Division One (West):

 

Victory snatched from Scarlets in last seconds

 

Pembroke 20 - Gowerton 21

 
Pembroke came within seconds of claiming their first league win of the season as they led Gowerton by 20-14 but then they conceded a last ditch converted try so that all they could show for being the better side for long stretches of the game was a losing bonus point.
 
The Scarlets had started the match well as they played up the Crickmarren slope and into the elements but missed early chances as Lewys Gibby, Fraser James, Billy Kinnear and Sam Smith all featured in a series of raids but the final forced pass always seemed to go astray.
 
There was a long delay after an injury to Gowerton prop Ethan Hall and both teams retired to their changing rooms – and an ambulance arrived after he had been carefully stretchered off so that the game could finally start
.
And again The Scarlets sustained their frenzied attacks and were finally rewarded from sustained pressure when a series of rucks allowed scrum half Tom Lewis to dive over from close range.
 
There were further chances for Pembroke to increase their lead as skipper Scott Powell was joined by his brother Tom, playing in the centre; Steve Brown, and Evan Sheldon featuring but again their final passes were too hurried and Gowerton almost broke away from an interception attempt
.
The warning signs were there and after soaking up a lot of pressure Gowerton grabbed two converted tries before the break as centre Josh Hamer rounded off a controlled period of pressure and also added the conversion – and added another two points with an amazing curved kick from right on the touchline after outside half Rob John had cannily kicked to the corner and winger Adam Price comfortably won the race to touch down in the corner.
 

Pembroke battle back – but still gift the victory late on

 
At 14-5 down Pembroke had some work to do but with the elements in their favour they reduced the deficit with a penalty by full back Luke Alderwick and took the lead when No 10 Lewys Gibby scored a well-worked try and Alderwick converted.
 
Then replacement Seamus Wiseman crossed the whitewash but the conversion went adrift so that The Scarlets were six points ahead and Gowerton still in with an outside chance of grabbing their second league win.
 
And that is just what happened when replacement Teague Williams was credited with that last-ditch score and Scott Davies added the extras after Hamer had gone off earlier.
 
So disappointment for Gethin Lewis and his squad but there was a measure of compensation for the way they played for long periods with commitment and pace – but a measure of control and ball retention would also help them soon break that run of defeats.
 
Pembroke:  Luke Alderwick: Barry Alderman-John; Fraser James; Tom Powell; Steve Brown: Lewis Gibby; Tom Lewis: Tom Zoogah; Shane Gwyther; Lloyd Davies: Scott Powell (Capt); Billy Kinnear: Evan Sheldon; Matthew Price; Sam Smith. Replacements: Seamus Wiseman; Jordan Cornick; Will Edwards; Matthew Lewis.
 
Gowerton: Luke Jones: Matthew Davies; Gregor Devine; Josh Hamer; Adam Price: Rob John; Bleddyn James (Capt): Tom Northey; Aled Simons; Ethan Hall: Max Wilson; Josh Thomas: Josh Bowen; Dan Jones; Lloyd Dudley-Jones. Replacements: Jac Simons; Justin Dewah; Ethan Harris; Teague Williams; Scott Davies.
 



 

Division Two (West):

 

Mariners stumble in second half

Milford Haven 0 - Nantgaredig 20

 
Milford Haven went down to a disappointing home defeat after looking in good shape at the interval as they were only three points adrift but had second use of The Obs’ slope and elements – but Nantgaredig raised their tempo and their pack denied The Mariners possession and they were left without a single point as reward for their efforts.
 
Excellent defence in midfield by Dan Birch and Ben Jenkins, supported by the likes of Kyle Hamer. Sam Dolling and skipper Dewi Williams meant that all Nant had to show for their first half effort was a penalty by full back Lloyd Williams.
 
But in the second period the visitors had a try by influential outside half Meirion Davies, who really controlled play well, and winger Rhydian Evans, both converted by Lloyd Williams to go with a second penalty.
 
Milford Haven: Jamie Lewis: James Williams; Ben Jenkins; Dan Birch; Lee Riley: James Trueman; Dan McClelland: Ben Jenkins; Luke Rogers; Jimmy Buirds: Jay Goodall; Chris Hall: Dewi Williams (Capt); Kyle Hamer; Sam Dolling. Replacements: Ben Groves; Ieuan Davies.
 
 

Division Three (West) A:

 
 

Laugharne’s greater experience pays off

 
 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 5 - Laugharne 25

 
Laugharne utilised their greater experience to gain a deserved victory at Bierspool but not before Pembroke Dock Harlequins had pushed them all the way, especially in an absorbing first period where the Quins had their fair share of possession but Jack Price and his back division were denied scores by some good Laugharne defence.
 
Indeed, the only score came after 25 minutes when The Quins transgressed at a set-piece and Laugharne full back Matthew Tate landed a penalty.
 
With the elements in their favour after the oranges, though, good work up front from Ryan Thomas, Tom Walters, Tom Rees and Tom Lloyd saw hooker Richie Waters grab an unconverted try.
 
This was followed by a penalty try awarded by referee Stuart Kibble for a scrum offence and the visitors notched their third try when replacement winger Thomas Thomas sped to the line.
It says much for The Quins’ resilience that they refused to give up, however, and with Hywel Baker, Harry Owen and Liam Scourfield to the fore they were rewarded with an unconverted try by prop Dan McCloud.
 
But Laugharne had the final word, and a bonus point for scoring four tries, when Luke Starkey, another replacement introduced by canny coach Gary Price, made it to the line as they won their fourth match in six starts.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Sam James: Jamie Topp; Jack Price; Jamie Williams; James Hughes: Euan McDonald; Tom Wheeler: Jack Davies; Rhys Roberts; Dan McCloud: Ben Colley; Martin Gully: Harry Owen; Liam Scourfield; Hugh Baker. Replacements: Liam Smith; Jonathan Rogers; Sam Willington; Rhys Bradney; Charlie Dearden.
 
Laugharne:  Matthew Tate: James Davies; Caen Evans; Tom Davies; Ryan Gosling: Tom Jameson; Adam Davies: Ryan Thomas; Richie Waters; Tom Walters: Tom Rees; Tom Lloyd: Tom Waters; Carwyn Evans; Osian Smith. Replacements: Gavin John; Gwyn Morris; Rhodri Rees; Thomas Thomas; Luke Starkey.




 
 

Karl ruins Saints’ hopes with try brace

 

St Davids 0 - Haverfordwest 26

 
Two tries by lively second row Karl Busch helped Haverfordwest gain their expected win over St Davids and they went to the top of the table as they picked up a bonus point as reward for their ability to finish well.
 
But the final scoreline certainly doesn’t do justice to The Saints’ part in a game where they had the better of the first quarter with the wind at their backs but were unable to turn pressure into points.
 
They also shared possession after that but with 37 minutes gone they conceded seven points when a good break by flanker Jack Codd saw Busch in support to cross at the posts so that outside half Craig Barnett could add the conversion.
 
There was no scoring for 20 minutes after the interval but the home side lost scrum half Owain Swain and No 8 Jack Johnson to injury and prop Dan Murphy was yellow carded so that at one time they were down to 13 players and spent almost all of the time left with 14 as they only had one replacement in Cas Lewis.
 
To be fair to Haverfordwest, they made good use of their extra man and were also able to call on players like Lewis Tingay, Isaac Hathaway and Johnny White who all played a part in their points gathering.
 
Tingay featured in the ball-winning stakes alongside ball winners like Jack Clancy, Codd, Ieuan Bevan and Owen Hamer so that fly half Barnett could call the shots and utilise the power of centre Josh Thomas, playing for the first time as captain.
 
Busch powered over from close range for his second and Barnett again added the extra points – but was unable to do the same thing when more pressure saw Jamie Zambas rewarded for his efforts.
 
Rhys Price certainly led his Saints’ pack by example but The Blues set the seal on their success when Isaac Hathaway threated with a couple of runs and eventually supplied the scoring pass for White to speed down his win and cut inside to the posts for Barnett to convert.
 
St Davids: Harvey Godkin: Sol Almon; Aled Davies; George Raymond; Kieran Jones: Aaron Foster; Owain Swain: Ben Evans; Andrew Williams; Dan Murphy: Ethan Griffiths; Gethin Bateman: Tommy Reynolds; Rhys Price (Capt); Jack Johnson.
 
Haverfordwest: Archie Thomas: Jack Evans; Lee Davies; Josh Thomas (Capt); Scott Candler: Craig Barnett; Owen Hamer: Dan Berry; Ieuan Bevan; Jamie Zambas: Karl Busch; Jack Clancy: Brad John; Jack Codd; Gareth John. Replacements: Lewis Tingay; Isaac Hathaway; Johnnie White; Luke Eden; Callum Jenkins.