Feature Match 1:

 

Super Blues win vital promotion clash

 

Tumble 22 - Haverfordwest 34

 
 
If Haverfordwest gain promotion in their 150^th year they will look back on this match as a vital part of it because few clubs visit Tumble these days and come away having won the try count 5-2, to earn a bonus-point victory, whilst denying the home club anything.
 
Tumble had already beaten The Blies by 18-5 earlier in the campaign and the teams shared 44 points in a highly competitive tussle before The Blues lasted the unyielding pace that little extra with two late converted tries to leave to promotion issue firmly in their hands.
 
Haverfordwest started quickly with great support making it feel like a home game and Iori Curtis scored the opening try after only four minutes, following a driving line out, where the forwards battled to within a metre of the line before Liam Eaton found Curtis on the blindside before Adam Phillips converted.
 
Tumble hit back with a penalty from experienced full back Steven Hewitt and then took the lead when their pack found a hole in midfield to get deep inside the Haverfordwest 22. The ball was spread wide from the ruck for winger Dafydd Thomas to score in the corner.
 
Haverfordwest regained the lead shortly after, when they turned down a simple three points and kicked into the corner and a superb lineout move saw Karl Busch go over untouched from five metres out – and Adam Phillips added the difficult extras as a bonus.
 
The Blues extended their lead in similar fashion as the forwards again rumbled towards the line before Liam Eaton found Iori Curtis on the blindside – and this time the hooker off-loaded well to winger Scott Candler, who managed a brilliant finish as he touched down in the corner, but for once Phillips was wide with the conversion.

 
Action pictures by William John


Steven Hewitt added a simple penalty shortly after and scrum half Iwan Morgan scored from close range in the last moments of the half to get Tumble right back into the game at half time, Where the Blues led 19-16.
 
The second half started with Tumble piling the pressure on and got their reward with a long-range penalty from outside half Ellis Payne, on permit from Cardiff Met, to level the scores at 19-19.
 
The Blues’ defensive effort for the next ten minutes was monumental and limited Tumble to just an easy 3 points from Hewitt – but then came the turning point in the game. As Tumble looked like they were going to score the winner, the Haverfordwest defence scrambled back to field a chip and chase in the corner.
 
But instead of putting the ball off the field and giving their forwards a well-earned breather, Adam Phillips fed Karl Busch, whose quick hands put Iestyn Arnold into space. Arnold found captain Jack Evans with a perfectly executed pass and Evans used his pace to find the corner from 60 metres. Phillips with an incredible conversion from the touchline put The Blues 26-22 ahead.
 
Phillips then added a penalty to put Haverfordwest in Tumble searching for a score, Haverfordwest controlled the game really well and put the game to bed with an outstanding try when Iestyn Arnold put Matty Phillips through a hole in midfield, Phillips found Arnold again who put Jake Morgan away and the final pass to Candler was judged to perfection to put The Blues in the driving seat with only eight minutes to go.
 
Tumble sought desperately for an important bonus point in the promotion race but The Blues’ defence was relentless and took a deserved five points from a cracking game where they demonstrated total team commitment, made their fewest errors of the season – and used high skill levels that showed their true capabilities.





 
Haverfordwest: Jake Morgan: Jack Evans; Matt Phillips; Iestyn Arnold; Scott Candler: Adam Phillips; Liam Eaton: Dan Berry; Iori Curtis; Terry Lovell: Jake Evans; Karl Busch: Dylan Williamson; Mikey Griffiths; James Hart. Replacements: Jamie Zambas; Rhydian Watkins; Kieran Harries; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones; Dan Birch.
 





 

Feature Match 2:

Division Four (West) A:

Quins’ pace and power pay off

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 47 - Tenby United Athletic 21

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins produced their best performance of the season as they beat a young Tenby United Athletic team, writes Bill Carne.
 
Both teams combined to produce an excellent Pembrokeshire derby where the teams ran the ball at every opportunity and ten tries came as a result, seven of them to The Quins but leaving the Seasiders Seconds just missing out on what have been a deserved bonus point.
 
It was also a memorable day for Quins’ skipper Ben Hathaway, who not only had a good game at full back but scored a try and landed six conversions, some of them from wide out, plus a penalty, to reach a magnificent 152 points so far this season.
 
The key to the Quins’ success, allied to their pace outside from wingers Gethin Bradney and Tom Donovan, and the experience of centre Jack Price and outside half Craig Barnett, was the work-rate of their pack, where Aaron James again caught the eye in the loose but the whole eight’s work-rate was phenomenal.
 
The Athletic again used the chance to give talented youngsters competitive experience alongside skipper Jack Gooding, hooker Nicky Guymer and prop Rob Clark – and it worked because they grabbed tries from flanker Cal Earland, prop Lewis Rossiter and replacement hooker Iwan Daffy, all converted by Harry Rossiter, who worked well alongside Fletcher Broadhurst as half backs.
 
At one stage they actually led 14-12 but then The Quins received the nudge they needed and were always on top thereafter.
 
The first three Quins tries were grabbed by right-winger Gethin Bradney, all beautifully taken, and whose hat-trick was celebrated with a huge dive, and the fourth was just as good when John and Barnett featured before a typical long pass gave Donovan the yard he needs and he sped 40 metres unopposed, with Hathaway notching his third conversion to put his side 26-14 ahead at the break.
 
Harry Owen opened The Quins’ second-half account and Jack Price showed a touch of his class as he ghosted over for a try, with Hathaway on the try list in a personal hail of 17 points to give his side the double (they had won 32-27 at Heywood Lane).
 
A tenth victory keeps them in second spot – whilst Tenby United Athletic are using their first season of National League rugby to boost young players’ experience, so they are on a winner anyway!
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway (Capt): Gethin Bradney; Jack Price; Josh Brown; Tom Donovan: Craig Barnett; Adam Crawley: Alfie Ball; Jack Hagan; Dai Moseley: Lewys Scourfield; Liam Baker: Harry Owen; Dannie Wilkes; Aaron James. Replacements: Rhys Spencer; Rhys Doyle; Mak van Rhyn; Shaun Doyle; Rhys Thomas.
 
Tenby United Athletic: Ben Pugh: Dylan Johns; Connor Keir; Jack Gooding (Capt); Darcy Langston; Harry Rossiter; Fletcher Broadhurst: Lewis Rossiter; Iwan Duffy; Rob Clark: Cemlyn Bolton; Rob Ayers: Jake Henson; Will Swales; Cal Earland. Replacements: Nicky Guymer; Cian Knights; Taz Richards; Liam Pugh; Jayden Allen; Gethin Davies.
 
 

Championship Division:

Emlyn ease through in local derby clash

Crymych 12 - Newcastle Emlyn 35

Crymych battled hard in their match against old rivals Newcastle Emlyn and were still very much in the hunt at half time as they were just 7-10 adrift at Parc Lloyd Thomas, but then the visitors had the better of the second period and went away with a bonus-point win as their reward.
 
Hooker Lee Griffiths again opened the Crymych account with a close-range try, converted by full back Osian Hill but Emlyn responded with a try by Dion Jones, converted by Shaun Leoanrd, who also added a penalty.
 
The Preseli Men battled hard after the interval and added a second try, scored by replacement prop Morgan James, but Emlyn grabbed a bonus point win through Aled Williams (2) and Celt Davies – and with Leonard contributing three conversions and three penalties from his berth at full back.
 
Crymych: Osian Hill: Aled Lewis; Laurence Headlam; Deian James; Jac Griffiths: Rhys Davies; Daf Phillips (Capt): Osian Charles; Lee Griffiths; Ben Cox: Dion Gibby; Matthew Freebury: Iestyn Wood; Llyr Davies; Osian Thomas. Replacements: Harri Vaughan, Morgan James; Sion Wilson; Jon Hill; Sion Evans.
 

Division One (West):

Seasiders stay in the promotion hunt after a hard battle

Tenby United 27 - Felinfoel 24

 
Tenby United eased home to a narrow win over Felinfoel but it was never easy going as they completed the double (after a much easier 21-5 away victory earlier in the season) but their four tries ensured a vital bonus point and keeps them well in the hunt for promotion.
 
It was hard fought and The Seasiders were always adrift after conceding an early try for outside half Conner Murray, which he also converted, but then young flanker Jesse James grabbed an unconverted try – and added his second score, converted by Lloyd Thomas after Felinfoel had grabbed the visitors’ second try by full back Eray Williams, converted by Murray.
 
Felinfoel claimed their third try before the interval by winger Jordan Dunne, before Seasiders’ winger Mathew Lewis crossed to make it 17-19 to the visitors at the interval.
 
Winger Elliot Dawe grabbed Felinfoel’s bonus-point try and it looked as if Tenby might lose to their fourth-placed opponents only for bustling No 8 Dom Colman to do the same for The Seasiders and Lloyd Thomas became the hero of the hour as he levelled matters with the conversion and then landed a late penalty to snatch the verdict and a vital five points, whilst Felinfoel had to settle for two bonus points after looking likely winners but Tenby United’s will to win paid off - but they were relieved to hear the final whistle.
 
Tenby United: Jackson Gravatt: Gwion Jones; Liam Price; Tom Edmonds; Mathew Lewis: Lloyd Thomas; Dai Jones: Hywel Baker; Jack Brown; Ethan Morgan: Alex Jenkins (Capt); Tom Barrass: Josh Hamer; Jesse James; Dom Colman. Replacements: Jack Davies; Luke Dedman; Max Brindley; Jordan Asparassa; Geraint Jones.
 

Division Two (West):

Seagulls all square at Penclawdd

Penclawdd 24 - Fishguard & Goodwick 24

 
Fishguard & Goodwick had beaten Penclawdd by 30-19 at The Moors but knew they faced a tougher tussle in the return match, especially with some key players unavailable, so in the final analysis a draw was not to be sniffed at.
 
There were also some plus points for coaches Tom Meredith and Nathan Jenkins, not least the way that their young pack stuck to its task but also the fact that talented young fly half Joss Lerwill, who has played only a handful of matches, caught the eye with two well-taken tries
 
It was Lerwill who opened the scoring with a try, converted by second row Cai Llewellyn, where he worked with half-back partner Max Jones, but talented Penclawdd centre Matthew Brown hauled his team level at half time with a try that he also converted.
 
Seagulls’ young hooker Will Robisnon put his team back in front, Llewellyn again adding the extras, but an unconverted try by Owen Jones hauled ‘The Cocklemen’ back into contention.
 
Then, Penclawdd grabbed a try from Jack Johnson, converted by Brown to with a penalty and at 24-14 seemed likely to avenge their defeat on The Moors but in a good period for The Seagulls their pack’s work rate was rewarded when Lerwill sliced through for a try, converted by Llewellyn, who also landed a three-pointer to give The Seagulls a share of the spoils – and anything else would have been a pity because of their player unavailability problems seeing them without a full bench.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Dan Evans: Dec Thomas; Mike Jenkins; Dan Cleary; Ed Rathbone: Joss Lerwill; Max Jones: Liam Wilkes; Will Robinson; Will Delaney: Osian Rowe; Cai Llewellyn: Jack Richards; Sion Colella; Rhys Lewis (Capt). Replacements: Ifan Evans; Kial Keane.
 

Borderers drop back into the bottom two

Aberaeron 76 - Whitland 15

 
It was another difficult day for Whitland as a heavy defeat in Aberaeron saw them drop into the bottom two courtesy of relegation rivals Penclawdd drawing with Fishguard.
 
The hosts were at their clinical best to run in 12 tries, with full back Morgan Llewellyn and scrum-half Rhodri Thomas both bagging a hat-trick of scores.
 
Winger Dyfrig Dafis and flanker Wil Stone also grabbed try braces and Gethin Jenkins and Steff ‘Bwtch’ Jones both crossed, while centre Rhodri Jenkins was reliable as ever with the boot as he added eight conversions.
 
For the Borderers, Tom Hughes, Tom Day, and Gareth Davies notched unconverted tries, but the visitors fell short of the losing bonus point they needed to stay out of the relegation zone.
 
Whitland coach Davies said: "We battled hard for the 80 minutes today but Aberaeron were definitely good for the bonus point win.
 
"You can see they’re a team that have been together for a while and know their systems and play to their strengths. We left the four-try bonus point out there with a lack of accuracy which was really frustrating but I can't fault the effort one bit and we threw the ball around and played some rugby."
 
Aberaeron:  Morgan Llewelyn: Geraint Owen; Gethin Jenkins; Rhodri Jenkins; Dyfri Dafis: Steffan Rees; Rhodri Thomas: Owain Wozencroft, Owain Bonsall; Alex Danton: Julian Roberts; Richard Francis:  Wil Stone; Steff ‘Bwtch’Jones; Will James. Replacements:  Ceri Davies; Fin Webb; Sion Evans; Gethin Dafis; Matthew Harries.
 
Whitland: Tom Day: Gavin Smith; James Lewis; Tomos Iraia; Tomos Hughes: Shane Rossiter; Lucas Dance: Shane Clarke; Matt Driver; Ceiron Evans (Capt): Aaron Thompson; Ben Taylor: Osian Thomas; Morgan Crow; Benji Kirk. Replacements: Alan Proctor; Gareth Davies; Charlie Watson.
 
 

Division Three (West):

Cardis collect deserved bonus point win

Amman United 26 - Cardigan 33

 
Cardigan played some good rugby as they gained a bonus point win over an Amman United outfit currently in the relegation battle as the Teifisiders are now six points away from that threat of relegation.
 
Cardigan led 26-12 at half time as Alun Jenkins, Luke Rogers, Jac Davies and Iwan John, three of them converted by Llyr Jones as their pack played well, with skipper Marcus Castle to the fore.
 
For Amman United, there were tries by Aled Lewis, Gareth Jewson (2) and Dylan Mathias, three converted to ensure a second bonus point for taking them within seven points of The Cardis, whose only second-half score was a good try by Llyr Jones, who also slotted another conversion for a personal haul of 13 points.

 
Cardigan: Llyr Jones: Alun Jenkins; John Lumb; Emyr Harries; Iwan John: Jac Davies; Luke Rogers: Owen Fletcher; Luke Palmer-Davies; Ben Hughes: Dean Harries; Flyn Tjoonk: Connor Owen: Aaron Tomkinson; Marcus Castle (Capt). Replacements: Andrew Jones; Jack Stone; Dan Jones; Ifan James, Sam Lloyd. Travelling Reserve: Joe Thomas.
 
 

Neyland struggle after strong first-half showing

Trimsaran 34 - Neyland 27

 
Neyland played some excellent rugby in the first half at Trimsaran as they led 19-7 but they lost their way a little after the interval as they clearly missed several key players but at least gained two bonus points for their efforts.

 
Skipper George Williams, second row George Evans and talented No 10 Rio Phillips scored those first-half tries, two converted by Phillips before he also opened the second half with a well-struck penalty and later with his second try.

 
But Trimsaran began their come-back as the All Blacks ran out of steam – and with two tries and a conversion in the final ten minutes were good value for victory.

 
Neyland (From):  George Williams (Capt); Owain Evans; Owen Hamer; Josh Watts; Alex Codd, Alex Swales; George Evans; Rio Phillips; Oli Rothero; Shane Phillips; Mason Kerrison; Sam Cataki; Dan Hart; Matthew Coles; Jonasa Vakadoudou; Jordan Allen Wright.
 






 

Division Four (West) A:

Scarlets retain the Willington slate against The Saints

St Davids 24 - Pembroke 27

 
A big crowd, sunny conditions, a Pembrokeshire derby that yielded nine tries, and a dramatic finish that saw Pembroke take the spoils all added to an enthralling game of rugby in St Davids, writes Fraser Watson.
 
The visitors arrived with a 16-point advantage in the Willington Slate trophy, but botched the chance to extend that aggregate lead early on when Fraser James' pass was spilled forward by Zach Evans, with the line at his mercy.
 
The Saints took full advantage moments later when winger Danny Voyce cut through in midfield to go under the posts for a try that Bob Froy converted - and the lead was extended when Daf Williams picked up from a scrum and set the platform for Aled Davies to drive over out wide.
 
Despite losing George Raymond and Harvey Lavin to injury, the hosts continued to attack, and another burst from Voyce came to nothing when he was pinged for holding on near the posts.
 
But the Scarlets struck back either side of half-time as centre Rhys Johns exploited a gap out wide to score and No.8 Zak Shaw converted, and just after the break it was the back-rower himself who crossed in the corner after a kick ahead from Zach Evans caused panic in the home defence.
 
Back came St Davids as Luke Bamford rounded off a period of pressure to touch down and Froy did well to add two points - only for second row Davies to be sin-binned for an offence near his own line and Shaw then picked up from an attacking scrum to burrow over for a five-pointer.
 
The see-saw action continued as a series of forward drives culminated in Iestyn Owen powering over for the hosts, but Will Edwards then pounced for Pembroke to bring the score back to 24-22, albeit dubiously after the ball appeared to go forward at the breakdown.
 
And then in the dying moments the Scarlets struck decisively as winger Evan Davies touched down near the corner flag but still the contest wasn't done, and it took man-of-the-match Shaw to help hold up a St Davids forward drive on the try-line to seal a big win for Pembroke.
 
Afterwards, away head coach Gary Price said: "It was an excellent win and great character showed by the players. Fair play to St David, every time they came into our 22 into the first-half they came away with points, but in the second-half our game management was really good so I'm pleased. Lewis Dennison, fresh out of youth, had another good game and we also had another youngster in Rhys Eynon getting some game time."
 
Opposite number Bruce Evans said: "We had the chances to win it but take nothing away from Pembroke, they scored five tries and a pat on the back for them. We've got Pontyberem next week, who will be champions, but if we can pick the boys up and get them to travel then I'm sure we can put up a performance."
 
St Davids: Michael Gurney: Danny Voyce; Harvey Lavin; Luke Bamford; Bob Froy: Aaron Foster; Owain Swain: Ben Lloyd; Adam Williams; Charlie Lavin: Iestyn Owen; Aled Davies: Daf Williams; Nathan Foster (Capt); George Raymond. Replacements: Ryan John; Kieron Jones; Monty Lavin; Will Lewis; Daf Davies. Replacements: Tom Goodson; Ryan John; James Goldsmith.
 
Pembroke: Zach Evans: Evan Davies; Fraser James; Rhys Johns; Luke Watkins: Lewis Davies; Josh Greenwood: Theo Davies; Dan Davies; Lloyd Davies (Capt): Will Edwards; Lewis Dennison: George Jones; Rhydian Eynon; Zak Shaw. Replacements: Evan Phillips; Tommy Oakley; Daniel Gosnald; Scott Powell; Tom Cabot; Rhys Eynon.
 

Premiership Division:

 
Ystrad Rhondda 30 - Narberth 25

**Sadly, no further details supplied by Narberth RFC**
 

Division Three (West):

 
New Dock Stars 42 - Milford Haven 28
 
**Sadly, no details supplied by Milford Haven RFC:
 
 
Narberth Athletic 14 - Llandeilo 76
 
**Sadly, again no details supplied by Narberth RFC**