PHOTO:
Good defence from Llangwm's Ollie Davies
 

Featured Match:

 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Wasps hold on for a rare win over the Teifisiders

 

Llangwm 10 - Cardigan 7

 

Commitment: No shortage from either side, with sore bodies on Sunday!

Skill Levels: Not of the highest standard but it was the season’s opener and will improve

Entertainment: A cracking game to watch – it was fast and furious, the crowd was animated and the result was in doubt until the final whistle!


Llangwm celebrated in style as they achieved their first victory in an opening match of any season since 1996 and a first win over Cardigan ten years earlier than that as acting skipper Josh Hicks scored their opening try and went close several times, whilst he was joined as a man of the match candidate by Andrew Fletcher, the 42 year old forward who came on early for The Teifisiders’ pack and brought his experience to good effect up front.

It was The Wasps who made by far the better start as they played down the slope at Pill Parks and Hicks created two clear-cut chances with 40 metre runs but he was unable to find support and the chances were gone as Cardigan scrambled desperately, with skipper Tom Taylor, Sion Phillips and Osian Rees hugely involved.
 

Hayman wide before Hicks ploughs over

Luke Hayman missed a penalty that was well within his scope and a lovely break by full back Matthew Lewis put Dan Morgan into space but the winger was held up inches short – and good work from Lewis Murphy and Adam Williams saw the home side have several other close-range probes before Hicks finally crashed through in the left corner; with Hayman’s well-struck penalty hitting the wrong side of the upright.

Cardigan made the odd sortie up field but Llangwm kept going close without success as scrum half Ollie Davies was literally inches short of the line and so was Jason Mock, another who had a god game up front alongside James Lewis, Dave Reynolds and the rest.
 

Cardigan fight back well

But at half time it was felt that five points wasn’t sufficient reward for so much pressure and Cardigan showed their ability to score from long range soon after the restart as full back Iwan John made a good break and quick hands from Matthew Roebuck, Llyr Jones and Kester Adams saw centre Geraint Williams outpace the cover to score at the posts so that Llyr Jones had the simplest of conversions.

Murphy claims a vital score Llangwm, however, were lucky to have replacements of the calibre of Ian Griffiths, Yale

Grice and Steve Lewis and they settled The Wasps down again in a series of close-range scrums from which Lewis Murphy dived over in the top left corner as reward for his terrific work in attack and defence.

Hayman missed the conversion and a penalty chance and in a tense finale Cardigan had their chances, as did Llangwm, and the final whistle saw The Wasps understandably thrilled with victory and The Teifisiders at the other extreme.

Llangwm: Matthew Lewis: Dan Morgan; Lewis Murphy; Adam Williams: Kieran Chesters: Luke Hayman; Ollie Davies: Will Scriven; Phil Llewellin; Gavin Jones: Dave Reynolds; Jason Mock:  James Lewis; Rhys Thomas; Josh Hicks (Capt). Replacements: Ian Griffiths; Yale Grice; Matt Lewis; Steve Rees; James Griffiths.

Cardigan:  Iwan John:  Gwern Phillips; Geraint Williams; Gruff Lewis; Rhodri Davies: Llyr Jones; Matthew Roebuck:  William Price; Ben Cox; Ben Hughes: Kester Adams; Dyfed Simmonds: Sion Phillips; Osian Rees; Tom Taylor (Capt). Replacements: Phil Atwell; Gwyndaf James; Ifan Morgan; Andrew Fletcher; Luke Palmer-Davies; Rob Connolly.

PHOTO:
The Wasps' pack ready for action

 

Championship:

 

Gale helps Otters to a winning start

 

Tata Steel 15 - Narberth 28

The metronomic place kicking of Nick Gale helped Narberth to a morale-boosting away win over Tata Steel as the full back slotted six penalties in as many attempts and although he was off target with two conversion attempts in the closing stages it mattered little because The Otters withstood serious pressure to ease home.

Perhaps the only thing that head coach Sean Gale needs to address is the fact that his team suffered three yellow cards in the final quarter which twice left them reduced to 13 players but overall their defence was good and a tribute to the hard work put in pre-season

Gale junior fired over his first penalty after five minutes before Tata replied with a try four minutes later from winger Dan Howells – only for two more kicks by Gale to follow before home full back Liam Popham added three points.

There was still time for another Gale shot on target to give The Otters a 12-8 interval lead – and he added his 5th and 6th kicks in the 41st and 55th minutes, only for Amir Jiwawalgi to score The Steelemen’s second try soon after.

But with skipper Richard Rees leading by example alongside back row colleagues Tom Powell and Roy Osborne, The Otters bounced back via replacement hooker Dam Smith and Joe Hutchings as Tom Kaijaks and Lewis Gibby also had an influence when they joined the fray.

So The Otters made a good start to this tough league campaign and they face an even bigger test next Saturday as they travel to Ebbw Vale to play in the first round of the WRU’s national Cup competition!

Narberth: Nick Gale: Elliott Dawe; Justin Hutchings; Jake Jenkins; Dafydd Pritchard: Jonathan Rogers; Rhys Lane: Tom Slater; Rhodri Owens; Dan Jacobs: Jake Baker; Alex Jenkins: Richard Rees (Capt); Tom Powell; Roy Osborn. Replacements: Lewys Gibby; Tom Kaijaks; Ianto Griffiths; Steffan Phillips; Dan Smith.

PHOTO:
Nick Gale - 18 points for Narberth

Division One (West):

PHOTO:
Scarlets on the way to a try

 

All square in Mid Wales

 

Aberystwyth 25 - Pembroke 25

Pembroke made the long journey to Mid Wales without several key players so coach Geraint Lewis was understandably delighted with a share of the spoils – although he must have been hoping for a winning start at this higher level as they were never in arrears and looked sure of success until they conceded a late try.

The Scarlets started well as youth team hooker Shane Gwyther was called up for a first team debut and 19 year old Billy Kinnear was their man of the match from his berth in the second row.

Pembroke started well as Toby Smith landed a penalty and then added the extra points to a cracking try by winger Tom Harding-Jones after Fraser James supplied the scoring pass. Aber showed they were in the game as centre Dylan Evans crossed the whitewash for a try converted by Llyr Thomas but the Scarlets added a second unconverted try as a flat pass from scrum half Tom Lewis sent winger Barry Alderman-John in for a try.

A Llyr Thomas penalty reduced the deficit to only three points near the oranges but there was still time for another Toby Smith penalty and home score from full back James Clifton that made the half time score 15-16 in Pembroke’s favour.

As fortunes ebbed and flowed in a tense second period Toby Smith punished Aber indiscretions with two more penalties before outside half Matthew Hughes added a third home try.

Toby Smith’s fourth successful three pointer gave The Scarlets a five points’ advantage but the large contingent of Pembroke supports had their hearts in their mouths when flanker Paul Stubbs scored Aber’s fourth try – but heaving a collective sigh of relief when the conversion was off target.

“We are delighted to pick up a point after such a long trek against an experienced side like Aber,” said coach Lewis, “and we are confident that we will quickly adapt to playing at this level after two successive promotion campaigns!”
 

PHOTO:
Big hit from Pembroke 

 

Great start for Preseli Men

 

Crymych 31 - Llangennech 21

It was a great start to the campaign for Crymych as they had too much for Llangennech.

The sides shared six tries but the goal kicking of full back Adam Phillips, back after a stint at St Clears, proved crucial as he landed 16 points with the boot.

He kicked four penalties and converted two of his side’s three tries, scored by winger Laurence Headlam, scrum half Daf Phillips and No 10 Jac Davies.

The visitors crossed through Nathan Bowen, Jordan Saunders, and Richard Thomas, all three scores converted by Chris Doran, but it couldn’t stop the Preseli Men from getting a big win first up.

 

Borderers battle to vital home victory

 

Whitland 22 - Gowerton 16

The boot of Nico Setaro did the job for Whitland as they picked up where they left off last season by beating Gowerton.

It was a tight affair at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn, something reflected by the score after 30 minutes as The Borderers led 6-3, with two penalties from No 10 Setaro either side of one from Gowerton centre Josh Hamer.

But it was then the Swansea side took the lead when centre Kieran Fisher went over for a try that Hamer goaled, and the latter added three more points before Setaro responded from the final play of the half with another penalty of his own – leaving Whitland 13-9 down half time.

It stayed that way until past the hour mark before Jonathan Thomas struck the decisive blow, finishing well from 25 yards with Setaro again involved as he teed up the Whitland winger with an audacious pass, and then converted.

Led by captain and hooker Marc Jones the home scrum was dominant throughout and the pressure yielded two more kickable penalties for the player-coach which he gratefully accepted to make it 22-13, but a lengthy second half that lasted 50 minutes culminated in Hamer landing another three points from the final play to earn his side a losing bonus point.

Whitland: James Stephenson, Jac Howells, Gino Setaro, Josh Thomas, Jonathan Thomas, Nico Setaro, Josh Thomas (2), Aaron Mayne, Marc Jones (capt), Tomos Evans, Courtney Bowman, Ben Kirk, Jamie Thomas, Ryan Morgan, Scott Buirds. Replacements: Gethin Lewis, Tom Finucane, James Lewis, Dai Ebsworth, Danny Evans.


PHOTO:
Jonathan Thomas - vital try for Whitland

 

Division Two (West):

 

Mariners win well in higher section

 

Milford Haven 38 - Pontarddulais 24

If there were any doubts about Milford’s capability in Division Two West they were cast aside at The Obs yesterday as they fought back to beat Pontarddulais.

Coaches Steve Martin, Nathan Williams and Andy Williams were given a perfect start to life on Two West with a bonus point win, although they were 14-13 down half time with the visitors scoring tries though second row Phil White and hooker Dean Courtney, both converted by George Mbofana.

Despite 40 minutes into the wind The Mariners remained bang in it though, No 10 James Trueman kicking two penalties and also converting a try from No 8 Sam Dolling after he linked with scrum half Dan McClelland from a scrum 10 metres out.

And Milford were to add four more tries after the break, winger Aron Ebsworth on permit from Whitland, showing his value with two well taken scores and there was another super individual effort from centre Dan Jenkins who cut through the defence with an outside break.

The introduction of Williams into the front row also helped produce a late penalty try from a set scrum, with Trueman also adding a second half penalty.

Pontarddulais did have second half tries from White again and centre Paul Geary, but although replacement David Round was sin binned late on it was still a big win for The Mariners, for whom new second row Nathan Banner was adjudged man of the match.

Milford Haven: Steve Martin, Lee Riley, Dan Jenkins, Dan Birch (capt), Aaron Ebsworth, James Trueman, Danny McClelland, Darren Lewis, Luke Ryan, Adam Rees, Nathan Banner, Brandon Cooper, Dai Sweeney, Zac Davies, Sam Dolling. Replacements: Nathan Williams, David Round, Gareth Cheshire, Harry Wheeler, Tristan Lewis.

PHOTO:
Sam Dolling - good try for Milford Haven
 

Seasiders lose to well-organised ‘Nant’

Nantgaredig 20 - Tenby United 10

There was a two division gap between Tenby United and Nantgaredig last season, but it was the newly-promoted side who won in Carmarthen.

Tenby coach Jonathan Evans admitted ‘not much went right for us’ as they trailed 8-0 at the interval and then 20-3 late on, before a consolation try from centre Ben Pugh.

Pugh and team-mate Rob Luly were also two of seven yellow cards over the 80 minutes, with Nant themselves having five players sent to the bin.

But they did enough for victory with tries from Rhydian Evans, Dafydd Lewis, and Meirion Davies – who also kicked a conversion and penalty.

Tenby had a second half penalty from young No 10 Harry Rossiter before Pugh’s late score, converted by Lloyd Thomas, and with four 18-year-olds in the squad there was invaluable experience gained.

Tenby United: Matt Davies, Jack Gooding, Ben Pugh, Lloyd Thomas, Joe Owen, Harry Rossiter, Dan Thomas, Ethan Morgan, Dan Allan, Rob Luly, Huw Evans, Tom Barrass, Luke Dedman (capt), Jim Brace, Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Rob Clarke, Harry Bolton, Luke Hansford, Dan Wainwright, Connor Ennis.

 

Seagulls fly high in tough away contest

 

Kidwelly 15 - Fishguard & Goodwick 24

Fishguard & Goodwick knew they faced a tough challenge from an experienced Kidwelly side but they played well to score three converted tries and a penalty whilst limiting their opposition to two tries from Scott Jones and Dafydd Phillips, alongside a conversion and penalty by James Owen.

The Seagulls welcomed back talented No 10 James Griffiths in the centre alongside Sion Rowlands and they opened their account with a try from outside half Mark Jones after he broke two tackles and reached the posts before adding the extra point – and the No 10 was also involved in a bout of interpassing with Ben John, who raced over from 20 metres for Jones to add the extras again.

Jones also slotted a penalty to make it 17-3 but his namesake Scott, playing at centre for Kidwelly, reduced the deficit with a solo try – but home hopes of a comeback were quickly quashed as Scott Richards caught the eye with his back-row work-rate alongside Scott James and skipper Chris Shousha.

The whole of the Fishguard pack played really well and they made the game safe when winger Rhys Evans won the race for a kick ahead and Jones duly converted.

Kidwelly did have the final say in a long period of time added on by the referee when talented scrum half Dafydd Phillips sliced through but it was too little, too late as The Seagulls showed they can start well and win away games as a good basis for the rest of the campaign.

Fishguard & Goodwick: Robbie Jones: Rhys Evans; James Griffiths; Sion Rowlands; Ed Bendall: Mark Jones; Andrew Williams: Ryan McVeigh; Gavin Walsh; Andrew Morrillo: Luke Freebury; Ben John: Scott Richies; Chris Shousha (Capt); Simon James. Replacements:  Liam Wilkes; Will Delaney; Gwilym Evans; Dan Evans; Geraint Jones

PHOTO:
Ben John - Fishguard try scorer
 

Division Three (West):

 

Quins are back with a bang

 

Lampeter 8 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 22

Pembroke Dock Harlequins announced their return to action after last season’s problems as they made the long journey to Lampeter and returned with a creditable win and a bonus point as reward for scoring four tries whilst restricting the homesters to just one alongside a first-half penalty.

Yet Lampeter made the better start and held the upper hand in the first quarter but the Quins’ defence, well marshalled by returning centre Jack Price and man of the match Jordan Asparassa alongside him, gradually took over the reins in a fine pack performance that laid the basis for success.

New skipper Kevin Bratcher was joined by Hywel Baker, Danny Manning and the rest of a lively Quins’ eight – and it was Baker who crossed at the posts to claim the Quins’ first try which Rhys Bradney converted.

Half backs Jake Griffiths and Kieran Machin utilised hard-won possession and it was talented No 10 Machin who added a second try as he spotted a midfield gap and raced clear – and all Lampeter could muster in response before half time was a penalty from Rhodri Jenkins

The home side did manage a try from Ryan Dowty after the break but with Ben Hathaway rounding off a good game at full back with two tries The Quins were great value for victory and coaches Neil Machin and Ian Osborne must have been delighted by the way their squad played.

Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway: Rhys Bradney; Jack Price; Jordan Asparassa; Matthew Lewis: Kieran Machin; Jake Griffiths: Jack Davies; Neil Drewett; Liam Smith: Paul Busby; Sam James: Hywel Baker; Danny Manning; Kevin Bratcher (Capt). Replacements: Marcus Phillips; Mark van Rhyn; Dan McLeod; Dan Goodridge; Jordan Karbolin; Harry Owens.


 PHOTO:
Ben Hathaway - two-try hero for the Quins
 

St Clears easily win ‘The Battle of the Saints’

 

St Davids 7 - St Clears 74

St Clears signalled their intentions of making an impact in this section with an easy win over a St Davids side which never gave up trying but lacked the strength in depth to contain their strong running opponents.

They went ahead when a spell of pressure resulted in winger Jon Gosling touching down in the left corner, but it was short lived as strong carrying from the home pack earned them three close range penalties, the last of which resulted in a yellow card for No 8 Tom Rees.

St Davids opted for a scrum from that and it paid dividends, referee Jon Williams left with little option but to signal a penalty try.

But St Clears went back in front when from a penalty of their own, as No 10 Dan Griffiths kicked to the corner and from the lineout drive that followed, prop and captain Gareth Jones touched down.

Rees returned to the field soon after and it was his turnover in midfield that led a try for centre Shane Morgan, and then flanker Llifon Davies pounced on an overthrown lineout to seal the bonus point, Griffiths converting.

A flowing move in midfield, in which props Jones and Andrew ‘Chunk’ Howells linked up with each other, eventually ended in another try for Gosling that Griffiths goaled, and Morgan rounded off the first half scoring with his second to make it 36-7 at the break.

After a quiet start to the second half St Clears then cut loose, taking advantage of Gethin Bateman’s side going down to 14 men due to injuries which included losing influential flanker Rhys Price.

Rees went under the posts and then hooker Dan Hughes buried over out wide, and Morgan completed a good day by rounding off counter attacks for his third and then fourth tries.

Full back Jake Philpin also crossed and then from the final play, flanker Morgan Lewis dived over, with Griffiths adding four second half conversions, as St Clears showed their intentions to challenge to return to Division Two this season.

PHOTO:
Jonathan Gosling scores for St Clears

Laugharne win a tough tussle

 

Laugharne 30 - Aberaeron 23

Pre-season saw both Laugharne and Aberaeron tipped as likely promotion candidates and when the teams met in this opening fixture there was clear evidence that this could be a fact before the home side won a hard-fought match played at a terrific pace with no quarter asked for or given.

Laugharne beat Aberaeron in the final week of the previous campaign to help deny their opponents promotion and they again held the edge despite a superb solo performance by Aberaeron’s outside half outside half Rhodri Jenkins as he scored all their points

Aberaeron utilised their pack power to open with a try by Jenkins alongside the conversion and  penalty - but Laugharne fought back with a try by Tom Jameson, converted by Simon Davies.

In the second period Laugharne added further tries by winger Will Evans, converted by Davies, plus two tries by lively flanker Mikey Williams, and more points from the accurate boot of Davies.

Aberaeron also played their part in a fascinating contest with another converted try from Jenkins and a penalty to secure a deserved bonus point– but they were still a converted try adrift at the conclusion as Laugharne also pouched a bonus point as reward for scoring four tries.

PHOTO:
Mikey Williams - another two tries for Laugharne
 

All Blacks unable to raise a team

Neyland P-P Haverfordwest

**Neyland unable to raise a team – player unavailability and injury