PHOTO:
Scott James crashes over for a try for Tenby United
Picture by Susan McKehon 

 

Feature match - Division Two (West):

Seasiders go top at Heywood Lane

Tenby United 20 - Pontarddulais 3

After celebrating a first league win in over 18 months in their previous match Tenby United clearly raised their confidence levels against a gritty Pontarddulais side as they led 13-3 at half time and added the only score of the second period to complete a deserved win double.

One of the plus points for the Seasiders was the work rate of Rob Clark, Joe Poole and Ethan Morgan in their front row, whilst skipper Luke Hansford led by example at flanker alongside Andrew Cook and Barry Parsons again showed what a success his recruitment has been at No 8.

Toby Smith gave Tenby the early lead with a well-struck penalty and although Aled Stone levelled for The Bont it was Hansford who bustled over for a try which Smith converted to go with a second three-pointer that put the homesters ten points to the good at half time.

The second half saw Tenby maintain a tweezer grip on any attempts that Pontarddulais made to claw their way back into contention, with excellent cover tackling from their back division organised by full back Johnny Morgan, and ability to secure ball on the ground as Mike Davies and Luke Dedman worked hard.

The Seasiders added another seven points early in the second half when Scott James sliced through for Smith to add the extra points and leave head coach Chris James, Andrew Morgan and Richard Rossiter with another win tucked under their belts and a place at the top of the section table.
 

Championship:

 

Otters win well at Ddol Wiber

Newcastle Emlyn 13 - Narberth 23

This second successive league victory allowed Narberth to jump into fourth place in the table as they fended off the traditional spirited challenge from a Newcastle Emlyn outfit which traditionally plays well on its home territory at Ddol Wiber.

Emlyn served notice of intent early on with a try by Nico Setaro which the fly half was unable to convert and the Otters, with half backs Rhys Lane and Jonathan Rogers probing well, fought back to lead by 15-5 at half time thanks to a penalty by Nick Gale before he also added the extra points to hooker Dan Smith’s try and then Liam Hutchings crossed for a good try which Gale was unable to convert.

Setaro opened the second half scoring with a penalty and although The Otters were forced to call on the services of veteran prop Justin Hughes he showed what experience can do as he superbly anchored the Narberth scrum.

Jonathan Rogers slotted a Narberth penalty before winger Tomi Jones crossed for an Emlyn try but the visitors ensured victory with a good try by Rhys Lane as reward for his considerable efforts.
 

Justin Hughes - played well as he returned to help out Narberth

 

Division One (West):

 

Preseli Men punished for unforced errors

Crymych 12 - Penclawdd 14

Crymych found it hard going in the try-scoring stakes at home to Penclawdd and were made to pay a heavy price as ‘The Cocklemen’ grabbed two converted tries in a  first half where they led 14-6 – and then held on to ease through  by two points as The Preseli Men had to settle for a bonus point.

Crymych’s problems started early on when they conceded seven points to a try by No 8 Richard Jones, which full back Dan Guineri converted.

They reduced the deficit with a penalty by scrum half Rhys Davies, who added a further three points after Penclawdd second row Matthew Donoghue also crossed the line and Guineri converted, leaving the home side eight points behind at half time.

Rhys Davies punished further errors by Penclawdd in the second half as they came under pressure from good work by Crymych skipper Tom Powell, Guto Davies and Tomos Phillips – but a mixture of good visiting defence and the taking of wrong options by the Preseli Men saw Crymych unable to add any further scores and so pay the price in terms of the result.
 

Borderers beaten despite late come back

Loughor 21 - Whitland 15

Whitland battled hard at Loughor and after scoring two unconverted tries in a good second-half period might have grabbed a narrow win but Loughor held out under their own posts and a late penalty by Tom Davies confirmed their success and saw The Borderers with the consolation of a bonus points instead of a win.

Yet Whitland got off to a good start as winger Sean Coles showed the Loughor cover a clean pair of heels to cross wide out but they were unable to add any further first-half points and Loughor led 18-5 at the interval as they claimed tries from hooker Kyle Taylor at a driving maul and centre Morgan Barrett to go with a conversion and two penalties by Davies.

Whitland increased their tempo after the interval and their efforts were rewarded with tries from talented youngster Jacob Fuller and skipper Jack Mason, who again led by example.

But that vital extra score wouldn’t come and Tom Davies had the final word with his third penalty to give Loughor their first win of the campaign.
 

Jack Mason - lead Whitland by example with a try

 

Division Two (West):

 

Athletic upset the form book

Carmarthen Athletic 15 - Fishguard & Goodwick 5

Carmarthen Athletic really upset the form book as they followed up two successive league defeats with a victory over a Fishguard and Goodwick side which had won its first two matches and sat atop the section table.

Josh Watkins missed an early penalty for the Athletic but they took the lead with an unconverted try by flanker Ashley Jones before the Seagulls were level at 5-all at the oranges thanks to an unconverted try by winger Ed Bendall after good work by Chris Shusha and Simon James in the ball-carrying stakes.

The home side regained the initiative when full back Robbie Thomas punished some Fishguard indecision with a well-worked try converted by David Evans but then the Seagulls missed three eminently kickable penalties between the 72nd and 76th minutes, two by Kial Keane and the other by Ben John.

Things got even worse for Fishguard because an indiscretion up front saw Evans land his second penalty to ensure his team’s first win – and deny the Seagulls even the consolation of a losing bonus point!

Ed Bendall - scored Fishguard's only try 

 

PHOTO:
Llanybydder show good control at this lineout

 

Blues have to settle for a bonus point

Haverfordwest 18 - Llanybydder 21

Haverfordwest lost their third league match in succession as they played well in parts at home to Llanybydder but failed to turn pressure into points at key times and allowed the visitors to record their first success of the season as The Blues had to settle for a bonus point.

This was evident from the outset as poor final passes cost Haverfordwest two early chances before winger Gareth John landed a penalty; but from almost their first attack Llanybydder had a try by hooker Alun Davies which full back Steffan Davies converted.

The Blues showed their capabilities as centre Liam Manwaring dived over at the posts for John to add the extra points before landing a good 40-metre penalty via the upright.

But then they conceded possession at their own set piece and Ricky Davies crashed over for a try which Steff Davies again converted to give Llanybydder a 14-13 interval lead.

It was a similar story after the interval as a try by talented young full back Olly Hughes nudged The Blues back ahead but Llanybydder had a third try through scrum half Llyr Jones, which Steffan Davies converted – and Haverfordwest were left to reflect on what might have been with just a little more finishing finesse!

Blues' skipper Jonathan Mason goes close at this concerted drive 

 

Swalec Bowl Round One:

 

Scarlets run in 15 unopposed tries

Pembroke 93 - Llangwm 0

Pembroke ran in no fewer than 15 tries against a Llangwm outfit which was only able to field 15 players and had to opt for uncontested scrums from the outset despite their morale-boosting win the previous week.

The Wasps’ cause certainly wasn’t helped when they were reduced to 14 men in the opening quarter but by then the Scarlets were on target for a huge win despite having six teenagers in their side as they led by 45-0 at half time.

Daniel Morgan played well on the wing for Llangwm alongside scrum half Ian Griffiths and hooker Spencer Rourke but No 8 Sam Smith and fly half Lewys Gibby both claimed hat-tricks for the home side.
Others came from right winger Matthew Lewis (2), centres Mark Williams and Tom Kinnear, flanker Harry Owen, scrum half James Skeels, winger Rhys Johns and second row Scott Powell, plus a try and six conversions from full back Luke Hartland, who was voted as man of the match.

Gibby also notched three conversions and another plus for coach Geraint Lewis was the play of 18 year old replacement flanker Jordan Evans in the second half.

Sam Smith - try hat-trick for Pembroke

 

Saints struggle but battle on regardless!

Cardigan 92 - St Davids 7

Cardigan and St Davids met for the third time this season at the King George Vth Memorial Ground – and like in the Pembrokeshire Cup and league games, again it was The Teifisiders who came out on top with room to spare.

The Saints were struggling all week to raise a side, but managed to field 15 players, with veteran second row Raymond Owen coming out of retirement to help out on the wing.

The home side led 40-0 at the break as No 8 Colin Davies grabbed a hat trick of tries, and Emyr Harries, Llyr Jones, and Llyr Griffiths also went over as No 10 Luke Rogers landed five conversions.
Davies went over for two more scores after the break for a personal tally of five tries, while Jones and Griffiths both completed their hat tricks.

Dafydd Watkins and Aaron Evans completed the home try scoring, with Rogers kicking another six conversions as he claimed 22 points with the boot.

But the visitors did have something to show for their efforts as hooker Neil Thomas touched down from a driving lineout, and full back John Miles converted – with coach Matthew Williams praising those who made the trip in difficult circumstances to ensure the club didn’t face any sanctions for not fulfilling a National Bowl fixture.
 

Colin Davies - scored five tries for Cardigan

Quins go through as students are unable to raise a team
Trinity St Davids Lampeter v Pembroke Dock Harlequins (Walk over)

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