Otters beat Llanelli in promising start

Narberth 17 - Llanelli 10

Narberth produced a highly promising performance as they entertained Premiership side Llanelli at the Lewis Lloyd Ground and came away deserved winners of an entertaining tussle.

It was the visitors, who included former Narberth centre Ollie Reyland, who took the lead with a try from hooker Elgan Lewis from a lineout drive – but The Otters drew level when No 8 Steff Phillips crossed wide out after a good miss-pass from outside half Jonathan Rogers, who was off target with the conversion.

Narberth took the lead from some opportunistic work by winger Gethin Gibby, who kicked ahead and beat his opposite number to the touch down before Nick Gale added the extra points to put his side 12-5 ahead at the break.

The Otters opened the second half scoring with another try by Gibby, who looked very sharp in attack, following some innovative work by Rogers and that’s the way the 17-5 scoreline remained until the closing minutes when Llanelli claimed their second unconverted score through winger Leon Smith but by then The Otters were good value for victory with an all-round squad effort that will have pleased director of coaching Sean Gale and the rest of the home coaching staff.

PHOTO:
Gethin Gibby try brace for Narberth

 

Skipper ‘Beaky’ pounces for a try hat-trick

Fishguard & Goodwick 10 - Crymych 26

Crymych skipper Rhys ‘Beaky’ Davies was the toast of his Crymych colleagues as the big second row plunged over the line for a try hat-trick against Fishguard and Goodwick at The Moors.

Both teams took the chance to test their squad strengths in a match arranged over three 30-minute segments and The Seagulls opened their account with a good forward-based try from hooker Liam Wilkes – but it was Davies who nudged Crymych into a 12-5 lead thanks to a brace of close-range tries from Davies, one converted by talented teenager Harry Williams.

It was a similar story after the break as centre Alun Jenkins scored a Crymych try which Harry Williams converted before powerful Seagulls’ No 8 Simon James scored a try after good work by new captain Chris Shousha.

Crymych had the final word, however, when Davies popped up for his third try, goaled by Harry Williams to set the seal on a Crymych victory which will have pleased coach Randall Williams against his former club.
 

PHOTO:
Rhys 'Beaky' Davies - try hat-trick for Crymych player

 

Good work-out for Whitland

Whitland 5 - Ystrad Rhondda 24

Whitland went down to defeat in their home friendly against Ystrad Rhondda  but it was a very useful workout for The Borderers against a strong team which has gained entry into the championship division for the 2018/19 campaign.

The Borderers certainly used it as a means of trying out their full squad as they played the second half with seven new pack members and several players caught the eye against big opposition.

Gritty scrum half Adam Davies scored the only try for Whitland as Ystrad Rhondda crossed the whitewash on four occasions via Sean Harries, Corey Sheppard, Craig York and Bobby Sheppard, with two conversions by Huw Jones.

 

PHOTO:
Adam Davies - scored Whitland's only try

 

Neyland do well at Crickmarren

Pembroke 21 - Neyland 27

Neyland took just 16 players to their friendly fixture against Pembroke and played well to win a really good tussle with a Pembroke side which took the chance to blood a large number of players.

All Black coaches Graham Richards and Steve Evans must have been pleased with their team’s performance whilst home coach Geraint Lewis will have learned a lot from the game and was quick to praise Neyland for their performance.

Try scorers for The Scarlets were Tom Harding-Jones, James Skeels (back from The Quins) and Johnny Palmer, with all converted by Shaun Dalling and Harding-Jones (2). Mark ‘Pello’ Williams also returned from his studies and there were useful performances from newcomer Jack Smythe and talented young scrum half Rhys Cadogan.

Neyland, who played the game at pace with their exciting young back line and it was new skipper George Williams who scored a try alongside Henry Macbeth, Craig Power and Tom Hughes (2), with two conversions from new recruit Dillen McGaffin to round off a good night for the All Blacks.

 

PHOTO:
George Williams - started his captaincy of Neyland with a try

 

Tumble take the honours at The Obs

Milford Haven 19 - Tumble 36

There were tries aplenty at The Observatory as Milford Haven scored three against opponents Tumble, who travelled back with a victory that included six tries.

The Mariners trailed 17-12 at half time as Tumble had tries by Tom Raymond, Owen Davies and Iwan Morgan, one converted by Steff Price – and in a hard-fought game the home side had two tries from Dan McClelland and another by Ben Groves alongside two McClelland conversions.

But it wasn’t enough to take them home against a strong Tumble side which added further tries by Raymond, Sam Jones and Steff Price, who also landed two more conversions.
 

PHOTO:
Dan McClelland -14 points for Milford

 

Seasiders start with a win

Tenby United 7 - Burry Port 5

Tenby United got their season off to a winning start with a narrow win over Burry Port, who gained promotion from Division Three to Division Two last season and looked to have a useful squad.

The Seasiders used the game to give a taste of the new campaign to a large squad that included some talented youngsters that included Ben Pugh, who worked well at scrum half alongside Lloyd Thomas, who controlled play well in the No 10 shirt.

Next weekend sees Tenby United entertain Maesteg Celtic, in what should be another good work-out against a team promoted to Division One this season.