Feature Match – Division Three (West):

 

Mariners’ pack in superb form as All Blacks suffer early injuries

 

Milford Haven 31 - Neyland 11

 

Milford Haven moved up to a creditable sixth place in the section table, despite still having four league games left, leap-frogging opponents Neyland and completing the derby double having already won  26-13 at the Athletic Ground, writes Bill Carne.
 
The Mariners started badly as they conceded a first- minute three points to Rio Phillips from a careless knock-on in their own 22 but from then on were on top as their pack was in fine fettle as they deservedly led 19-3 at the interval, despite playing against a powerful wind blowing up from the haven.
 
They took a lead they were never to lost almost immediately as a driving run by the likes of Ben Jenkins, Aaron Mayne, Luke Ryan and Liam Brown earned them a penalty that allowed Dan McClelland to take a quickly-tapped penalty and crashed over in his 231^st game for The Mariners – and influential All Blacks’ flanker Owain Evans was knocked out and had to be taken to hospital.
 
Mariners add more scores to be in command at half time
 
Two other first-quarter injuries seemed to suck the energy out of Neyland and although George Williams summed up their spirit by coming on as a replacement, despite being unwell pre-match, they couldn’t deny The Mariners as coach Zak France-Miller and No 8 Zak Davies in particulate caught the eye as more drives into the elements saw Efan Morgan,  Owyn Griffiths and Robbie Jones create the space for skipper Dan Jenkins to score in his 232nd game for the club, James Trueman adding the extra points..
 
Rio Phillips, who with half back partner Owen Hamer, tried to keep their pack going forward, landed a second penalty but then The Mariners continued their outstanding work up front, through Jordan Palmer and the two Zaks, added a third try from flanker Ieuan ‘Stumpy’ Davies, who spotted a gap near half way and sped through it for a terrific solo try converted by Trueman.
 
Milford almost claimed a fourth, bonus-point score, right on the interval as quick ruck ball saw play spread to the bottom-left corner but Palmer was unable to hold onto a low pass and the ball was spilled.
 

Bonus point win for The Mariners – but Neyland have the final say!

 
At this stage some pundits were predicting a 50-point home win but reckoned without the Neyland battling spirit that saw them only conceded two more tries, the first from classy winger Aaron James, playing on permit from The Quins,  and then finally from outside half Efan Morgan after a low kick through secured an attack from which pressure saw him cross the whitewash for Trueman to convert.
 
But Neyland didn’t throw in the towel and played with a spirit that shows the value of local derbies in the league set-up, and they did manage a late try from pacy winger Josh Watts as reward for their part in an absorbing clash.
 
Local rugby players will wash Owain Evans a speedy exit from hospital and also send best wished to Milford’s assistant coach Jonathan Thomes. After his serious leg injury, and The Mariners’ ‘old warhorse’ Alan McClelland, awaiting an operation in hospital after a recent heart attack.







 
Milford Haven: Robbie Jones:  Aaron James; Owyn Griffiths; Dan Jenkins (Capt); James Trueman: Efan Morgan; Dan McClelland: Ben Jenkins; Luke Ryan; Aaron Mayne: Liam Brown; Zak France-Miller: Jordan Palmer; Ieuan Davies; Zac Davies. Replacements: Jordan Davies; AJ Booth; Ethan Aldred; Ben Groves; Quinn McGrath; Cian Harries.
 
Neyland (From): Ollie Rothero; Callum Jenkins; Adam Cawley; Rio Phillips; Sam Cataki; Seb McIntosh; Owen Hamer; Ben Williams; Owain Evans; George Williams (Capt); Josh Watts; George Evans; Jamie Sitoe; Lewys Scourfield; Shane Phillips; James Hamilton; Alex Swales; Andrew Slark; Jasper Endean.
 
 






 

Second Feature Match – Division Four (West) A:

`

Emlyn ease home  in entertaining class

 

Dreigiau Emlyn 38 - Pembroke 31

 

Dreigiau Emlyn completed a hard-fought double over Pembroke (they had won 38-19 at Crickmarren) in an entertaining clash at Dol Weber where both teams ran the ball at every opportunity, despite adverse weather conditions,  but The Dragons eventually came out on top after the lead had changed several times.
 
In fact, the referee called a halt to play for a few minutes in the first half because of the heavy rain and surging wind.
 
Pembroke’s youngsters again featured highly, with tries coming from No 8 Zak Shaw, who also had two other claims for scores turned down, George Jones Luke Watkins, Rhys Johns and James Allen, three of them converted by Shaw as old heads of the calibre of William Edwards, Jamie Brayford and Rhys Johns also played well alongside Zack Evans, Dan Davies, Tobi Pratt and Rhydian Eynon.
 
The Scarlets controlled the scrums but flanker Reece Morris made a big impact for with some strong carries and a deserved second-half try for The Dragons  that helped them to a 12-point lead  but The Scarlets battled back with a late try to salvage two well-earned bonus points.
 
This narrow defeat rounded off the Pembroke season and they can look ahead to next season with this year’s youthful block of players sure to have gained  a lot under Gary Price and his staff, but with team manager Simon Edwards sadly stepping down after many years as a player, including a long stint as skipper, and more recently in his important role where his encouragement and advice has meant a great deal!
 
Emlyn full back Sion Griffiths was chosen as their man of the match for his excellent defensive work and line breaks, with Ifan Vaicaitis scoring two tries despite a yellow card; other scores coming from  Aled Jones, Llyr Tobias (who controlled play well) and Cian Jones. Tobias also joined winger Deiniol; Jones in slotting a brace of conversions.
 
This win also rounded off Dreigiau Emlyn’s season and head coach Gethin Vobe was understandably delighted that in their first campaign of national league rugby his team achieved second place in the division with only four defeats from their 16 matches.

“We are so pleased to have a second team playing at this level every week because it is the way to give old-timers a chance to extend their careers and providing promising youngsters with the chance to gain experience at senior level. I would like to thank the players, my excellent coaching staff and club for its support in getting Dreigiau Emlyn to make such a successful start.”
 
Dreigiau Emlyn: Sion Griffiths: Ifan Vaicaitis; Osian Taylor; Llew Morgan; Deiniol Rees: Llyr Tobias,  Cian Jones:  Cody Jenkins, Dylan Davies; Ieuan James: Celt Jones; Owain Thomas: Edryd James (Capt); Dafydd Jones; Aled Jones. Replacements: Meirion Thomas; Tomos Davies; Osian Maelor; Reece Morris; Owain Kremers.
 
Pembroke: Zach Evans: Tobi Pratt; Rhys Johns; Rhodri Walters; Damo Stratford: James Allen; Luke Watkins: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Dan Davies; Jamie Brayford: Toby Hounnsell; William Edwards: George Jones; Rhydian Eynon; Zak Shaw.  Replacements: Dan Gosnold; Theo Davies.




 
 

Championship Division: 

 

Preseli Men well beaten by third-placed Dunvant

 

Crymych 0 - Glynneath 31

 

Crymych again found it hard-going against a Dunvant team that is comfortably ensconced in third place in the section table and had already beaten the Preseli Men by 45-21 at home.
 
But this squad is much-changed from that tussle through unavailability and injury problems for Crymych, but that takes nothing away from their squad in the return match at Parc Lloyd Thomas, although it was something of a rarity not for them to get any points on the board.
 
Skipper Daf Phillips tried hard to keep his pack going forward or bringing his backs into action but it was Dunvant who picked up a maximum five points as they grabbed tries by centre Cian Norman, flanker Ryan Dymond, winger Willis Wood, hooker Luke Rees and front-row colleague Ryan Shoemark.
 
Outside half Joe Parked added three conversions and in this difficult time for this tight-knit club completing their remaining four fixtures will bring a deserved break and a chance to regroup before next season.
 
Crymych (from): Daf Phillips (Capt); Morgan James; Carwyn Phillips; Ollie Hawke; Osian Thomas; Daf Bryan; Tomos Tagg; Sion Evans; Osian Davies; Will Delaney; Aled Lewis; Jac Griffiths; Matthew Freebury; Harri Davies; Jon Hill; Rhys Davies;  Tom Taylor; Llyr Davies; Sion Wilson.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Seasiders stumble in promotion chase

 

Waunarlwydd 19 - Tenby United 17

 

Tenby United’s disappointing defeat at Waunarlwydd has almost certainly brought about an end to their promotion hopes and coach Jonathan Evans’ assessment of the game was as analytical as ever, because he refused to blame the difficult weather conditions or unusually frequent basic errors that his pack didn’t exert its usual influence and the backs rarely played with the precision and flair associated with them.
 
Waun had already proved a thorn in Tenby’s side at Heywood Lane as they drew 14-all – with a narrow 7-5 interval lead this time after The Seasiders had gained an early score from centre Tom Edmonds but the homesters scored a try by winger Ben Cort, converted by Jonathan Lewis.
 
Tenby regained the lead with a second unconverted score by Dom Colman but then Waun hit back as Cort grabbed a second try and centre Will Thomas also got his name on the try sheet alongside a second conversion by Lewis.
 
The Seasiders had a second Edmonds’ score, converted by Lloyd Thomas, but although there were useful performances from Josh Hamer, Dan Colley, Geraint Jones and Jesse James when he came on, the loss was a real set-back to their season’s hopes!
 
Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Jackson Gravatt; Alfie Pryor; Tom Edmonds; Jordan Asparassa: Lloyd Thomas; Dai Jones: Jack Davies; Jack Brown; Ethan Morgan: Tom Barrass (Capt); Luke Dedman: Josh Hamer; Dan Colley; Dom Colman. Replacements: Dan Howells; Alex Jenkins; Jesse James; Will Evans; Cam Broadhurst.
 
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Cardigan denied by disputed last-ditch penalty try

 

Tumble 31 - Cardigan 27

 

Cardigan came within seconds of another fantastic win over top clubs as they were leading Tumble by 27-24 as they tried hard to resist Tumble’s desperate attempts to stay in contention with Haverfordwest and New Dock Stars for the two promotion places, with a series of close-range attacks by the home side eventually ending successfully when the referee called a halt to proceedings and awarded the home side a penalty try, of course hotly dispute by The Teifisiders.
 
Fortunes certainly ebbed and flowed as Cardigan held the lead on other occasions as their pack really fronted up well against a strong home eight and their backs not only defended well but ran the ball so that their tries all came from backs.
 
Lloyd Williams, playing on permit, joined  Llyr Jones, Iwan John and Luke Rogers on the scoresheet, with Jones adding two conversions and a penalty, whilst Tumble responded with tries from Dafydd Humphreys, Owen Bamford, Dafydd Thomas and Scott Jones, plus that vital late penalty try and two conversions by the outstanding Steve Hewitt.
 
So, real disappointment but with the consolation of two bonus points that keeps them in fifth place with vital midweek matches against Amman United and Milford Haven on the 14^th and 21^st April to round off their season!
 
Cardigan: Llyr Jones: Lloyd Williams; Joe Thomas; Emyr Harries; Iwan John: Jac Davies; Luke Rogrs: Owen Fleter; Luke Palmer Davies; Ben Hughes;
Dan Jones; Flyn Tjoonk: Connor Owen; Marcus Castle (Capt); Guto Davies. Replacements: Will Brice; Jack Stone; Aaron Tomkinson; Ifan James; Sam Lloyd. Travelling Reserve: Andrew Jones.
 




 

Division Four (West) A:

 

Saints seal a double over The Seasiders Athletic

 

Tenby United Athletic 7 - St Davids 12

 

Tenby United had beaten Tenby United Athletic by 19-15 and this return fixture proved to be just as close as both teams battled hard with each other as well-matched opponents but also the powerful winds and squally showers blowing in to Heywood Lane.
 
In fact, there was no scoring for 39 minutes but then  two tries came a minute either side of the welcome half-time break.
 
The Saints grabbed the opening try when their influential back row was involved as Daf Williams featured in a move that earned them a penalty, No 8 George Raymond set off from a quickly-tapped penalty and supplied outstanding skipper Nathan Foster with the scoring pass before  winger Bob Froy added the extra points.
 
Then a Saints’ error from the kick of to the second half saw The Seasiders storm on the attack and Iorri Richards touched down for skipper Harry Rossiter to add the extra points.
 
There was another stalemate in the third quarter as St Davids ruled the scrums despite losing  hooker Adam Williams after 10 minutes but with Ben Lloyd proving an adequate replacement with props Ethan Griffiths and Dan Murphy, whilst Nick Guymer skipper Jack Gooding and experienced half backs Fletcher Broadhurst and skipper Rossiter battled hard alongside youngsters like Iwan Duffy, Lewis Rossiter and Cian Knights featured for The Athletic.
 
But then another quickly-taken tapped penalty set up what turned out to be the winning Saints’ score as busy scrum half Owain Swain caught the home defence napping and raced in from near the half-way line.
 
This result in their final league match of the season for both clubs mean they occupy third and fourth places in the table with an identical number of points and with nine wins each from 16 starts, with The Saints claimed they go above their opponents because they lost six games to The Seasiders’ seven defeats, having drawn one match in mid-season!
 
Tenby United Athletic: Joe Andrews: Dylan Johns; Jack Gooding (Capt); Connor Keir; Darcy Langston: Harry Rossiter (Capt); Fletcher Broadhurst: Lewis Rossiter; Iwan Duffy; James Morgan: Cemlyn Bolton; Will Swales: Jayden Allen; Jake Henson Nick Guymer. Replacements: Rob Clark; Andrew John;  Taz Richards; Cian Knights; Iorri Richards; Cal Earland; Joseph Davies; Rhys Parker; Tyler Evans.
 
St Davids: Iwan Davies: Gavin Smith; Ben Joyce; Danny Voyce; Bob Froy: Aaron Foster; Owain Swain: Ethan Griffiths; Adam Williams; Dan Murphy: James Goldsmith; Iestyn Owen: Daf Williams; Nathan Foster (Capt); George Raymond. Replacements: Ben Lloyd; Owain Morris; Aled Davies; Tom Goodson; Kieron Owen.
 
 

Bulls beaten heavily by powerful Ponty

 

Pontyberem 91 - Teirw Crymych 5

 
Teirw Crymych travelled to runaway league leaders Pontyberem with a makeshift side and paid the inevitable price as Ponty were already 46-5 ahead at half time and eventually running in 15 tries to one by Crymych prop Lloyd Hughes to maintain their 100& record from their 14 league matches so far.
 
No-one could criticise The Preseli Men because those playing gave 100% but in the final analysis Ponty had players of the experience of Cory Hardy (5), Gethin Lloyd (2) and Jack Courtney (2) on their try-sheet, with others coming from Josh Morgan, Rhodri Lewis, Luke Lewis, Kieran Walters, Luke Williams and Llyr Lewis joining them.
 
Rhodri Lewis landed five conversions in the first half and Llyr Lewis added three more after the break to increase Pontyberem’s huge points differential whilst Teirw Crymych travel to fellow basement battlers Llanybydder for their final fixture next Saturday.
 
 
 

Premiership Division:

 

Llangennech 31 - Narberth 22

 
**NO details provided by Narberth RFC**
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Narberth Athletic 13 - New Dock Stars 40

 
**NO details provided by Narberth RFC**