Feature Match - Division Three (West):

 
 

Battling Blues take a vital step towards promotion

 
 

Llandeilo 24 - Haverfordwest 30

 
 
Haverfordwest came into this top-four clash knowing that a win would put them just one win away from promotion with two games to play, and making the journey to Llandeilo knowing what they had to do, writes Mikey Jones and Bill Carne.
 
After deciding to play into a strong wind, Haverfordwest were very happy with the opening stages as they managed the game well and there was no score after 20 minutes, despite some heavy Llandeilo – but the home side (fourth in the table) finally broke the deadlock after a great cut-out pass from outside half Steff Roberts found loose-head prop Steff Evans, who spotted  a hole in the Haverfordwest defence to score next to the posts so that the conversion could be added by Roberts.
 
Haverfordwest reacted with a simple penalty from Adam Phillips, following good work from the forwards to regain the ball from the kick off. But shortly after, Llandeilo restored their 7 point lead with another penalty from Roberts before Phillips again cut the lead with a penalty to make it 10-6 as half time loomed.
 
But potential disaster struck for Haverfordwest as Llandeilo centre Dan Thomas scored under the posts. following a fine period of play from their backline, with Roberts adding the conversion to take the half time score to 17-6.
 

Mixed fortunes in the second half as tension mounts

 
Haverfordwest would still have been content with that 11-point deficit at half time, after soaking up relentless pressure and knowing that the elements were now behind them. However, after the break things didn't go to plan for the Blues, despite Phillips being able to cut the lead to eight points with his third penalty, as Llandeilo managed the conditions and used their knowledge of the home field to score what looked to be the decisive score with quarter of an hour to go when Llandeilo fullback William Charles-Davies went over out wide, following some nice handling in the build-up.
 
Roberts added the conversion to put Llandeilo 24 -9 ahead and that score stayed the same until the last nine minutes, when the Blues knew that they had to throw everything at their opposition or the race for promotion would be out of their hands. The first Haverfordwest try of the game came from Blues’ vice- captain, Dan Berry, who powered over the line to give the large away support some hope and Phillips maintained his superb place kicking as he added the extras to cut the lead back to 8.
 

Amazing final stages swung in The Blues’ favour by talented teenager Hughes

 
From the restart, Haverfordwest kicked the ball back into Llandeilo territory, won a penalty in desperation and kicked deep into the 22. Following some hard graft from the forwards, centre Iestyn Arnold finally found some space and stretched for a deserved score score, which Phillips again converted to move Haverfordwest within a point.  
 
With time running out, Llandeilo searched for their bonus point which would have put them in charge of the promotion scramble, but when a deep kick through found youngster Liam Hughes at fullback, he was able to gather under pressure, turn and rifle a kick 70 metres down field which actually touched the corner flag on the way to a huge 50-22 decision and possession at the throw-in.
 
From the resultant lineout, Haverfordwest battled on in search of an unlikely win, and they took the lead for the first time through man of the match James Hart, after he also stretched for the line and grounded the ball one handed. Phillips kept his 100% record with the boot to move Haverfordwest to a 24-30 lead with just seconds remaining.




 

Desperate defence finally pays off

 
Incredibly, that wasn't the end as Llandeilo regathered a short restart and made their way towards the Haverfordwest line. The game was deep into the last play when heroic defence from the Blues finally caused an error from the Llandeilo pack and sent the Haverfordwest players, coaches and large support into celebration.
 
The Blues now know that 5 points from their remaining two fixtures will be enough to secure promotion to Division 2 and mark their 150^th anniversary in a very special way., which would be a tribute to Simon Lepetit and his coaching staff, and to all the players., led by skipper Jack Evans, who have shown real commitment in winning 14 out of their 16 league games so far.
 
Haverfordwest: Jake Morgan: Jack Evans (Capt) Matt Phillips; Iestyn Arnold; Scott Candler: Adam Phillips; Liam Eaton: Dan Berry; Iori Curtis; Terry Lovell: Jack Clancy; Karl Busch: Dylan Williamson; Mikey Griffiths; James Hart. Replacements: Jamie Zambas; Kieran Harries; Devin Williams; Liam Hughes; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones.







 
 

Championship Division (West):

 

Dunvant too strong for struggling Crymych

 

Crymych  5 - Dunvant 43

 

Dunvant completed the double over Crymych and maintain a slight interest in promotion as they sit in third place with three games remaining, with The Preseli Men already assured of relegation after a hard season where they deserve credit after battling away, despite plenty of injuries and unavailability at key times.
 
This was evident in this tussle where Dunvant took a 21-0 lead in the first half but Crymych kept plugging away and the hard work of their pack saw No  8 Tom Taylor scoring an unconverted try.
 
Dunvant’s first-half scores came from prop Nathan Founds, flanker Ryan Dymond and second row Morgan Bevans, all three converted by full back Jack Cheyney, who also added another two points after the oranges as Dunvant ran in four further tries by scrum half Ryan Davies, centre Cian Norman, hooker Luke Rees and No 9 Davies again.
 
For The Preseli Men, there was some excellent defensive work by Carwyn Phillips, teenager Dafydd Bryan and skipper Daf Phillips at half back, plus a back row which tackled itself into the ground – and a never-say-die spirit throughout the whole squad – who were just playing a team that is currently very strong and eager to reclaim its place in the Premiership Division!
 
Crymych: Jac Griffiths: Oli Hawke; Carwyn Phillips; Jon Hill; Harri Davies: Daf Phillips (Capt); Daf Bryan: Will Delaney; Ben Cox; Osian Charles: Dion Gibby; Matthew Freebury: Sion Wilson; Llyr Davies; Tom Taylor. Replacements:  Harri Vaughan; Luke Freebury; Osian Davies; Osian Thomas; Trystan Griffiths.
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Tumble's scrum power takes Milford apart

 
 

Milford Haven 10 - Tumble 50

 
 
It proved to be a long afternoon for Milford Haven at The Obs as they were blown away, almost literally, by an in-form Tumble side who weren't deterred by the gale-force winds.
 
The Mariners were without a host of key players, including captain Dan Jenkins, and it proved  pivotal as they trailed 17-3 at half time despite having the elements behind them first-up.
 
James Trueman opened the scoring with a well-judged penalty but Tumble's superior scrum power dictated matters, and it was from this platform that they set-up a series of forward drives before second-row Nathan Willard crashed over and Steve Hewitt converted.
 
Scrum-half Iwan Morgan added a second from a quickly taken tap penalty and then just before the break, another powerful scrum set the platform for winger Rhys King to score as he pounced on a grubber kick to dive over in the corner.
 
The hosts did grab a try in the second period as Liam Brown, playing on permit, forced his way over near the line but the visitors duly added another 33 points themselves.
 
Another scrum shove led to a penalty try while full-back Ellis Payne, flanker Stefan Griffiths, and centre Daf Thomas all touched down.
 
Owen Bunford, who switched from centre to No.10 and took over the kicking duties after the break, added three conversions and added a try himself as he cut over late on, leaving Milford just three points above the drop zone and facing a huge three weeks with successive home derbies against Neyland, Haverfordwest and Narberth Athletic.
 
"It was a tough day, conditions didn't help and we weren't clinical enough really," said coach Zac France-Miller.
 
"Second-half, we were just pushed back in our 22 with the wind and we were just fighting to get out then. We have some big games coming up now but home advantage will help."
 
Milford Haven: Robbie Jones: Jack Roberts; Owyn Griffiths; Efan Morgan; Aaron Cookson: Dan McClelland; James Trueman: Ben Jenkins; Ollie Warlow; Josh Palmer: Liam Brown; Ethan Aldred: Aaron James (permit); Cian Harries; Zac Davies. Replacements: Aaron Davies; Jordan Davies; AJ Booth; Quinn McGrath; Sam Phillips.
 
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Cardis gain a shock success over promotion favourites

 
 

New Dock Stars 14 - Cardigan 15

 
 
Cardigan showed true grit as they travelled to Llanelli to take on a New Dock Stars’ team that has only lost one league match this season and been top of the table as a result – but the whole Teifisiders’ squad played with total commitment to avenge a 35-19 defeat when the teams previously met at the King George Vth Ground.
 
The Teifisiders led 8-7 at the interval but had used the advantage of the strong winds in that period to leave their hardy band of supporters perhaps expecting the worst,  knowing that The Stars would use their experienced half backs and powerful pack to take the initiative.
 
During that time, they had opened their account with a try by Connor Owen;  and although Llyr Jones missed the conversion he soon made amends with a penalty – but sandwiched in between was a try for The Stars from Darren Davies, which was converted by Adam Geeley to restrict Cardigan to the narrowest of interval margins
 
But if the home side expected a comfortable win then someone forgot to tell Cardigan as their front five of Owen Fletcher, Luke Palmer-Davies, Ben Hughes and especially Dean Harries and Flyn Tjoonk tackled itself to a standard before the bench also played its part alongside the tireless back row of Connor Owen, Guto Davies and especially skipper Marcus Castle, so that half backs Luke Rogers and Jack Phillips were ready to try and keep play in the safety zone between the 22s.
 
Llyr Jones, Taran Morgan-Davies and Iwan John covered well at the back whilst centres Joe Thomas and Emyr Harries bottled up the midfield with the help of their back row and although The Stars did manage a try by Rob Jones, again converted by Geeley, they couldn’t break down the Cardigan resistance – and a try by Guto Davies and a Llyr Jones’ nerveless conversion saw The Teifisiders to a fifth victory in 15 starts!
 
Cardigan: Llyr Jones: Taran Morgan-Davies; Joe Thomas; Emyr Harries’ Iwan John: Jac Davies; Luke Rogers: Owen Fletcher; Luke Palmer-Davies; Ben Hughes: Dean Harries; Flyn Tjoonk: Connor Owen; Marcus Castle (Capt); Guto Davies. Replacements: Will Brice; Jack Stone; Gwion Evans; Ifan James; Charlie Jones.
 
 
 

Division Four (West) A:

 

Scarlets over-powered by undefeated Ponty

 
 

Pontyberem 52 - Pembroke 7

 
 
Pembroke found it hard going as they met a Pontyberem winning their 13^th match on the trot as the section’s runaway leaders whilst The Scarlets are without a number of experienced players who helped them at home, when they pushed Ponty all the way before losing 20-32.
 
But the writing was on the wall for the visitors as they were already 26-0 adrift at half time and it is to their credit that they never threw in the towel and managed a good try by George Jones, helped in the build-up by William Edwards, skipper Lloyd Davies, Dan Davies and Johnny Palmer, before Zak Shaw added the conversion.
 
But Ponty points came at regular intervals through the game from Cory Hardy (2), Aled Rees (2), Jack Southam, Gareth Davies, Dan Sauro and Dan Morgans, six of them converted by Rhodi Lewis.- and it is difficult to see a team able to challenge their talented team.
 
This was Pembroke’s eighth defeat in 15 league starts but as team manager Simon Edwards, a multi-times former club captain told us afterwards,
“We knew we faced an uphill task from the start but at least we are giving our young players the chance to adapt to senior rugby and that is important for us in our development plan. A number of this squad have just come out of youth rugby and a couple can still play there, and we are determined that gaining this experience will benefit them and the club in the future.”
 
Pembroke: Rhydian Jones: Tobi Pratt; Huw Silcox; Leon Stewart; Damo Stratford: James Allen; Rhys Johns: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Dan Davies; Johnny Palmer: Lewis Dennison; William Edwards: George Jones; Rhydian Eynon; Zak Shaw. Replacements: Sean Powell; Seamus Wiseman; Tommy Oakley; Rhys Beynon; Toby Hounsell; Theo Davies; Dan Gosnald.
 





 

Seasiders stay strong in second half

 
 

Dreigiau Emlyn 12 - Tenby United Athletic 19

 
 
Dreigiau Emlyn had already won by 25-5 at Heywood Lane but their quest for a double was halted by a Tenby United Athletic team determined to go away from Ddol Wiber with a win that keeps them in fourth place, with The Dragons still second but only three points ahead of The Quins and The Seasiders.
 
The Athletic had an all-teenage front row in 18 year olds Lewis Rossiter and Iwan Duffy, plus Dan Hoells (19) as they had first use of the elements, managing to build up a 19-5 lead with a strong wind at their backs. They also a good mix of youth and experience because half backs Fletcher Broadhurst and skipper Harry Rossiter have played some first team rugby alongside other more experienced players in the ageless Nicky Guymer at No 8, and centre Jack Guerrero.
 
Their tries came from No 10 Rossiter,  who failed to land his own conversion but found the target with close-range tries from Guymer and Guerreiro – but The Dragone pulled back to 5-5 at one stage thanks to a well-worked try rounded off by Sion Griffiths.
 
Tenby  expected a second-half onslaught against the winds and that is what they got as The Dragons grabbed a good try by pacy winger Owain Kremers which was converted by Deiniol Rees – and with a quarter of the game left they were a single score from at least a share of the spoils but excellent defence from Joe Andrews, Conrad Keir and  Joseph Davies at the back, plus Cemlyn Bolton, Taz Richards, Will Swales and Co up from meant there were some close range missed by The Dragons alongside doughty defending by The Seasiders!
 
Tenby United Athletic: Joe Andrews: Dylan Johns; Jack Guerreiro; Conrad Keir; Joseph Davies: Harry Rossiter (Capt); Fletcher Broadhurst: Lewis Rossiter; Iwan Duffy; Dan Howells:  Cemlyn Bolton; Taz Richards: Cian Knights; Will Swales; Nick Guymer. Replacements: Rob Clarke; Andrew John; Iorri Richards; Cal Earland; Harry McDonald; Tyler Evans; Alfie Pryor; Dracy Langston.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Seasiders stymied by Laugharne unable to play

 

Tenby United P Laugharne P

 
 
**Laugharne unable to field a team so The Seasiders now find themselves with five games to play in three weeks in their quest for promotion!
 
Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Matthew Lewis; Liam Price; Tom Edmonds; Gwion Jones: Lloyd Thomas; Dai Jones: Jack Davies; Jack Brown; Ethan Morgan: Tom Barrass (Capt); Luke Dedman: Josh Hamer; Max Brindley; Dom Colman: Replacements: Joe Poole; Dan Colley; Jesse James; Jordan Asparassa; Jackson Gravatt.
 
           
 

Premiership Division:

 

Narberth 10 - Newbridge 39

 
**No details provided by Narberth RFC**
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Narberth Athletic 34 - Amman United: 27

 
**No details provided by Narberth Athletic**