Featured Match – Division Three (West) A:

 



 

Saints win John James Memorial Cup

 

Llangwm 14 - St Davids 25

 
St Davids travelled home with The John James Memorial Cup held by skipper Aaron Foster because there is no doubt that this trophy means so much to both clubs because it was presented for annual completion in memory of former Llangwm hooker John James, who revelled in their matches but died so tragically young.
 
John’s father hailed from St Davids and so it was lovely to see how much it meant, more than just league points, as John’s widow Vicky joined Richard Scriven in presenting the silverware to Saints’ skipper Nathan Foster after his side had followed their first-leg 45-15 win with this second success.
 
In traditional battle mode there was no quarter asked for or given as The Saints led 8-0 at half time after full back Adam Phillips booted over an early penalty and claimed a corner try.

Llangwm had tackled with typical vigour and total commitment but a mixture of over-eagerness and taking of wrong options proved their downfall – but they did manage deserved second-half tries by veteran No 8 Ian Griffiths and second row Matthew Rees as assistant coach Matthew Hughes gave every encouragement from full back and Ieuan Power, Dave Reynolds and James Lewis led their forward charges with full support from their whole pack.
But St Davids finished up with three tries from winger Zac Morgan, skipper Nathan Foster and second row Aled Davies, with No 15 Phillips ending up with two conversions and a second penalty.
 
There was an air of competition enjoyed by an appreciative crowd and those who argue for more localised rugby, rather than expensive travel, could do far worse than highlight this entertaining clash as powerful support for their opinion!
 
Llangwm: Matthew Hughes: Ollie Gerson; Matthew Evans; Yale Grice; Jack Roberts: Kieron Lewis Owen; Josh Richards: Ieuan Power; Phil Llewellyn; Callum Jenkins: Dave Reynolds; Matthew Rees: James Lewis; Dan Woodford; Ian Griffiths. Replacements: Owain Jones; Louis Murphy; Ollie Kersey; Dan Morgan; Dan Ridge; Gavin Jones.
 
St Davids: Adam Phillips: Zac Morgan; George Raymond; Ben Joyce; Morgan Davies: Aaron Foster; Dylan Walsh: Adam Williams; Rhys Price; Ryan John: Aled Davies; James Goldsmith: Llion Williams; Nathan Foster (Capt); Jack Jones. Replacements: Dan Murphy; Charlie Lavin; Andrew Batten; Ollie Owen; Bob Froy.
 



 

Championship Division:

 

Pack power pays off for Neath

 

Narberth 15 - Neath 29

 
Neath completed the double over Narberth as they followed their 33-23 victory early in the season at The Gnoll with this win that owed a great deal to the power of their pack and defensive qualities that prevented The Otters from scoring any tries.
 
But it is to Sean Gale’s squad that they never gave up trying to keep in contention as they found themselves 9-17 adrift at the interval but were never able to seal quite enough quality possession to prevent the Welsh All Blacks from a 12^th win in 15 outings and a clear second spot behind Pontypool in the table.
 
Yet it was The Otters who made the better start as the back row of Ritchie Rees, skipper Tom Powell and Roy Osborn linked well with half backs Lewys Gibby and Jonathan Rogers to set a platform from which they took a 6-0 lead thanks to two penalties by full back Nick Gale.

But Neath served notice of intent as they opened their account with a close-range try from hooker Sean Crocker and although No 10 Rhys Harries missed the conversion he made amends when he added the extra points to a try by flanker Jacob Blackmore.
 
Then Crocker was driven over for his second try but on half time a third Gale penalty limited the half time deficit to eight points.
 
When Ritchie Rees was yellow-carded Crocker grabbed his third try before two successful Gale penalties kept The Otters in contention – but prop Tim Ryan claimed Neath’s fifth try and Harries converted to help his team to a bonus-point success.
 
Narberth: Nick Gale: Ashley Sutton; Ilan Phillips; Ianto Griffiths; Josh Evans: Jonathan Rogers; Lewys Gibby: Bradley Davies; Kyle Hamer; Tom Slater: Rhys Williams; Alex Jenkins: Ritchie Rees; Tom Powell (capt); Roy Osborn. Replacements: Tom Clarke; Sean Janes; Caine Rees-Jones; Llew Jones; Ben Thomas.
 





 

Division One (West):

 

Preseli Men battle their way to victory in top of the table clash

 

Crymych 12 - Gowerton 10

 
Crymych deservedly retained joint top place in the section table with Newcastle Emlyn and maintained their unbeaten record after 11 matches, with just a solitary draw in their fantastic run.
 
The Preseli Men had won the reverse fixture at Gowerton by 25-23 and from the very outset at Park Lloyd Thomas it was evident that another big battle was in prospect as both packs refused to give an inch and each set of backs maintained its discipline in defence.
 
Crymych took the lead after a period of pressure allowed half backs Daf and Ifan Phillips to release their backs and quick hands from Gethin Gibby and Macs Page allowed winger Owain Evans to squeeze in at the corner.
 
But Gowerton showed they were there for the contest and they took the lead with a try by flanker Lloyd Dudley Jones claimed and Johnny George converted before adding a penalty to nudge his team into a 10-5 interval lead.
 
The second half was equally well contested and both teams had half chances before Crymych finally scored a good try by Ifan Phillips, who launched a high ball into enemy territory which was fumbled and his kick and chase saw him win the race for the touch down before Adam Phillips added the extra points and The Preseli Men held on for another tremendous victory!
 
Crymych: Adam Phillips: Laurence Headlam; Macs Page; Gethin Gibby; Owain Evans: Ifan Phillips; Daf Phillips: Jason Nicholls; Carwyn Rees; Jonathan Clout:  Matthew Freebury; Rhys Davies: Llyr Davies; Cai Ifans; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Rhydian Howells; Llyr Evans; Dafydd Gibby; Thomas Davies; Huw Rees.

 


 

Borderers beaten at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn

 

Whitland 12 - Yr Hendy 34

 
Whitland went down to defeat against Yr Hendy, who were reduced to 14 men in the first half but managed to retain their form and complete a high-scoring double as they had had won the previous game by 64-35.
 
The Borderers battled hard throughout and had tries by outstanding No 8 Jack Mason and fellow back rower Calum Evans, one converted by Johnny Thomas, but Yr Hendy scored six tries in response.
 
They were scored by centre Liam Swales, flanker Sion Rumbelow, second row Ben Batcup, scrum half Aaron Miles and centre Miles Harries, who also landed two conversions, to close the gap to just a point as The Borderers are now ninth and their opponents sit in tenth spot.




 
 

Scarlets still battling away

 

Penclawdd 55 - Pembroke

 
Pembroke travelled to Penclawdd still seeking their first success from this bottom of the table clash but deserve every credit for getting a team out and playing some good rugby despite finding it hard going at times.
 
The Scarlets were already 29-13 behind at half time as they scored a late try from skipper Seamus ‘Moose’ Wiseman to go with the conversion and two earlier penalties from Shane Rossiter, playing on permit from Narberth 2nds and having a good game.
 
Rhys Eaton, Liam Davey, Alex Crawford and Marcus Brown had scored tries for The Cocklemen, with Brown converting three after opening their account with a penalty.

In the second half Penclawdd added further tries by flanker Crawford, outside half Brown, winger Tom Howells and full back Cameron Clayfield, three converted by Brown to give him a personal hall of  25 points.
 
But The Scarlets replied with a try by centre Morgan Rees, another helping out from Narberth, and full back Steve Brown, one converted by Rossiter – and other plus points were the debut of South African flanker Ash Clack, who has moved into the area, and promising youth player Liam Topp.
 
Pembroke: Steve Brown: Darcy Langston; Steve Brown; Morgan Rees; Liam Topp: Shane Rossiter; Tom Lewis: Tom Cabot; Seamus Wiseman; Lloyd Davies: Will Edwards;  Adam Davies: Morgan Rees; Andrew Evans; Rhodri Walters. Replacements: Tommy John;  Ash Clack.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Seasiders succeed in top five clash

 

Tenby United 23 - Kidwelly 17

 
Tenby United confirmed their status in fourth place as they fended off the strong challenge of a Kidwelly side sitting a place below them but looking to gain the double after a 27-26 home win – and it looked as if it might be on the cards as they moved into a 10-point early lead with a try by scrum half Daf Phillips alongside the conversion and a penalty from No 10 Declan Smith.
 
But The Seasiders showed the determination that has so pleased head coach Jonathan Evans as they redoubled their efforts up front and had the majority of play until they finally opened their scoring near the break after some quick thinking by scrum half Cam Broadhurst, who followed the referee to where he had signalled a penalty, took a quick tap and was over the line for half back partner Lloyd Thomas to notch the conversion.
 
Two good penalties by Thomas nudged The Seasiders ahead after the oranges but Kidwelly refused to submit and a blind-side snipe by Phillips earned the scrum half a second score which Smith goaled to put his team back in front.
 
But Tenby, with their front five edging the set-pieces, came back with a series of raids in the Kidwelly 22 which were finally rewarded as Dan Colley claimed a push-over try and LGwion Jones converted.
 
With Gwion Jones having arguably his best game in the Seasiders’ shirt alongside Max Brindley and Luke Waygood, Tenby rounded off the scoring with a long-range penalty by Lloyd Thomas and they kept their composure in the inevitable late onslaught by the visitors to seal their eighth win of the season.
 
Tenby United:  Luke Hartland: Jack Gooding; Max Brindley; Luke Waygood; Gwion Jones: Lloyd Thomas; Cam Broadhurst: Frankie Boyd; Joe Poole; Rob Luly: Tom Barrass; Luke Dedman: Jack Broadhurst; Dan Colley; Jake Roberts. Replacements: Ethan Morgan; Charlie Patching; Will Swales; Jordan Evans; Matthew Morgan.
 
 

Mariners go down against high-flying Bont

 

Pontarddulais 48 - Milford Haven 17

 
Pontarddulais showed why they are top of the section table as they gained their tenth win in as many matches against Milford Haven, who played their part in an entertaining tussle but were out-gunned by The Bont by eight tries to two after already losing 27-6 at home in their home match.
 
The Mariners were 21-10 adrift at half time as prop Ben Jenkins scored their try and James Williams converted to go with a penalty. No 8 Zac France-Miller added another, again converted by No 10 Williams but The Bont added a further 27 points.
 
Their tries came from full back Iwan Evans (2), flanker Owain Davies (2), winger Scott Simons, No 8 Nicky Hoyles, prop Morgan Griffiths and flanker Ethan Miles, with four conversions by outside half Aled Stone.
 
Milford Haven: Lee Riley: James Sheen; Dan Jenkins; Dan Birch; Ieuan Davies: James Williams; Dan McClelland: Ben Jenkins; Luke Ryan; Zac Davies:  Jay Goodall; Jimmy Buirds: Ethan Aldred; Ben Groves; Zac France-Miller. Replacements: Iestyn Howells; James Trueman; Dean McSparron; Steve Martin.
 
 

Match Off – Seagulls unable to raise a team!

 

Nantgaredig P-P Fishguard & Goodwick


 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Blues win local derby clash

Haverfordwest 32 - Neyland 7

Haverfordwest won an absorbing local-derby clash with old rivals Neyland as they also secured a bonus point to put them level with their opponents but with two games in hand.
 
The Blues were good value for victory but Neyland played far better than the final scoreline suggests, but missed good chances through over-eagerness and taking of wrong options, such as a key time when they had defended superbly on their own line to earn a defensive drop out but managed to get in front of the kicker – and from the ensuing attacking scrum No 10 Mikey Jones slipped the perfect pass to Liam Eaton for the scrum half to score and full back Ollie Roberts to add the easy extra points and put his side 13-7 ahead at half time.
 
In the early exchanges The Blues had two penalties from Roberts but sandwiched in for The All Blacks was a close-range try for outstanding No 8 George Williams, converted well by Ollie Rothero, and they had further strong runs by Henry Macbeth a, Luke Griffiths-Dawes and George Williams, who later had to leave the field with a nasty shoulder injury.
 
It was a similar story after the break as Haverfordwest looked very strong up front but Neyland never gave an inch to claim useful possession but often kicked it away, to the obvious consternation of coach Steve Evans, and allowed The Blues to counter-attack; as Scott Candler did in one raid where Evans was in support but the move broke down just short of the try line.
 
The home side added further tries by centre Jack Evans from deep raids and then finished with the try of the match.
 
It stemmed from a deep break by Mikey Jones, looking back to something like his best form at outside half, which was continued by Liam Eaton, Andrew Williams and Jack Evans before No 8 Lewis Tingay appeared at his elbow to take the final pass and power 15 metres to the line.
 
It completed the double for The Blues since they had already won 41-24 at The Athletic Ground and head coach Matthew John will be pleased by the result, although he would admit that Neyland deserve  credit for pushing his team hard in terms of possession and commitment – but not in the ability to take their chances.
 
Haverfordwest: Ollie Roberts: Scott Candler; Jack Evans; Archie Thomas; Sam Webber: Mikey Jones; Liam Eaton: Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas; Tom Carrington: Rhys Watkins; Karl Busch: Jonathan Mason (Capt); Andrew Williams; Lewis Tingay. Replacements: Ben Llewellyn; Steve Thomas; Morgan Layton; Lee Summons; Matthew John.
 
Neyland: Ollie Rothero: Henry Macbeth; Ben Millard; George Williams (Co-Capt); Harrison Grice: George Evans; Owen Hamer: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Owain Evans (Co-Capt); Jack Harries: Simon Phillips; Mark James: Iestyn Evans; Dan Hart; Ben Williams. Replacements: Andrew Slark; Chris Busby; Jasper Endean; Sean Geoghegan.




 

Cardis push Aber all the way

Cardigan 15 Aberaeron 18

 
Aberaeron gained their expected victory at King George Vth Playing Fields but not before they had faced a stern test from a Cardigan side which battled back to 15-all in the later stages t but lost out to a well-struck penalty by Aber’s Rhodri Jenkins.
 
Aber took a 10-3 lead in the first quarter as they had two good tries by No 8 Ryan Williams but The Teifisiders kept in touch with three penalties by scrum half Llyr Jones before the break.
 
As their pack, well led by Tom Taylor and with prop Andrew Fletcher, Kieran Hurley and Kester Adams always involved, drew level as No 9 Jones banged over two more three-pointers to counter an unconverted try from Aber flanker Bobby Jones.
 
Another plus point was the play of young Jack Taylor on the wing as centres Ben Rogers and Emyr Harries also defended well alongside Alun Jenkins and Jac Davies.
 
It set up a tense finale which was decided by the accurate boot of Rhydian Jenkins and although Cardigan will be disappointed by not snatching revenge for a previous 20-36 loss  at Aber the opposition could rightly counter with the fact that did score three tries to The Cardis’ one!
 
Cardigan: Alun Jenkins: Aaron Evans; Ben Rogers; Emyr Harries; Jack Taylor: Jac Davies; Llyr Jones: Andrew Jones; Rhodri Parry Jones; Andrew Fletcher: Dean Harries; Sion Phillips: Kester Adams; Kieran Hurley; Tom Taylor. Replacements: Luke Palmer-Davies; Nathan Bowen; Rhodri Davies; Kieran Greenland; Luke Rogers.

Match off – Quins unable to travel

Lampeter P-P Pembroke Dock Harlequins