Championship Division (West):

 

Otters thrash disjointed Emlyn

 

Newcastle Emlyn 7 - Narberth 66

 
After successive defeats in the Championship Cup and in the league against Brecon, it was important that Narberth bounced back to winning ways at Newcastle Emlyn, a team that had beaten 48-21 at home – and The Otters did it in some style as they were outstanding in the first half to lead 47-0 and although they took their foot off the pedal afterwards it was a result that pleased their supporters, and their coaches as well.
 
It would be fair to say that Emlyn were without a few key players and aren’t the strong side they were once were but that takes nothing away from Narberth as they ran in a massive 12 tries whilst conceding a single score from flanker Callum Evans which was converted by  Steffan Morgan.
 
The Otter pack, led by skipper Tom Powell, was in commanding form from the outset and were soon 21-0 as winger Josh Evans opened their account, centre Ilan Phillips went in at the posts and then scrum half Lewys Gibby broke clear on half way and sped to the line; all three converted by outside half Jonathan Rogers, who also controlled the game with his kicking out of his hands.
 
He missed his first conversion, however, when busy flanker Guto Davies scored but was back on target when centre Hedd Nicholas crossed the whitewash – and did the same when full back Ashley Sutton sped through and Ilan Phillips claimed his second to make it that massive interval scoreline.
 
Hedd Nicholas added his second try soon after the restart, again goaled by Rogers before Emlyn finally claimed their solitary score – but there was to be no respite for them as Dean James scored against his old team-mates and Sutton sliced through for his second try to give Rogers his eighth conversion.
 
There were some terrific individual performances in an outstanding all-round squad performance – and on this occasion there were two winners of the ‘Otter of the Match’ award, which was shared by flanker Guto Davies and winger Dean James., but it must have been difficult to decide because there were obviously a number of very worthwhile candidates on this occasion!
 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Dean James; Ilan Phillips; Hedd Nicholas; Josh Evans: Jonathan Rogers; Lewys Gibby: Bradley Davies; Tom Clarke; Tom Slater:  Will Blackburn; Rhys Williams: Guto Davies; Tom Powell (Capt) Roy Osborn. Replacements: Kyle Hamer; Lewis Davies; Richard Rees; George McDonald; Josh Davies.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Borderers denied in final moments

 

Whitland 22 - Pontarddulais 24

 
Whitland’s hopes of finishing a difficult season on a high note were ruined in the final moments against Pontardulais were ruined in the final moments at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn as The Borderers led 22-17 but then conceded a try by second row Phil White which levelled the scores – and an agonising conversion from Iestyn Scott which saw The Borderers having to settle for a losing bonus point after so much effort.
 
The Borderers were 15-7 ahead at the interval as Zac France-Miller led the team by example alongside Marc Jones, Raff Williams and the rest of their pack going well and with Scott Newton a strong last line of defence and No 10 Jonathan Thomas directing operations.
 
Geraint Jones and Gino Setaro were ready to release Harry Fuller and Owyn Griffiths and it was France-Miller and Fuller who scored good tries whilst Jones landed a conversion and a penalty.
 
The Bont responded with a try by Andrew Williams, converted by Iestyn Scott, but The Borderers were still deservedly ahead at 22-15 as centre Jones scored a try which he also converted against an unconverted try by Rhys Thomas and a Scott penalty to keep the visitors in contention going into those final moments.
And The Bont managed to gain a platform with a good forward surge which ended with White’s try to level matters – and Scott held his nerve to add those vital extra two points.
 
This narrow defeat brings an end to Whitland’s season where they have just one win and a draw in 22 outings, and relegation to Division Two (West); but with some narrow defeats – and there have been positives in the development of some very talented young players, and the chance to introduce more in a slightly less demanding environment. They are traditionally a great club and will bounce back from adversity, as other clubs have had to do – and we wish them every success next season!
 
Whitland: Scott Newton: Harry Fuller; Gino Setaro; Geraint Jones; Owyn Griffiths: Jonathan Thomas; Iwan Thomas:  Trystan Bowen; Marc Jones; Jonny Phillips: Dan Bennett; Raff Williams: Lewis Tingay; Cian Evans; Zac France-Miller (Capt). Replacements:  Ben Taylor, Shane Rossiter; Dom Davies; Deian Davies.
 
Pontarddulais: Iestyn Scott: Aled Richards; Ross Fender; Aled Stone; Ethan Dunne: Iwan Evans; Jack Rees: Morgan Griffiths; Luke Williams; Louie Walters: Cerith Davies; Phil White: Louie Williams; David Gasson; Owain Davies. Replacements: Andrew Williams; Josh Hodge; Joe Nethell; Llyr Gealy; Josh Goss.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Seasiders pushed all the way before downing The Seagulls

 

Tenby United 15 - Fishguard & Goodwick 6

 
Tenby United gained revenge for a narrow defeat against Fishguard & Goodwick at The Moors with this equally hard-fought close encounter of the rugby kind at Heywood Lane.
 
In a nutshell the cliché a game of two halves applied because The Seasiders had first use of the strong wind to open up a 15-point gap at half time and then defended stoutly thereafter to limit The Seagulls to just two penalties and not even a losing bonus point to show for their considerable efforts.
 
But this was a vital victory for Tenby because with St Clears deservedly claiming the section silverware they now occupy second spot with the other results going in their favour – and although all three remaining fixtures are away they know exactly what they need to do in them to gain that coveted second promotion place and climb into division two.
 
The Seasiders opened their account with a penalty by outside half Lloyd Thomas, who kicked well and knew when to release his strong back division; and centre Jack Gooding set up their first try when he put through a clever kick near half way which bounced well for chasing winger Max Brindley – and full back Gwion Jones was perfectly placed to take the scoring pass and cross at the posts for Thomas to slot the easy extra points.
 
All three were involved again when Tenby added an unconverted try after 30 minutes when Cam Broadhurst and Thomas set their outside backs in motion  and winger Luke Hartland did well to squeeze in at the corner.
 
The second period saw The Seagulls gain a big territorial and possessional advantage as their young pack worked hard to establish quality platforms but, try as they might, they just couldn’t break down the home defence and although skipper James Griffiths kicked two penalties the final whistle saw The Seasiders pleased with their victory.
 
They should seal success when they travel to Pontyberem, Carmarthen Athletic and Milford Haven – whilst Fishguard were disappointed in defeat but can look at the way their talented young players are developing under the guidance of Nathan Jenkins and his coaching staff, which certainly bodes well for their future!.
 
Tenby United: Gwion Jones: Max Brindley; Jack Gooding; Luke Waygood; Luke Hartland: Lloyd Thomas; Cam Broadhurst: Ethan Morgan; Dan Allen; Rob Luly: Liam Pugh; Luke Dedman (Capt): Hywel Baker; Jack Brown; Dan Colley. Replacements: George Rossiter; Tom Barrass; Jack Broadhurst; Jake Roberts; Tom Lewis.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Kial Keane: Dan Evans; Dylan Scott; James Griffiths (Capt); Dan Cleary: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Iwan McVeigh: Osian Rowe; Rhys Lewis: Will Lewis; Sion Colella; Jac Delaney. Replacements: Ryan McVeigh; Matt Driver; Simon James; Creegan Foot.
 
 

Mariners denied as Amman fail to field a team

 

(Milford Haven P Amman United P)

 
Milford Haven: Robbie Jones: Lee Riley; James Williams;  Efan Morgan; James Trueman: Ollie Rothero; Dan McClelland: Aaron Mayne; Luke Ryan; Jimmy Buirds: Zac Davies (Capt); Jay Goodall: Ben Groves; Ieuan Davies; Scott Buirds. Replacements: Ben Jenkins; Ethan Aldred; Ryan Thomas;  Chris Jenkins; Dean McSparron.





 

Division Three (West):

 

Nico leads Laugharne to vital victory against ‘naïve’ Blues

 

Haverfordwest 26 - Laugharne 32

 
Laugharne claimed the honours in this pulsating top of the table clash after dominating the opening quarter, where they should have led by more than 12 points, before The Blues survived two yellow cards for high tackles to lead 21-17 at half time as they scored two of the best tries seen at Merlins Bridge for a long time.
 
They stretched this advantage with a bonus-point fourth try but although they deserved credit for trying to play an expansive game from their own 22 instead of pinning their opponents back in their own territory, their naivety was punished to the full as Laugharne player/coach Nico Setaro showed them how to do it by taking control.
 
The Blues might consider themselves unlucky not to be awarded a pushover try as they marched their opponents two yards over the try line but referee Alan Emmanuel the ball had been held up by the back-peddling defence – but they could have few complaints when the official yellow-carded Terry Lovel and Jack Clancy, the second bring about a penalty try to go with an earlier unconverted try by busy prop Mikey Ryan.
 
They earned Laugharne that early lead when Haverfordwest simply weren’t at the races for the first 20 minutes and needed desperate defence to keep the likes of outstanding forwards Mikey Williams, Iwan Lewis and skipper Richie Waters at bay.
 
But Haverfordwest finally found some momentum as Matty Phillips,  Jonathan Mason and the powerful front row started to exert an influence despite twice being down to 14 men, and young scrum half Ioan  Hawkridge Jones played a pivotal role with a snipe into the 22 alongside Jamie Zambas, Dan Berry and skipper Karl Busch that saw the young number 9 take a tapped penalty and set Scott Candler over in the corner, although the winger still had plenty to do.

Archie Thomas added the difficult conversion, as he did when he scored in an almost identical position when almost all The Blues’ team handled and hooker Zambas gave the scoring pass from a cheeky reverse flip.
 
Back came Laugharne with an excellent corner try by skipper Richie Waters but Haverfordwest had the final word as skipper Karl Busch barged through and again Thomas added an excellent conversion to give his side a four-point interval lead.
 
When The Blues opened the second-half scoring with Candler’s second corner try, this time unconverted, home supporters might have felt it was time to ‘shut up shop’ and pouch a bonus-point win but they reckoned without Laugharne’s determination and excellent game management as they capitalised on Haverfordwest’s handling errors and served notice of intent when Zambas followed Lovell and Clancy’s earlier yellow card – with a great use of the advantage rule as Adam Davies fed Setaro and his superb cross-field kick bounced perfectly for Tomos Davies to dive over in the corner.
 
Even worse was to follow for The Blues when Laugharne regained the lead with a long Setaro penalty and good work up front sending Mikey Williams in near the posts for Setaro to convert before he really rubbed salt in the Haverfordwest wounds with a dropped goal to extend their lead to six points.
 
Haverfordwest did have one late chance when quick hands from the ubiquitous Matty Phillips and Hawkridge-Jones released Candler and he cut inside to the 22 and set up a strong platform – but the ball was dropped near the posts, Laugharne were awarded a penalty, cleared the danger and deserved their victory.
It was a body blow for Haverfordwest but they still have to travel to Wooford Park and both teams retain their interest in the solitary promotion place after this exciting game in difficult conditions.
 
Haverfordwest: Archie Thomas: Scott Candler; Jack Evans; Iestyn Arnold; Jake Evans: Liam Eaton; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones: Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas; Terry Lovell: Karl Busch (Capt); Jack Clancy: Mikey Griffiths; Matty Phillips; Jonathan Mason. Replacements:  Andrew  Edwards; Paul Dungey; Dylan Williamson; Gabriel Thicker; George Hopkins.
 
Laugharne: Lennon Reynolds: Tomos Davies; Tom Jameson; Owain Thomas; Tyler Reynolds: Nico Setaro; Adam Davies: Rhys Thomas; Richie Waters (Capt); Mikey Ryan: Tom Lloyd, Tomos Rees: Iwan Lewis; Mikey Williams; Carl Smith. Replacements: Tom Waters; Rhys Evans, Carwyn Jones; Antonio Setaro.



 
 

Scarlets secure success in a ‘basement battle’

 

Pembroke 29 - Llanybydder 10

 
Pembroke completed the double over Llanybydder as they ran in five tries to their opponents’ two but although the visitors will finish bottom of the table a measure of their improvement up to this match at Crickmarren can be found in the fact that when the teams met in Llanybydder on the opening day of the season they were hammered 74-7 and in this reverse fixture were very much in contention for a considerable part of this tussle.
 
The Scarlets opened up an early  12-point gap before Will Evans notched a penalty for Llanybydder and later in the half converted try by his brother John after the home side had added a third try which gave them a 19-10 interval lead.
 
In the second half Llanybydder grabbed a second try, this time by Jake Evans (no relation to the brothers), but The Scarlets ended up with five tries and a bonus-point success thanks to winger Simon Stanford,  full back Zach Evans, flanker Rhodri Walters, plus two tries and two conversions from outside half Luke Alderwick to earn them their sixth win from 18 starts – and a climb to seventh spot in the section table.
 
Pembroke: Zach Evans: Simon Stanford; Rhys Johns; Lewis Davies; Barry Alderman-John: Luke Alderwick; Ross McNally: Tom Cabot; Seamus Wiseman; Lloyd Davies (Capt): Dai Beynon; Will Edwards: Andrew Evans; Rhodri Walters; Robin Badham. Replacements: Dan Gosnold; Peter Muller; Darcy Langston; Rhydian Eynon; Jordan Evans.
 




 

Saints slammed by 12-try Aber

 

Aberaeron 80 - St Davids 0

 
St Davids definitely suffered a serious dose of ‘rugby travel sickness’ as they made the long journey up the Cardigan Bay coast to Aberaeron, who showed just why they are serious candidates for top spot in the table with some excellent attacking rugby from forwards and backs that earned them six tries in each half whilst preventing The Saints from scoring a single point.
 
In a runaway first period there were tries from prop Ceri Davies (2), centres Dafydd Llewelyn (3) and Dyfrig Dafis, five of them converted by Rhodri Jenkins as skipper Morgan Llewelyn directed operations from the back and the pack worked superbly as a unit.
 
Further tries came after the break from Steffan Rees, Matthew Harries and Sion Evans alongside a second score for Dyfrig Davies, a penalty try and a try for Rhodri Jenkins as he also slotted four more conversions.
 
Saints’ team manager was quick to praise Aberaeron’s high skill levels in difficult conditions but praised centre Luke Bamford for his tackling and replacement Owain Swain, who made a welcome return from abroad and looked sharp.
 
Aberaeron: Morgan Llewelyn (Capt): Dyfrig Dafis; Dafydd Llewelyn; Rhodri Jenkins; Matthew Harries: Steffan Rees; Rhodri Thomas: Ceri Davies; Rhys Jones; Alex Danton: Richard Francis; Bleddyn Thomas: Hefin Williams; Osian Davies; Will James. Replacements: Sion Evans; Owain Wozencraft. Tudur Jenkins; Gethin Dafis; Ollie Sawyer.
 
St Davids: Fred Dorn: Bob Froy; Ben Joyce; Luke Bamford;  Harvey Lavin: Aaron Foster; Mike Gurney: Ethan Griffiths; Adam Williams; Ben Lloyd: James Goldsmith; Iestyn Owen: Sol Almond; Nathan Foster (Capt); George Raymond. Replacements: Andrew Fletcher; Ian Kavannah; Luke Brooks; Rhys Meredith Owan Swain.