Championship Division:

 

Otters start off with deserved home win

 

Narberth 16 - Ystrad Rhondda 3

 
Narberth started off their latest campaign in the championship with a solid workmanlike performance against Ystrad Rhondda where they were able to give debuts to some talented young players and still come away with victory.
 
The only down-beat moment for The Otters was an injury to No 8 Ewan Badham but their mixture of youth and experience paid off as they showed good discipline to build a 9-0 lead through three penalties by full back Nick Gale, who was also strong in defence, before Ystrad gained their only points right on half time came from the boot of No 10 Jacob Symes.
 
In an equally tight second period the Otters had Dan Smith, Alex Jenkins, Richard Rees and new skipper Tom Powell putting their experience to good use, new flanker Caine Rees-Jones earned the man of the match tag for his work rate, whilst Jonathan Rogers controlled matters well at outside half.
 
They scored the only try of the game when Lewys Gibby, making a welcome return at scrum half, sliced through unopposed from the 22 and Gale added the extra points to put the seal on a satisfying first league game of the campaign.
 
Narberth:  Nick Gale: Josh Davies; Ilan Phillips; Hedd Nicholas; Josh Evans: Jonathan Rogers; Lewys Gibby:  Bradley Davies; Dan Smith; Tom Slater: Tom Powell (Capt); Alex Jenkins: Richard Rees; Caine Rees-Jones; Ewan Badham. Replacements: Kyle Hamer; Lewis Davies; Rhys Williams: Ianto Griffiths; George McDonald.
 
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Cracking result for Crymych

 

Newcastle Emlyn 15 - Crymych18

 
Matches between old rivals Newcastle Emlyn and Crymych are traditionally hard-fought and this one was no exception as the visitors to Ddol Wiber made the better start to build up a 15-0 advantage and resisted a strong Emlyn come back to claim the spoils.
 
Pacy winger Osian Hill raced over for two smart tries after good work by Tomos Phillips, Ifan Davies, Ifan and Dafydd Phillips, with Adam Phillips landing one conversion and a penalty.
 
Emlyn scrum half Mike Jones slotted a penalty and after the interval joined winger Dean Jones on the try list alongside a conversion but  a second penalty from Adam Phillips gave Crymych a narrow win as reward for their work-rate and commitment.

Crymych: Adam Phillips: Osian Hill; Tomos Phillips; Ifan Davies; Eilir George: Ifan Phillips; Dafydd Phillips: Dylan Phillips; Lee Griffiths; Ryan Rees: Rhys Davies; Matthew Freebury: Llyr Davies (Capt); Llyr Evans; Trystan Griffiths. Replacements: Rhys Richards; Carwyn Rees; Cai Efans; Rhydian Howells; Laurence Headlam.
 
 
 

Scarlets suffer heavy defeat at Crickmarren

 

Pembroke 11 - Llangennech 66

 
Llangennech showed why they are amongst the favourites to top the division after a ten-try mauling of a Pembroke side which were already 6-40 in arrears at half time against the opposition’s ball-winning capabilities and slick handling.
 
Talented young flag half Harry Fletcher claimed the Scarlet’s first half points with a penalty and dropped goal as other youngsters like Tom Cabot and Jordan Cornick battled hard alongside new skipper Seamus ‘Moose’ Wiseman, Johnny Palmer and Cyle Weatherall, with Wiseman claiming his side’s only score of the game.
 
For Llangennech there were tries by Aaron Howells (2), Gareth George, Jordan Saunders, Tom Barnes, a penalty try, Rhys Davies, Tom Davies and Jayden Whitney (2), who also kicked two late conversions.
 
There were also six conversions by Tom Neale as Pembroke were unable to stem the points tide against them and facing a tough season at this high level.
 
Pembroke: Lewis Davies: Barry Alderman-John; Tom Harding-Jones; Fraser James; Steve Brown: Harry Fletcher; Jarred Sharratt: Lloyd Davies; Seamus Wiseman (Capt); Johnny Palmer: Cyle Wetherall; Tom Cabot: Jordan Cornick; Rhodri Walters; Josh Hicks. Replacements: Evan Phillips; Jordan Evans; Andrew Evans; Jack Hagan.
 
 

Borderers concede points galore

 

Felinfoel 52 - Whitland 3

 
Whitland found it hard-going in their league opener at Tycroes as they conceded eight tries and could only muster a single penalty by outside half Geraint Jones in return.
 
For Felinfoel, there were tries from winger Liam Price, full back Josh Edwards, centre Eray Wilson, second row John Evans, No 8 Sam Richards, scrum half Mark Stobbs and replacement centre Dan Davies, with outside half Johnnie George landing six conversions.
 
The Borderers were without coach Gareth Bennett, side-lined after a knee operation, and everyone at the club wishes him a speedy return to Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn.
 
 


 

Division Two (West:

 

Seasiders start with a nerve-jangling success

 

Tenby United 25 - Mumbles 24

 
Tenby United started their season with a home win over Mumbles that demonstrated their determination and will to win in a nerve-jangling tussle where both teams were intent on taking the points but The Seasiders earned them where in recent seasons they might just have been edged out.
 
In a game played at pace Tenby took the lead as they dominated the set-pieces from the start and full back Luke Conbeer grabbed an early unconverted try but a home error from the kick off allowed Mumbles to draw level with a try from right winger Luke Morgan.
 
But The Seasiders took an 8-5 lead into the break when No 10 Gwion Jones kicked a penalty but after the oranges the visitors took the lead when a Tenby kick was charged down and full back Lloyd Davies accepted a gift seven points as centre Richard Thomas added the extra points.
 
But The Seasiders had Dan Colley making his debut in the back row alongside Jake Roberts and Jack Broadhurst, putting in a shift, after so many years in the centre, whilst Rob Luly, Dom Booth and skipper Luke Dedman were heavily involved as Broadhurst grabbed a try and Gwion Jones converted.
 
Good work by Ethan Morgan, Tom Barrass in a great pack effort saw Colley cross the line and Jones converted to put The Seasiders 22-12 in front.


 
Mumbles showed their determination as centre Joe Rimmell reduced the deficit by five points but Jones landed a penalty to keep Tenby ahead and although the visitors had the final word with a last-minute try by replacement Cian Hughes, converted by No 10 Matthew Hughes, it was too little, too late.
 
Tenby coach Jonathan Evans has worked hard to raise the expectations of his team in pre-season and he must have been delighted with this positive start at Heywood Lane.
 
Tenby United: Luke Conbeer: Tom Griffin; Cam Broadhurst; Max Brindley; Oakley Milton: Gwion Jones; Matt Morgan: Rob Luly; Dom Booth; Ethan Morgan: Luke Dedman (Capt); Tom Barrass: Dan Colley; Jake Roberts; Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Frankie Boyd; Dan Allen; Lewis Catt; Mike Davis; Jack Gooding.
 
 

Mariners make Tycroes battle all the way

 

Tycroes 13 - Milford Haven 3

 
Milford Haven made Tycroes battle all the way before going down to defeat but there were promising signs for coaches Nathan Williams and Steve Martin, both helping out on the bench, that their team will be competitive at this level in a long league campaign.
 
A plus for them were the performances of ex-youth players Ethan Aldred and Dylan Evans, whilst Zac Davies was outstanding up front and new co-captains Lee Riley and Dan Birch caught the eye in defence.
 
It was Riley who claimed The Mariners’ only points with a second half penalty after a hard-fought first half in which Tycroes led 6-0 thanks to two penalties by full back Geraint Rees.
Play was just as tight after the interval and The Mariners had their chances but Tycroes scored the only points with a try by second row John James, which Rees converted, after good work by Jim Connolly and Luke Stratford.
 
Milford Haven: Lee Riley (Capt): Ieuan Davies; Dan Birch (Capt); Dan Jenkins; Jamie Lewis: Dan McClelland; Dean McSparron: Ben Jenkins; Luke Ryan; Tristan Davies: Zac Davies; Jay Davies: Ben Groves; Ethan Aldred; Dylan Evans. Replacements: Steve Martin; Nathan Williams; Will Thomas.
 
 

Seagulls shot down at The Bont

 

Pontarddulais 25 - Fishguard & Goodwick 8

 
Fishguard travelled to Pontarddulais with hopes of a good stat to their league programme but in the final analysis they didn’t take their chances and conceded vital points when down to 14 men from yellow cards.
 
They also started badly as The Bont scored from the kick-off as second row Phil Knight crossed the whitewash and outside half Liam Lazarus converted – but The Seagulls raised their tempo for winger Creegan Foot to score after centre Sion Rowlands made the initial break to put him in the clear.
 
But when Seagulls’ skipper Chris Shousha was yellow-carded and from the ensuing penalty The Bont added their second score from Morgan Griffiths, with Lazarus notching a penalty soon afterwards after missing the conversion.
 
Seagull centre James Griffiths added a penalty on half time penalty to make the score 15-8 to Mumbles – but when Sion Colella was sin-binned they increased their lead as outstanding centre Josh Goss scored and Lazarus converted.
 
Fishguard deserve credit for the way they refused to submit and kept plugging away but were unable to add to their points tally – and it was inevitably Lazarus who had the final word as another penalty from the home No 10 landed a late penalty to round off a disappointing day for The Seagulls.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Robbie Jones: Creegan Foot; Sion Rowlands; James Griffiths; Rhys Evans: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Ryan McVeigh: Gwilym Evans; Richard Hunter: Ryan Foot; Sion Colella; Chris Shousha (Capt). Replacements: Iwan McVeigh; Adam Bowen; Simon James; Ed Bendall; Andrew Williams.

 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Saints show battling qualities to gain a narrow win

 

Haverfordwest 12 - St Clears 15

 
When these teams met in the opener last season it was Haverfordwest who won but Saint Clears gained ample revenge at Pembroke Road as they resisted The Blues’ pack power to win by three points as the home side were left to look back on chances missed and errors made.
 
Because they were dominant up front at set-pieces and on one occasion drove The Saints from 22 to the try line but the referee was unsighted as The Blues claimed a try – but were always put under pressure by the pace of Daf Waters and skipper Jac Howells as new full back Dan Newton and scrum half Dafydd Evans were always probing for gaps.
 
Indeed, it was scrum half Evans who opened the scoring after a lethargic attempted clearance kick from The Blues was charged down by Dan Griffiths and Evans pounced before new No 10 Sam Miles converted.
 
Haverfordwest had half chances as Jon Mason, Steve Thomas, Karl Busch and skipper Matty Phillips featured but new No 10 Stuart Morris missed a penalty and St Clears made them pay when Daw Waters sped across the line for an unconverted try.
 
The Blues finally opened their account when Craig Barnett, Lee Summons and Callum John helped put winger Jack Evans in at the corner – and they drew level from the outstanding Jack Clancy, with Morris adding the conversion.
 
But in the final stages The Saints had a penalty in front of the posts which Miles landed and his team travelled home with the vital first victory – leaving Haverfordwest to ponder the chances they missed and mistakes they made.
 
Haverfordwest:  Callum John: Scott Chandler; Matthew John; Craig Barnett; Jack Evans: Stuart Morris; Lee Summons: Terry Lovell; Jonathan Mason; Tom Carrington: Rhydian Watkins; Karl Busch: Steve Thomas; Matty Phillips (capt); Jack Clancy. Replacements: Jamie Zambas; Jonathan Clout; Gethin Bateman; Will Blackburn; Archie Thomas.
 
St Clears: Scott Newton: Daf Waters; Jac Howells (Capt); Dan Griffiths; Callum Evans:  Sam Miles; Dafydd Evans: Gary Barnes; Gethin Lewis; Gareth Jones: Brandon Davies; Geraint Harries: Jack Green; Tom Williams; Tomas Rees. Replacements: Harri Phillips; Alfie Montgomery; Daniel Evans; Tom Mason; Jacob Williams.
 



 

Great start for sharp All Blacks

 

Neyland 30 - Llanybydder 13

 
Neyland got their season off to a flying start with a deserved victory against Llanybydder that not only saw them come back to win comfortably after trailing at half time, but claim a welcome bonus point for scoring four tries.
 
The All Blacks had made a good start with an unconverted try by scrum half George Evans but Llanybydder quickly bounced back with a penalty from outside half Llyr Tobias, who also added the extra points when veteran prop Rhys Rowlands ploughed over after good forward pressure.
 
Tobias also slotted a penalty to put his team 13-5 ahead at the break but there were already signs that Neyland were beginning to come back into things as the back row of Owain Evans, Dan Hart and No 8 Ben Williams won quality possession after some solid drives by Ben James, Gavin Campbell, Theo Davies, Iestyn Evans and Luke Griffiths-Dawes.
 
It was prop Griffiths-Dawes who claimed Neyland’s second try and classy centre George Williams benefitted from the work around him of Henry McBeth, Owen Hamer, Matthew Coles and Ben Millward as he sliced through for two more tries.
 
Outside half Oliver Rothero showed what an asset he is going to be as he contributed two conversions and two penalties to complete a good day for The All Black squad and an air of deserved optimism about the season ahead.
 
Neyland: Henry McBeth: Matthew Coles; Ben Millward; George Williams; Owen Hamer: Oliver Rothero; George Evans: Ben James; Gavin Campbell; Luke Griffiths-Dawes: Iestyn Evans; Theo Davies: Dan Hart; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements:  Harrison Grice; Chris Busby; Mark James; Simon Phillips; Adam Peele.
 
 

Quins came back again to take the verdict

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 27 - Cardigan 20

 
After their epic KO Cup win over the Narberth Development squad when a last-ditch try proved vital, Pembroke Dock Harlequins again showed their ‘never say die’ spirit as they fought back from a 12-point deficit at half time to overcame a strong challenge from Cardigan, picking up a welcome bonus point in the process.
 
Cardigan took an early lead as veteran loose-head prop Andrew Fletcher ploughed over for a try which No 10 Llyr Jones converted but new Quins’ skipper Gethin Bradney put in a neat chip to the corner and got the ideal bounce to score an unconverted try.
But then Llyr Jones notched a penalty and as Cardigan raised the tempo added a conversion of a try by Rhydian Parry-Jones to give them that deserved lead.
 
Whatever the Quins coaching staff said at the interval it certainly worked because they scored early when a clever diagonal chip by outside half Euan McDonald bounced perfectly for Bradney to claim his second try which McDonald converted.
 
Llyr Jones kicked a penalty for The Teifisiders but as The Quins kept plugging away they were rewarded when scrum half Kieran Machin dived over and McDonald converted to narrow the gap to a single point and then put The Quins ahead with a penalty.
 
The home side scored their final unconverted try in controversial circumstances from a quickly-taken throw in that saw second row Ben Gibby cross the line for that bonus point and leave The Teifisiders with the consolation of a solitary bonus point as reward for their part in an entertaining tussle.
 
 Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Kobey Thomas: Tom Donovan; Gethin Bradney (Capt); Harry Lawrence; Tom Wheeler: Euan McDonald; Kieran Machin: Jack Davies; Danny McLeod; Connor Colmel: Ben Gibby; Liam Scourfield: Hywel Baker; Danny Wilkes; Jack Millette. Replacements:  Kieran Cookson; Sam James; Jack Brown; Morgan Owen; Mike Doyle.
 
 

Four-try Laugharne put experience to good effect

 

St Davids 0 - Laugharne 28

 
After the delight of their terrific KO Cup win over Llangwm, St Davids came down to earth against a very useful-looking Laugharne side which scored four tries without reply, all converted by new player coach Nico Setaro, who used his experience gained over many years at Whitland, to good effect.
 
It must be said that The Saints battled hard until the final whistle and had their chances, and a real plus-point was the fact that they had so many players currently vying for selection – but Laugharne led 14-0 at half time thanks to tries by Iwan Lees and Seb Howells.
 
Lees added his second score as reward for his involvement and scrum half Adam Davies, another terrific campaigner, showed his worth with a typical snipe to the line to earn Laugharne a bonus point.
 
St Davids: Harvey Godkin: Morgan Davies; Ben Joyce; George Raymond; Rhys Meredith-Barrett: Ollie Owen; Owen Swain: Adam Williams; Tom Clarke; Carwyn Lewis: Aled Davies; Llion Williams: Rhys Price; Nathan Foster (Capt); Dafydd Williams.