Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup:

 

Seagulls ease into second round as All Blacks hit by injuries

 
 

Neyland 10 - Fishguard & Goodwick 24

 
 
Fishguard & Goodwick made their expected entry into the next round as they held off a strong challenge from a depleted Neyland side which was without key players like Ben and skipper George Williams – and suffered nasty accidental injuries to three other first-team regulars before the referee sensibly called an early end to the game.
 
Scrum half Owen Hamer, who was an ever-present last season, and pacy centre Matthew Coles, both had leg injuries and skipper Alex ‘Budgie’ Swales, who sprung a rib, had to go off but by then The Seagulls were on top and were good value for victory. Influential outside half Rio Phillips was also missing because he was cup-tied.
 
They opened their account with a try from Declan Thomas, converted by Mark Jones, and doubled that lead when livewire flanker Jesse James, who formed a powerful back row with Jack Richards and Jac Delaney, crashed through, with Mark Jones again adding the extras.
 
Neyland responded with an excellent try from winger Korey Arran, who finished well after Josh Watts, Evan Roberts and George Evans had handled well alongside The All Black man of the match in centre Alex Codd, who was strong in defence and attack.
 
Ben Jones, Bryn Thomas, and Iori Cottrell were involved as the visitors grabbed a close-range try from Will Robinson to give his side a 19-5 interval lead.
 
Fishguard increased their advantage with a Dan Cleary try before Neyland had the final word when Alex Codd crossed for a try as reward for his efforts.
 
Neyland: Josh Watts: Evan Roberts: Matthew Coles; Alex Codd; Korey Arran: George Evans; Owen Hamer: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Alex Swales;  Jack Harries:  Morgan John; Jay Vakadaudau: Dan Hart;  Max Rozblat; James Hamilton. Replacements: Sam Cataki; Mason Kerrison; Shane Phillips; Simon Phillips; Matthew Richards; Ryan Grant
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Dan Evans: Ed Rathbone; Mark Jones; Dan Cleary; Declan Thomas: Kial Keane; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Will Robinson; Ben Jones: Bryn Thomas; Iori Cottrell: Jesse James; Jack Richards; Jac Delaney. Replacements (From):  Liam Wilkes; Adam Bowen; Osian Rowe; Sion Colella; Oscar Lawrence; Jake Jenkins; Rhys Evans; Jac Phillips; Kyle Colella; Callum Bather.






 
 
 

Division One Cup:

 
 

Preseli Men battle hard against high-flying Felinfoel

 
 

Felinfoel 69 - Crymych 29

 
 
Crymych found it hard going against an experienced Felinfoel who currently lie in second spot in Division One (West), with two wins and a draw from their three starts – and in outside half Aled Robets had someone who controlled events to such an extent that he finished the game with a massive hau of 34 points from three tries, eight conversions and a penalty!
 
They dominated the first half to lead 31-10 with tries by Iestyn Messer, Curtis Ford, Chris Hurley and Aled Roberts, all converted by Roberts alongside his sole penalty.
 
The Preseli Men had an early penalty from Jac Davies to make it 7-3 and they were also awarded a penalty try as the final score of the half which made it 31-10 to the homesters.
 
At the start of the second half, Messer grabbed his second try and Ryan Guuard crossed for a converted try before hooker Lee Griffiths maintained his string of tries from a close range for Crymych, converted by Davies.
 
Then Roberts moved up a gear with two tries, one converted, then another two-pointer when Corey Griffiths crossed. – but Crymych showed real commitment to grab two tries in quick succession, from skipper Daf Phillips, who again led by example, and Deiniol Mathias, the first converted by Jac Davies.
 
But Felinfoel had the final word with a try, converted by Roberts to send them into the next stage, and leave The Preseli Men able to focus on more success in league rugby.
 
Crymych:  Owain Evans: George Griffiths; Jac Griffths; Deiniol Mathias; Dafydd Bryan: Jac Davies; Dafydd Phillips: Harri Vaughan; Lee Griffiths; Morgan James: Scott-Williams-Parker; Luke Freebury: Osan Thomas; Jon Hill; Tom Taylor. Replacements:  Lloyd Hughes; Tomos Davies; Geraint Thomas; Rhydian Howells; Taran Morgan-Davies.







 
 

Seasiders complete league and divisional cup double in 14 days

 
 

Carmarthen Athletic 15 - Tenby United 24

 
 
Tenby United completed a league and divisional cup double as made their second visit to the Athletic Ground and eased through at the expense of a Carmarthen Athletic side which has only won once from three starts but are always difficult opponents on their home turf.
 
They served notice of intent with a ninth-minute penalty by Zac Williams but The Seasiders battled back from a scum on the 10-metre line where scrum half Fletcher Broadhurst made the initial break and as usual dynamic flanker Josh Hamer was on hand to finish things off before Lloyd Thomas marked his return to action with the conversion.
 
Hooker Iwan Duffy added The Seasiders’ second score from a strong platform where three quick passes saw him pop up in midfield and he powered to the posts for No 10 Thomas to convert.
 
But when Alex Jenkins was yellow-carded The Athletic fought back with an unconverted try by Kai Summers – but Tenby regrouped up front and took a 21-8 lead into the interval from a well-controlled maul where powerful second row Luke Dedman powered over the whitewash and Thomas again converted.
 
The Seasiders did well in the second period to keep things steady and all The Athletic could muster was a try by Deian Morgan which Williams goaled – but Lloyd Thomas landed a penalty to take his team more than a single score ahead and there were no further points from either team and Tenby United are in the draw for the second round!
 
Coach Jonathan Evanss’ Comment:
 
“Carmarthen Athletic are a difficult opposition with some key players but we made sure we adopted the same approach as we did in the league and it worked.
 
“We made sure we didn’t gift them points from careless errors and our pack played really well, with skipper Dan Colley and the outstanding Josh Hamer leading the way.
 
“Our backs looked sharp but, just as importantly, tackled and covered well in what I would describe as a solid win where we kept them at arm’s length.
 
“We will hope for a home draw in the next round but whatever the outcome we will continue our option of looking for experience but looking for the chance to give chances to young players like Owen Grieve, who played well in the back row, and Bowyn Clark and Brad Cramb off the bench.”.
 
Tenby United: Jordan Asparassa: Gwion Jones; Max Brindley; Jackson Gravatt; Matthew Lewis: Lloyd Thomas; Fletcher Broadhurst: Hywel Baker; Iwan Duffy; Ethan Morgan: Alex Jenkins Luke Dedman: Owen Grieve; Josh Hamer; Dan Colley (Capt). Replacements: Jack Davies; Mikey Ryan; Jack Brown; Bowyn Clark; Brad Cramb
 
 
 
 

Division Three Cup:

 
 

Makeshift Mariners never give up in adversity

 
 

Tonna 87 - Milford Haven 17

 
 
 
It was a harrowing day on the road for Milford Haven as they travelled to Tonna with a host of first-team players missing and were duly blown away, writes Fraser Watson.
 
Head coach Zac France-Miller was without 14 members of the squad that won at Whitland last time out and was forced into fielding a host of youth and second team players, while even club chairman Dean Hadley (who is 54 today!) was named on the bench.
 
The Mariners actually got early points on the board with a penalty from Alfie Thomas but from there it was one-way traffic. Second row Ross Price and full back Morgan Kemeys both scored twice for Tonna and No.10 Nicky Fisher, flanker Shaun Tennant, lock Joseph Phillips, and winger Dafi Morgan also crossed to make to 50-3 at the break.
 
The hosts continued to run riot in the second half as Phillips and Fisher completed braces and Morgan seared over twice more for his hat-trick, while centre Dylan Hopkins notched a try and 11 conversions for a personal haul of 27 points.
 
If nothing else though, the visitors kept going and were rewarded with two late tries as Jamie Sitoe made ground out wide before offloading to Ieuan Davies to score, before Quinn Mcgrath broke through the defensive line and crashed over. Thomas converted both but it was scant consolation on an afternoon that will again raise questions about the logistics of amateur teams travelling long distances in cup competitions.
 
"We had 14 boys missing from last time out, but credit to our second team boys who stepped up and the youngsters who came into the mix," said France-Miller afterwards.
 
"It was a hard day but we expected that. We didn't fold or not turn up and I told the boys they can be proud for travelling and playing."
 
Milford Haven: Nathan Abbott: Joseph Reynolds; Bradley Davies; Robbie Jones; Jamie Sitoe: Isaac Mills; Alfie Thomas: AJ Booth; Ollie Warlow; Jordan Davies: Karl Allen; Quinn McGrath: Josh Palmer; Ieuan Davies; Zac Davies (Capt). Replacements: Harry Picton; Morgan McLuckie; Joel Thomas, Dean Hadley
 
 
 
 

Division Four Cup: 

 
 

Saints outlast battling Bynea

 
 

St Davids 35 - Bynea 25

 
 
St Davids moved into the second round with a good win over Bynea, who play in Division Four (West) B after a hard battle where a good crowd enjoyed some entertaining rugby where The Saints trailed by a single point until quick hands by the outstanding Ben Joyce and George Raymond put pacy winger Dom Sinnott over in the corner.
 
And although Aaron Foster missed the difficult conversion, he slotted two late penalties on the back of some rousing forward play to send St Davids through.
 
The Saints had taken the lead as early as the 7^th minute when a rousing forward charge led by Ryan McVeigh saw scrum half Owen Swaine sniped over and Bob Froy converted.
 

Saints concede 17 points after two yellow cards disrupt their plans

 
Froy then swapped penalties with Ifan Davies and after 29 minutes the homesters moved 17-3 ahead when Nathan Foster exerted his considerable influence on the game as he broke away and skipper George Raymond continued his try-scoring form as reward for his support play, running in from 22 metres, winger Froy adding the extra points.
 
There was still time before the oranges for a flurry of points as Cal Sanders scored for Bynea and Ifan Davies converted; Ben Joyce won the race for a clever kick ahead and Froy converted from wide out, Bynea were awarded a penalty try and from the last move of the half a try by Lewis Daniel, reduced the home margin to two points.
 
Daniel added a penalty after four minutes of the second half to lead 25-24 and looked likely to score more but then Sinnott struck and  Aaron Foster landed his two penalties so St Davids ended up winners by 10 points!
 

Coach Jeff Pick’s viewpoint:

 
Saints’ coach Jeff Pick told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk that he was delighted with the win over a difficult opposition., especially since they were reduced to 13 men and conceded 17 points at a key time.
 
“But we reset at the interval and we rallied well, after Ben Joyce lead by example with his tackling in that tough time. We used our pack power and we look forward to the draw for the last 16. It would be nice to have a home tie but we also travel well and can go forward if we stick to our strengths.”
 
St Davids: Adam Phillips: Evan Curtis; Ben Joyce; George Raymond; Bob Froy: Aaron Foster; Owen Swaine: Ryan McVeighl Rhys Price; Iwan McVeigh: Iestyn Owen; James Gldsmith: Daf Williams; Nathan Foster; Cameron Sapsford. Replacements: Dan Murphy; Ethan Griffiths; Ryan John; Zac Morgan; Dom Sinnott; Charlie Lavin; Iwan Roberts; Adam Williams.
 
 






 
 

Otters gain revenge in a battle of the Athletics

 
 

Narberth Athletic 17 - Tenby Athletic 8

 
 
There was a full-blooded cup derby at the Lewis Lloyd Memorial Ground as tries from Charlie Reynolds and Ioan Thomas handed the second team bragging rights to Narberth against Tenby, writes Fraser Watson.
 
Three weeks after the Seasiders had won in the league at the same venue, both teams embraced an attritional first quarter which saw Ben Pugh and Iorri Richards forced off for the away side with injury.
 
The Otters broke the deadlock 17 minutes in as the impressive Charlie Reynolds peeled off a lineout drive to score and Ashton O'Riordan converted, and the score remained 7-0 at the break.
 
Shane Rossiter extended that lead early in the second period with a penalty but namesake Harry came off the bench for the visitors to land three points of his own - before Narberth took command with a second try. Ioan Thomas darted over following a backline move and O'Riordan again added the extras to put clear daylight between the sides.
 
Back came Tenby as the introduction of Rob Clark appeared to shore up their scrum and with 20 minutes remaining, they grabbed a lifeline when Darcy Langston went over in the corner.
 
It wasn't enough though and Narberth deservedly came through a tie which was as much about as the experienced figures on the field as it was the youngsters. At a combined age of 87, former Tenby man Wyndham Williams lined up for Narberth against an old teammate in Nicky Guymer, and neither looked out of place over the 80 minutes. The Otters also had seven players in the squad who were part of Jason Jennings’ recent youth team.
 
Speaking afterwards to Pembrokeshire Sport, Williams explained: "The feelings of excitement, nerves and energy in the build up to a game like this is something that can't be replicated - you can coach but it's not the same.
 
"Playing here (Narberth) again now with my home club for the first time at 45 years old has buried a lot of hatchets and personal history. I'm a bit sore now, but worth it for the win and I'll do it all over again next week."
 
Narberth Athletic: Iori Lewis: George Jones; Ashton O’Riorden; Dylan Walsh; Theo Tilley: Shay Norcross; Ioan Thomas: Daf Walters; Charlie Reynolds; Jac Norcross: Henry Foster (Capt); Wyndham Williams: Will Nicholas; James Owen; Jack Tucker. Replacements: Harry Phillips; Jake Levitt; Rhys Jenkins; Shane Rossiter; Elliot Evans.
 
Tenby United Athletic: Alfie Prior: Darcy Langston; Ben Pugh; Jack Gooding (Capt); Callum Cogger: Harry Rossiter; Louie Treadaway-Williams: Lewis Rossiter; Nick Guymer; Rob Luly: Cemlyn Bolton; Lewis Catt: Ryan Bolton: Jake Henson; Iorri Richards. Replacements: Rob Clark; James Morgan; Jayden Allen; Josh Griffiths; Keanu Williams.
 
 
 

Division Three Cup:

 

Bryncethin v Cardigan – Match Cancelled

 
*Cardigan unable to raise a team
 
 

Division Four Cup:

 

Dreigiau Emlyn v Pembroke Dock Harlequins – Match Cancelled

*Pembroke Dock Quins unable to raise a team