Rugby Report 4th May 2018

PHOTO:
Rhodri Walters - pic by Daf Palmer

 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Scarlets still on course for league title

Pembroke 73 - Llangwm 8

Pembroke ended an intense week by taking another big step towards the Division Three West A title with a comfortable win over Llangwm at Crickmarren last night.

The Scarlets now need just four points from their remaining three league games to be crowned champions, while for The Wasps, the game signalled the end of a winless season but again they have won plaudits for battling to the finish despite struggling for numbers in recent weeks.

And it was actually the visitors who made the better start against a Pembroke team who looked rusty early on, as coaches Geraint Lewis and Kyle Davies were forced to rotate their squad following their epic National Bowl final on Sunday and win over Aberaeron on Wednesday night.

The Wasps had chances from a close range scrum and then lineout, but although the home pack held firm, a penalty from No 10 Luke Hayman put Richard Scriven’s side ahead.

But gradually The Scarlets got into their stride and second row Cyle Weatherall charged over in the corner for a try Shaun Dalling converted – before scrum half Tom Lewis rounded off a breathless passage of play by sniping under the posts after his side had counter attacked from their own 22.

Lewis himself added the extras, and Pembroke then sealed their try bonus point as second row Colman and then No 8 Sam Smith both charged over from close range – the latter remarkably notching his 40th try of the season.

Centre Fraser James grabbed the final score of the half as he cut through a gap in the Llangwm 22, and further conversions from Lewis and full back Ryan Wilkins made it 33-3 at half time.

And it was one-way traffic in the opening stages of the second half as replacement Jim Brace crashed over by the posts and flanker Rhodri Walters also scored after the tiring Wasps had ran out of defenders.

Another replacement in centre Dan Colley soon exerted his influence as he took a pop pass from Smith for his first try, with Lewis (2) and Wilkins converting all three tries between them.

Both Colman and Colley got their second scores to increase the lead to 64-3, before The Wasps grabbed the try their efforts deserved.

No 8 Josh Hicks was again prominent with his ball carrying throughout, and it was from one of his runs that the Llangwm pack battered away at the Pembroke line, before replacement scrum half Ian Griffiths picked up five metres out and dived over.

Griffiths also threatened again when he broke from his own 22 late on but when the move broke down, the home side countered and finished with a flourish as James went over from 40 metres for his second try, and Weatherall drop kicked over the conversion.

It means The Scarlets, who now have a Pembrokeshire KO Cup semi-final with Pembroke Dock Quins at Bierspool on Tuesday, are now almost certain to win the title and promotion – need just a single win from their three remaining league games against Cardigan (May 12th), Haverfordwest (May 16th) and current leaders Milford Haven (May 19th).

Pembroke: Ryan Wilkins, Shaun Dalling, Fraser James, Simon Hooper, Barry Alderman-John, Yori Roberts, Tom Lewis, Jamie Brayford, Seamus Wiseman, Dom Colman, Cyle Weatherall, Alex Wilks, Rhodri Walters, Billy Wood, Sam Smith.
Replacements: Jonny Palmer, Jim Brace, Scott Powell, James Davies, Dan Colley.

Llangwm: Fraser Watson, Daniel Morgan, Will Ridge, Danny Chesmer, Rhys Mason, Luke Hayman, Jo Kiff, Ieuan Power, Gethin Thomas, Dan Murphy, Gavin Jones, Gethin Bateman, Mike Cockburn, James Lewis, Josh Hicks.
Replacements: Ben Llewellyn, Rhodri Devonald, Lewis Murphy, Ian Griffiths


 

Rugby Reports 5th May 2018

PHOTOS:
Johnny Thomas scored two tries in Whitland's win

 

Division Two (West): 

 

Borderers bag vital bonus-point win

Fishguard & Goodwick 26 - Whitland 46

Whitland took another giant step to add the section trophy to the promotion that has already been secured as they beat a gritty Fishguard and Goodwick side that battled hard throughout and had some outstanding performances amongst their forwards.

The Borderers now know that any win at home to Mumbles next Saturday will see them leap Yr Hendy – and give them a measure of revenge because their opponents are the only team to beat them in the league.

It looked as if it would be plain sailing as Whitland opened up an early 12-point gap with quality tries scored by Liam Price and Johnny Thomas, the second converted by Nico Setaro.

But the quality work of Simon James, Chris Shousha, Luke Freebury, skipper Gavin Walsh and the rest of the home pack, saw them open their account with a Mike Jenkins’ penalty and then score their first try through Jamie Lewis which Jenkins goaled before slotting another penalty to take his side within two points.

But Setaro added a penalty and then created a try for evergreen lock Dai Ebsworth to stretch out a long arm and earn the loudest cheer of the afternoon and help his side to a 23-13 interval lead.

Johnny Thomas added his second try after some good support play, converted by Setaro but still Fishguard kept plugging away and Jenkins kicked a penalty before Setaro did the same for The Borderers – and home winger Osian Lewis slipped over in the corner for a good try converted by Jenkins.

But Sean Coles had the final word as the Whitland winger from New Zealand intercepted in his own half and sped 70 metres unopposed before Setaro added the extra points of what was an entertaining tussle.

Fishguard & Goodwick: Robbie Jones: Jamie Lewis; Thomas George; Ben John; Osian Lewis: Mike Jenkins; Alun George: Neil Perkins; Gavin Walsh; Ryan McVeigh: Luke Freebury; Jac Evans: Jordan James; Chris Shousha; Simon James. Replacements: Mark James; Adam Bowen; Richard Hunter; Lewis Davies; Andrew Williams.

Whitland: Aaron Ebsworth: Liam Price; Johnny Thomas; Scott Lloyd; Sean Coles: Nico Setaro; Adam Davies: Tomos Evans; Marc Jones; Mike Ryan: Raff Williams; Dai Ebsworth: Ryan Morgan; James Lewis; Jack mason. Replacements: Aaron Mayne; Gethin Lewis; Miciah Jones; Tom Parry; Josh Thomas.
 
 

PHOTO:
Winger Sean Coles races clear

 

Division One (West):

 

Preseli Men retain their section status

Crymych 32 - Llangennech 15

Players, officials and supporters of Crymych RFC were able to celebrate their retention of Division One (West) status after this comfortable win over a Llangennech side sitting in sixth place; a remarkable achievement after looking down and out until a series of successes over top teams.

And no-one could be more delighted than coach Randall Williams because he has retained the self-belief that marked him as a fine player with Whitland and Fishguard – and his squad has responded so superbly that the Preseli Men now sit in eighth spot and are safe with three home matches still to come.

They led 24-15 at half time thanks to tries by Llyr Davies, Carwyn Phillips and Gavin Thomas alongside all three conversions and a penalty by influential young centre Jake Jenkins.

For Llangennech there were first-half tries from scrum half Tom Neale and centre Rhys Davies, one converted by No 10 Kris Vaughan to go with a penalty - but the home defence was really tight in the second period and the only try, by flanker Sion Colella to go with a Jenkins’ penalty, proved to be a vital one for Crymych because it also secured a precious bonus point!

Coach Williams was understandably jubilant as he said,
“We had an awful start to the season and the bad weather didn’t help us but the players have really showed commitment and I couldn’t have asked for more from all involved at the club.”
 

PHOTO:
Crymych's Carwyn Phillips - another vital try

 

Seasiders suffer another disappointing defeat

Llanelli Wanderers 29 - Tenby United 7

Tenby United stumbled to a disappointing defeat against fellow stragglers Llanelli Wanderers and are now in real danger of relegation with just two games left but still able to avoid the ‘Dreaded Drop’ since they are just three points behind Kidwelly with a game in hand.

The Seasiders managed a converted try (no details available!) but Llanelli Wanderers secured their safety with tries from Ben Williams (2), Daf Daniel and Hywel Jenkins to earn them a bonus point, with Jonathan George also contributing three conversions and a penalty.
 

 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Aber stack up the points against depleted Quins

Aberaeron 80 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 0

Pembroke Dock harlequins travelled up Cardigan Bay to take on Aberaeron with a depleted side but deserve every credit for the fact that they still managed to complete this tough fixture.

Aber were already 38-0 ahead by half time and eventually finished up with 12 tries, ten of them converted by outside half Rhodri Jenkins – and leading the way in the try count were Tom Slinger (4), Morgan Llewellyn (3) and Tudur Jenkins (2).

Others came from brothers Dyfrig and Gethin Dafis alongside ace kicker Jenkins before The Quins made the long journey home with nothing to show for their brave battle in adversity.

 

Young All Blacks win well against Teifisiders

Cardigan 22 - Neyland 27

Neyland’s talented youngsters showed how much they have improved under the guidance of Steve Martin as they gained a good win at Cardigan where both teams secured bonus points – and The All Blacks completed the double after winning 25-24 at The Athletic Ground earlier in the season.

For The Teifisiders there were tries by Casey Walters, Andrew Jones, Tom Taylor and Kevin Hurley, one converted by John Lumb, whilst the Buirds’ twins shared three tries for Neyland, two of them by Jimmy and the other from Scott.

Other talented youngsters Iestyn Evans and George Williams also got on the try list whist player/coach Steve Martin notched one conversion to earn them the maximum five points whilst Cardigan earned two points for their efforts.
 

PHOTO:
Iestyn Evans - good try for Neyland

 

Championship:

 

Skewen call match off – unable to raise a team!

Narberth P-P Skewen

Narberth must have been mightily vexed with Skewen for calling this match off at relatively short notice because The Otters had a healthy list of sponsors and people coming to share in the day with some food, as well as the usually high standard of programme printed!