Featured match:

 



 

Division Two (West):

 

Seagulls ease home despite Mariners’ late comeback

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 24 - Milford Haven 15

 
Matches between Fishguard and Milford Haven are traditionally hard-fought and this start to a new campaign was no exception as both teams played attacking rugby in front of a good crowd in perfect conditions – and although The Seagulls were good value for victory The Mariners could be disappointed their late revival didn’t earn them at least a bonus point.
 
After a minute’s silence in memory of late Fishguard stalwart Chris James there were some big tackles early on which were appreciated by the relevant sections of the crowd and The Seagulls took a deserved 17-0 lead with three tries as Jake Jenkins rounded off an excellent break by James Reynolds. New skipper James Griffiths crashed over on the other side of the match and winger Dylan Scott rounded off a good handling move with a corner try, with Griffiths adding one conversion.
 
At the other end, Milford haven had half chances as Dan McClelland and Ollie Rothero played well together, with Lee Riley, Dan Jenkins and James Williams ready to attack – but all they had to show for their considerable efforts was a James Trueman penalty to trail 3-17 at the break.
 
The Seagulls picked up their bonus point with a fourth try as a strong forward drive where Cai Llewelyn, Liam Wilkes, Iwan McVeigh and Will Delaney saw the ubiquitous Sion Colella emerge with the ball and Griffiths converted.



 
But with coach Steve Martin exhorting every effort and new skipper Zac Davies doing a really good job in keeping his players focussed The Mariners fought back with a try by Ryan Mansell as reward for the effort shown by their pack.
 
Then they added an even better score as Dai Sweeney, Lee Riley, Dan Jenkins and Williams were involved before skipper Zac Davies sent Joe Reynolds racing 40 metres for a quality try converted by Truman.
 
The Mariners tried hard to search for another score to earn that precious point but The Seagulls’ defence stayed strong and coach Nathan Jenkins with have been delighted st start with a bonus-point victory over their old rivals.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Creegan Foot: Dylan Scott; James Reynolds; James Griffiths; Robbie Jones: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Iwan McVeigh: Rhys Lewis; Ben John: Will Lewis; Cai Llewelyn; Sion Colella. Replacements: Gavin Walsh; Griff Williams; Bryn Thomas; Dan Evans; Sam Kurtz.





 
 

Championship (West):

 


 

Otters start new campaign with a nine-try blitz

 

Narberth 59 - Trebanos 18

 
Narberth ended their previous campaign with an entertaining win against Trebanos and this opener for 2023/24 was just as good in terms of attacking rugby but even better for new coach Liam Gadd, the players and spectators as The Otters ran in nine tries.
 
Lewys Gibby was again heavily involved for The Otters with a cracking try hat-trick after flanker Josh Hamer’s support play was rewarded with their opening try, followed by another for classy young centre Ilan Phillips, which Jonathan Rogers converted.
 
Rhys Harries reduced the deficit for Trebanos with a penalty but The Otters led 26-13 at half time as new recruit Dean James and Gibby scored tries converted by No 10 Rogers – and the visitors claimed a try by Josh Jones alongside the conversion and late penalty from Harries.
Narberth skipper Tom Powell opened their second-half account and Gibby crossed again, both scores converted by Rogers, before Josh Jones grabbed his second try for Trebanos and Dean James added his second try for The Otters, this time converted by replacement Ianto Griffiths.
 
Gibby duly claimed his hat-trick score as reward for another attacking display at No 9 and skipper Powell rounded off a good day for the skipper before Griffiths added the extras and his side was great value for victory, with Dean James receiving the man of the match accolade on debut.
 
Narberth: Geraint Llewellyn:  Dean James; Aled Rees; Ilan Phillips; Josh Evans: Jonathan Rogers; Lewys Gibby: Bradley Davies; Tom Clarke; Tom Slater: Will Blackmore; Alex Jenkins: Josh Hamer; Tom Powell (Capt); Roy Osborn. Replacements: Ricky Guest; Lewis Davies; Richard Rees; Alex Williams; Ianto Griffiths.
 
 

Preseli Men start campaign with a home defeat

 

Crymych 27 -  Llangennech 47

 
Crymych’s hopes of a good start to their new campaign in this higher division suffered a setback as they were quickly 14 points adrift and trailed 28-17 at the end of a high scoring first half as they had tries from Osian Davies and Adam Phillips (2), plus a conversion by Phillips.
 
No further details available as they battled hard but eventually had to settle for a losing bonus point as they adjust to life in the Championship (West).
 
Crymych: Adam Phillips: Ned Bennett; Lawrence Headlam; Rhys Davies; Eilir George: Ifan Davies; Dafydd Phillips: Ifan James; Lee Griffiths; Ryan Rees: Matthew Freebury; Llyr Davies: Osian Davies; Dylan Phillips; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Carwyn Rees; Luke Griffiths-Dawes;  Iestyn Wood; Harry Fuller; Ianto Davies.
 

Division One (West):

 

Borderers well beaten after Wanderers recruit well from Narberth

 

Llanelli Wanderers 44 - Whitland 3

 
Whitland found it hard-going at Llanelli Wanderers as their only points came from a Geraint Jones’ penalty in the second period and The Wanderers were already 27-0 ahead at half time.

New head coach Sean Gale had recruited well from his former club Narberth over the summer and flankers Caine Rees-Jones and Steff Phillips got their names on the try sheet, as did another former Otters in hooker Rhodri Owens, plus Lewis Jones, Kyle Richards and Richard Morgan.
 
The fourth recruit from The Lewis Lloyd Ground was his son Nick Gale and he is going to be a big asset at this level, not only with his ability to score tries but also his place kicking as he slotted four conversions and added two penalties for a personal haul of 14 points.
 
The only slight consolation for The Borderers was some good play in patches and the fact that the Wanderers are likely to be likely candidates for promotion on this form – but it certainly wasn’t the best start for Whitland!
 
Whitland: Gino Setaro: Monty Milton; James Price; Trystan Rees; Owen Griffiths: Geraint Jones; Rhys Nicholas: George Rossiter; Marc Jones; Ceiron Evans: Raff Williams; Benji Kirk (Capt): Dan Bennett; Rhydian Howells; Zac France-Miller. Replacements:  Chris Marks; Tecwyn Thomas; Oli Bujega; Sam Clarke; Will James.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Seasiders come back after sluggish start

 

Tenby United 23 - St Clears 17

 
Tenby United were pushed all the way by a St Clears’ side making a promising start to life in this higher division and being forced to come from behind after The Saints were 12-5 ahead midway through the first period.
 
But the telling factor in favour of The Seasiders was their pack power in the set pieces and in the final analysis it was the launch pad for their victory as it provided them with a string of penalties from which to attack.
 
The Saints opened their account with a try from full back Daf Walters, looking really sharp in counter-attacks, but Tenby levelled matters with a corner try from scrum half Cam Broadhurst after he was given enough space by brother Jack.
 
But they lost possession from the kick off and paid the price as prop Alun Davies rounded off a good move and Dan Griffiths converted – but The Seasiders reduced the lead right on the interval as Gwion Jones spotted a gap and raced 50 metres for a solo try.
 
With Jack Brown, Lloyd Thomas and Cam Broadhurst able to exert a considerable influence alongside Tom Barrass and skipper Luke Dedman, it was No 10 Thomas who nudged Tenby ahead with two penalties before No 9 Broadhurst grabbed his second try, which Thomas converted.
 
But The Saints pouched a deserved losing bonus point from the last move of the match when Waters claimed his second score and they at least had something to show for their part in an entertaining tussle.
 
Tenby United: Gwion Jones: Jordan Asparassa; Jack Gooding; Brad Cramb; Oakley Milton: Lloyd Thomas; Cam Broadhurst: Ethan Morgan; Dan Allen; Rob Luly: Tom Barrass; Luke Dedman (Capt): Jake Roberts; Jack Broadhurst; Jack Taylor. Replacements: Wes Bonser; Hywel Baker; Liam Pugh; Mike Davis; Harry Rossiter.
 
 
 

Division Three (West) A:

 


 

Blues too streetwise for young All Blacks

 

Haverfordwest 38 - Neyland 7

 
Haverfordwest had recently beaten Neyland in a KO Cup match and they completed a deserved double at Merlins Bridge but some consolation for coach Steve Evans was the number of teenagers he had to field because of injury and unavailability – and they all came through having experienced senior rugby.
 
For The Blues they had a 26-7 interval lead but trailed for a while after they had opened their account with a try by winger Owen Llewellyn but then a strong Neyland attack produced an excellent try and conversion for No 10 George Evans.
 
Midway through the period The Blues recaptured the initiative when Owain Roberts added the extra points to tries from centre Dane Pindare and outside half Steve Sullivan, who had a good assist from Matty Phillips and Mike Griffiths -  and also crossed the whitewash himself to go with the conversion.
 
Both Haverfordwest’s tries in the second period were claimed by experienced back rower Jonathan Mason and The All Blacks were unable to turn a few periods of pressure into more points.
 
But they had the consolation of fielding a back three of Liam Rees, Callum O’Riordon and Lucas Jones who were making their debuts alongside another teenager in prop Asha Gledhill.
 
Haverfordwest: Owain Roberts: Scott Candler; Iestyn Arnold; Dane Pindare; Owen Llewellin: Steve Sullivan; Lee Summons:  Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas; Terry Lovell: Adam Clarke; Karl Busch:  Matthew Phillips; Jon Mason; Mike Griffiths. Replacements: Kaleb Higgon; Jack Clancy; Paul Thomas; Archie Thomas; Johnny White.
 
Neyland: Liam Rees: Callum O’Riorden; Alex Codd; Jordan Allen Wright; Lucas Jones: George Evans; Owen Hamer:  Asha Gledhill; Alex Swales; Mark James: Ben James; Iestyn Evans: Dan Hart; Owain Evans (Capt); Ben Williams. Replacements:  Jasper Endean; Sean Geoghegan; Leo Thomas and Jasper Endean coming off the bench to gain experience, Thomas; Jack Richards.




 
 

Price powers Quins to a comfortable start to a new campaign

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 45 - Llangwm 15

 
Matches between The Quins and Llangwm are traditionally hard-fought but on this occasion it wasn’t so despite a gritty display by The Wasps – as the Quins had a player in centre Jack Price who has played at a far higher level and continues to show his class as he grabbed a three of his side's seven tries.
 
Flanker Jordan Palmer claimed the home side’s first try but then Price powered over for two Price tries, all converted by full back Ben Hathaway, with a penalty from Harry Makepeace sandwiched neatly in between as Ashley James caught the eye for the wasps with his work-rate up front.
 
Nippy scrum half Dylan Philpott grabbed Llangwm’s first try from the base of a scrum but then Price sliced through for his third try and co-centre Gethin Bradney added a splendid effort.
 
Sam ‘Flex’ James, and Ollie Turner got on the try sheet for The Quins and Hathaway landed another two conversions and replacement Owain Jones scored a second Wasps try, converted by Makepeace, which was fitting reward for their part in an entertaining tussle enjoyed by a good crowd.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway: Thomas Wheeler; Gethin Bradney; Jack Price; Tom Donovan: Craig Barnett; Kieran Machin (Capt): Kieron Cookson; Jack Hagan; George Bellmaine: Andrew Edwards; Liam Scourfield: Jack Mallitte; Jordan Palmer; Harry Owen. Replacements: Alfie Ball; Rhys Spencer; Will Nicot; Sam James; Lewys Scourfield; Martin Culley.
 
Llangwm: Josh Richards: Flynn Tjonk; Jack Roberts; Mike Jones; Matthew Owen: Harry Makepeace; Dylan Philpott: Aled Rogers; Phil Llewelyn; Andrew Milward: Ashley James; Sam Rickwood: Matthew John; Kyle Richards; Jason Mock. Replacements: Matthew Rees; Dan Woodward; Tom Meehan; Owain Jones; Yale Grice.
 
 

Lumb leads Cardis to success over Saints

 

Cardigan 34 - St Davids 3

 
Two tries from winger John Lumb helped Cardigan to a straight-forward first-day victory over St Davids at the King George Vth Ground, leading 21-3 at the half-way stage.
 
Pacy winger John Lumb grabbed a try in each half alongside others by No 8 Tom Taylor and his namesake Jack, who came on a replacement winger and added the second half try that earned The Teifisiders a bonus point.
 
They were already 21-3 in front at the oranges as No 8 Taylor opened the scoring with a typical charge and then Lumb rounded off a good handling move. Both were converted by No 10 Shaun Leonard, who also notched a penalty and controlled play with his kicking out of hand.
 
The Saints battled hard but all Nathan Forster’s side had to show for their efforts was a penalty by his brother Aaron.
 
It was a similar story after the break as Lumb sliced through and Taylor rounded things off, both again goaled by Leonard alongside his second penalty.
 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: John Lumb; Marcus Castle; Emyr Harries (Capt); Iwan John: Jac Davies; Llyr Jones: Will Brice; Luke Palmer-Davies; Ben Hughes: Kester Adams; Sion Phillips: Jackson Tucker Lynch; Geraint Williams; Tom Taylor. Replacements: Dylan Castle; Ellis Evans/Rhodri Davies; Matthew Roebuck; Jack Taylor; Aaron Evans.
 
St Davids: Morgan Griffiths: Harvey Godkin; Owen Swaine; Will Savage; Bob Froy: Aaron Foster; Zac Morgan: Ryan John; Adam Williams; Ben Lloyd: Aled Davies; James Goldsmith: George Raymond; Nathan Forster (Capt); Tommy Reynolds. Replacements: Harvey Nelson-Dry; Gethin Bateman; Luke Brooks; Michael Gurney; Luke Bamford; Ben Evans; Dan Murphy.
 
 

Alderwick grabs points galore in Scarlets’ huge win

 

Llanybydder 7 - Pembroke 74

 
Pembroke’s pack dominance afforded them attacking options aplenty and the main beneficiary was outside half Luke Alderwick as he claimed what could be a club record haul of 39 points as he grabbed four tries, eight conversions and an early penalty.
 
There were promising performances from The Scarlets as No 8 Rhodri Walters was their man of the match, Rhys Bradney, Rhys Johns and Steve Brown were strong at the back, Cyle Weatherall carried well and skipper Lloyd Davies anchored the scrum well, with Sam Elliot playing well on debut when he came on.
 
They were already 45-0 ahead at half time and other tries came from Josh Griffiths (2), Walters (2), Brown, Simon Stanford and skipper Davies and it looks as if Pembroke will enjoy this season two divisions down far more than they did the last two.
 
Pembroke: Rhys Bradney: Josh Griffiths; Stephen Brown; Rhys Johns; Simon Stanford: Luke Alderwick; Jarred Sharrett: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Seamus Wiseman; Jamie Brayford: Cyle Weatherall; Dai Beynon: Evan Phillips; Sam Elliott; Rhodri Walters. Replacements: Dan Gosnald; Tim Ramsden; Jack Fielding; Sean Beynon; Darcy Langston.