Feature Match – Division Three (West):

 

Blues too strong up front for Gritty Cardis

 

Haverfordwest 31 - Cardigan 3

 

Haverfordwest produced an excellent second-half performance against Cardigan which saw them score 19 unanswered points but The Teifisiders also played their part as there were only trailing by 5-3 with two minutes left of the first half, where they had defended well against a strong wind but also had their chances as they opened their account early on with a well-struck Llyr Jones penalty, writes Bill Carne.
 
The Blues responded soon afterwards with a well-conceived try by winger Scott Candler but then a mixture of over-eagerness, taking wrong options and handling errors saw no further points coming, despite some cracking runs by prop Dan Berry,  young hooker Iori Curtis, outstanding flanker Mikey Griffiths and eventual man of the match Karl Busch.
 
They added their vital score in the 38^th minute, after a long period of pressure where hooker Jamie Zambas, No 8 James Hart,  second row Jake Evans were all halted close to the line before good work by half backs Liam Eaton and Jake Morgan allowed flanker Dylan Williamson to squeeze in at the clubhouse corner, with centre Jack Codd converting.
 

Blues so strong in the second half

 
Even so, The Teifisiders must have felt they were still in a chance as they had the wind at their backs and only nine points adrift – but were rocked back soon after the restart as the powerful home pack, led by Busch, put the ubiquitous Griffiths in the corner, with replacement Adam Phillips converting from wide out.
 
Cardigan did have their chances  as Dean Harries, Daf Rotie and skipper Marcus Castle worked tirelessly but such was the Blues’ solid defence, led by Iestyn Arnold, that they were restricted to a couple of long-range penalties and drop-goal attempts by Llyr Jones and Shaun Leonard.
 
Haverfordwest claimed a deserved bonus point as Candler grabbed his second try and hooker Curtis ploughed through with his usual power for a typical try that completed the double, since they had won 34-17 at the King George Vth Ground on the opening day of the season,
 
It also gave a deserved send-off for popular full back/winger Guy Barrons, playing his final game before moving back home to the USA, a comfortable third place in the section table.







 
Haverfordwest: Guy Barrons: Logun Young; Jack Codd; Iestyn Arnold; Scott Candler: Jake Morgan; Liam Eaton: Jamie Zambas; Iori Curtis; Dan Berry: Jake Evans; Karl Busch: Dylan Wilkinson; Mikey Griffiths; James Hart. Replacements: Andrew Edwards; Devin Williams; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones; Isaac Kelso-Jones; Harry Makepeace; Charlie Kelly; Ben Llewellyn; Adam Phillips.
 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: Llyr Jones; Iwan John; Emyr Harries; Alun Jenkins: Jac Davies; Ifan James: Will Brice; Owen Fletcher; Andrew Jones: Kieran Hurley; Dean Harries: Connor Owen; Dafydd Rotie; Kester Adams. Replacements: Ben Hughes; Charlie Jones; Jack Stone; Josh Verrall; Sam Lloyd.

 

 


 

Division Four (West) A:

 

Price powers Quins to easy Eric Brown Cup victory

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 34 - Pembroke 0       

 

Jack Price was the toast of his Pembroke Dock Harlequins team mates as his deserved hat-trick of tries helped them take the Eric Brown Memorial Cup away from a below-par Pembroke side in front of a huge crowd at Bierspool who saw the home side lead by 22-0 at the break and The Scarlets were unable to claim a single point which had a club spokesman say, “We just weren’t at the races today!”
 
Yet there were no signs of such a  wide margin in prospect as both teams took time to settle – and where the Quins grew in confidence as their pack realised they could match the normally-powerful Pembroke pack and it was outstanding flanker Aaron Jones who opened their account as he ploughed over from close range.
 
The Quins also had key backs in outside half Craig Barnett, who controlled play well and kept pushing his forwards, and especially centre Jack Price, who showed the sort of form that saw him play for Narberth in the top echelons before he decided to finish his career with his home club.
 
Twice he received the ball near the visitors’ 22 and almost casually sliced through to the line, both converted by skipper Hathaway before he slotted a penalty after some yeoman work by their tight five of Jason Keight, Dan McLeod, Alfie Ball, mark van Rhyn and especially Liam Baker, whose ability to go forward earned him the plaudits of his coaches alongside No 8 Ben Gibby, who made a huge impact in conjunction with Danny Wilkes and try-scorer James.
 
Pembroke’s best chance of the half came from a run by Rhodri Walters, who released William Edwards but he was caught close to the line and the Quins managed to put the ball safe.
 
The Scarlets also introduced Evan Phillps and Rob Weston off the bench and they managed to push their side forward at times but Jake Griffiths, Tom Donovan and Sam James always posed a threat as their half backs Morgan Rogers and Barnett kept control – and Price added his third try earn the man of the match award, with Adam Cawley coming on as replacement No 9 and managing to get his name on the try sheet.
 
The trophy, in memory of a great Pembroke clubman and groundsman, was presented to delighted  Quins’ skipper Ben Hathaway by Scarlets’ chairman Richard Jelley, whilst Hathaway had earlier cause to celebrate when his penalty right on half time took him past the 100-point mark so far this season – and the delight shown by his team-mates perfectly sums up what victory (and defeat!) in this local derby means to both clubs!
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway (Capt): Sam James; Jack Price; Jake Griffiths; Tom Donovan: Craig Barnett; Morgan Rogers: Jason Keight; Dan McLeod; Alfie Ball: Mark Van Rhyn; Liam Baker: Aaron James; Danny Wilkes; Ben Gibby. Replacements: Callum Jones; Rhys Doyle; Josh Brown; Adam Cawley; Damo Miller.
 
Pembroke: Rhys Johns: Evan Davies; Fraser James; Lewis Davies; Zach Evans: James Allen; Josh Greenwood: Lloyd Davies (Capt), Dan Davies; Jonny Palmer: William Edwards; Cyle Weatherall: Rhodri Walters; Rhydian Eynon; Zak Shaw.  Replacements: Jamie Brayford; Evan Phillips; Rob Weston; Iolo Williams; George Jones.





 












 

Division Two (West):

 

Borderers battered in pre-Christmas derby

 

Whitland 0 - Carmarthen Athletic 57

 

The euphoria of Whitland's vital win at Bettws the previous week was washed away as Carmarthen Athletic ran in nine tries to hand their hosts a nightmare before Christmas, writes Fraser Watson.
 
The clubhouse was packed pre-game as the Borderers held their 'Old Players Reunion', but for the numerous old boys who helped produce a large crowd at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn, there was little in the way of a contest to watch from the moment Athletic winger Harri Jones went over two minutes in.
 

Athletic dominate despite the elements

 
Despite playing into a strong wind, the visitors set the tone from the off as full-back Zac Williams gathered a clearance kick and burst upfield. From the attack that followed, No.10 Deian Morgan coasted through a gap and floated out a pass for Jones to score.
 
Tom Gravell converted from out wide and then came what proved to be Whitland's only real chance of points in the opening 40 minutes as Shane Rossiter pulled a 35-metre penalty wide. The respite was brief, away No.9 Tom Jones then breaking free and slipping a pass to hooker Kai Summers to touch down.
The same pairing combined in reverse moments later, with a burst from Summers setting up Jones to score before outstanding flanker Kieran Davies burst through some weak tackling to go over from 20 metres.
 
The Borderers meanwhile, struggled to play phases and although centre Cian Evans briefly threatened with an interception on half-way, the attack broke down and instead the half ended with Athletic adding a fifth try as winger Arwel Thomas rounded off an overlap. Gravell added the extras to make it 29-0 at the interval.
 

No late let-up

 
The second period started with the home side going close as Aled Beynon picked up a loose pass and ran clear, but the No.13 was caught by the cover defence. Rossiter then opted for a chip and chase in the Athletic 22 but Morgan cleared his lines, and soon, the visitors were back on the attack.
 
Replacement wing Cameron Clarke scored after further pressure and instrumental scrum half Jones then rounded off some good handling to go over in the corner. Morgan, having taken over the duties off the tee, converted both times.
 
The No.10 did the same after centre Gravell cut the perfect line to score from 15 metres out, bringing up the 50-point mark, and things got worse for Whitland when No.8 Jack Tucker, one of their better performers, was forced off with injury.
 
The game ended as it began, with Harri Jones outstripping the cover defence and going under the posts for his second try, before drop-kicking the extra two points himself as Athletic kept up their promotion charge. For the Borderers though, the harrowing 80 minutes has seemingly dropped them back into the bottom two - depending on the WRU outcome of Nantgaredig's abandoned match with Pontarddulais.
 
For Gareth Davies and his players, a pivotal day now lies in store on January 3rd when Nant come to Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn. That's followed by clashes with struggling Fishguard and Penclawdd, with the opening month of 2026 set to define Whitland's fight to stay in the division.
 
Regardless, come the New Year, Davies and co will know they have to step up their levels from Saturday.
 
Man of the match: Tom Jones.
Fair to say Jones was given a platform by his pack for much of the afternoon, and he made full use of it. The No.9 was instrumental with his sniping, support play, and quick service. His two tries were just reward.
 
Whitland player-coach Gareth Davies: "We just didn't show up today. Carmarthen Athletic are a very good outfit, they're organised and well-coached, and we lacked a bit of discipline. We missed too many one-on-one tackles and they took their chances really well - and we just couldn't get enough ball to do any damage."
 
Athletic head coach Gary Morgan: "We were ruthless at times which was what we wanted. It was nice that we actually kept going to the end and finished the game with a try, and I'm pleased to keep them to nil too. The defence was awesome."
 
Whitland: Gethin Scourfield: Keanu Williams; Aled Beynon; Cian Evans; Gavin Smith: Shane Rossiter; Gareth Davies: Jonny Phillips; Matt Driver; Ceiron Evans (Capt): Alan Proctor; Ben Taylor: Will Barradell; Joshua Clarke; Jack Tucker. Replacements: Trystan Bowen; Shane Clarke; Jack Jenkins; Charlie Watson; Tomos Hughes.





 
 
 

Seagulls miss early chances and pay the price

 

Aberaeron 34 - Fishguard & Goodwick 10
 

 

After an absence of nine weeks, Aberaeron returned to Parc Drefach and only their third home league game of the season as they sought  the double against Fishguard and Goodwick, whom they had already beaten at The Moors.

Despite the home confidence it transpired to be a typical game of two halves as  Fishguard controlled long periods of the first half, despite having something of a makeshift squad with so many injuries. Territory went to the visitors from the first minute as skipper Rhys Lewis, Jack Richards, Will Delaney and Cai Llewellyn featured in the forward exchanges and it was only resolute defence that stemmed the tide.

Eventually Aberaeron gained a little parity and they were rewarded with a penalty try followed by  a penalty by Rhodri Jenkins to take an unlikely and fortunate lead at the break as The Seagulls missed several chances, and all they could muster was a penalty from Dan Cleary.

Whatever was said at halftime changed the course of the game and it was the visitors on the backfoot as a combination of close control and expansive play resulted in four early scores. Within minutes a series of forays created an overlap and the opening allowed wing Ifan Davies to cross in the corner. With the Aber forwards now holding the upper hand, the lead was further extended; firstly hooker Owain Bonsall touched down and this was quickly followed by another close range effort by number eight Wil Stone, and converted by Jenkins.

Centre Jenkins then crowned a fine afternoon with a try and conversion of his own and despite a late flurry by the visitors for which they were rewarded with a try from Bryn Thomas try, converted by centre Cleary, the result was never in doubt as Aberaeron maintained their unbeaten record (6 wins and a draw) to sit in third place in the section table.

Aberaeron: Geraint Owen: Ifan Davies; Rhys Jones; Rhodri Jenkins; Dyfrig Dafis: Steffan Rees; Rhodri Thomas: Ceri Davies; Owain Bonsall; Ryan Williams: Julian Roberts; Rich Francis: Ellis Trigg; Gethin Dafis; Wil Stone. Replacements: Rhys Jones; Owain Rozencoft; Fin Walsh; Jack Richards; Dafydd Llewelyn.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Dan Evans: Sion Perkins; Dec Thomas; Dan Cleary; Rhys Evans: Jack Delaney; Max Jones:  Will Delaney; Will Robinson; Ryan McVeigh: Griff Williams; Cai Llewellyn:  Bryn Thomas; Jack Richards; Rhys Lewis (Capt). Replacements: Ryan Burton; Iwan McVeigh; Liam Wilkes; Ifan Evans; Joss Lerwill.
 

Division Four (West) A:

Bulls bag a local derby win

Teirw Crymych 24 - Dreigiau Emlyn 17

 

Matches between the first teams of these two committed clubs have always been hard-fought and this second-string tussle between Teirw Crymych and Dreigiau Emlyn followed a similar pattern now that both camps are safely ensconced in WRU league rugby.
 
It was The Bulls who made the better start to lead 20-0 at half time, thanks to tries from powerful No 8 No 8 Osian Thomas and talented young scrum half Dafydd Bryan, both converted by No 10 Osian Evans alongside two penalties.
 
They also added a third try by Trystan Griffiths, home from his work as a professional opera singer, and slotting in a lively front row with Lloyd Hughes and Tomos Davies.
 
But The Dragons never gave up battling away and were rewarded with two converted try to round off a thoroughly entertaining match in front of a good crowd at Park Lloyd Thomas.
 
Teirw Crymych: Owain Evans; Steffan Rees; Aled Lewis; Owain Rees; Hedd James: Deiniol Mathias; Dafydd Bryan: Lloyd Hughes; Trystan Griffiths; Tomos Davies: Rhys Davies; Steffan Morris: Delme Alleyne; Griff Lloyd (Capt); Osian Thomas. Replacements: Rhys Richards; Dylan Harries; Gwion Evans; Carwyn James; Ollie Griffiths.
 
 

Premiership Division:

Beddau stay second as Otters outplayed

 

Beddau 57 - Narberth 15

 

Narberth Ashley Sutton: Dean James; Aled Davies; Harrison Griffiths; Osian Hill: Nico Setaro; Josh Thomas: Josh Wrigglesworth; Tom Clarke; Tom Slater: Sam Martin; Kieran Allen: Josh Hamer; Tom Powell (Capt); Sam Davies. Replacements:  George Rossiter; Kyle Hamer; Ryan Rees: Dewi Williams; Jack Bennett; Lewys Gibby; Jonathan Rogers; Harry Fuller.
 
 
 

Division Three (West):

Athletic take a Tumble at home

Narberth Athletic 15 -  Tumble 32

 
Tumble tries at the Lewis Lloyd Ground came from Steffan Owen, Harri Bennett,  Jack Morris, Sion Yip and Stephen Hewitt, who also landed two conversions and a penalty as they pouched maximum points to move into second spot in the table.
 
Narberth Athletic: Brad Cramb: Ashton O’Riorden; Will Davies; Rhys Kemble; Owen Llewellyn: Shay Norcross; Elliot Evans; Declan Cole; Rhys Jenkins; Ieuan Barnes; Jack Norcross: Henty Foster; Tom Parcells: Harry Phillips; Wil Nicholas; Stephen Pilot (Capt). Replacements: Gareth Clifford; Yori Morgan; Kyle Williams; Iwan Thomas; Iori Lewis.
 
 

Matches Postponed:

Laugharne v Tenby United
 
Milford Haven v Neyland
 
Tenby United Athletic v Llangwm