlets were definitely off-colour despite the hard work of winger Zach Evans and replacements Rob Weston, George Jones and Evan Phillips in being able to raise the tempo a little when they came on and helped limit Tenby Athletic to just one second-half score.
 
No 8 Dai Rogers, as hard-working as ever, scored the Scarlets’ first-half try and winger Tobi Pratt did well to squeeze in at the corner but otherwise it was that one-way early traffic.
 
The Seasiders potent mix of youth and experience saw them score  tries by second row Rhys Grigg, winger Luke Hartland (2),  flanker Liam Pugh and scrum half Fletcher Broadhurst – and skipper harry Rossiter had an outstanding game at No 10, not only with his ability to control play from quality possession won by the likes of  Nick Guymer, Frankie Boyd and Jake Roberts, but on a day of abject weather he notched a 100% record of five conversions, some from the touchline, and two penalties.
 
Tenby United: Joe Andrews: Evan Watson; Archie Treadaway-Williams; Kodi Bratcher; Luke Hartland: Harry Rossiter (Capt); Fletcher Broadhurst: Nick Guymer; Iorri Richards; Franke Boyd: Rhys Grigg; Rob Ayers: Liam Pugh; Jake Henson; Jake Eoberts. Replacements: George Osborn; Cemlyn Bolton; Taz Richards; Cal Earland; Hudson Diment.
 
Pembroke: Lewis Davies: Zach Evans; James Allen; Jack Nicholas; Tobi Pratt: Rhys Johns; Iolo Williams: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Dan Davies; Tommy Oakley: Cyle Weatherall; William Edwards: Andrew Evans; Rhydian Eynon; Dai Rogers. Replacements: Seamus Wiseman; Evan Phillips; George Jones; Scott Powell; Rob Weston.
 
 
 

Quins too strong but Llan deserve credit for playing!

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 38 - Llanybydder 5

 
Llanybydder made the long trek to Bierspool and as usual gave their typical 100% effort that is a credit to the club in these difficult times with such high transport costs – and against a Quins’ team eager to get back to winning ways after the disappointment of derby defeat against Pembroke the previous weekend.
 
The Quins led by 26-5 at the interval, with Llan No 8 Jeff Thomas scoring their try after The Quins had started with tries by bustling flanker Danny Wilkes and winger Tom Donovan, who used his pace to round off a good handling move before skipper Ben Hathaway converted.
 
The home side responded with a try by nippy No 9 Sam James which Hathaway converted before Jack Price, playing at No 8 instead of his usual centre position, showed how he influences matches as he broke a tackle to score on half time and Hathaway again added the extra points.
 
Handling inevitably became more and more difficult in the second half and with Llanybydder bravely sticking to their task The Quins could only muster two second-half scores via the ubiquitous Price and with Harry Owen deservedly completing a trio of back-row scorers, and  Hathaway landing his fourth conversion.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Euan McDonald: Tom Donovan; Craig Barnett; Ban Hathaway (Capt); Owain Turner: Morgan Rogers; Sam James; Jack Davies; Jack Hagan; Rhys Davies: Mark Van Rhyn; Liam Baker: Harry Owen; Danny Wilkes; Jack Price. Replacements: Rhys Doyle; Rhys Bradney; Andrew Edwards; Rhys Thomas.
 
 
 
 

Price powers Saints to comfortable victory

 

St Davids  36 - Llangwm 17

 
St Davids began their new season with a competitive league win over old rivals Llangwm, for whom this was a second defeat but with signs of an improvement as they battled back after trailing 5-24 at half time.
 
Ben Joyce gave The Saints an early lead with a try converted by Bob Froy, before The Wasps replied with an unconverted try by influential No 10 George James.
 
Froy also added the extras to Rhys Price’s try but failed to convert the third home try, claimed by Luke Bamford., but made amends near the end of the half with a bonus-point try for the home side.
 
Rhys Price, who was adjudged The Saints’ man of the match, added his second score and skipper George Raymond rounded off the home scoring in awful conditions, converted by centre Adam Phillips, but The Wasps claimed further tries by Morgan Rees and Owain Jones to round off an entertaining tussle, despite the conditions.
 
St Davids: Fred Dorn: Luke Bamford; Harvey Lavin; Adam Phillips; Bob Froy: Ben Joyce; Tom Goodson: Ethan Griffiths; Rhys Price; Dan Murphy: Cameron Sapsford; Iestyn Owen: Daf Williams; Aaron Foster; George Raymond (Capt). Replacements: Charlie Lavin; George Scale; Monty Lavin; Daf Davies; Iwan Davies. Reserves: Danny Voyce; Osian  Sutton.
 
Llangwm: Charlie Kelly: Ollie Gerson; Owain Jones; Jordan Evans; Adam Hancock: George James; Steffan Thomas: Ieuan Power; Liam Baker; Callum Jenkins: Dylan Rowles;  James Wade: Morgan Scott-Walker; Morgan Rees (Capt); Ryan Banner. Replacements: Joe Jewton; Ben Elrick; Jake Thomas; Dylan Philpott; Lewis Tucker.