PHOTO:
Tenby captain Johnny Morgan dives over for a try
Picture by Susan McKehon

 

Division One (West): 

 

Seasiders stay strong in awful conditions

Tenby United 13 - Gorseinon 6

Tenby United showed real mettle as they battled their way to a hard-fought win at Heywood Lane against a Gorseinon outfit that started the match two positions higher in the section table but were never able to dominate matters.

The Seasiders led 10-6 at half time but as conditions went from bad to abject in a rain-soaked second half they maintained their shape and self-discipline and claimed the only points from the trusty boot of outside half Jonathan Rogers, playing on permit from Narberth.

Also involved on the wing was former player Dan Colley, now with Pembroke, whilst talented young hooker Kyle Hamer showed his potential between doughty props Rob Clark and Lewis Davies.

Seasiders start well

The Seasiders made an excellent start as good work by Jack Clancy, Luke Dedman and Roy Osborn established a platform from which Matthew Morgan and Rogers put centre Jack Guerreiro on a scything run to the line for a quality unconverted try.

Gorseinon responded with a penalty by scrum half Jack Gronow but Tenby raised the tempo with some good ball winning by the lively back row of Osborn, Andrew Cook and Barry Parsons which resulted in a clever Rogers’ cross kick finding skipper Johnny Morris lurking with real intent and able to score a try that Rogers was again unable to convert.

Stubborn defence pays dividends

Gronow landed his second successful penalty before the oranges to narrow the deficit to four points but, try as they might, the visitors were unable to break down a stubborn Tenby defence which Morgan organised in conjunction with Rogers, Guerreiro, Craig Barnett and Moritz Neumann.

The Seasiders also had a very strong bench to call upon and they also made a significant contribution where the only points scored were those three points from Rogers – and although soaked to the skin Tenby’s hardy band of supporters were able to savour success from this performance that saw their side collect four league points as a result!

Tenby United: Johnny Morgan (Capt): Dan Colley; Craig Barnett; Dan Guerreiro; Moritz Neumann: Jonathan Rogers; Matthew Morgan: Rob Clark; Kyle Hamer; Louis Davies: Jack Clancy; Luke Dedman: Andrew Cook, Roy Osborn; Barry Parsons. Replacements: Joe Poole; Ethan Morgan; Pat Roberts; Oliver Wingfield; Mike Davies.
 

Division Two (West): 

 

Seagulls struggle at Ponty

Pontyberem 42 - Fishguard 19

Fishguard and Goodwick went down to defeat against a determined Pontyberem side as they trailed 15-7 at half time and, apart from one good spell in the second half, couldn’t really take command against a big home pack and pacy back division.

Pontyberem served notice of intent with an early try from winger Rhodri Lewis, converted by ace kicker Mike Sauro – but The Seagulls responded fairly quickly as Mike Jenkins helped set up a try for co-centre Scott Candler which outside half Jake Jenkins converted.

But Mike Jenkins sustained an ankle injury in the move and took no further part, and so the visitors defence lost its shape for a while in which Sauro slotted a penalty and winger Rhys Armstrong raced through for an unconverted try.

Ponty restart well but Fishguard fight back

Pontyberem started the second half with another try as Aled Rees scored and Sauro added the extra points as well as two further penalties but it says much for Fishguard’s resilience that they battled back to score tries by full back Ed Bendall and another for Candler, one converted by Jake Jenkins after lots of hard work up front by skipper Gavin Walsh, Ryan McVeigh, Andrew Morrillo, Chris Shusha, Mark George and Luke Freebury.

But they were unable to maintain their momentum and back came Pontyberem with two more tries claimed by Aled Rees and Kieron Evans, whilst Sauro finished with a total of 17 points as his side was good value for victory.

Fishguard & Goodwick: Ed Bendall: Jordan James; Scott Candler; Mike Jenkins; Sam Kurtz: Jake Jenkins; Alun George: Andrew Morrillo; Gavin Walsh (Capt); Ryan McVeigh: Richard Hunter; Gwilym Evans: Luke Freebury; Chris Shousha; Mark George. Replacements: Simon James; Neil Perkins; Tomas Baikaikai; Andrew Williams; Jack Owen.
 

PHOTOS
Ed Bendall - try for Fishguard at Pontyberem
Scott Candler - two tries for The Seagulls

 

PHOTOS:
Milford Haven try scorers

Noel Lyons - scored St Davids only try at Milford Haven

 

Division Three (West): 

 

‘Yoda’ leads Mariners on a points’ spree against gritty Saints

Milford Haven 77 - St Davids 5

Three tries from flying winger Craig ‘Yoda’ Thomas helped Milford Haven to a win over a battling St Davids’ side that never gave up trying and were finally rewarded with an unconverted try by hooker Noel Lyons midway through the second half.

The Mariners ran in 13 tries, eight of them in the first half where they led 44-0, playing the game at a fast pace on their new artificial pitch at The Observatory as half backs Dan McClelland and Lee Riley called the shots and created mayhem in the Saints’ defence as their back row of Dai Sweeney Dan Wonnacott and especially David Round were always in support.

Early Mariners’ tries before St Davids battle hard

It was Round and Sweeny who grabbed early unconverted tries, the former picking up at the base of a scrum and powering his way over the whitewash, and the latter was up in support after a superb Riley break, chip ahead and regather before being tackled, but still able to pop up the scoring pass to the ever-present Sweeny.

Riley then scored a terrific try as ne sliced through the middle and out-paced the beleaguered Saints’ defence on an arcing run that saw McClelland add the extra points.

The Saints also had some possession as their veteran No 8 Anthony ‘Ianto’ Davies played a stormer in defence and put in some graft around the field alongside skipper Rhys ‘Lossin’ Price, hooker Noel Lyons and prop Will Davies, plus half backs Rhys O Price and Matthew Bennett.

Basic Saints’ errors punished heavily

But whenever they relinquished possession they were punished heavily as The Mariners turned possession into points, starting with a break by livewire hooker Luke Ryan that was followed by a lineout drive from which prop Nathan Davies claimed a try on his first-team debut.

Another Riley break saw a final unselfish pass that put Craig Thomas over in the left corner for his first try and then atypical charge by Sweeny, a tapped penalty by McClelland and a final pass wide to Matthew Reynolds saw the full back scoring his sides’ sixth try.

There was still time for two more Milford tries before the interval, the first from centre Jimmy Thomas after a scything 45 metre run and then a score from Chris Hall as reward for another busy performance as second row partner to Brandon Cooper.

More points conceded but Lyons grabs a deserved Saints’ try

The Saints had a better start to the second period but were unable to grab any points before The Mariners showed them how to turn pressure into points, starting a penalty into the corner and inevitable line-out possession from the ubiquitous Round saw play move left and then right before Riley again set up a Craig Thomas corner try which Riley converted. Craig Thomas added his third try shortly afterwards as Jimmy Thomas and Dan Jenkins helped Riley create the space.

But then perhaps the loudest cheer of the evening was reserved for Noel Lyons as Saints No 9 Rhys O Price made a little dart and popped up the pass for Lyons to crash over the line.

Mariners finish in style

But The Mariners were soon back in action and quick hands allowed Dan Jenkins to score under the posts and add the conversion from a drop kick before Round added his second score and replacement James Truman converted.

Jenkins also had the final word in terms of tries as he raced clear to the left corner and Truman added the extras from wide out with the final kick of an entertaining match which allowed Milford Haven to go top of the table, whilst St Davids stay in the bottom two but deserved medals just for sticking to the task, as they always do!

Milford Haven: Matthew Reynolds: Craig Thomas; Dan Jenkins; James Thomas; Dean McSparron: Lee Riley; Dan McClelland: Nathan Davies; Luke Ryan; Adam Rees (Capt): Brandon Cooper; Chris Hall: Dan Wonnacott; Dai Sweeny; David Round. Replacements: Charlie Briggs; James Truman; Dean Aldred; Darren Lewis; Gareth Cheshire.

St Davids: Rhys Evans: Josh Strangward; Gavin Smith; Emyr Wile; Berwyn Warlow: Matthew Bennett; Rhys O Price: Will Davies; Noel Lyons; Kieran Richards: Rhys L Price; Chris Jenkins: Carl Evans; Gabe York; Ianto Davies. Replacements: Steve Griffiths; Rhys Morgan; Gabe York; Dan Murphy.


PHOTO:
Milford Haven and St Davids contest possession at the lineout

PHOTO:
Mark Riley spreads the ball wide for Neyland

 

All square in Athletic Ground thriller

Neyland 19 - Haverfordwest 19

Nothing could separate Pembrokeshire rivals Neyland and Haverfordwest at The Athletic Club after a ferocious and physical battle in treacherous weather.

It was The Blues who led 19-12 heading into the final quarter, before Neyland player coach Steve Martin gathered a clever chip kick from Mark Riley to go under the posts and earn his side a draw.

And whilst the visitors were left to reflect on more important points dropped as they look to keep pace with Pembroke and Milford Haven at the top of the table – in truth The All Blacks were well worth a share of spoils, and were in fact left to rue a slow start and four missed kicks at goal that arguably cost them victory.

Good start for The Blues

Although a comfortable away win seemed on the cards after 20 minutes as The Blues led 11-0, with centre Gareth John landing an early 30 metre penalty before a well worked run around move in midfield culminated in skipper Matty Phillips giving the scoring pass to full back Rhys Baker.

Neyland’s first opportunity came off the back of a charge into the 22 by young No 8 Scott Buirds, whose strong carrying became a big feature of the home side’s play throughout the afternoon, led to a penalty 15 metres out.

But scrum half Riley uncharacteristically pushed his effort wide, and the home side were made to pay moments later when at the other end, John was offered another penalty chance in front of the posts and made no mistake.

All Blacks grab a great try

However, The All Blacks then got themselves on the board in style, when young flanker Iestyn Evans won turnover ball deep in the Blues’ half, and after another charge forward by Buirds, the ball went wide and centre George Williams exploited a gap to cross over out wide.

Riley landed the difficult conversion but The All Blacks were soon under pressure again, and the visitors wasted the chance of a second score when winger Steve Thomas was hauled down just short of the line after ignoring an overlap, before second row Karl Busch was held up over the line.

Fortunes ebb and flow

But from the resultant five metre scrum, The Blues did strike when a miss-pass from No 10 Olly Hughes, whose brother Tom was against him at full back for Neyland, created the space for winger Josh Atherton to dive over.

Yet it didn’t take Neyland to respond again, despite losing a key attacking lineout after Riley kicked a penalty into the Haverfordwest 22.

But whilst the Blues held the edge in that department throughout the afternoon, it was the home pack who dominated scrums in the first 40 minutes, and after pushing The Blues off their own ball, they attacked out wide and winger Dan Goodridge did brilliantly to gather a low pass from centre Alex Codd before shrugging off Baker to score.

Riley was off target with the conversion and was then unlucky with a penalty attempt in the final minute of the half, as his long range attempt in the swirling wind and rain bounced back off the bar.

Blues start second half well . . .

It meant that Haverfordwest, with Simon Lepetit taking charge in place of the absent Bruce Evans, led 16-12 at the break,  and they made the better start to the second period with No 8 Lewis Wood featuring heavily with some powerful bursts.

And the visitors also began to establish a foothold in the scrum, with their pack managing to shove The All Blacks off their own ball to present John with another penalty chance 22 metres out, which the centre landed to make it 19-12.

But now playing down the slope, the home side chose to pin The Blues back in the adverse conditions, with winger Martin in particular looking to turn the away defence with deep kicks downfield.

. . . But Blacks claw their way back!

And it paid dividends when they forced The Blues into a mistake in their own territory, and after a sustained period of pressure, scrum half Riley cleverly chipped from behind a ruck and Martin gathered in full flight before shrugging off two tackles to score.

Riley added the extras to level matters and set up a tense final quarter.

And it was Neyland who appeared more likely to strike again as they camped in The Blues’ 22, and prop Jack Harries was prominent in a series of forward drives towards the line, with No 10 Jonathan Lloyd also going close but spilling possession after being hauled down metres short of the whitewash.

But Haverfordwest, who had to deal with the loss of centres John and Phillips to injury late on, perhaps had reason to feel aggrieved when flanker Mike Griffiths charged down another Riley chip, and seemed to be racing under the posts when he was called back by referee Richard Nuth for a knock on.

A real war of attrition in final quarter

As the clock ticked and the rain intensified, the game became a real war of attrition, and Riley was short with an ambitious penalty attempt from inside his own half, before The Blues were unable to capitalise or two scrums deep in Neyland territory, with scrum half Richard James knocking on from the latter in the dying minutes.

The All Blacks nearly fashioned one last chance from the game’s final play when centre Williams kicked downfield and Haverfordwest full back Baker slipped as he looked to gather possession, but he recovered well and The Blues cleared their lines.

It signalled the end of an enthralling contest, with both teams having to settle for two points ahead of a prolonged gap in Division Three (West) A action due to the Autumn Internationals and National Bowl.

Neyland: Tom Hughes, Dan Goodridge, Alex Codd, George Williams, Steve Martin, Jonathan Lloyd, Mark Riley, Yori Salter, Richard Jones, Jack Harries, Mark James (capt), Jimmy Buirds, Ben Williams, Iestyn Evans, Scott Buirds.
Replacements: Harley Tree, Chris Busby, Luke Dawes, George Evans, Ryan Hill.

Haverfordwest: Rhys Baker, Josh Atherthon, Matty Phillips (capt), Gareth John, Steve Thomas, Olly Hughes, Richard James, Ashley George, Jamie Zambas, Ritchie Little, Dan John, Karl Busch, Mike Griffiths, Morgan Leighton, Lewis Wood.
Replacements: Cole Barry, Ross McKenzie, Gareth Owen, Iestyn Griffiths, Matthew Clayton.
Referee: Richard Nuth.