PHOTOS:
Sam Smith powers forward for Pembroke
The Seagulls look to attack
Fishguard centre Sam Kurtz does well to stay on his feet

Feature match:

 

Division Three (West) B:

 

Seagulls’ power pays off at Crickmarren

Pembroke 18 - Fishguard 43

Fishguard and Goodwick took a massive step towards winning Division Three (West) B as they convincingly beat third-placed Pembroke after stemming the early Scarlet onslaught on an excellent Crickmarren pitch.

Indeed, Pembroke were good value for an 8-0 lead as winger Rhys Dalling skinned his opposite number for a corner try and then added a penalty – but the Scarlets failed to turn the pressure created by the likes of Sam Smith, Dom Colman, Will Edwards, Cyle Weatherall in the home pack, into much-needed further points.

And in the space of two minutes they found themselves in arrears as James Griffiths landed a penalty after some selfish play denied the Seagulls a try, and then almost from the kick-off Griffiths sliced through from his own 22 to score a solo try which he also converted.

The Seagulls were also awarded a penalty try before the break to lead 17-8 at half time and although the Scarlets managed second-half tries by Sean Dalling and full back Lewis Davies, from a canny chip over the top, they were always chasing a Fishguard team who had already beaten them 50-19 at The Moors.

Ed Bendall opened The Seagulls’ second-half scoring and skipper Simon James added two tries before dynamic flanker Rhys Lewis completed their try count to go with successful conversions from No 10 Griffiths, and a bonus point was just what coaches Huw Evans and Nathan Jenkins wanted from their team in the quest for the section silverware!

Pembroke: Lewis Davies: Sean Dalling; Billy Wood; Rhys Johns; James Skeels: James Davies; Jordan Gwilliam: Chris Phillips; Sean Wiseman; Richard Mason: Cyle Weatherall; Will Edwards: Dom Colman; Craig Williams; Sam Smith. Replacements: Dan Manning; Steve Dyde; Lewys Gibby; James Brayford; Rhys Fawcett.

Fishguard & Goodwick: Ed Bendall: Gareth Adamson; Ben John; Jone Vatu; Sam Kurtz: James Griffiths; Rhodri Morgans: Gerwyn Davies; Gavin Walsh; Ryan McVeigh: Richard Hunter; Gwilym Evans: Matthew George; Rhys Lewis; Simon James. Replacements: Randall Williams; Romeo Colella; Jason Davies; Owain Morgans; Mike Jenkins.
Referee: Jason Ludgate (Newcastle Emlyn)
 

Championship:

Otters sink in second half

Glynneath 44 - Narberth 22

Narberth produced a very disappointing second half display that saw them concede 34 points whilst scoring only three of their own against a team who started the day five places below the Otters and had already lost at the Lewis Lloyd Ground.

Indeed, the Otters looked relatively comfortable as they led 19-3 with a minute to go to half time as Nick Gale slotted four penalties and added the extra points to a 70-metre solo try by scrum half Rhys Lane.

All Glynneath had to offer in reply was a penalty by Chris Moore, who then grabbed a try and conversion right on half time to narrow the gap to nine points.

But even the most partisan home supporter couldn’t have expected such a turn around after the oranges as Gale managed a fifth penalty but the homesters scored tries from prop Nick Boyce, second row John Varley, winger Steve Stowe, replacement Ieuan Williams and centre Jordan Griffiths.

Moore chipped in with another penalty and two conversions as Glynneath were good value for victory – and the Otter supporters were left to scratch their heads over what had gonewrong!
 

Division One (West):

Seasiders stumble in 15-try festival

Felinfoel 76 - Tenby United 35 

Tenby United were forced to travel to Felinfoel with a makeshift side and paid the inevitable price as the home side scored ten tries, all converted, and the Seasiders played their part in an entertaining tussle with five tries which were all converted too.

Yet Tenby led 21-6 at one stage and were in front 21-20 at the interval as they had tries from winger Andrew Cook, prop Rob Luly and flanker Luke Hansford, all converted by centre James Davies, whilst Felinfoel replied with two early penalties by fly half Aled Roberts, who also added the extras to tries from Elliot Rees and a penalty try.

The third quarter was all Felinfoel as they claimed converted tries by full back Elliott Dawe (3), second row Rhodri Mason and scrum half Luke Marsh, followed by a fourth for Dawe alongside a try by winger Luke Morris to make it 76-21.

Tenby had the final few words, however, as Hansford’s second try gave them a bonus point and Rob Weston rounded off the huge scoring with a converted Tenby try.
 

Cracking win for Preseli Men

Crymych 36 - Llangennech 15

Crymych had lost by 35-32 at Llangennech early in the season but more than made amends with this excellent home win over the fourth-placed team which was a tribute to the hard work and commitment of the entire Crymych squad.

The work rate from the Preseli Men pack was terrific in the first half and they deservedly built up a 19-0 lead with good tries from right winger Carwyn Jones and No 8 Joe Powell (2), plus two conversions from outside half Sam Phillips.

Phillips also notched a good penalty and Crymych were 22-5 ahead at half time as second row Phil White grabbed an unconverted try for the visitors.

Llangennech had other unconverted  tries by second row Jim Davies and winger Tom Barnes in a more even second period but Carwyn Jones grabbed his second try and veteran scrum half Gareth Davies also got on the try sheet from close range.

Sam Philips notched both conversions as Crymych kept their shape well in defence and were never afraid to run the ball back at the opposition – and move into the top half of the section table as their reward.
 

Emlyn ease out Borderers

Newcastle Emlyn 24 - Whitland 12 

Newcastle Emlyn completed the double over Whitland as they followed up victory at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn with this equally hard-fought success at Ddol Wiber.

Emlyn are currently second in the table and have a realistic chance of promotion but knew they would be in a battle after winning 18-7 earlier in the season against the Borderers.

The home side took an early lead thanks to a penalty by Dan Davies but the Borderers bounced back with an interception try by New Zealand winger Sean Coles as he sped away for James Stephenson to convert.

Stephenson played well in directing operations for Whitland but they still trailed 17-7 at half time as outside half Steffan Evans and flanker Brynmor Jones crossed the whitewash and Davies converted both scores.

The second half was equally unrelenting but Brynmor Jones grabbed his second try as reward for some good support play and Davies converted – and although the Borderers had the final word with a second Coles’ try they were unable to add any further points and remain in tenth place with seven wins from 19 starts.
 

Division Two (West):

 

Blues bounced out by The Bont

Haverfordwest 12 - Pontarddulais 40

Haverfordwest remain firmly rooted near the foot of the table after this disappointing home defeat against a Pontarddulais side which had edged home by 13-12 earlier in the campaign but dominated the second half to score 30 points to the Blues’ five.
Veteran scrum half Adrian Killa, so long with Narberth, opened the scoring with a try for the Bont before

Haverfordwest responded with a good try from back rower Dewi Williams which fly half Steve Williams converted.
But Rhys Gealey put Pontarddulais back in front before the interval and all the Blues could muster after half time was a late unconverted try by skipper Darren Salmon.

But by then their opponents had scored further tries by Nicky Hopkin, Cerith Davies, Barry Thomas and Jonathan Lloyd before Killa rounded off the try count for his side.

Lloyd also landed a conversion and penalty for The Bont and Haverfordwest have won only four of their 20 matches so far.
 

Division Three (West) B:

Mighty Mariners maintain top spot

Milford Haven 67 - St Davids 20

Milford Haven retained top spot in the table with a relatively comfortable win over a gritty St Davids’ side which was already 38-3 in arrears at half time but battled until the final whistle and claimed three good tries as their reward.

The Mariners’ first half tries came from Leigh Broome, Leigh Riley, Gareth Fawcett, Nathan Rees and Dai Sweeney (2) as Broome converted three and Bruce Evans, home on holiday from France and playing after making his debut over 32 years ago, also converted one as he played all the first half before taking a well-earned rest.

Other Milford Haven tries came after half time from Tom Manning (2), James Thomas (2) and Riley, but Jack Jones replied for the gritty Saints with a try and conversion before scrum half Fraser Watson snipped over from close range and then added another late on to round off an entertaining tussle played in a good spirit.

Milford veteran John Morgan spots a gap. Picture by Sheila Witts.

 

Classy Collins keeps Neyland ahead

Neyland 26 - Aberaeron 7

Chris Collins is fast approaching 40 but the Neyland powerhouse centre showed that he is still firing on all cylinders as he scored three cracking tries to help his side gain a deserved win over Aberaeron.

The All Blacks showed that they had shrugged off the disappointment of defeat in St Davids the previous weekend with an excellent all-round display in which another of the more experienced All Blacks in Mark Riley also played an influential role with a try and three conversions as he helped control the patterns of play from his scrum half berth.
Neyland were 14-0 ahead at half time as Collins shrugged off would-be tacklers to cross the whitewash twice and Riley landed both conversions.

Then Riley cut through for a try which he also goaled and all Aberaeron could muster from the positive running of centre Bleddyn Henson was a try by Rhodri Jenkins which James Freeman converted.

But Aberaeron hopes of a comeback were ruined as Collins scored his third, and best try, as he bounced off a couple of tacklers and powered his way to the line for a try which went unconverted.

The All Blacks maintained a firm grip on events thereafter, however, and were worthy winners.

Neyland's pack breakaway against Aberareon

 

Quins continue to struggle at the bottom

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 5 - Laugharne 53

Pembroke Dock’s miserable season results-wise continued at Bierspool as Laugharne were easy winners after leading 17-0 at the interval and maintained a tweezer grip on the second half, despite the Quins battling hard to finally claim a try from skipper Neil Harries, who never gave up trying to galvanise his troops.

Winger Tom Thomas opened the Laugharne account before other tries were scored by full back Aled Rees and Thomas again, plus one conversion from Jonathan Owen.

Winger Thomas went on to claim a hat-trick after No 8 Carl Smith had put him over in the corner and Smith also grabbed two tries as reward for his excellent support work.

Two other tries came from Mike Williams and Owen contributed four more conversions to take Laugharne past the half century as the Quins tried in vain to stem the tide.
 
Nathan George gets the ball away for the Quins

Saints too strong for Wasps

St Clears 42 - Llangwm 13

Llangwm battled hard in St Clears and were only two points adrift at the half-way stage but were unable to maintain their momentum and the Carmarthenshire Saints also picked up a bonus point in the process.

Luke Brock landed a penalty and Andrew Brock grabbed a try right on half time for the Wasps but all they could add after the break was an unconverted score for hooker Aled Morgan.

Leading the way for St Clears was experienced centre Ceri Jones, with a brace of tries, whilst others were scored by second row Gwyn Morris, flanker Dafydd Walters, replacement centre Luke Ingledon and scrum half Ryan Thomas, who also added just one conversion to the Saints’ tally.