Championship Cup Semi-Final:

 

Brave Otters just miss out on a place in Championship Cup Final at Principality Stadium

 

Narberth 21 -  Ystrad Rhondda 26

Narberth just missed out on a Championship Cup final place at the Principality Stadium after a terrific fight-back against Ystrad Rhondda at the neutral venue of Dunvant was negated by a fourth try from the opposition from the Eastern Section and the agony of a first defeat of the campaign after 17 league victories on the trot.
 
A measure of the commitment amongst Liam Gadd’s squad can be gauged by the fact that The Otters found themselves 21 points adrift towards the end of the first period, with a heavy defeat a possibility, but then the scored a first converted try near the interval and added two more seven-pointers to draw level and look favourites – only for Ystrad to hold on in adversity and then snatch that vital seventh try of an absorbing clash.
 
Strong-running centre Cavan Davies proved to be the thorn in The Otters’ flesh as he grabbed two tries and No 8 Kelly Jones score in between them, with all three converted by outside half Mitchell Augel – and the writing really as on the wall for The Otters.
 
But then Ilan Phillips raised hopes with a nicely created try, converted by Jonathan Rogers, to help claw Narberth back into the game – and that comeback continued as skipper Tom Powell rounded off some good hands as reward for his excellent leadership before Lewys Gibby sliced through.
 
Jon Rogers converted both and the unthinkable had happened which seemed very unlikely 30 minutes before – The Otters were level!
 
But Ystrad Rhondda showed all their experience gained in the tough Division Three (East) Division as they managed to slow down the Narberth charge and the unthinkable happened when flanker Alex Webber crossed for a try which went unconverted.
 
It set up a grandstand finish by The Otters but a mixture of over-anxiety and careful slowing the game down by the opposition saw them bow out of the competition – but having carried The Narberth RFC flag with distinction as the only Western section team to reach the last four.





 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Dean James; Aled Rees; Ilan Phillips; Rhys Harries: Jonathan Rogers; Lewys Gibby: Bradley Davies; Kyle Hamer; Tom Slater: Will Blackburn; Alex Jenkins: Tom Powell (Capt);  Josh Hamer; Richard Rees. Replacements: Ricky Guest; Sean Janes; Lewis Davies; Rhys Williams; Roy Osborn; Alex Williams; Ianto Griffiths; Hedd Nicholas.





 
 

Championship Division (West):

 

Crymych blitz Emlyn in second half points bonanza

 

Crymych 35 - Newcastle Emlyn 13

 
A superb second half performance by Crymych saw them grab 30 unanswered points against Newcastle Emlyn and gain revenge for a narrow 27-24 defeat when the teams met earlier in the season.
 
But their first-half display was equally important because although they trailed 13-5, the whole team had defended well against the strong winds at Parc Lloyd Thomas as they restricted Emlyn to a penalty try and two penalties from winger Dan Davies whilst scoring their first try by outside half Ifan Davies early on in the session.
 
It laid the platform for an almost-incessant second-half assault on the Emlyn line where centre Tomos Phillips opened the scoring and full back Adam Phillips converted, as he did when No 10 Davies sliced through for his second and Sion Wilson came on to the score their fourth try and earn their deserved bonus point.
 
Adam Phillips also landed three penalties as Emlyn felt the pressure exerted by the Preseli Men pack and this performance can be rated as top notch by the homesters’ coaches and supporters.
 
Crymych: Adam Phillips: Laurence  Headlam; Tomos Phillips; Ifan Phillips; Ianto Davies: Ifan Davies; Dafydd Phillips: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Lee Griffiths; Alfie Evans-Fecci: Rhys Davies; Matthew Freebury: Osian Davies, Trystan Griffiths: Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Carwyn Rees; Declan Cole; Jon Hill; Sion Wilson; Tristan Jones.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Borderers battle hard in Mid Wales’ defeat

 

Aberystwyth 36 - Whitland 15

 
Whitland went down to defeat against Aberystwyth but deserve credit for battling hard with only 14 players and playing their part in an entertaining tussle where they trailed 17-5 at half time and were never quite able to keep in contention with a numerical disadvantage.
 
Centre Gino Setaro scored a try in each half for The Borderers as outside half Scott Newton converted the second and notched a penalty, with Zac France-Miller and Cian Evans against catching the eye for their work-rate alongside Trystan Rees and Jack Goldsworthy, with  Owyn Griffiths deserving a mention for playing out of position at full back and doing a good job.
 
For Aber, there were tries from Ben Lloyd Jones (2), Sion Rowbotham, Will Caron Lewis, Iestyn Thomas and  Carwyn Evans, three of them converted by Dylan Benjamin.
 
Whitland: Harry Fuller: Dom Davies; Trystan Rees; Gino Setaro; Owyn Griffiths: Scott Newton; Luke Marsh: Jamie Goldsworthy; Marc Jones; Jack Goldsworthy: Gethin Hughes; Benji Kirk(Capt): Steffan Dale; Cian Evans; Zac France-Miller. Replacements: Dan Bennett; Rhys Nicholas; Steffan Jones.
 
Aberystwyth: Hayden Beal: Ben Jones; Euros Lloyd; Carwyn Evans; Austin Ellis-Jones: Dylan Benjamin; Charles Thomas (Capt): Will Caron Lewis; Owain Bonsall; Osian Bebb-Worrall: Sion Rowbotham; Owen Jones: Steffan Rattrey; Iestyn Thomas; Bryn Shepard. Replacements: Guto Jones; Connor Van Den Bogard; Osian James; Sion Evans; Leo Davies.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 




 

Seagulls’ youngsters shine at The Moors

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 33 - Nantgaredig 19

 
The talented youngsters utilised by Fishguard & Goodwick coach Nathan Jenkins finally showed they have come of age with an excellent all-round team performance that saw them gain a bonus-point victory over a useful Nantgaredig side that also deserves praise for their part in an entertaining tussle where both were determined to play lively, open rugby.
 
Nantgaredig served notice of intent as early as the second minute when their back row pounced on a Seagulls’ error as pacy winger Logan Davies scored and full back Lloyd Williams converted – but Fishguard soon responded with a penalty by skipper James Griffiths after James Reynolds and Dylan Scott had been involved.
 
Williams missed a long-range penalty for Nant and great work by the likes of  Jac and Will Delaney, Liam Wilkes, Iwan McVeigh and Osian Rowe set up the platform for a Griffiths try which the No 10 converted to nudge his team ahead.
 
But Nant also had good ball winners  in Simon O’Leary, Sion James, Kieran Stevens and Gareth Morris and they finally regained the initiative with a try by experienced skipper Rhys Schiavone which went unconverted, only for Griffiths to add his second penalty to give The Seagulls a 13-12 interval lead.
 
With the wind slightly in their favour at The Moors, James Griffiths landed a third penalty but for one was off target following a powerful Seagull surge involving Rhys Lewis, Jac Delaney, Will Lewis and Max Jones that saw the ball go loose on the Nant line and the ever-present Bryn Thomas was on hand to touch it down.
 
The Seagulls had a touch of ‘white line fever’ for a while as they wasted half chances and Nant made them pay with an excellent try from Aled Beynon which Williams converted and with their lead down to just two points The Seagulls needed to raise the tempo again, which they did well.
 
Half backs Jones and Jake Jenkins looked to spread play wide and in wingers Dan Evans and Dan Cleary showing their pace to set up useful attacking positions Fishguard soon reasserted themselves – and great work again by their pack allowed full back Kial Keane to enter the line at just the right time and score at the posts for Griffiths to add the extras.
 
Jac Delaney was denied a deserved try when the ref was unsighted and turned down a clear cup score because he thought the ball was held up but The Seagulls had the final word when Jac Delaney finished off another excellent move by getting on the try sheet.- and heling Fishguard to their seventh win of the season.







 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Kial Keane: Dylan Scott; James Reynolds; James Griffiths (Capt); Dan Cleary: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Iwan McVeigh: Osian Rowe; Cai Llewellyn: Will Lewis; Rhys Lewis; Jac Delaney. Replacements: Gavin Walsh; Bryn Thomas; Simon James; Steve Goss; Dan Evans.



 




 

12-try Seasiders stay focussed on promotion place

 

Tenby United  64 - Pontyberem 19

 
Tenby United maintained their powerful thrust for promotion with this ten-try demolition of basement battlers Pontyberem before they heard the good news that Loughor, who were level with The Seasiders, had lost to Carmarthen Athletic so The Seasiders now have a five-point buffer before they meet at Heywood Lane.
 
Hywel Baker continued his fine form for The Seasiders with a first-half try brace and talented teenage scrum half Fletcher Broadhurst also celebrated his first start at senior level with two tries, with Dan Colley continuing his huge season’s try count alongside Max Brindley, who scored from his first touch after three months on holiday abroad.
 
Brothers George and Harry Rossiter also got their names on the try sheet, as did Gwion Jones and Luke Hartland, whilst Lloyd Thomas  (5) and Harry Rossiter (2) also found the target with their conversions.
 
The Seasiders only small black mark was the fact that they allowed Ponty to score three tries as reward for their efforts through full back Dafydd Rees, flanker Carwyn Lynch and prop Luke Lewis, two of them converted by  No 10 Rhodri Lewis, but that was perhaps a minor detail as they attacked well and made the odd error which produced a few points.
 
Tenby United: Gwion Jones: Geraint Powell; Jack Gooding; Luke Waygood; Luke Hartland: Lloyd Thomas; Fletcher Broadhurst: Ethan Morgan; Kyle Rossiter; George Rossiter: Tom Barrass; Luke Dedman (Capt): Hywel Baker;  Jack Brown; Dan Colley. Replacements: Dan Allen; Liam Pugh; Jack Broadhurst; Harry Rossiter; Brad Cramb; Max Brindley; James Morgan.
 
 
 

Lampeter gain revenge victory over depleted Mariners

 

Lampeter Town 32 - Milford Haven 8

 
Milford Haven had caused a surprise when they met Lampeter at home as they deservedly beat the promotion hopefuls but there was to be no repeat on this occasion as The Mariners were without some key players and paid the price, despite the yeoman efforts of this depleted squad.
 
Dean McSparron scored Milford’s only try and James Trueman landed a penalty as their back row of Ieuan Davies, skipper Zac Morgan and Dewi Williams deserve a mention and the front row of Ben Jenkins, Luke Ryan and Scott Buirds did their set-piece job well.
 
But Lampeter had four tries from winger Meirion Ladd, centre Brynmor Jones, flanker Harry Walden and prop Dai Morgan, whilst No 10 Osian Jones landed two conversions and two penalties to complete their points’ tally.
 
Milford Haven: Lee Riley: James Trueman; Dan Jenkins; Aaron Harries; Dean McSparron: Ollie Rothero; Dan McClelland: Scott Buirds; Luke Ryan; Ben Jenkins: Jay Goodall; Ethan Aldred: Zac Davies (Capt); Ieuan Davies; Dewi Williams. Replacements: Shaun Devonald; Ryan Williams; Chris Triebey-Johnson; Tristan Lewis; Steve Martin.
 
 

Division Three (West) A:

 


 

Quins ease home in local derby battle

 

Llangwm 23 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 28

 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins completed a local derby double over Llangwm at Pill Parks but had to push far harder for it than in their 48-15 success at Bierspool and fortunes ebbed and flowed before Gethin Bradney and Craig Barnett proved the decisive factor as the Quins’ centre and outside half claimed two tries apiece to steer them home.
 
Yet it was Llangwm who made the better start as centre Owen Jones and prop Callum Jenkins crossed the Pill Parks’ whitewash for unconverted tries – but then a promising Wasps’ move broke down near the Quins’ 25 and Gethin Bradney sped 75 metres for a try which full back Ben Hathaway converted to reduce the deficit.
 
Llangwm gradually built up another head of steam with two tries from hooker Gethin Thomas as reward for his total commitment alongside No 8 Ashley James, youngster Flynn Tjoonk and veteran James Lewis, with The Quins claiming a try from influential outside half Craig Barnett, again goaled by Hathaway – who also converted Bradney’s second score after he had charged down a clearance attempt and won the race for the touch-down to edge his side ahead at 21-20.
 
Back came The Wasps, however, as scrum half Dylan Philpott landed a penalty after more good work from his pack to regain the lead for them but with the referee looking at his watch Barnett used his great experience and high skill levels to glide through to the line for a bonus point victory for scoring four tries.

Hathaway duly added the easy conversion and so Llangwm had to settled for two bonus points for all their efforts as part of an entertaining tussle, played in difficult conditions, and enjoyed by a large and vociferous crowd who again showed how popular local derbies really are.
 
Llangwm: Matthew Lewis: Jack Roberts; Owain Jones; Ollie Gerson; Giovanni Hitchings: Harry Makepeace; Dylan Philpott: Ieuan Power; Gethin Thomas; Callum Jenkins: Sam Rickwood; Jake Thomas: Flynn Tjoonk; James Lewis; Ashley James. Replacements: Phil Llewellyn; Aled Rogers; Gavin Jones; Ian Griffiths; Ben Elrick.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway (Capt): Tom Wheeler; Gethin Bradney; Damon Miller; Tom Donovan: Craig Barnett; Morgan Rogers: George Bellmaine; Jordan Parry; Dan McLeod: Taylor Rees; Andrew Edwards: Lewys Hunter; Danny Wilkes; Harry Owen. Replacements: Rhys Davies;  Rhys Doyle; Callum Jones;  Ryan Gammer; Owain Turner.




 
 

Cardis win but are pushed hard by improving Saints

 

St Davids 0 - Cardigan 20

 
Cardigan maintained their thrust for a promotion place as they scored three tries at St Davids and maintained a clean sheet through some excellent defensive work, especially in the second half, after they had taken first use of the powerful wind blowing down the pitch but were only 13 points in front.
 
It left our Cardigan spokesman feeling a little edgy at the half-way mark but although The Saints had their chances there were no complaints from team manager Jack Dudley in the post-match post-mortem.
 
With the elements in their favour, The Teifisiders had two cracking tries from classy winger John Lumb, after good handling by those inside him before he sliced through an overworked Saints’ defence – and although Shaun Leonard missed both difficult conversions, he did slot a penalty to establish their interval lead.
 
The Saints came more and more into contention in the second half but Cardigan showed their ability to soak up pressure despite the efforts of Morgan Griffiths, Ben Joyce, Jack Jones, George Raymond and skipper Nathan Foster to lead The Saints’ charge – and in the 79^th minute Cardigan had the final word when skipper Emyr Harries rounded off a period of late pressure to plough through for a good try which Leonard converted to set the seal on an important win for his side.
 
St Davids: Harvey Godkin: Bob Froy; Ben Joyce; Dylan Walsh; Harvey Lavin: Morgan Griffiths; Zac Morgan: Ethan Griffiths; Tom Clarke; Adam Williams:  Adam Davies; James Goldsmith: Jack Jones; Nathan Foster (Capt); George Raymond. Replacements: Dan Murphy; Iestyn Owen; Mike Gurney; Aaron Foster; Luke Bamford; Morgan Davies.
 
Cardigan: Alun Jenkins: John Lumb; Iwan John; Emyr Harries (Capt); Jack Taylor: Shaun Leonard; Marcus Castle: Will Brice; Luke Palmer-Davies; Nathan Bowen: Sion Phillips; Kester Adams: Tom Taylor; Aaron Tomkinson; Colin Davies. Replacements: Callum Wolsey; Ben Hughes; Rhodri Davies; Kieran Greenland; Huw Davies.




 
 

Price and Setaro power Laugharne to massive double in the space of four days.

 

Laugharne 74 - Pembroke 15 

Four tries apiece from Liam Price and Nico Setaro fired Laugharne to an unusual league win double over Pembroke as they won 66-12 at Crickmarren last Saturday and then piled on yet more points in this league fixture at home as Price followed his six tries then with this quartet  and Setaro, who sat out the previous game, also claimed four tries alongside seven conversions for a massive haul of 34 points.
 
To be fair to Pembroke they didn’t give up trying and skipper Lloyd Davies told us how proud he was of the way they still managed three tries against a very strong team as winger Darcy Langston, flanker Morgan Rees and outside half Rhys Johns all crossed the whitewash and there were strong performances from Zach Evans, Adam Davies and old war horses Dai Beynon and Will Edwards.
 
Pacy winger Tomos Davies opened the Laugharne account and added a second score later on, whilst flanker Rhodri Rees and replacement Rhys Evans also got on the try sheet as Laugharne continue to try and catch up with their back log of fixtures in their attempt to claim a promotions spot with big wins like these two against The Scarlets.
 
Laugharne: Lennon Reynolds: Tomos Davies; Liam Price; Tom Jameson; Tyler Reynolds: Nico Setaro; Aled Rees:  Rhys Thomas; Tom Waters; Gwyn Morris: Tomos Rees; Tom Lloyd: Iwan Lewis; Rhodri Rees; Mikey Williams. Replacements: Richie Waters; Aled Thomas; Carwyn Jones; Rhys Evans; Owain Thomas.
 
Pembroke: Luke Alderwick:  Simon Stanford; Charlie Sheils; Ryan Bolton; Zach Evans: Rhys Johns; Ross McNally: Dewi Jackson; Dan Gosnold; Lloyd Davies (Capt):  Adam Davies; Dai Beynon: Morgan Rees; Andrew Evans; Will Edwards. Replacements: Pete Muller; Tim Ramsden; Darcy Langston; Sean Beynon.

 

**Neyland P-P Haverfordwest**

Match postponed – Neyland unable to raise a team