Pembrokeshire KO Cup – Plate Final:

 

Milford Haven 35 - Neyland 24

 
Venue: Bierspool, Pembroke Dock
Referee: Chris Oliver
Assistants: Dan Tompkins & Martyn Rudd
 

For the third successive season Milford Haven captured the Pembs KO Cup Plate after a classic final between them and derby rivals Neyland, writes Fraser Watson.
 
While the earlier rounds of both this and the main competition have again been plagued by walkovers, the final at least proved captivating as a large crowd crammed into Bierspool to see the Mariners surge back from a 11-24 deficit in the second-half, eventually scoring five tries to seal victory as the All Blacks were left ruing poor game management when in control of the contest.
 
Try braces from Dan McClelland and Robbie Jones, plus one from outstanding No.8 Zac Davies, not only ensured Milford ended a frustrating season with silverware but also extended their long-winning run over their neighbours, having now overcome them three times during the 2025/25 campaign.
 

Neyland lead after see-saw first-half

 
Steve Hamer's men were poignantly led out by Andrew Slark, playing his final senior game for the club after nigh-on 25 years of service for the first XV, and despite recent availability issues they started like a side that meant business.
 
From the opening play they were presented with a penalty chance and although Rio Phillips came up short with his 40-metre effort, they led moments later after Owen Hamer opted to tap and go from close range, but was impeded as he went for the line and referee Chris Oliver didn't hesitate in awarding a penalty try.
 
But after a ragged start, Milford got a foothold with the carrying power of player-coach Zac France-Miller and Davies to the fore, and after the latter broke blind and linked with McClelland, it set up a penalty chance from which James Trueman reduced the deficit.
 
The winger then landed another three points and from the restart, a strong burst from centre Dan Jenkins prompted further pressure and when another penalty came, this time Trueman went for the corner and it paid off as a lineout drive set the platform for McClelland to snipe over.
 
The pendulum swung again before the break though as Phillips responded with a simple penalty and then right on the whistle, No.8 Ben Williams carried strongly from a scrum and again, Milford infringed by their own line. Another quick tap from Hamer then created the space for centre Tom Hughes to force his way over - Phillips adding the extras to put his side 17-11 up at the break.




 

Watts goes over before Mariners turn the tide

 
That advantage was extended early in the second-half as flanker George Williams burst into the Milford 22, and the skipper retained possession before the ball went wide and winger Josh Watts cut over for a score that Phillips converted.
 
At that point, a long-awaited derby win looked within Neyland's grasp, but their play then became error-strewn as their lineout began to falter and they were reduced to 14-men when Hughes was yellow carded for a cynical offside by his own posts. Milford capitalised when after a series of forward carries the influential McClelland again pounced to score and Trueman did the honours with the boot.
 
It sparked a period of one-way traffic and Milford immediately struck again, albeit controversially. A charge from France-Miller created an overlap and although the ball appeared to be knocked on in midfield, play continued and Owyn Griffiths slipped a pass to Jones, who finished well by the corner flag.
 
Trueman was off target with the conversion but still leading by a point, the All Blacks were guilty of trying to run down the clock too early and after a series of pick-and-go's from their pack, the ball went loose and France-Miller, Jordan Palmer and Jenkins all combined to set-up Davies to score. This time, Trueman did land the tricky extras and from nowhere, Milford led 30-24.
 
With time running out, Neyland did then press again but opted to go for goal instead of the corner from a 25-metre penalty near the posts, and Phillips pulled his effort wide. It proved their last real chance and then at the other end the Mariners sealed the win when impressive youngster Cian Harries set up Jones to reach the line out wide for his second try.
 
It rounded off an enthralling 80 minutes, and the Mariners were able to celebrate as skipper Jenkins lifted the Plate - while their opponents were left to rue another close game that got away against their fiercest rivals.
 
Man of the match Zac Davies: "To be honest, it was just pure grit and determination from us. I don't know how we managed to get our tails up in the second-half but it was brilliant from the boys.
 
Two-try scorer Robbie Jones: "Credit to Neyland and both sets of fans to be fair, a derby and a Cup final and it was a good show for Pembrokeshire rugby. It's happened a few times this year where we've fallen behind, then had to regroup and go for it. I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried when we were 13 points down but we took the game by the scruff of the neck and just about got away with it."







 
Milford Haven: Robbie Jones: Aaron Cookson; Owyn Griffiths; Dan Jenkins (Capt); James Trueman: Efan Morgan; Dan McClelland: Ben Jenkins; Luke Ryan; Josh Palmer: Ethan Aldred; Zac France-Miller: Jordan Palmer; Cian Harries; Zac Davies. Replacements: Aaron Davies; Alun Booth; Aaron Mayne; Sam Phillips; Nathan Abbott; Morgan McLuckie; Chris Treiber-Johnson.

Neyland: Oli Rothero: Josh Watts; Tom Hughes; Shane Phillips; Liam Rees: Rio Phillips; Owen Hamer: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Alex Swlales; Seb Mackintosh: Andrew Slark; George Evans: George Williams; Corey Riley; Ben Williams. Replacements: Jack Harreis; Sam Cataki; Dan Hart; Corey Grice; Henry Mayhew; Johannes Jakadaudau; Tom Hughes.