Division One (West):

 

Brilliant Seasiders survive by beating league leaders

Felinfoel 8 - Tenby United 28

Tenby United produced their performance of the season against champions Felinfoel and their bonus-point victory ensured their survival in this tough section for next season at the expense of Penclawdd since Kidwelly also won at Crymych.

It would only be fair to say that Tenby weren’t facing the strongest Felinfoel squad because they are gearing up for their play-off match but  The Seasiders showed real resolve and could only play their best against whoever was selected for the opposition – and did just that!

The Seasiders recent run of poor results was quickly forgotten as they played some quality rugby and were already 19-3 to the good by the half way stage as their expansive approach earned them good tries by centre Moritz Neumann, No 8 Barry Parsons and talented youth team scrum half Ben Pugh, two of them converted by Lloyd Thomas, just back from New Zealand and calling the shots.

Felinfoel could only muster a first-half penalty by Jordan Dunne and a try after the oranges by Jack Davies but it was perhaps appropriate that former player Alex Jenkins, playing on permit after captaining Narberth so well this season, should grab the vital fourth score to set up the bonus point, with Lloyd Thomas adding his third conversion before the Seasiders’ faithful could celebrate their team retaining their status.
 

PHOTO:
Barry Parsons - Tenby No 8 scored a try

 

Preseli Men lose to strengthened side

Crymych 11 - Kidwelly 16

After so much recent excitement, Crymych ended their season on a low note as they lost their final match of a long and arduous campaign by losing to a Kidwelly side who had recruited well for a win that ensured their section security for another campaign.

In a tight first period The Preseli Men trailed by 3-6 as Jake Jenkins slotted a penalty and opposing kicker Gareth Rees landed two penalties for Kidwelly.

Crymych had strong performances up front from their front row of Stef Harries, Lee Griffiths and Zac France-Miller alongside No 8 Osian Davies – and it was Harries who ploughed over for their unconverted try in the second half.

But Gareth Edwards was undoubtedly the toast of his Kidwelly colleagues, amongst them Narberth points gatherer Nick Gale as he landed a third penalty and a converted try to claim all 16 points which kept them out of that ‘Dreaded Drop’ into Division Two (West).

 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Scarlets round off their season in some style

Pembroke 48 - Milford Haven 21

Pembroke rounded off a marvellous league campaign with a terrific home win over closest rivals Milford Haven despite coach Geraint Lewis resting some of his most experienced players before their next challenge on Wednesday at St Davids as they start as underdogs against Aberystwyth in the Knock Out Cup.

He readily admitted to the fact that it was a challenge to include eight teenagers in the squad, starting with 18 year old youth team skipper Tom Harding-Jones alongside 19 years old Tom Lewis, Yori Roberts, Fraser James, Elliot Evans, Rhys Mainwaring, Matthew Washbourne and Jordan Evans.

Opposing coach Alan McClelland was quick to recognise The Scarlets’ success as he said, “We managed to stay with them for the first half hour but then we were unable to keep pace with what is a very good squad and deserved winners of the title.”

Dan Colley opened the home account with a try converted by Toby Smith before The Mariners fought back with good tries from Jamie Lewis and Dan Jenkins, both converted by Dan McClelland.

But Pembroke went into half time with a 19-14 advantage with tries from Billy Wood and Toby Smith, who also converted Wood’s score.

The second half saw The Scarlets run the show and all The Mariners could manage was a Lee Riley try, again goaled by Dan McClelland.

For Pembroke, Dom Colman (playing at tight head prop instead of flanker or centre) opened their account for the half and others came from Fraser James (2), and Tom Lewis, with Smith slotting a penalty and two conversions alongside the final one from Lewis.
 

PHOTO:
Billy Wood - Pembroke centre scored a good try

 

Quins so close to morale-boosting win

Tregaron 20 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 19

Pembroke Dock Harlequins came so close to rounding off their season with a morale-boosting win as they made the long journey to Tregaron and led the home side until the last seconds, when a penalty by replacement No 10 Gwion Phillips saw the homesters home by a single point.

Even then there was a last-ditch chance for Ossie Boswell’s boys as they were awarded a penalty but the kick fell just short, only for a Tregaron defender to knock on right under his posts and the referee to call time before there was the further chance from what would have been the attacking scrum five.
 

Changed on the bus but soon in action

The Quins had 18 players travelling but with heavy Friday evening traffic they were held up en route and had to change on the bus – but started well and led 11-7 at half time after Aaron Cookson had given them the early lead with a penalty and although winger Llyr Ebenezer scored a try for Tregaron the visitors soon regained the initiative from a second Cookson penalty and a try from centre Liam Scourfield.

Cookson’s third penalty increased the Quins’ advantage before winger Gethin Williams grabbed Tregaron’s second try but the visitors looked to have regained control when skipper Thomas Doyle powered over for another unconverted try to give his side a 19-10 lead.
 

Disappointing finale

But with less than five minutes remaining Tregaron battled back with a try by second row Rhodri Evans which Huw Bonner converted to set up that tense finale where Phillips snatched the verdict with his three-pointer.

But although the Quins were clearly disappointed to lose so narrowly after a terrific performance they did well to travel so late in the season to complete their fixtures; and with talented youngsters beginning to break through as an early boost for next season.

PHOTO:
Thomas Doyle - another try for Quins' skipper