Premiership Division:

 
 

Otters start new campaign with a bang!

 
 

Narberth 52 - Bonymaen 14

 
 
Eight tries, a bonus-point win, and the ideal start for new Narberth head coach Lloyd Phillips as The Otters put Bonymaen to the sword at the Lewis Lloyd Ground on the opening day of the season, writes Fraser Watson.
 
Phillips and co will have sterner tests this season, but on an afternoon where Lewys Gibby and Max Rodda-Lodder excelled and the likes of Ashley Sutton and Caleb Salmon also caught the eye, it was a case of a job well done.
 
Indeed, it was Gibby who got the ball rolling five minutes in with a move he both started and finished. The No.9 went quickly from a tap penalty and sped over half-way before linking with Salmon. That laid the platform for Hedd Nicholas to break through in midfield and there was Gibby back on his inside shoulder to take the scoring pass.
 
Moments later he had his second try after Aled Davies and Burke combined to send him under the posts and the pressure continued as Sutton fielded a loose kick in his own 22 and broke 40 metres up-field before being hauled down. A blindside break from Gibby then yielded a yellow card for opposite number Gareth Andrew for a high-tackle and at that point, the visitors were on the ropes.
 
To their credit though, Bonymaen rallied and a charge from centre Lawrence Thomas saw Jonathan Rogers also sin-binned and set-up a spell of pressure which culminated in full-back Charlie Connick putting hooker Andrew Pritchard over in the corner. Lawrence nailed the wide-angled conversion to bring the score back to 12-7.
 
But the respite was short lived as Tom Clarke hit up in midfield and Gibby then sniped through a gap before off-loading to Rodda-Lodder to score. Narberth pushed for the bonus point try before the break and a run and chip ahead from Sutton forced a knock-on but from the resultant scrum, Burke went over in the corner, only for play to be called back for a forward pass.
 
However, at 17-7 the home crowd didn't have to wait long in the second-half for the vital fourth try. Sutton again roamed free out wide before setting-up Rodda-Lodder - outstanding with his support work all day - for his second score.
 
The one-way traffic continued as home skipper Tom Powell began to excel as play wore on, and his powerful burst set the platform for Rogers to float out a long pass that Sutton gathered and dived over. Powell himself then got the try his play deserved, following good work from replacement Ilan Phillips.
 
At 38-7 the contest was done but Bonymaen hit back after Rodda-Lodder and Joe Yeates were sent to the sin-bin for a scuffle, the away side scoring again when No.10 Harrison Doe set-up the industrious Lawrence for a try he then converted.
 
The Otters weren't done though, and in the closing minutes Josh Thomas came off the bench to score before Burke exploited a tiring Bony defence by sauntering over out wide - and Rogers rounded things off with his sixth successful conversion.
 
"We played well but the nice thing is I feel there is so much more to come," Phillips told ‘Pembrokeshire Sport’ afterwards.
 
"There are things to work on and we can definitely go up another level or two. Next week we go to Llanelli Wanderers and we know it will be a different feel there and a tough task. They scored four tries against a good Neath side yesterday and we know we'll have to be braced for their physicality.
 
"But as for today, I'm satisfied with the result for sure."
 
Referee: Lucas Yendle.
 
Man of the match: Lewys Gibby
 
Rodda-Lodder was the sponsors’ choice and Sutton was also in the mix, but it was the first-half display of Gibby that set the tone. A danger from everywhere, Bonymaen had no answer to his ability to exploit gaps and be on the shoulder of ball carrying team-mates. However, Narberth fare this season, Gibby will give opposition back-rows some nightmares.
 
Prior to the game, of minute of silence was held to honour the recent passing of Robert 'Basher' Lewis and a number of other Narberth club stalwarts who have sadly passed since the end of last season.
 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Harrison Burke; Aled Davies; Hedd Nicholas; Dean Jones: Jonathan Rogers; Lewys Gibby:  George Rossiter; Tom Clarke; Teifi Thomas: Caleb Salmon; Iestyn Wood: Max Rodda-Lodder; Tom Powell; Kieran Harries. Replacements: Kyle Hames; Josh Wrigglesworth; Osian Charles; Kieran Allen; Sam Davies; Josh Thomas; Ilan Phillips, Shaun Pearce.
 








 

Division One (West):

 
 

Seasiders slam slow-starting Saints

 
 

Tenby United 54 - St Clears 14

 
 
Matches between Tenby United and St Clears are usually hard-fought, tight tussles but on this occasion The Seasiders, with talented young players like Cian Evans and Mikey Ryan, who made a promising debut, alongside seasoned veterans like Dan Colley, who started yet another campaign by plundering two tries with his ability to be in the right time at the right place.
 
Jonathan Evans’ team eventually ran in eight tries as centre Brad Cramb joined Colley with a try brace, plus others from winger Matthew Lewis and centre Max Brindley, with Bowyn Clarke coming on as a replacement to also cross the whitewash.
 
Outside half Lloyd Thomas, who controlled play with half-back partner Fletcher Broadhurst, also got on the try sheet and slotted seven conversions to complete the Seasiders’ scoring as Jack Davies, Josh Hamer, Dom Booth and second rows Luke Dedman and skipper Tom Barrass were also tireless workers up front.
 
Jordan Asparassa and Gwion Jones covered well at the back alongside a very strong bench.
 
For The Saints, Tom Willliams led a beaten pack by example and they had tries from flanker Tom Mason and replacement Charlie Reynolds, playing on permit from Aberystwyth. Both converted by talented sporting all-rounder Che Thomas, who formed a useful half-back unit with Tristan Jones but had few chances to influence the eventual outcome because of restricted possession.
 
Tenby United: Jordan Asparassa: Gwion Jones; Max Brindley; Brad Cramb; Matthew Lewis: Lloyd Thomas; Fletcher Broadhurst: Jack Davies; Dom Booth; Mikey Ryan: Tom Barrass (Capt); Luke Dedman: Cian Evans; Josh Hamer; Dan Colley. Replacements: Hywel Baker; Iwan Duffy; Ethan Morgan; Alex Jenkins; Jack Brown; Bowyn Clark.
 
St Clears: Ianto Davies: Rhys Nicholas; Gino Setaro; Harry Clapperton; Dylan Davies: Che Thomas; Tristan Jones: Leo Strazeck; Gethin Jones; Will Jones: Jayden Leefe; Sol Roberts: Tom Mason; Gruffudd Owen; Tom Williams (Capt). Replacements: Charlie Reynolds; Daf James; Alfie Montgomery; Logan McDermott; Sion Evans.
 





 
 

Preseli Men miss out as Athletic start well

 
 

Crymych 17 - Carmarthen Athletic 45

 
 
Crymych made a disappointing start in their new division as they went down to home defeat against a strong Carmarthen Athletic team. who were in charge up front – although The Preseli Men managed good tries from No 8 Tom Taylor, centre Ifan Phillips and replacement scrum half Dafydd Bryan, a teenager who played with an experience beyond his years.
 
Outside half Jac Davies added one conversion but they just missed out on a bonus point with only three tries.
 
The Athletic were well led by Iestyn Jones and with players of the calibre of Zac Williams, Osian Morgan, Tom and Owin Jones, Benji Thomas and Morgan Morse involved it gave Crymych an inkling of the quality they face, despite being in a lower division.
 
Crymych: Owain Evans: Aled Lewis; Jac Griffiths; Ifan Phillips; Ifan Wyn Jones: Jac Davies; Dafydd Phillips (Capt): Harri Vaughan; Lee Griffiths; Morgan James: Luke Freebury; Scott Williams-Parker: Tom Tagg; Llyr Davies; Tom Taylor. Replacements: Tomos Davies; Iwan Davies; George Nelson; Osian Thomas; Dafydd Bryan.
 






 

Division Three (West):

 

Cardis claim narrow victory but Borderers bag two consolation bonus points                                  

 
 

Cardigan  27 - Whitland 22

 
 
Cardigan opened their new season with a home win over a Whitland team looking back to bounce back from last season and although The Borderers will be disappointed by defeat, a late try by dynamic flanker Abi Redpath meant they at least had the consolation of two bonus points for scoring four tries and being within seven points of the Seagulls at the final whistle.
 
Matches between these two teams were traditionally tight in the good old days when they were amongst the top four teams in the county set-up and it was always going to be the case here as The Teifisiders led 15-12 at the interval and always held a slight edge thereafter to take the spoils.
 
Home scrum half Iwan Jame and half back partner Luke Rogers gave Cardigan their first half tries after four and 36 minutes respectively, with full back Llyr Jones adding a conversion and penalty – whilst Whitland scores came in the 12^th and 30^th minutes from scrum half Lee Rees and hooker Marc Jones, with full back Shane Rossiter converting one of them.
 
The second half was equally combative as skipper Marcus Castle and replacement winger Aaron Evans crossed for Cardigan tries, No 15 Jones converting one of them – and The Borderers had a second try by influential No 9 Rees and that late Redpath score to round off an absorbing clash watched by a good crowd at the King George Vth Ground.
 
Cardigan: Llyr Jones: John Lumb; Iwan John; Emyr Harries; Jack Taylor: Luke Rogers; Ifan James: Owen Fletcher; Luke Palmer-Davies; Ben Hughes: Dean Harries; Kieran Hurley: Connor Owen; Marcus Castle (Capt) Ben Swift. Replacements: Jack Stone; Andrew Jones; Dan Jones, Aaron Evans; Joe Thomas.

Whitland: Leo Bonham: Tomos Hughes; Liam Price; Morgan Edwards; Zak Payne: Shane Rossiter; Lee Rees: Dorian harries; Llion Jones; Ceiron Evans: Raff Williams; Trystan Bowen: Thomas Iraia; Albie Redpath; Connor Toland. Replacements: Shane Clarke; Arwel Betnon; Jonathan Phiillips; Marc Jones; Deian Davies.







 
 

Friendly Rugby – The Seagulls’ Cup:

 
 

Seagulls too strong for battling Saints

 
 

Fishguard & Goodwick 41 - St Davids 0

 
 
Fishguard & Goodwick were comfortable winners of this pre-season reincarnation of the Seagulls’ Cup, played for so competitively between the clubs a number of years ago but now resurrected over two legs, the second to be played at Ty Ddewi on Boxing Day.
 
F & G ran in seven tries without a single response from The Saints but it gave both teams the chance to give a run out to old-timers and some youngsters, with almost 60 players involved at different times, and the visitors at least showed their defensive capabilities because although The Seagulls had almost total territorial advantage in that time they were unable to break the resistance of skipper George Raymon, Daf Williams, Nathan Foster, Ben Joyce alongside former Seagulls Ryan and Iwan McVeigh, Dom Sinnott and Cian Ladd. Fishguard also had a former Saint in new coach  Morgan Griffiths so there was a little edge to the game, with some huge hits from both camps.
 
But once F & G opened their account with a try by Max Jones it was followed before the break by others for new captain Laim Wlkes, a second for No 9 Jones and a corner try from Kial Keane, who looked good at full back in a relatively new position for him, with outstanding centre Jake Jenkins adding two conversions.
 
St Davids did have a chance towards the end of the first half via Ryan McVeigh but the referee ruled the ball was held up.
 
Former skipper Chris Shusha returned for The Seagulls after two years out injured, and he showed some neat touches, whilst  Joss and Reuben Lerwill, sons of former New Zealander Ray, gave a glimpse of their potential – and further tries came from winger Dan Evans and two late scores for superb back rower, who would provide a significant boost if he is regularly available.
 
Keane landed a conversion and again The Saints went close to scoring late in the session, which would have been no more than they deserved after such a mighty effort against a Seagulls’ team two divisions higher than them in the league pyramid.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick (Squad): Kial Keane: Ed Rathbone; Dan Cleary; Jake Jenkins; Declan Thomas: Joss Lerwill; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes (Capt); Ifan Evans: Bryn Thomas; Osian Rowe: Oscar Lawrence; Sion Colella; Jac Delaney, Adam Bowen; Ifan Evans; Will Robinson;  Thomas Sharpe, Chris Shousha; Jordan James; Iori Cottrell; Jack Richards; Luke McDuff; Simon James; ; Reuben Lerwill;  Dan Evans; Creegan Foot;  Ryan Burton; Henry Backen; Ed Bendall.
 
St Davids (Squad): Daf Davies; Ben Joyce; Adam Phillips; Dom Sinnott; Evan Curtis; Kian Ladd; :Luke Bamford’ Bob Froy; Mike Gurney; Kieron Owen; Owen Swaine; Zac Morgan; George Raymond (Capt); Daf Williams; Nathan Foster; Aaron Foster; Iestyn Owen; James Goldsmith; Rhys Price; Dan Murphy; Ethan Griffiths; Ryan McVeigh; Iwan McVeigh.