28th January 2012
Division Three (West):
Seasiders stun Cocklemen in second half super-show
Penclawdd 11 - Tenby United 32
Tenby United produced a superb second-half team performance as they piled on the points after being held to 8-all in the first period by the team currently in fourth place in the section table.
The Seasiders showed that they have struck a vein of form as they took charge after the oranges and made it a day to remember as three further tries to go with a Tom Lewis try in the first period also saw them claim a deserved bonus point.
Penclawdd had won 15-3 in their previous clash at Heywood Lane and this tussle again appeared to be close with the scores level at the break. Lewis had given the Seasiders the lead with a penalty and after Penclawdd had responded with a Jamie Moore penalty to go with an unconverted try from Damian Williams, it was Lewis who finished off an excellent move where quick hands and changes of direction created the overlap from which the outside half scored an unconverted try.
Moore did manage a dropped goal for the ‘Cocklemen’ in the second half but as the Tenby pack got on top the Seasiders had tries from inside centre Toby Smith and his brother Sam at No 8. Jack Guerreiro, who came on as winger for James Criddle, also got his name on the try sheet and Lewis took his personal tally to 17 points with another penalty and three well-struck conversions so that skipper Nicky Guymer and his merry Tenby Men could celebrate moving into eighth place on their recent climb up the table!
PHOTO: Toby Smith slides over early after demolishing the home defence.
pic by Dave Bolton.
Crompton’s kicking
sees Cardis through
Cardigan 15 - Newcastle Emlyn 3
Matches between Cardigan and Newcastle Emlyn are traditionally hard-fought and this one was no exception as the Teifisiders avenged a narrow 18-20 defeat in Emlyn with a win at the King George Vth Ground.
On this occasion there were no tries and in a sometimes-feisty clash it was Cardigan outside half Iestyn Crompton who dropped a goal and added four penalties against his former team-mates to give his side the bragging rights over their neighbours for a few weeks.
Crompton opened the scoring with his neatly dropped goal and added four penalties as hooker Dan Martin played really well up front and scrum half Matthew Roebuck, still a youth prospect playing on permit from Crymych, looked sharp at the base of the scrum. Crompton and full back Mike Diggle tried hard to keep their pack going with some good tactical kicking and all Emlyn could muster in response was a single penalty from Leigh McKenna as the first half ended with Cardigan deservedly 15-3 in front.
The second half was described by one onlooker as ‘nondescript’ and tensions rose on occasion so that it was a stop-start affair but Cardigan were good value for a victory which ended their recent short run of disappointing results.
PHOTO: Dan Martin -played well again up front for Cardigan.
Division Five (West):
Griffiths guides soaring
Seagulls into top spot
Fishguard & Goodwick 68 - Bynea 0
Talented young outside half James Griffiths played a key role in Fishguard and Goodwick’s huge win over basement battlers Bynea as his three second-half tries, six conversions and two early penalties gave him a personal haul of 33 points.
The five league points gained from this runaway win at The Moor ensured that the Seagulls sped into top spot in the section table, level on points with Nantgaredig but with a game in hand.
Small wonder then that player/coach Huw Evans and fellow coach Randall Williams were delighted afterwards because their side had played running rugby from the outset and ten tries came as a result, with forwards and backs looking to play their roles to the full, none more so than Chris Morris alongside skipper Steve Jenkins in the back row and his brother Nathan at lock, both getting on the try sheet as their reward for loads of effort alongside the front row of Neil Perkins, Owain Morgan and Gerwyn Davies.
Two Griffiths’ penalties opened up the Seagulls’ account against a Bynea side still seeking their first win after 13 defeats on the trot, and these were followed by tries from winger Matthew George, his namesake Matthew at scrum half, then the Jenkins’ boys and winger Gareth Adamson, three of them converted by Griffiths as Fishguard led 37-0 at the break.
There were further tries for the Seagulls afterwards as Huw Evans and Mark Leonard controlled the midfield and full back Rhodri Thomas joined the line at every opportunity, with second row Richard Hunter scoring first and Matthew George grabbing his second try as Griffiths also sliced through for a try hat-trick to go with three more conversions.
The Seagulls also gave a run out to replacements Gwilym Evans, Mark James, Rhodri Morgan and Ryan McVeigh as they enjoyed their rugby – and march onwards towards the section silverware!
** Match details provided by 11 year old Ffion Evans, of Fishguard & Goodwick RFC. **
PHOTO: Fishguard look strong as James Griffiths makes a tackle.
- pic by Andrew Butler.
Quins fend off determined fight-back
Cefneithin 20 -
Pembroke Dock Harlequins 24
Pembroke Dock Harlequins gained a morale-boosting victory at Cefneithin that also included a bonus point but the Quins had to resist a determined fight back from the homesters after building up an early 24-0 lead and still ahead by 24-5 at the interval.
The Quins had lost 17-10 against Cefneithin at Bierspool on the opening day of the season but a measure of how far Michael Scourfield’s team has come since them seemed to be evident as they raced into that convincing lead by playing some very positive rugby.
Scourfield played in this return fixture alongside younger brother Gareth and cousin Lee – and all three played key roles in the way that their side dominated the early exchanges. It was Lee Scourfield who gave the Quins the lead after 11 minutes as a quick tap and go gave him the chance to power over the line from 20 metres out – and within four minutes the visitors were 12 points to the good as rampaging flanker Phil Hughes charged over from 25 metres for hooker Neil Brace to add the extra points.
Barry Parsons and Mark Van Rhun played really well for the Quins in the linesout and they were boosted by seven more points as Paul Jonkers intercepted some 60 metres out and sped to the line for Brace to again convert – and a runaway victory seemed on the cards as Lee Scourfield raced clear for his second unconverted try.
But Cefneithin refused to submit and the sixth-placed team gradually fought back with four tries, luckily for the Quins none of which were converted, as the visitors lost their shape and were on one occasion playing with 13 men. Scott Mills, Sean Walker, Andrew Cudd and Jonathan Morgan were the Cefneithin try scorers but the Quins held on well at the end, despite missing a couple of penalty chances, and were ultimately good value for victory.
PHOTO: Gareth Scourfield - outstanding for the Quins.
Swalec Plate (Round Three):
Preseli Men pounce
to beat the Blues
Crymych 23 - Haverfordwest 3
Crymych showed that there is a distance between Division Two and Three (West) as they belied their bottom-but-one position in the former by beating Haverfordwest, who are currently top of the third division and looking a good bet for the silverware.
But the Blues can take consolation from the fact that they played well up front as twins Carwyn and Llewelyn Davies played in the second row and came up against Crymych prop John Davies, who is coincidentally their uncle!
The Preseli Men led by 10-3 at the interval as they opened their account with a try that came from their own 22 when the Blues grounded a pass and the ball was hacked on - and home second row Gruff Howells showed he is no slouch as he won the race for the touch-down. Rhys Davies added the extra points and slotted a penalty as Steve Williams replied with three points for the Blues.
The second period was equally as hard-fought as hooker Josh Clarke, John Davies and skipper Simon James led the Crymych surges and Haverfordwest battled hard against them. It was Clarke who scored the second Crymych try after a second Rhys Davies’ penalty – and the home side moved into the last 16 of the competition as open-side flanker Tom Powell powered over in the corner to end an absorbing and entertaining clash.
PHOTO: Gruff Howells - scored Crymych's first try against Haverfordwest.
Swalec Bowl (Round Four):
Mariners move into last 16
Milford Haven 17 - Aberaeron 13
Milford Haven moved into the last 16 of the Swalec Bowl competition by beating Aberaeron – but not before the visitors to the Observatory Field had pushed the Mariners all the way.
Alan McClelland’s team had already beaten Aberaeron by 33-18 in their league match at the same venue and another comfortable win seemed on the cards as they swept into a 17-0 lead before half time – but they lost their way a little and allowed Aberaeron back into contention before edging home in the final analysis.
Gareth Fawcett opened the Milford account as the rangy forward stretched over to gain the touch-down – and after good work by the likes of Rhys Thompson, Craig Smith and Matthew Doncaster it was hooker Smith who dived through for the second Mariners’ try, which Leigh Broome converted.
Pacy winger Craig ‘Yoda’ Thomas, who is the middle of some excellent try-scoring form, added Milford’s third try and a 17-point lead at the half-way mark was certainly no more than the Mariners deserved.
But they took their feet off the collective pedal thereafter and scrum half Owen Williams, who normally plays at No 10, landed two penalties before he also converted a close-range try from powerful prop Deiniol Evans.
It narrowed the Milford lead to four points and Aberaeron looked capable of springing something of a surprise result – but the Mariners held their nerve late on and must now wait to see who they meet in the round of the last 16!
PHOTO: Gareth Fawcett reaches out to score Milford Haven's first try against Aberaeron.
PHOTO: Powerful young second row Rhys Thompson on yet another charge for the Mariners.
- pics by Sheila Witts-Sear.
21st January 2012
Division One (West):
Otters maintain winning habit
Narberth 16 - Llangennech 12
Narberth showed real grit as they fended off a stern challenge from Llangennech to retain top spot in the Division One (West) table. And gain revenge for a 30-18 when the teams last met.
Llangennech showed why they are in the top half of the table in a tight first period where there were no points in the opening quarter and the Otters were just 7-5 ahead at the break from a penalty try awarded for some good work up front in a series of drives, converted by Stuart Morris before Llangennech replied with an unconverted try from outside half Ricky Williams, who hit the woodwork with his conversion attempt.
The second period was equally as competitive as No 10 Morris slotted penalties for the Otters in the 52nd and 65th minutes to extend their lead to 13-5 before Llangennech were also awarded a penalty try which Williams duly converted.
A third Morris penalty was the final score of the match to leave the Otters with their 12th win from 17 outings – but it was never easy and Llangennech picked up a bonus point for their part in an absorbing clash.
Narberth: Johnny Morgan; Nick Jones; Steve Martin; Richard Davies; Will Lewis; Stuart Morris; Adrian Killa; Sion Lloyd; Dan Smith; Tom Slater; Chris James; Alex Jenkins; Gethin Bateman; Wayne Williams; Steffan Phillips. Replacements: Aled Jones; Andrew Davies; Timoci Kaumaitotoya; Gareth Jones; Lewis Davies.
PHOTO: Alex Jenkins - played well up front for Narberth.
Whitland wilt in last quarter
Waunarlwydd 35 - Whitland 23
Whitland suffered a disappointing defeat at Waunarlwydd as the home side upset the form book and distanced themselves from the dog fight at the foot of the table as a result.
The Borderers had won 46-14 at home and their recent form as the third-placed team in the table suggested they might claim the double but Waun were 13-3 ahead at half time, fought off a determined Whitland fight-back and finished strongly to grab their sixth win whilst inflicting only a fourth defeat on the Borderers, for whom former Neyland No 8 Callum Tree made his debut.
Home scrum half Lee Evans kicked his side ahead with a 21st minute penalty which was soon cancelled out by a similar effort from Whitland centre James Stephenson before Waun added another ten points from a Nathan Hunt try alongside the conversion and a second penalty from Evans.
Whitland were level within five minutes of the restart as flanker Dylan Richards scored a try which Stephenson goaled and then followed up with a penalty. Perhaps they sat back a little because Waun countered with an unconverted try from winger Dan Fox before Evans and Stephenson exchanged penalties – and then Waun added another try, this time by winger Andrew Rees-Sproatt which Evans goaled.
Whitland responded with a try by flanker Jack Mason, converted by Stephenson – only for Waun to have a try by second row Daniel Moyle, converted by Evans to finally kill off the Borderers’ lingering hopes of an away win.
Whitland: Scott Newton; Dafydd Williams; James Stephenson; Nico Setaro; Fraser Watson; Carwyn Jones (Capt); Huw Rees: Rhodri West; Marc Jones; Alun Davies; Rhys Jones; Aidan Laxton; Dylan Roberts; Jack Mason; Callum Tree. Replacements: Andrew Jenkins; Aled Harries; Aled Richards; Andrew Hawkins; Dai Ebsworth.
PHOTO: Dylan Richards - scored a try for Whitland.
Division Two (West):
Preseli Men battle hard
Crymych 6 - Kenfig Hill 19
Crymych again showed how far they have come since the start of the season as they pushed second-placed Kenfig Hill all the way before going down to another defeat at Parc Lloyd Thomas.
Kenfig Hill had slammed the Preseli Men by 61-12 earlier in the season but were soon made aware that Crymych were in no mood to repeat that verdict as the visitors were only 14-6 ahead at the oranges, despite having first use of the wind.
Rhys Davies opened the scoring with a Crymych penalty before Kenfig Hill had a try by outside half Nicky Giles which he also converted – and after a second Rhys Davies kick on target the visitors had another seven points from a try by back-rower Jake Holland which Giles converted.
The second half was evenly fought as Crymych looked to use the elements but were never quite able to build up enough of a head of steam to put maximum pressure on Kenfig Hill and winger Kyle Evans scored an unconverted try to seal the visitors’ 13th win from 15 matches – but all credit to Crymych for the way that they stuck to their task.
PHOTO: Carwyn Rees - played well for Crymych in the front row.
Division Three (West):
Sam says goodbye in style
Pontarddulais 18 - Haverfordwest 39
Haverfordwest ran in no fewer than five tries as they gained a maximum-points victory over Pontarddulais in which hooker Sam Van Der Valk marked his final match for the Blues this season with a try brace.
Van Der Valk is returning to New Zealand alongside compatriot scrum half Jarred Bayliss and both will be missed for their subtle skills and will to win attitude as part of a Blues’ side which sits proudly atop the table with a six-point lead over Dunvant with two matches in hand.
They made a bright start against a Bont side which had won well at Cardigan the previous weekend, with skipper David Williams opening the scoring from his centre berth and older brother Steve, playing at fly half, adding the extra points.
Then in-form winger Jamie Lewis sliced through for Steve Williams to again add the extras as Luke Harvatt made a promising centre debut and their back row of Liam Brown, Matthew Clark and Lewis Wood was outstanding in the ball-winning stakes.
Pontarddulais managed to grab two penalties from outside half Matthew Jones to reduce the interval deficit to 14-6 but home hopes of a comeback after the interval were soon quashed as Haverfordwest’s Liam Brown claimed a try as reward for his work-rate and Steve Williams not only converted by followed with a penalty.
To be fair to the Bont they never gave up trying as Aled Thomas grabbed two tries for them, one converted by Jones – but on each occasion they were cancelled out by tries from Van Der Valk. Steve Williams notched both conversions and slotted a late drop goal with aplomb to set the seal on a cracking Blues win which showed why they are currently the best team in the division.
PHOTO: Haverfordwest's Sam Van Der Valk & Jarred Bayliss - going back to New Zealand.
Seasiders secure welcome win
Tenby United 18 - Cardigan 13
Tenby United eased their way to a deserved win over Cardigan at Heywood Lane to ease their way into a much more respectable ninth place in the table.
The Seasiders had lost 51-9 in Cardigan but showed what they can do as their pack played really well and outside half Tom Lewis, back from his fishing off the Scottish islands kicked well behind them.
But it was Cardigan who made the better start as winger Wayne Parsons rounded off some good handling to score a try which outside half Mike Diggle converted.
Lewis reduced the deficit for Tenby with a well-struck penalty before the Seasiders took the lead after clever switches of play and good ball retention by Nick Guymer, Luke Dedman, Richard Rossiter and Jason Scarfe saw No 8 Sam Smith power his way through for a try which Lewis goaled.
Lewis added a second penalty as Tenby used the breeze in their favour well – and just before the break they increased their led to 18-7 as more quick hands along their back division allowed winger James Criddle to claim an unconverted try.
Perhaps Cardigan felt that they would soon accrue points with the wind at their backs but Tenby defended really well as Sion Brace, on for the injured Aled Bowen, called the shots and was ever-ready to break out of defence so that all the Teifisiders could muster were two penalties by Diggle as the Seasiders celebrated a welcome fourth win of the campaign.
PHOTO: James Criddle scores a try for Tenby.
Picture Dave Bolton.
Division Four (West):
Mariners maul table toppers
Milford Haven 25 - Llanelli Wanderers 19
Milford Haven bounced back from the disappointment of defeat against Amman United the previous Saturday to record a deserved home win over top of the table team Llanelli Wanderers to show that the third-placed are still in contention in the race for silverware.
Coach Alan McClelland had asked for total commitment and that’s what he got throughout a tense clash
The Mariners took an early lead when winger Lee Riley rounded off some good handling and Leigh Broome converted – but the Wanderers showed why they are so strong when Jamie Herbert slotted a penalty either side of a try James Bannister to establish an 11-3 half time lead.
But Mackie’s Boys used the wind well afterwards to score two cracking tries when scrum half Aaron Sprowell touched down after good work by outstanding No 8 Mark Wonnacott and then Riley sped through for his second try after excellent handling by forwards and backs.
The Wanderers had a try by Ben Phillips as they tries to claw their way back in front again but there was a third Herbert penalty but the Mariners were in control as good work up front by Wonnacott and Rhys Thompson allowed Sprowell and Tom Arnold to keep their pack going forward. Craig Thomas grabbed a good try and Broome landed the conversion and his second penalty to see Milford Haven home as reward for their will to win.
PHOTO: Aaron Sprowell scores a try for Milford Haven.
Picture Sheila Sear Witts.
All Blacks gain two-point consolation in defeat
Neyland 25 - Furnace 31
Neyland came close to beating Furnace in a high-scoring tussle at the Athletic Ground but could gain some consolation in defeat from the fact that picked up two bonus points.
The All Blacks started well with unconverted tries from full back Patrick Bellerby and centre Andrew Slark – but in their very first real attack Furnace grabbed a try from scrum half Luke Jenkins’ clever quickly tapped penalty and dart for the line which was converted by Ashley Powell.
Mark Riley landed a penalty for Neyland but right on half time the visitors scored a try by flanker David Evans which Powell converted to give his side a flattering 14-3 interval lead.
The All Blacks regained the initiative when outstanding second row Matthew Lewis, playing on permit from Haverfordwest, scored a deserved try – but were rocked back as centre Mark Cook and No 10 Powell scored breakaway tries that Powell goaled before adding a penalty via the top of the crossbar!
Neyland had the final word when No 8 Steve Hamer powered over for a try which Riley converted but it was too little, too late, as the All Blacks were left to reflect on a few chances that went astray, and eventually cost them a victory.
PHOTO: Patrick Bellerby scores Neyland's first try.
Picture Mark Vincent of Pembrokeshiresport.co.uk
Division Five (West):
Jenks leads Seagulls to superb success
Nantgaredig 13 - Fishguard & Goodwick 17
Fishguard and Goodwick skipper Steve Jenkins certainly led by example as they took another major step towards pouching the section silverware as they travelled to top of the table Nantgaredig and came back with a cracking win.
The Seagulls had already beaten Nantgaredig 27-16 at The Moor and ‘Jenks’ powered through for two tries as his side claimed a deserved double – and the win was all the more meritorious because the other try scorer was youth team hooker Owain Morgans as they were without key players in Andrew Morrillo, Mark Leonard and Gavin Walsh up front, plus player/coach Huw Evans from their midfield.
But in a real team effort where they were able to call Romeo Colella and Nathan Jenkins off the bench, the Seagulls trailed 13-5 at half time but clawed their way back as Steve Jenkins kept his side going, even when they had Mark James yellow-carded and conceded a penalty try in the process.
Nantgaredig opened the scoring with a penalty from outside half Meirion Davies but a typical Jenkins surge gave him an unconverted try before Nantgaredig picked up a vital ten points near half time from their penalty try to go with the conversion and a second penalty for Meirion Davies.
The Seagulls started the second period with an excellent try from Morgans after good work by James Griffiths and Mike Jenkins. Griffiths missed a couple of kickable chances in the wind but added the late conversion to Steve Jenkins’ second try so that Fishguard are now only four points behind their opponents, but with two games in hand.
Pembroke unimpressed by uncontested scrums
Pembroke 8 - Penygroes 18
Pembroke suffered a disappointing defeat at Crickmarren as Penygroes avenged a 7-3 away success for the Scarlets earlier in the season.
But Scarlets’ coach Ossie Boswell, never one to make excuses for his team, was less than impressed with the fact that he was told just 15 minutes before the start that there would be uncontested scrums because the visitors couldn’t field a recognised front row. This certainly robbed Pembroke of one of the key elements to their plans, especially since they also had a prop and hooker on the bench!
Penygroes opened up an 8-0 lead with a penalty from Chris Powell to go with a try for Chris Davies before the Scarlets had a Neil Powling penalty before the interval. Another Powell penalty put the visitors 11-3 ahead before the Scarlets claimed an unconverted try from powerful prop Richard Mason.
But the homesters were unable to maintain their momentum and Penygroes had the final word when Phil Morgan scored a good try which Powell converted.
PHOTO: Richard Mason - try for Pembroke prop.
Weakened Wasps
pay inevitable price
Pontyates 32 - Llangwm 0
Llangwm travelled to Pontyates seeking a third win on the trot but forced to field a makeshift side since seven of their first-team regulars were at a Phil Taylor darts exhibition at Parc y Scarlets.
The inevitable result was that the Wasps conceded four tries and failed to score a single point against a side they had already beaten 35-5 at Pill Parks – and Scott Gregory and Richard Scriven from their management team were forced to help out alongside some youngsters who played well like Carwyn Morgan and Matthew Kiff, alongside Steve Rees and outstanding back-rower Dan Chesmer.
For the record, the Pontyates’ tries came from No 8 Steve George, wing Dai Bumford, wing Gareth Davies and centre Alex Rowlands, alongside three conversions and two penalties by full back Kieran Evans
PHOTO: Assistant coach Scott Gregory - played for Llangwm.
Saints’ grit pleases coach
St Davids 7 - Cefneithin 32
St Davids conceded the double to Cefneithin but coach Jack Dudley was quick to praise his entire team for the way that the Saints stuck to their task.
“We had lost 72-0 at Cefneithin with only 12 men,” said Big Jack, “but we had a full team here and although we lost, everyone tackled as if their lives depended upon it and we tried to play constructive rugby.”
The Saints were 17-0 adrift at half time through tries by Richard Watts and Daniel Bonner to go with both conversions and a penalty by Owain Williams – but the home side broke their duck with a very good try from youth team outside half Scott James which half back partner Jack Jones converted.
Saints’ skipper Gethin Bateman and his pack tried hard to gain enough possession to further reduce the deficit but Cefneithin used their greater experience to add further unconverted tries by Nathan Davies and Hywel Jones (2).
PHOTO: Gethin Bateman - led St Davids by example.
Missed kicks cost Quins dearly
St Clears 13 -
Pembroke Dock Harlequins 10
Pembroke Dock Harlequins pushed St Clears all the way before the Saints edged home by three points, leaving the Quins to reflect on some missed kicks which ultimately saw them fall just short.
It meant that the Saints completed a double, having won at Bierspool by 23-15, but again there were positive signs that the Quins need now fear no-one in their section.
The Saints took the early lead with a quality try from centre Ceri Jones which was converted by Chris Smart as Barry Parsons was outstanding in the second row for the Quins in his lineout capacity and general play, whilst Lee Scourfield posed a constant threat in midfield with his powerhouse running, which set up the Quins’ opening score for flanker Nathan George, which Neil Brace couldn’t quite convert.
Scourfield also featured as he scored the Quins’ second score when he legged it up the touchline and the referee decided he hadn’t put his foot on the touchline before registering an unconverted try.
It meant that the Quins were 10-7 ahead but a Chris Smart penalty hauled the Saints level before Smart kept his nerve late on to score a second penalty that kept his side firmly in third place in the section table.
PHOTO: Barry Parsons - outstanding up front for the Quins.
Micky's Pembrokeshire
An excellent try hat-trick from right-winger Jamie Lewis helped Haverfordwest gain a morale-boosting home win that keeps them firmly ensconced at the top of the table at the expense of second-placed Llandeilo, who played their part in an entertaining tussle but failed to secure a single league point whilst the Blues pouched the maximum of five points for their endeavours.
There was an element of luck to the third Blues’ try as referee Richard Jones, who had a good game, appeared to miss a knock on and second row Carwyn Jones gained the touchdown as reward for his yeoman second-row work alongside twin brother Llewelyn.
Four in a row for Borderers
Killa kills off Athletic hopes
Division Two (West): 
Seasiders stumble at Tumble
Bont bag first win of the season
Milford Haven’s hopes of silverware received something of a set-back as the third-placed Mariners lost in a nerve-jangling match against second-placed Amman United.
Kiff kick helps Wasps win
Scarlets show what 
Narberth 43 - Bridgend Athletic 5
Borderers bag great away win
Preseli Men lose out as Skewen 
Blues bag vital bonus-point win
Tenby United 15 - Lampeter 15
Aber forward strength pays dividends
Burry Port 24 - Milford Haven 26
Scourfield boys help Quins 
Wasps complete double – 
Fishguard 18 - Cefneithin 8
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