Featured Match – Division Three (West) A:

 

All Blacks bag local derby win

 

Neyland 36 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 10

 
Neyland were good value for victory over old rivals Pembroke Dock Harlequins on a heavy Athletic Ground pitch in an entertaining match where a strong wind caused problems but both teams tried to run the ball at every opportunity in front of their hardy bands of supporters.
 
The Quins took an early lead when centre Gethin Bradney drilled a penalty into the teeth of the strong wind but The All Blacks, with the lion’s share of possession established a 21-3 interval lead as powerful centre Adam Peele ploughed over for their first try, No 10 George Evans went in under the posts for the second from a quickly-taken tapped penalty and Adam Collins, helping out in the centre because Neyland FC 2nds’ game was called off, bounced off four or five would-be tacklers on his way to the lie, with Evans converting all three.
 
Collins, now past his 40^th birthday, had almost scored a couple of other times as good work up front by George Williams, Evans brothers Iestyn and skipper Owain, Jack Harries and the rest had set the platform for attacks and scrum half Owen Hamer orchestrated matters as Craig Barnett tried to do for The Quins but they lacked enough quality possession and lost players through injury.
 
The All Blacks added further tries in the second half by George Evans and veteran second row Mark James as reward for his support play alongside Alex Swales, another old timer in replacement winger Delme Bateman, and Jake Griffiths, playing at full back against his former colleagues.

The loudest cheer of the afternoon came when The Quins’ efforts were rewarded with a try by Tom Wheeler, the smallest player on the pitch but as always competing above his weight, which Bradney duly converted.
 
But the Quins had the final word when flanker Grice drove through to the line to round off the scoring – and a good game to watch that was well refereed by Alex Yau.
 
Neyland: Jake Griffiths; Callum O’Riorden; Adam Peele; Adam Collins; Jasper Endean: George Evans; Owen Hamer: Ben James; Alex Swales; Jack Harries: Mark James; Iestyn Evans: Harrison Grice; Owain Evans (Capt); Ben Williams. Replacements: Delme Bateman; Joel Thomas; Lewis Hallett; Ebs Svitka.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway: Tom Wheeler; Gethin Bradney; Kieran Machin (Capt); Tom Donovan: Craig Barnett; Morgan Rogers; Connor Kolmel; Jack Hagan; Dan McLeod: Rhys Doyle; Andrew Edwards: Jordan Palmer; Danny Wilkes; Rhys Gammer. Replacements:  Alfie Ball; Callum Jones; Euan McDonald; Sam ‘Rasher’ James; Owain Turner.





 
 

Championship Division (West):

 

Six-try Otters complete comfortable double

 

Trebanos 13 - Narberth 36

 
Narberth completed a deserved double over Trebanos as they also added a bonus point for their try-scoring feats – but it took some time to take the sting out of the homesters’ efforts because they were only 10-6 in front at half time before taking control after the interval.
 
Powerful winger Dean James continued his try-scoring run as he opened The Otters’ account and co-winger Rhys Harries added the second unconverted try as Trebanos had two penalties from their No 10 Rhys Harris either side of that score.
 
But the Narberth pack, with Roy Osborn, Rhys Williams and skipper Tom Powell to the fore, raised the tempo and The Otters’ efforts were rewarded when good work by scrum half Lewys Gibby and James put full back Ashley Sutton over the line for outside half Jonathan Rogers to convert.
 
Then second row Alex Jenkins, who did so much work alongside Will Blackburn and the unsung front-row heroes of Tom Slater, Ricky Guest and Bradley Davies, was powered over for a try, again converted by Rogers, to give The Otters their bonus point for four tries.
 
Trebanos showed their battling qualities when Cai Andrew scored a try converted by Rhys Harris but any hopes they had of a come-back were quickly quelled as Blackburn ploughed over and James added his second to give the Otters their tenth league win on the trot.
 
New recruit Will Blackburn, who was previously with Haverfordwest, continues to grow in stature and he was voted as The Otters’ ‘Man of the Match’ as reward for all his efforts – and this Saturday sees Narberth entertain a Tata Steel side still without a win from 11 starts so they will make sure there is no complacency as they seek to maintain their splendid unbeaten run!
 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Dean James; Aled Rees; Ilan Phillips; Rhys Harris: Jonathan Rogers; Lewys Gibby: Bradley Davies; Ricky Guest; Tom Slater: Will Blackburn; Alex Jenkins: Rhys Williams; Tom Powell (Capt); Roy Osborn. Replacements: Josh Hamer; Tom Clarke; Lewis Davies; Alex Williams; Ianto Griffiths.
 
 

Preseli Men pounded by LlanG

 

Llangennech 77 - Crymych 5

 
Llangennech had already beaten Crymych by 47-27 at Parc Lloyd Thomas on the first day of the season and completed a high-scoring double with this 11-try trouncing on a day where little went right for the Preseli Men.
 
Yet there was little hint of the impending Llan try-fest despite the fact that they scored early on but Crymych hit back with a well-worked unconverted try from full back Eilir George – and were still in with a shout at the interval, despite trailing 21-5 as Finlay Evans, Jordan Saunders and Thomas H Davies, all converted by experienced No 10 Steff Marshall.
 
But the floodgates opened after the oranges as Marshall was able to control play behind a powerful pack and other tries flowed from Joe Hutchings (2), Callum Jenkins, Tom M Davies, Craig Thomas, Luke Davies and Marshall – who also notched all eight conversions to take his personal tally to 27 points.
 
The Preseli Men must now regroup for their home match against tenth-placed Ystalyfera on Saturday and coach Elgan Vittle will be sure to have his squad up and running again and hopefully maintaining the excellent first campaign in this tough section of Welsh Rugby.
 
Crymych: Eilir George: Ianto Davies; Matthew Williams; Tomos Phillips; Laurence Headlam: Ifan Davies; Dafydd Phillips: Aled Hughes; Lee Griffiths; Alfie Evans-Fecci: Iestyn Wood, Matthew Freebury: Osian Davies; Llyr Davies; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Carwyn Rees; Jon Hill; Rhydian Howells, Luke Freebury; Tristan Jones.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Borderers match postponed against Wanderers

 

Whitland P - Llanelli Wanderers P

 
**Match postponed – pitch unfit for play
 
Whitland: Harry Fuller: Olie Bujega; Trystan Rees; Dom Davies; Owyn Griffiths: Johnny Thomas; Rhys Nicholas: Jack Worthing; Marc Jones; Ceiron Evans: Raff Williams; Benji Kirk: Dan Bennett; Cian Evans; Lewis Tingay. Replacements: Rhys Evans; Trystan Bowen; Ben Taylor; Alan Small; Morgan Lewis.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Saints gain revenge in top four clash

 

St Clears 26 - Tenby United 10

 
St Clears deservedly beat Tenby United in this top four tussle to gain revenge for a 23-17 defeat at Heywood Lane in the first game of the season – and in doing so inflicted a first league defeat of the season after six victories for The Seasiders.
 
Yet Tenby made a bright enough start in the first quarter as they edged the possession stakes but failed to turn periods of pressure into points and The Saints took the lead after a break out of defence from which they established a good forward drive which was collapsed near the Seasiders’ line and the referee awarded a penalty try.
 
Even worse was to follow because another sustained attack by the visitors ended dramatically when winger Jac Howells intercepted in his own 22 and there was no stopping The Saints’ centre on a run to the line for Adam Phillips, playing on permit from Crymych, to kick the extra points.
 
Tenby did manage a penalty from No 10 Harry Rossiter before the break but they were unable to add any other scores early in the second period as St Clears made the game safe when winger Jonathan Gostling secured possession near the line to score an unconverted try and outstanding No 8 Will Icke powered over, with Phillips converting.
 
The Seasiders did manage a late response as Rossiter sliced through at the posts and converted but by then the bonus-point victory had been secured.
 
There were no complaints, however, from the Tenby camp as coach Jonathan Evans told us,
“We were beaten by a better team on the day and they are the strongest side who have met, based on both matches, and both sides still have their sights firmly set on being there or thereabouts at the end of the season!”
 
St Clears: Daf Waters: Jon Gostling; Jac Howells; Adam Phillips; Liam Rogers: Sion Evans; Daf Evans: Gary Barnes; Daniel Evans; Alun Davies: Brandon Davies; Jayden Leefe: Alfie Montgomery-Rice; Tom Mason; Will Icke. Replacements: Dafydd Page; Brandon Williams; Tomos Rees; Tom Williams; Sam Miles.
 
Tenby United: Gwion Jones: Brad Cramb; Luke Waygood; Jack Gooding; Luke Hartland: Harry Rossiter; Tom Lewis: George Rossiter; Dan Allen; Rob Luly: Tom Barrass; Luke Dedman (Capt): Hywel Baker; Jack Brown; Dan Colley. Replacements: Ethan Morgan; Liam Pugh; Jake Roberts; Jack Broadhurst; Will James.
 
 

Local derby off at The Obs

 

Milford Haven P Fishguard & Goodwick P

 
**Match postponed – Ground Unfit
 
Milford Haven:  Lee Riley: Garin Gardner; Efan Morgan; James Williams; James Trueman: Ollie Rothero; Dan McClelland: Ben Jenkins; Luke Ryan; Aaron Mayne: Jay Goodall; Ethan Aldred: Ieuan Davies; Zac Davies (Capt); Ryan Mansell. Replacements: Shaun Devonald; Dai Sweeny; Chris Jenkins; Ryan Williams; Dean McSparron.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Creegan Foot: Dan Evans; Liam Price; James Griffiths (Capt); Dan Cleary: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Iwan McVeigh: Rhys Lewis; Bryn Thomas: Will Lewis, Sion Colella; Jac Delaney. Replacements: Griff Williams; Cai Llewellyn; Osian Rowe; Ben John; Kial Keane.
 






 

Division Three (West):

 

Blues bag big win against basement battlers

 

Llanybydder 0 - Haverfordwest 53

 
Haverfordwest continued their thrust for the top of the table as this nine-try demolition of bottom club Llanybydder moved them into third place – but the home side deserve every credit for the way that they stuck to their task in adversity, as they always do.
 
The Blues were already 31-0 ahead at the interval as their powerful pack assumed control and skipper Matty Phillips, playing out of position in the No 10 shirt, showed his ability to slot in anywhere as tries came from flanker Iestyn Arnold, centre Jack Evans, winger Gabe Thicker, flanker Adam Williams and skipper Phillips himself, three of them converted by full back Owain Roberts.
 
It was a similar story after the break as The Blues continued to plough forward but Llanybydder never gave up trying despite leaking second tries for Williams and Arnold, plus others for winger Scott Arnold and full back Roberts, who managed to convert one of them.




 
 
 

Saints win James’ Cup with a points glut

 

St Davids 60 - Llangwm 14

 
Old rivals St Davids and Llangwm compete annually for the John James Memorial Cup, presented in memory of the smashing Wasp’ hooker who died far too young – and what it means to both sides is always evident in the competitive spirit in which it is played.
 
The Wasps had won the home leg by 21-12 to take a nine-point advantage into this return match – but in the final analysis The Saints produced some of their best rugby for some time in building a 29-9 lead by half time and were totally in control thereafter to retain the coveted silverware.
 
That first half lead was all the more praiseworthy because it was achieved whilst playing into the wind and managing tries by outstanding No 8 George Raymond, full back Fred Dorn (2), outside half Morgan Griffiths and his half back partner Zac Morgan, two of them converted by centre Ben Joyce.

All Llangwm could muster in response were three penalties from full back Harry Makepeace.
 
The Saints were far stronger up front as their front row of Ethan Griffin, Rhys Price and Ryan John won good ball alongside second rows Iestyn Owen and Ben John, with skipper Nathan Foster in great form in a back row that included Jack Jones and the ubiquitous Raymond, who opened the second half scoring with two more tries, both converted by Joyce.
 
More tries came thick and fast through winger Harvey Goodkin, replacement Aaron Foster and Harvey Lavin, one converted by Joyce – and it says much for the Wasps’ grittiness that they did have a late consolation of an unconverted try by centre Owain Jones.
 
St Davids’ skipper Nathan Foster received the trophy on behalf of his delighted team mates, who looked resplendent by then in their Elves’ outfits and large ears – and there was a great deal of singing led by delighted team officials Jack Dudley and Chris Morgan.
 
St Davids: Fred Dorn: Harvey Godkin; Ben Joyce; Harvey Lavin; Luke Bamford: Morgan Griffiths; Zac Morgan: Ethan Griffin; Rhys Price; Ryan John: Ben Lloyd; Iestyn Owen: Jack Jones; Nathan Foster; George Raymond. Replacements: Adam Williams; Aaron Foster; Owain Swain; Rhys Symonds; Ian Kavanagh.
 
Llangwm: Harry Makepeace: Aaron John; Ollie Gerson; Owain Jones; Matthew Hughes: Luke Hayman; Steff Thomas: Ieuan Power; Phil Llewellyn; Aled Rogers: Tom Meehan; Dave Reynolds: Will Ridge; James Lewis; Matthew John. Replacements: Callum Jenkins; Callum Wilson; Morgan Scott-Walker; Yale Grice; Giovanni Hitchings.



 
 
 

WRU Division Three Cup:

 

Cardis bow out after long trek to Ebbw Vale area

 

Nantyglo 28 - Cardigan 8

 
Cardigan made the long trek to the Ebbw Vale area with high hopes against a Nantyglo team that is currently eighth in Division Three (East) with only two wins from nine starts – but rose to the occasion in this cup tie to outlast a Teifisiders’ outfit that sits atop Division Three (West) A with six wins and only one defeat.
 
The writing was on the wall for Cardigan at half time as they trailed by 15-3, with just a penalty from outside half Shaun Leonard – and they did muster a solitary try by No 8 Tom Taylor, who was as busy as ever in leading a pack that had its chances but just missed out through errors and taking of wrong options.
For home side, which is based near Ebbw Vale in Monmouthshire, there were tries from Richard Powell, Jordan Baulch and Jack Morgan, with Powell slotting one penalty alongside two conversions and two more three-pointers from Casey Roomas.
 
Cardigan:  Iwan John: Alun Jenkins; John Lumb; Kieran Crossland; Jack Taylor: Shaun Leonard; Llyr Jones: Dan Cope; Luke Palmer Davies; Nathan Bowen: Dean Harries; Kester Adams: Aaron Tomkinson; Jackson Tucker Lynch; Tom Taylor. Replacements: Llyr Jones (prop); Rhodri Davies; Will Brice; Ben Hughes; Wyn Williams.
 

Scarlets miss out in Abercrave

 

Abercrave 28 - Pembroke 7

 
Pembroke expected a real challenge from Abercrave, who currently sit in third place in Division Three (West Central) as a result of five wins in six outings – and that is exactly what they got as the home pack looked strong on a heavy pitch and they were good value for a 16-0 lead before The Scarlets finally broke out to score an excellent try by Billy Kinnear, who was making a welcome return to action, converted by Luke Alderwick.
 
Lloyd Davies certainly led Pembroke’s pack from his berth in the front row, with support from Jamie Brayford, Cyle Weatherall, Will Edwards and the rest of the Scarlets’ eight but they were unable to add to their tally as the home side defended well and took their chances.
 
Abercrave try scorers were Curtis Griffiths (2), Kevin Ashby and Aled Evans, all four converted by Steve Castle, who also kicked well out of hand to help his team to a comfortable win that effectively cut off the last Pembrokeshire interest in this year’s competition.
 
Pembroke: Simon Stanford: Josh Griffiths; James Jones; Rhys Johns; Barrie Alderman-John: Luke Alderwick; Elliot Lewis: Llyod Davies (Capt); Dan Gosnold; Jamie Brayford: Cyle Weatherall; Adam Davies: Will Edwards; Craig Williamson; Bily Kinnear. Replacements:  Rhys Mainwaring; T Ramsdon; D Langston; N Mounter; Zac Evans.