Pembrokeshire KO Cup Round One:

 

Evans secures Seasiders’ success

Milford Haven 22 - Tenby United 24

Referee: Colin Phillips.

 

First round KO Cup ties can be disjointed, one sided, and almost futile affairs – but not at The Obs last night where a late try from second row Huw Evans gave Tenby United a pulsating win over hosts Milford Haven.

Darkness had descended long before Evans went over in the corner just minutes after No 10 James Trueman had seemingly won it for The Mariners with a snap drop goal.

Even after the Evans’ try Milford, who had fought back from a 19-5 half time deficit, had chances to snatch it but The Seasiders held on after a dramatic second half that lasted almost 50 minutes.

It was the away side who had first use of the customary strong wind and they were helped by some early Milford indiscipline, with referee Colin Phillips twice marching them back 10 metres for dissent.
 

Mariners go in front but Seasiders fight back

The Seasiders wasted chances at a close range lineout and scrum though and after the ball went loose in the 22 it was Steve Martin who hacked ahead to relieve the pressure.

And soon after it was The Mariners on the front foot and after flanker Dai Sweeny’s charge set the platform, winger Harry Wheeler finished well in the corner for an unconverted try.

Gradually Tenby made use of the elements though, and young outside half Harry Rossiter landed a simple penalty before putting his side in front with a more difficult attempt from out wide.

It was Rossiter’s long miss-pass that then saw centre Ben Pugh cut through in midfield and he linked with winger Joe Owen before the Milford defence scrambled back.

But soon Rossiter kicked a third and then a fourth penalty and from the final play of the half, came a seemingly decisive blow when the dangerous Pugh again found space and sped to the line from 30 metres out. Rossiter kept his 100% kicking record with the conversion and at 19-5, Tenby seemed in control at the break.

Pendulum swings Milford’s way

Early in the second half the pendulum swung back towards Milford though after skipper Dan Birch booted ahead and Sweeny did brilliantly to chase up and force a covering Jack Tucker into spilling possession. A penalty soon followed, with Tenby full back Shane Rossiter sin binned for killing the ball under his own posts, and The Mariners opted for a scrum from which Birch drew in two defenders and off loaded to No 9 Martin to score. Trueman converted.

And minutes later the scores were level after Milford No 8 Ryan Mansell picked up from a scrum and went on a charging run, and further carries from centre Dan Jenkins, Sweeny and Birch followed before Trueman popped a pass to half back partner Martin to again dive under the posts.

Trueman did the honours to make it 19-19.

At that point Milford were heading through on try count but it was the No 10 who then put them ahead on the scoreboard anyway, executing a snap drop goal from 25 metres out.
 

Coach Evans plays master card and player Evans does the rest

 

Tenby coach Jonathan Evans reacted by unloading the bench and with the clock ticking, and the light fading, a strong carry from flanker Andrew Cooke left the Milford defence scrambling and it was Evans who rounded off the pressure by going over from close range.

Rossiter’s wide-angled conversion came back off the inside of post though and in a frantic finish, Trueman miscued another drop goal attempt from long range and Milford full back Jamie Lewis twice cut loose, only to be hauled down inches short each time by some desperate last-ditch defence.

In the dying seconds The Mariners continued to batter away at the line only for Shane Rossiter to intercept a pass and go 50 metres upfield, and although he was caught by Lewis it proved the final play as referee Phillips called time on an enthralling tie.

Milford Haven: Jamie Lewis, Harry Wheeler, Dan Jenkins, Dan Birch (capt), Gareth Cheshire, James Trueman, Steve Martin, Mike Cockburn, Luke Ryan, Adam Rees, Nathan Banner, Brandon Cooper, Zac Davies, Dai Sweeny, Ryan Mansell.

Replacements: Darren Lewis, Nathan Williams, Gareth Fawcett, Lee Riley, Jay Goodall.

Tenby United: Shane Rossiter, Jack Tucker, Ben Pugh, Jack Gooding, Joe Owen, Harry Rossiter, Dan Thomas, Ethan Morgan, Jim Brace, Rob Luly, Huw Evans, Luke Dedman (capt), Jack Brown, Andrew Cooke, Jack Broadhurst.

Replacements: Dan Allan, Wyndham Williams, Harry Bolton, Jimmy Davies, Dan Wainwright, Matt Davies.  

 

Seagulls make their expected passage

Llangwm 6 - Fishguard & Goodwick 81

Referee: John Griffiths
 

Fishguard & Goodwick made their expected passage into the second round but not before they had faced strong early opposition from Llangwm at Pill Parks as The Wasps never gave up trying and also gained a lot in readiness for their league programme.

The Seagulls paid them the curtesy of fielding a very strong squad and although they eventually ran in 13 tries, eight of them converted by outside half Mark Jones, they were only 12-6 ahead early in the first period as centre Sion Rowlands and full back Robbie Jones crossed the whitewash, the first converted by Jones.

The Wasps competed well early on as two Luke Hayman penalties but The Seagulls then cut loose. They finished the half with tries from prop Ryan McVeigh, hooker Gavin Walsh and centre Thomas George, plus a second for Jones and one from winger Rhys Evans as Jones converted another three Jones’ conversions.

Jordan James came on as replacement flanker to score before Rhys Evans, Thomas George and Rowlands grabbed second scores – and skipper Chris Shousha was on hand to also claim a try brace; whilst Jones landed three more kicks.

To be fair to The Wasps they never gave up trying, despite having a bare 15 players Hayman and half back partner Ian Griffiths battled hard, their other backs tackled hard under pressure and up front there were gritty performances by everyone!

Llangwm: Matthew Lewis: Dan Morgan; York Grice; Louis Murphy; Ewan Griffiths: Luke Hayman’ Ian Griffiths: Will Scriven; Phil Llewellyn; Ieuan Power: James Griffiths (Capt): James Lewis; Rhys Thomas; Steve Rees.

Fishguard & Goodwick:  Robbie Jones: Rhys Evans; Thomas George; 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; William Delaney; Jordan James; Ryan Foot; Daniel Evans; Dafydd Ridgeway; James Griffiths.

 

Aberaeron overwhelm Teifisiders

Cardigan 0 - Aberaeron 68

An unlikely result indeed. Cardigan away is always a difficult encounter, but  Aberaeron came away with a display which bodes well for the season ahead with the 10try salvo a true reflection of the dominance and more so the expansive nature of the display where time and time again the home defence was left in tatters with the  attacking prowess of the visitors. Admittedly, the Cardis were shorn of a few of last year’s regulars, but five tries either side of the break booked Aberaeron's place in the second round of the Pembs Cup.

In the opening period there were rewards for wing Dyfrig Dafis, centre Tom Slinger, who brushed away a would-be defence, and a reward for new captain Sion Evans. Flanker Dan Lewis crowned an impressive session with a try and despite the disappointment of a disallowed score by Owain Wozencroft, but the prop made amends minutes later with a close range effort.

No8 Lewis Tomlins with ball in hand was a menace all afternoon and Cardigan were finding his forays difficult to contain, especially after the break. Flanker Tudur Jenkins with another close range effort was first to score before Dafis weaved his way to the line for his second. The odd foray by Cardigan was comfortably repelled, to the satisfaction of Jason Lloyd’s coaching staff and much of the same continued as fellow flanker Dan Lewis added to the scoreline.

Dafis truly completed his hat trick assisted by brother Gethin and not to be undone by his brother, wing Ifan Slinger on his return to the club took advantage of a defensive error to race to the whitewash from halfway with the conversion by Rhodri Jenkins completing a haul of 18 points for the outside half. With much pleasure being derived from this Cardigan Bay success, the coaching staff however will find a much tougher proposition next Saturday with a trip to Laugharne.   

 Andrew Cook - outstanding for Tenby
Robbie Jones - two tries in big Fishguard win