Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup - First Round:

 
 

Blues spring first surprise of this season’s KO Cup

 
 

Aberystwyth 22 - Haverfordwest 25

 
 
 
Haverfordwest made the long journey to Mid Wales for this campaign’s KO Cup and produced an excellent start to their 2026/27campaign after promotion to Division Two (West) at the end of last season.
 
Few local pundits would have predicted their narrow win at Blaendolau Fields against an Aberystwyth team which now plays two sections higher in the Championship and although the home team might point out that they were without a few key players The Blues also had a few players absent and a pleasing feature of their victory was the fact that all their points scorers were teenagers or early 20s.
 

Early notice of intent served

 
Haverfordwest served notice of intent in the opening quarter as Jamie Zambas, Rhys Phelps and Iori Curtis battled hard in the front row, whilst Karl Bush and Teifion Owen made sure that they joined Dylan Williamson, Ioan Hawkridge Jones and especially man of the match James Hart as winners’ of 50/50 balls in the loose.
 
It allowed Ifan Williams and skipper Leon Eaton to create space for their backs like Luke Dyer, Jack Codd, Iestyn Arnold and Leon Gainfort on runs - and when Aber were penalised No 10 Williams landed two three-pointers.
 
But Aber fought back via Cerith Williams, Deri Gwynne and Steffan Rattray and just before the interval they took a one-point lead into the break as centre Jack Jones opened their account and skipper Charles Thomas landed the extra points.
 

Replacements play a big part

 
Haverfordwest brought on Matthew Phillips and Rio Phillips after the oranges and they featured as Rio crossed at the posts and added the simple conversion after namesake Matthew had fed Logun Young and took the return pass to put Rio over the whitewash.
 
Aber replacement Steff Thomas reduced the deficit with a penalty but then a third replacement in youngster Devin Williams joined Logun Young on the scoresheet, one converted by Rio Phillips.
 
As fortunes ebbed and flowed, Aber hit back with tries from Charles Thomas and replacement Jack Stockley-Jones to leave the game on a knife-edge with just minutes to and with The Blues just three points ahead.
 
It meant some discipline in those final few minutes as Aber tried desperately to snatch the game out of the fire but Blues’ head coach Simon Lepetit and his coaching staff must have been delighted with the superb result, apart from a few chewed fingernails on the touchline!
 
Aberystwyth: Leo De Souza-Davies: Ifor Evans; Jac Jones, Rhys Willietts-Jones; Sean Spollen: Charles Thomas (Capt); Tomos James: Rhodri Evans; Hari Turnpenny; Will Caron Lewis: Osian James; Dylan Davies: Cerith Williams; Deri Gwynne; Steffan Rattray. Replacements: Iestyn Thomas; Tom Sherman; Geth Davies; Sion Evans; Lee Truck; Ifan Morris; Jac Stockley-Jones. Reserve: Steffan Jones.
 
Haverfordwest: Logun Young: Luke Dyer; Jack Codd; Iestyn Arnold; Leon Gainfort: Ifan Williams; Liam Eaton (Capt): Jamie Zambas; Rhys Phelps; Iori Curtis: Teifion Owen; Karl Busch: James Hart; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones; Dylan Williamson. Replacements: Devin Williams; Terry Lovell; Kai Robinson; Andrew Edwards; Rio Phillips; Matthew Phillips; Scott Candler; Charlie Kelly.
 
 

Preseli Men power through against gritty Mariners

 

Crymych 38 - Milford Haven 12

 
Crymych made their expected progress into the draw for the second round as they fended off the determined challenge of a Milford Haven side which will be playing league rugby a section lower but gave 100% under coach Zac France-Miller and Zak Davies, back as captain and leading by example.
 
The Preseli Men were understandably disappointed by relegation last campaign but showed enough ability in this match to start afresh with scrum half Daf Phillips again at the helm and showing his ability to call the shots after his pack’s hard work and pace behind the scrum
 

Preseli Men establish a good interval lead

 
Crymych led by 24-7 at half time and eventually outscored their opposition by six tries to two as their back row of Tom Tagg, Llyr Davies and especially Tom Taylor were key ball-winners in the loose and Lloyd Hughes, Lee Griffiths and Ben Cox ensured a rock-solid scrum.
 
Their try scorers in that first half at Parc Lloyd Thomas were skipper Phillips, winger Aled Lewis, flanker Llyr Davies and hooker Lee Griffiths, as he so often does from close range - and full back Owen Evans landed two conversions.
 

Mariners battle hard

 
For The Mariners, there was a try by lively flanker Ieuan Davies, converted by winger James Trueman - and a real plus was the inclusion of full back Alfie Thomas, winger Isaac Mills and hooker Ollie Warlow, all playing for Haverfordwest Youth the previous campaign and showing their capability to play at senior level.
 
Vice-captain Aaron Mayne, Cian Harries, Liam Brown and scrum half Dan McClelland were involved throughout but their only second-half score was a try by James Truman.
 

Crymych comfortable winners

 
The Preseli Men added tries by busy No 8 Tom Taylor and replacement Morgan James, who could be an asset this season, both converted by Owain Evans - and Aled Lewis was adjudged their man of the match as coach Aled Harries must have been pleased with their work-rate and finishing quality
 
But in the final analysis, both teams helped produce an absorbing clash that was enjoyed by a decent crowd for a midweek match!
 
 
Crymych:  Owain Evans: Aled Lewis; Jac Griffiths; Laurence Headlam; Iwan Wyn Jones: Deiniol Mathias; Daf Phillips (Capt):  Lloyd Hughes; Lee Griffiths; Ben Cox:  Luke Freebury; Scott Williams-Parker: Tom Tagg; Llyr Davies; Tom Taylor. Replacements: Morgan James; Tomas Davies; George Nelson; Trystan Griffiths; Taran Morgan-Davies; George Griffiths; Deian Davies.
 
Milford Haven:  Alfie Thomas: Nathan Abbott; Owen Griffiths; Isaac Mills; James Trueman: Aaron Cookson; Dan McClelland: Aaron Mayne; Ollie Warlow; Jordan Davies: Ethan Aldred; Liam Brown: Cian Harries; Ieuan Davies; Zac Davies (Capt). Replacements: Aaron Davies; AJ Booth; Jimmy Buirds; Sam Phillips; Aaron Whatling; Rhys Blayney