PHOTO:

Saints skipper Rhys Price carries into contact

 

Featured Match:

 

Scarlets too strong for gritty Saints

St Davids 19 - Pembroke 46

Third- placed Pembroke made sure they kept in touch with the top two after a bonus point win at St Davids.
However, that doesn’t begin to tell the story of an entertaining clash that eventually yielded eleven tries and three yellow cards.
 
In windy conditions, it was The Scarlets who made the better start as second row Scott Powell crossed from close range – but The Saints struck back immediately when flanker Carl Evans charged down visiting No 10 Ryan Wilkins’ clearance kick, and after a series of phases it was second row Mervyn Griffiths who ploughed over.
 
Full back Craig Challonder converted before the home side, yet to register a league point this season, went further ahead when outside half Jack Jones broke from inside his own half and linked with Challonder, and his kick ahead was gathered by winger Sam Ellison who sped over for his first senior try.
 
However, the visitors soon reduced the deficit when Wilkins opted to kick a penalty into the corner, and from the ensuing rolling maul, prop Richard Mason drove over.
And then The Scarlets went back in front when No 8 Sam Smith picked up from a scrum and fed back row partner Dan Colman, and the latter shrugged off several tackles to score.
 
Powell then broke through the Saints defence to claim his second try and centre James Davies, taking over the kicking duties after Wilkins missed his first three attempts, converted.
There was still time for another Pembroke score as full back Rhys Johns rounded off a frantic first half by finishing off some good handling to make it 27-12 in his side’s favour at half time.
 
The second half began at the same pace and winger Barry John benefitted from an overlap to cross over in the corner for Pembroke – before a melee saw both sides temporarily reduced to 14 men with Colman and Jones both being shown yellow by referee Julian Thomas.
 
John then cut through for his second try that Davies converted, before The Saints crossed for their third score when centre Rhys Morgan linked with Ellison, and the latter dived over from close range. Challonder did well to add the touchline conversion.
 
Pembroke flanker Jordan Gwilliam was then sin binned for protesting a decision but The Saints failed to take advantage of some good set piece positions as they went in search of a bonus point try.
Gwilliam subsequently returned to the field to score his team’s eighth try after a powerful carry from 15 metres out, and Davies again converted.
 
The Saints did work a final chance for their fourth try when replacement scrum half Geraint Morris broke clear from inside his own 22, but he narrowly failed to find Ellison with a pass that would have set the winger clear on half way.
That proved the final play of an entertaining clash, and Scarlets coach Geraint Lewis said his side had come through a difficult test.
 
“We had to make a lot of changes today and it was a tough game for us,” he said.
“Fair play to St Davids they really fronted up and caused us problems. But we dug deep with a young side and we’re happy with a bonus point win.”
 
Saints coach Matthew Williams also praised his side’s “improved” display: “It was a promising performance from a young squad,” he said.
“We matched them at times and we are showing clear signs of progress.”
 
St Davids: Craig Challonder, Rhys Evans, David Canning, Rhys Morgan, Sam Ellison, Jack Jones, Lewys James, Dan Murphy, Rhys Owen Price, Rhys Tudor Price (Capt), Oli Blakiston, Mervyn Griffiths, Adam Williams, Carl Evans, Dafydd Williams. Replacements: Alex Richmond, Ben Evans, Neil Thomas, Geraint Morris.
 
Pembroke: Rhys Johns, Barry John, Billy Wood, James Davies, Mark Jones, Ryan Wilkins, James Skeels, Chris Phillips, Max Hayward (Capt), Richard Mason, Scott Powell, Will Edwards, Dom Colman, Jordan Gwilliam, Sam Smith. Replacements: Steve Dyde, Jack Goodman, Joe Jackson, Anthony Duggan.
Referee: Julian Thomas.
 

Championship:

 

Otters hold on for victory

Narberth 16 - Llanharan 8

Narberth scored 16 unanswered points as they used the first-half elements in their favour against Llanharan and then defended well in the second period to pocket three welcome league points.

Matches between these old rivals have traditionally been close and this one was no exception but with the wind at their backs they soon opened their account as Ianto Griffiths slotted a fifth-minute penalty following some good work up front.

Ianto Griffiths was also on target again with the conversion after strong running centre Morgan Griffiths finished off a good handling move after 18 minutes and added two more penalties on 26 and 39 minutes to give the Otters a decent lead.

Whether it would be enough was a matter of debate amongst the Otter faithful but their team’s hopes were boosted four minutes into the second half when Llanharan prop Joe Jones was red-carded.

The visitors battled away, though, and claimed points from a 57^th minute penalty by scrum half Nicky Theaker and an unconverted try from hooker Gethin Cashmore – but the Otters shut up shop well and might have increased their lead but final passes went astray.
 

Division One (West):

 

Preseli Men power back in second half

Crymych 28 - Amman United 19

Crymych produced an excellent half performance of pace and power to  Amman United but it was their first half play that went a long way to giving them success as they battled hard against a strong wind and turned round just 12 points adrift.

No 8 Craig Ratcliffe and winger Stuart Herbert crossed for Amman and one was converted by outside half Adrian Thomas.

But Crymych made a good start after the oranges with tries from winger Gavin Thomas and scrum half Gareth Davies, both converted by No 10 Sam Phillips.

Amman showed there was still plenty of effort left in their tank, however, and were awarded a penalty try for a scrum offence which Thomas duly gaoled.

But this reversal only stung the Preseli Men into raising their tempo and they regained the advantage with a try from centre Carwyn Phillips which his namesake Sam converted, as did when winger Nick Bevan sped through for a try which ensured victory and a deserved bonus point for Crymych after scoring four tries.
 

Seasiders struggle as Harries takes control

Newcastle Emlyn 34 - Tenby United 10

Tenby United travelled to Newcastle Emlyn minus several key players absent through illness or work commitments and paid a heavy price as they trailed by 19-0 at half time and were never really in contention thereafter.

Leading the way for Emlyn was talented fly half Rhydian Harries, who kept a firm control on proceedings with his accurate kicking, but also led his back division well and twice got his name on the try sheet as well.

Classy full back Sion Leonard got Emlyn under way with a good try which was followed by others from Harries himself (2), centre Alun Howells, and winger Llyr Jones – and Harries also pouched three conversions and a penalty.

Tenby did manage a penalty by Jonathan Rogers and debut try for youth team winger Jordan Asparassa which was converted by Ashley Sutton but it was Emlyn who were worthy winners in the final analysis.
 

Borderers good value for welcome win

Whitland 18 - Loughor 9

Whitland maintained their recent run of good form as they achieved a hard-fought, but fully deserved win over fourth-placed Loughor at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn.

The Borderers played into the wind in the first half but with their pack, well led by Marc Jones and with second row Raff Williams as clear man of the match for his non-stop participation in all they did, made sure that Loughor had few chances to shine.

The visitors did take the lead with a penalty from Peter Smiriglia but Whitland responded with a cracking try from centre Carwyn Thomas which Jonathan Thomas converted.

A second Smiriglia penalty was followed by an unconverted try on debut for Zimbabwean winger Shaun Coles, who impressed Whitland supporters with his genuine pace.
Smiriglia was on target again for Loughor but Jonathan Thomas added another three points with the final kick of the first half to give the Borderers a 15-9 interval lead.

The second half was equally as hard fought but good defensive work by their backs allied to an unflinching approach from their pack, meant that chances were few and far between, with the only points from either side coming when Jonathan Thomas was on target with his second penalty to see his team to inflict only a second defeat of the campaign against the visitors.
 

Division Two (West):

 

Brilliant Blues

Haverfordwest 49 - Llandeilo 0

Haverfordwest played some excellent rugby to grab their first league success of the season and in doing so pinned visiting Llandeilo firmly at the bottom, without a single point from their first six matches.

The Blues were good value for a 30-0 interval lead as they used the breeze to run in five tries, the first from skipper Darren Salmon after Steve Williams had landed a penalty.
Williams was also on target with another penalty and one conversion of further tries from pacy winger Scott Candler (2) and scrum half Danny Morgan.

Haverfordwest maintained their advantage up front in the second half as they kept control against the elements and managed to add other tries by winger David O’Leary, centre Mauritz Neumann and second row Liam Brown as reward for good work up front by Gareth and Neil Phillips, Gareth Green, Ryan Banner, Dan John and the rest of a bustling Blues’ pack.
 

PHOTO:
Steve Williams makes a telling midfield break for The Blues

 

Cardis pick up first point

Llanelli Wanderers 31 - Cardigan 23

Cardigan lost their sixth successive league match against Llanelli Wanderers but moved off the foot of the table with a much-improved performance that netted a bonus point that took them above Llandeilo.

The Teifisiders were 13-13 ahead at half time thanks to tries by second row Kevin Hurley and full back Alun Jenkins alongside a penalty from outside half Emyr Harries, with a penalty try converted by Jonathan George and a try by full back David Jenkins from the Wanderers.

Second row Tristan Lewis and Jenkins ensured a bonus point for the Teifisiders but the Wanderers had tries by centre Daniel Jones (2) and winger Kieran Rees, two of them converted by George to maintain their second spot in the section table.
 

Division Three (West) B:

 

Griffiths guides Seagulls to huge win over Wasps

Llangwm 14 - Fishguard 76

James Griffiths assumed control of Fishguard and Goodwick battle plans from the outset at Pill Parks as he led second-placed Seagulls to a resounding win over a Llangwm side that had just the bare 15 players and paid the inevitable price.

Griffiths score three tries in the opening quarter and also rounded off the scoring with another to go with eight conversions for a personal haul of 36 points.

Winger Mark George had opened the scoring for the visitors with a try converted by Griffith as centre Gareth Bateman also crossed the line to give them a 33-14 interval lead as centre Joe Kiff and winger Ollie Davies sped through for Llangwm tries converted by Luke Brock.

Other Seagulls’ scores came from replacements Owain Morgans (2) and pocket battleship Romeo Colella, plus lock Gwilym Evans and No 8 Simon James – as they maintain their 100% record to stay top of the section, whilst the Wasps still seek their first points at the other end!

PHOTO:
Referee Tony Pratt signals the opening score of the match for Fishguard
 

 

Mariners maul poor Quins

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 3 - Milford Haven 53

Pembroke Dock Harlequins miserable start to the campaign continued as they played host to old rivals Milford Haven and lost by 50 points.

Yet it was the Quins who took the early lead as Gareth Brooks kicked a penalty after good work by the unlikely half back pairing of Danny Wilcox and Nathan George,  but they found themselves 29-3 behind at the break as the Mariners marched forward up front and their backs played some controlled rugby

Tries came from flanker James Passmore, hooker Justin Griffiths, full back Rhys Baker (2) and second row Tom Manning, two of them goaled buy No 10 Evan Morgan.

The Mariners sailed along in the second period with tries added by centre James Thomas (2), winger Lee Riley and Aiden Laxton, two of them converted by Morgan to round off a big win for Milford Haven which moves them nicely into the top half of the table.
 

Laugharne outlast battling Blacks

Laugharne 46 - Neyland 21

There was some entertaining rugby at Laugharne as the host club led 24-6 at the interval and although Neyland battled hard in the second period they were never really in contention against the table-toppers.

Centre Tom Jameson gave Laugharne an early led as he scored a try which he also converted before Patrick Bellerby hauled the All Blacks to within a single point with two successful penalties.

But a try by winger Mike Williams and two from full back Ross Michael, one of them converted by Jameson, gave Laugharne an 18-point lead at half time, and they also started the second period in style as wingers Luke Sturley and Gethin Jones sped through for tries either side of a penalty try which Jameson converted.

Dynamic winger Darren John gave Neyland their first try but it was quickly cancelled out with a second Sturley score.

The All Blacks showed their resilience with late unconverted tries by winger Craig Grice and full back Delme Bateman but it was sadly too little, too late as Laugharne were good value for their fifth win in six league outings.