Feature Match - Division Three (West):

 
 

All Blacks show real ring rustiness

 
 

Neyland 5 - Trimsaran 20

 
 
Neyland completed just their eighth game in their league campaign and the evidence of a lack of competitive rugby was there for all to see at The Athletic Ground as they started superbly but lost their way, allowed frustration to creep in and could have few complaints about this loss against a Trimsaran side third from bottom put having already played five games more.
 
Yet The All Blacks grabbed a superb score in the opening minutes as No 8 Ben Williams burst away from a ruck in his own 22 and reached the halfway line before setting play up for half backs Owen Hamer and then No 10 Rio Phillips, with a clever diagonal kick to winger  Matthew Cole, who showed a terrific sleight of hand to release Oli Rothero for the full back to kick ahead and win the race for the touch-down.
 
It was brilliant stuff and Neyland had other half-chances as centres Alex Codd and especially skipper  George Williams posed a threat alongside marauding forwards like Iestyn and Owain Evans, Seb Mackintosh and Alex Swales, plus Dan McLeod and Lewys Scourfield, both playing on permit from neighbours The Quins.
 
But Trimsaran had already shown their willingness to counter attack via experienced players like Osian Feltwell, James Stout (what a tackler!), and skipper Steffan Roberts before half backs Corey Phillips and Ben Bridgewater combined for the latter to dive over at the posts and the former to add the simple extra points.
 
But there were already signs that Neyland had lost a little focus and right on half time allowed Phillips to boot his side in front from the very last touch of the half.
 
And that 5-10 scoreline continued through the third quarter before Trimsaran were awarded an easy penalty and Neyland were shown an unnecessary yellow card – and almost straight after the penalty was landed, another penalty was awarded for a high tackle immediately following the restart, and the All Blacks were down to 13 men for ten minutes!
 
Worse was to follow as outstanding centre Lee Bates sliced through some infective home tackling and raced around to the posts for Phillips to convert and at 5-20 the writing was on the wall for Neyland.
 
It says much for their determination they spent the final stages camped on Trimaran’s line and the visitors had two yellow cards issued by no-nonsense referee Simon Harries in double-quick time – but The All Blacks, led by skipper Williams and Sam Cataki, tried hard to batter their way through, only to be held up short by terrific Trimsaran defence.
 
So, The All Blacks had nothing to show for their considerable efforts but they are a useful side in this division – but they still need to retain composure because this a game they could, and should, have won!






 
Neyland: Oli Rothero: Matthew Coles; Alex Codd; George Williams (Capt); Josh Watts: Rio Phillips; Owen Hamer: Dan McLeod; Alex Swales; Seb McIntosh: Andrew Slark; Lewis Scourfield: Iestyn Evans; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Sam Cataki; Mason Kerrison; James Hamilton; Hamilton Grice; Jonasa Vakadaudau.






 
 

Division Three (West) :

 

Mariners left to rue first-half missed chances

 

Milford Haven 10 - Llandeilo 26

 
 
For the first time since November 1st, Milford Haven hosted a league fixture but it was Llandeilo who left The Obs with a bonus point win after an efficient display in both defence and attack, writes Fraser Watson.
 
The visitors were in control at 19-5 at half-time after two tries from centre Dan Thomas and full-back Jack Davies, with No.12 Tom Davies adding a fourth after the break. The Mariners kept in it with scores of their own through Arron Davies and Dan McClelland, but the Mariners were left to rue a first half where they failed to turn possession, and attacking opportunities, into points.
 

Llandeilo counter clinically

 
The opening stages mirrored what would become the narrative of the afternoon. It was Milford who attacked from the off as Robbie Jones and Aaron Mayne both made strong carries, but the Llandeilo defence stood firm and when the turnover penalty came, No.10 Steff Roberts went for the corner.
 
From there, the midfield partnership of Tom Davies and Thomas saw the latter cut under the posts, and Steff Roberts added the extras.
 
The Mariners responded with a period of pressure but after opting to turn down a number of kickable penalties in favour of the corner, lost line-outs cost them dear. Away No.8 Dominic Jones was instrumental in stealing against the head, and it was his take that led to the second try when No.15 Davies benefitted from an overlap to go over for another seven-pointer.
 
But referee Dan Tomkins, whistle happy throughout, opted to sin-bin Llandeilo scrum-half Rhys Evans after more persistent home pressure Milford hooker Aaron Davies barged over out wide to keep the hosts in it.
 
Crucially though, the away side hit back as winger Sean Vale broke down the left, and in the chaos that followed Thomas picked up a loose ball and sniped down the blind-side to score before the break.
 

Second-half stagnates

 
On a heavy pitch, both sides struggled for momentum after the interval with much of the contest played around the middle of the field. But with away No.7 Toby Trickett standing out, Llandeilo got the fourth try they needed when replacement Harri Morgan took a quick tap penalty and slipped a pass for Tom Davies - with the centre scoring and No.10 Roberts adding his third conversion.
 
Milford at least mustered positives late on, with hooker Ollie Warlow coming off the bench for what proved a promising senior debut, and they withstood late pressure despite having Ieuan Davies yellow carded near his own line.
 
They even had the final word when McClelland took a quick penalty before diving over out wide but in truth, it was an afternoon where a lack of game time for the Mariners - who have played just once since losing to Llandeilo on November 8 - was evident. This result leaves them in the bottom two, and while the table is misleading given the games they've played, matches - and winning - is a habit Milford need to get back into pronto.  
 
Man of the match: Toby Trickett
 
While it was Dominic Jones who was instrumental in disrupting the home line-out, Trickett shone in attack and defence throughout. The flanker carried strong and tackled superbly and while it was the away backs who did the scoring, he shone with his carrying and work on the floor.



 
Milford player-coach Zac France-Miller: "Credit to Llandeilo they were hard to break down. We've hardly played since November and we weren't clinical enough and in the end that showed really."
 


Llandeilo coach Gareth Eagles: "Very satisfied. Overall, we got the bonus point, we came out injury free, and we can now regroup and go again. To be fair they carried really hard but we capitalised when we had the ball out wide."


 
Milford Haven: Robbie Jones: James Trueman; Dan Jenkins; Aaron Cookson; Owyn Griffiths: Efan Morgan; Dan McClelland: Ben Jenkins; Arron Davies; Aaron Mayne: Dewi Williams; Ethan Aldred: Ben Groves; Ieuan Davies; Zac France-Miller. Replacements: Ollie Warlow; Morgan Mcluckie; Brandon Cooper; Aaron Whatling; Jordan Palmer.


 

Championship Division (West):

 

Tondu grab 12 tries as Preseli Men pouch a bonus point

 

Tondu 68 - Crymych 26

 
 
As so often happens in recent matches, Crymych were in the game at half time as they trailed 21-14 at the midway mark of the first half of their game against Tondu  and were 40-21, at the interval having scored three converted tries – but Tondu raised the tempo after the oranges and showed why they are third with another 28 points.
 
But at least The Preseli Men showed their spirit in adversity as they grabbed a fourth try through flanker Osian Thomas to carry home a bonus point for their efforts.
 
Their first-half tries were claimed by centre Ifan Phillips, second row Matthew Freebury and yet another close-range effort from hooker Lee Griffiths, all converted by centre Staffan Crossman.
 
Tondu's ten tries came from  Josh Tatchell (2), Caine Woolerton (2), Morgan Hughes, Morgan Boobyer, Sam Grabham, Osian Yardley, TJ Ellis and Gareth Lindenbaum, alongside nine conversions from Jamie Murphy, who controlled play well behind his ball-winning pack
 
Crymych: Jac Griffiths: Aled Lewis; Ifan Phillips; Steffan Crossman; Laurence Headlam: Deiniol Matthews; Daf Phillips (Capt): Harri Vaughan; Lee Griffiths; Osian Charles: Dion Gibby; Matthew Freebury: Luke Freebury; Llyr Davies; Trystan Griffiths. Replacements: Morgan James; Tomos Tagg; Osian Thomas; Jon Hill; Tomos Davies.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Seagulls struggle as Nant come out on top

 

Nantgaredig 36 - Fishguard & Goodwick 20

 

Nantgaredig gained revenge for a 38-22 at The Moors as they beat Fishguard & Goodwick after they had led 16-8 at half time and resisted a strong come-back by The Seagulls until scoring a late try when they were playing against 12 men as Fishguard suffered two red and one yellow card as the referee decided he had to exert his discipline.
 
Jesse James, playing on permit alongside Jac Delaney, scored their opening try and hooker Will Robinson slotted a penalty as Nant responded with a try by Morgan Hawns, converted by influential outside half Justin Williams, who also landed three penalties.
 
Williams also added a penalty after the break to go with well-worked tries by Iwan Thomas, Carwyn Davies (2) and Llyr Williams but The Seagulls seemed to raise their game as Sion Colella, playing in the unusual role of scrum half, sniped over and Ryan McVeigh also ploughed through after joining the fray, one converted by Robinson
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Rhys Evans: Dec Thomas; Jesse James; Jac Delaney; Jack Richards: Ross Lerwill; Sion Colella: Will Delaney; Will Robinson; Iwan McVeigh: Cai Llewellyn; Griff Williams: Liam Wilkes; Bryn Thomas; Rhys Lewis (Capt). Replacements: Ryan McVeigh.
 
 
 

Borderers battered on the road

 

Pontarddulais 76 - Whitland 0

 
Whitland travelled to promotion chasing Pontarddulais with just 16 players and paid the price, with the visitors conceding 12 tries without being able to take chances of their own, writes Fraser Watson.
 
The hosts scored twice early on and then were pressed home their advantage as No.8 Owain Davies, winger Rhydian Payne, scrum-half Ethan Dunne, and replacement prop Sean Gale all grabbed a brace of tries.
 
Centres Llyr Gealy and Ross Fender, No.10 Josh Goss and full-back Iwan Evans also went over - with the latter adding eight conversions for a personal haul of 21 points.
 
Whitland, who finished the game with 14 men, were left to regret a period before the break where they pressed but were frequently held up over the line - but with the Penclawdd v Betws clash postponed they at least stayed out of the bottom two with some crunch games to come.
 
Player-coach Gareth Davies, who slotted in at No.10, told Pembrokeshire Sport: "It was a tough day for us against a well drilled team.
 
"We battled hard in the first-half and we made them work for their first two tries but we couldn't capitalise in attack ourselves. They utilised the space really well and we made too many errors, but we are still fighting."
 
Whitland: Shane Rossiter: Noah Toland; ?Lucas Dance; ?Charlie Gordon Lennox; Tom Day: ?Gareth Davies; Rhys Nicholas: Trystan Bowen; ?Jonny Phillips; ?Ceiron Evans (Capt): ?Tomos Hughes; ?Charlie Watson: Conor Toland; ?Gavin Smith; Osian Thomas. Replacement: Shane Clarke.
 
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Battling Blues bag a top-two spot

 

Amman United 22 - Haverfordwest 29

 
Haverfordwest were made hard to battle all the way by a recently rejuvenated Amman United and after staying cool under pressure picked up a bonus-point win that eases them into second spot in the race for promotion as New Dock Stars beat Tumble in a high-scoring tussle which kept their good lead at the top whilst Tumble fell below The Blues.
 
Indeed, it would seem that Tumble’s points came from Blues’ indiscipline because  they had two first-half penalties by Iestyn Griffiths, who also added three more after the break alongside a late penalty try which made the scoreline closer than the balance of play actually was.
 
The Blues’ pack, other than not pleasing the referee with their interpretation of some aspects of the game, like winning the ball in the ruck, looked back to its back form with powerhouse players like Karl Busch and Jack Clancy back on the bench alongside Dan Birch and promising youngsters Rhys Phelps and Kieran Harries.
 
Outside half Adam Phillips opened The Blues’ account with a try and half-back partner Liam Waton added a second – but penalties by Iestyn Griffiths and Lee Evans kept Amman in touch at just 6-10 down at the interval.
 
Griffiths’ second penalty took his side to within a point but with the likes of Jamie Zambas, Iori Hicks and Terry Lovell ensuring solid possession young winger Isac Kelso-Jones grabbed a try set up by centres Matt Phillips and Iestyn Arnold in conjunction with Jake Evans, Jake Hart and a dynamic back row of Ioan Hawkridge Jones, Dylan Williamson and especially Mikey Griffiths.
 
Another Griffiths’ penalty kept Amman in touch however, but Haverfordwest made sure of a bonus point for scoring four tries  when pacy winger Scott Candler sped over for a try converted by No 10 Phillips- only for The Blues to concede another penalty chance which Griffith’s gratefully accepted.
 
But The Blues made the game safe when the lively young Hawkridge-Jones rounded off a good move and Phillips again added the extras.
 
Amman United had the final word, though, when the referee awarded them a penalty try, which meant that all of their 22 points emanated from Blues’ misdemeanours, which will be something that head coach Simon Lepetit will be working at so that they stay in the promotion top two!
 
Haverfordwest: Logun Young: Isaac Kelso-Jones; Matt Phillips; Iestyn Arnold; Scott Candler: Adam Phillips; Liam Eaton: Jamie Zambas; Iori Curtis; Terry Lovell: Jake Evans; James Hart: Ioan Hawkridge-Jones; Mikey Griffiths; Dylan Williamson. Replacements: Rhys Phelps; Kieran Harries; Karl Busch; Jack Clancy; Dan Birch. Travelling Reserves: Devin Williams; Charlie Kelly.
 
 
 

Cardis claim a bonus point success

 

Narberth Athletic 26 - Cardigan 38

 
Cardigan completed the double over Narberth Athletic at the Lewis Lloyd Ground as they established a 25-3 lead at half time and quickly increased that with another five points soon after the restart and although the Otters’ Seconds battled back the Teifisiders had the final word with their fifth try to seal victory.
 
Replacements had a big role to play for Cardigan as scrum half Ifan James claimed a good try after Luke Rogers had also pouched a try brace from the same position – and winger  Alun Jenkins added another as Marcus Castle led by example up front and the likes of Guto Davies, Connor Owen and Owen Fletcher followed close behind.
 
Left winger Iwan John also got his name on the scoresheet and Llyr Jones contributed two conversions and three penalties in a good all-round squad performance which eased The Teifisiders into seventh place whilst Narberth Athletic remain rooted to the foot of the table.
 
*Sadly, no details of the team or their scorers were provided by Narberth RFC.
 
Cardigan: Llyr Jones: Alun Jenkins; Joe Thomas; Emyr Harries; Iwan John: Jac Davies; Luke Rogers: Andrew Jones; Owen Fletcher; Ben Hughes: Kieran Hurley; Dan Jones: Connor Owen; Guto Davies; Marcus Castle (Capt). Replacements: Will Brice; Jack Stone, Flynn Tjoonk; Ifan James; Sam Lloyd.
 
 
 
 

LOCAL RUGBY MATCHES CALLED OFF:

 
Division One (West):
 
Seasiders lose a great asset
Burry Port P Tenby United P
 
*Tenby United suffer a club bereavement – our deepest sympathy goes to the Poole Family*
 
 
Division Four (West) A:
 
Seasiders suffer sad loss
Tenby United Athletic P St Davids P
 
*Our deepest sympathy goes out to the club and the Poole family at their sad loss
 
 
Wasps unable to travel
Pontyberem P Llangwm P
 
*Llangwm unable to field a team*
 
 
Match called off at Llan
Llanybydder P Teirw Crymych P
 
*Teirw Crymych unable to raise a team*
 
 
Scarlets struggle to play Emlyn
Dreigiau Emlyn P Pembroke P
 
*Pembroke unable to field a team*