Premiership Division:

 
 

Otters keep up their battle to retain Premiership status

 
 

Narberth 29 - Cross Keys 17

 
 
Narberth battled really hard to secure a fully-deserved win over Cross Keys in their vital battle to stave off relegation, producing some high-quality tries from good handling amongst forwards and backs, plus terrific defensive work where they showed great self-discipline for lengthy periods which saw them secure revenge for a 30-24 defeat at Cross Keys.
 
The Otters started well against a much bulkier team and after a good early run by Dean Jones they established a platform from which good ball retention saw Sam Martin plough over the line.
 
Cross Keys served notice of their ability to drive well up front as No 8 Cory Nicholls crashed over but soon afterwards Narberth scored the try of the match as Hedd Nicholls made a terrific break from well inside his own half and he found the outstanding Lewys Gibby at his shoulder and speeding the last 20 metres for half back partner Jon Rogers to convert.
 
But again, Cross Keys levelled after their No 10 Ben Murphy had kicked a penalty to touch on the 22metre line and their well-drilled pack drove the Narberth pack all that way for second row John Verrier score before Murphy added the extras.
 
Both sides had other half chances but Narberth took the lead near half when young centre Llew Jones, who was later named Man of the Match, popped up on the right and strode past would-be tacklers to give his team a 17-12 interval lead.
 
Narberth also started the second half well as James posed a constant threat and Gibby raced 50 metres to find skipper Tom Powell at his elbow but the final pass went astray. Will Blackburn, Caleb Salmon, Tom Kaijaks and Kyle Hamer featured with their work rate and as a result Narberth  added further tries by Will Blackburn (for a bonus point) and Hedd Nicholas, one converted by Rogers.
 
Cross Keys tried desperately to claw their way back and grabbed a last-ditch try by replacement prop Tom Burnham but it was too little too late.
 
So, Narberth continue to battle hard and now face a tough final match at Ddol Wiber against Newcastle Emlyn, who are already relegated but will be eager to finish on a high note – it is another ‘must-win’ for The Otters and then they must wait to see how Bonymaen get on in their final two fixtures.
 
But if they play like this then Narberth could do it – because this was a terrific display by the entire squad and PembrokeshireSport.co.uk can only wish them all the boost and hope a large crowd of supporters will be there to cheer them on!





 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Rhys Harris; Llew Jones; Hedd Nicholas; Dean James: Jon Rogers; Lewys Gibby: Rob Evans; Kyle Hamer; Tom Kaijaks: Will Blackburn; Sam Martin: Caleb Salmon; Tom Powell (Capt); Roy Osborn. Replacements:  Ricky Guest; Ryan Rees; George Rossiter; Rhys Williams; Josh Hamer: Alex Williams; Osian Evans; Harrison Griffiths.






 
 
 

Championship Division:

 

Preseli Men play well but just miss out on a second bonus-point

 

Crymych 28 - Tata Steel 36

 
Crymych produced an excellent performance against top of the table Tata Steel but in the final analysis were just edged out and conceded the double since The Steelmen had already won at home by 42-5.
 
The Preseli Men made a bright start and opened the scoring with a good try by strong-running centre Ifan Phillips, which was converted by outside half Elis Thomas – but the greater physical presence of the Tata forwards began to tell and they were 26-7 ahead at half time to secure a four-try bonus point.
 
Crymych battled back to open the second-half scoring when winger Rhodri George rounded off some good handling and Thomas added the extras – but Tata responded with another 12 points before Crymych showed what they were made of with a second try from centre Phillips and a fourth score when No 8 Osian Davies rounded off some good work by Jon Hill and Tom Taylor, both converted by Thomas.
 
These scores brought the score back to 38-21 in tata’s favour but their late try not only denied The Preseli Men a sniff of victory but removed a bonus point for being within seven points of the opposition!
 
Tata’s try scorers were outside half David Griggs, scrum half Steff Andrews, winger Isaac Morgan, prop Wayne Morgan and centres Ioan Brissel and Brandon Huntley, three of them converted by Corey Evans – and Crymych now have a welcome Saturday off before they must gear themselves up for another three tough fixtures to try and avoid relegation.
 
 
Crymych: Adam Phillips: Rhodri George; Tomos Lewis; Ifan Phillips; Hedd George Elis Thomas; Dafydd Phillips: Gruff Williams; Lee Griffiths; Ben Cox: Matthew Freebury; Llyr Davies: Tom Taylor; Jon Hill; Osian Davies. Replacements: Lloyd Davies; Rhys Davies; Sion Wilson; Ianto Davies; Jac Griffiths.
 
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Athletic can’t raise a team

 

Milford Haven P-P Carmarthen Athletic

 
Milford Haven were left without a game after Carmarthen Athletic called the game off on Friday because the third-placed team were unable to have enough players to fulfil the fixture!
 
Milford Haven: James Trueman: Aaron Davies; Dan Jenkins; Robbie Jones; Dean McSparron: Jack Williams; Dan McClelland: Aaron Mayne; Ryan Williams; Ben Jenkins: Gareth Phillips; Ethan Aldred: Ieuan Davies; Dai Sweeny; Dewi Williams (Capt). Replacements: Jordan Davies; Morgan John; Chris Treiber-Jenkins; Owen Evans; Steve Martin.
 
 
 
 

Seagulls miss out on Nant double

 

Nantgaredig 31 - Fishguard & Goodwick 24

 
Fishguard & Goodwick travelled to Nantgaredig in search of the double after their convincing 44-5 win at home, but after holding a much-changed home side to 17-all at half time missed out as a few missed tackles cost them dearly – and in the final analysis had to settle for two bonus points as reward for coming within seven points of their opponents and for scoring four tries.
 
The Seagulls first-half scores were claimed by full back Mark Jones as quick hands from  Max Jones, Jake Jenkins, Mike Jenkins and Dan Cleary put him in at the corner, with hooker Liam Wilkes grabbing the second from close range and skipper Romeo Colella nicely rounding off a rolling maul for Mark Jones to convert.
 
Fishguard certainly had their share of the second half in terms of possession and chances but all they could muster was a second try by Liam Wilkes as reward for his immense work rate and good support play, with Mark Jones adding the extras.
 
But Nantgaredig grabbed two more converted tries to take the verdict and finish in sixth slot, with 6 wins, 1 draw and 9 defeats, whilst The Seagulls ended a creditable fourth, having 9 wins and 7 losses for the season.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Mark Jones: Rhys Evans; Mike Jenkins; Dan Cleary; Dan Evans: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Iwan McVeigh: Bryn Thomas; Cai Llewellyn; Sion Colella (Capt); Jac Delaney; Rhys Lewis. Replacements: Will Robinson; Ryan McVeigh; Will Lewis; Simon James; Ed Rathbone; Travelling Reserve: Dom Sinnott.






 
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Teifisiders score ten tries against basement club Pontyberem

 

Cardigan 66 - Pontyberem 3

 
Cardigan gained their expected bit win over a Pontyberem side already relegated after a season when they have struggled and have just one draw and 16 defeats from their league games – but Cardigan still deserve credit for the way that they approached the game and scored two tries, eight of them converted by outside half Llyr Jones, who added two tries for a personal haul of 26 points.
 
The Cardis had only won by 32-14 earlier in the campaign but were already 40-3 ahead at half time, with Llyr Lewis kicking an early penalty for Ponty, their six tries coming from Llyr Jones (2), full back Alun Jenkins, flanker Aaron Tomkinson, second row Kieran Hurley and left winger Aaron Evans.
 
Although Ponty only had 15 players available, and were reduced when a player was injured, they battled away but The Teifisiders added for tries, with a second for Jenkins, two from centre Iwan John and another from replacement winger Jack Taylor.
 
Cardigan now have a floodlit evening match next Friday at Amman United and can then gear themselves up for their National Division Three Cup Final, where they have battled superbly against some top teams from across South Wales to earn a big day against Newport Saracens.
 
Such finals have rightly been played at the Principality Stadium in the past but the WRU, in their infinite insensibility to local rugby, have arranged for Rodney Parade, NEWPORT, to host the fixture.
 
It is hardly a neutral venue with one team travelling a few miles at the most and their opponents, and spectators, making a journey of over ONE HUNDED MILES – and it is scheduled to start at 1pm!! Shame on you WRU – and I hope the gentleman in charge of promoting the game in smaller clubs is battling hard to change this ridiculous decision!
 
Cardigan: Alun Jenkins: Jack Taylor; Iwan John; Jack Lewis; Aaron Evans: Emyr Harries (Capt); Llyr Jones: Andrew Jones; Luke Palmer Davies; Nathan Bowen: Dean Harries; Kieran Hurley: Aaron Tomkinson; Rhodri Davies; Colin Davies. Replacements: Ben Hughes; Will Brice; Dan Jones; Sam Lloyd; Kieran Greenland; Danny Bradshaw; John Lumb.
 
 

Division Four (West) A:

 

Athletic seal promotion with hard-fought success at Bierspool

 
 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 15 - Narberth Athletic 19

 
 
Congratulations to Narberth Athletic on gaining promotion in their very first season after being allowed entry into Division Four (West) – although they were pushed all the way by a Pembroke Dock Harlequins’ team which matched them in terms of scoring tries but missed all their conversions whilst The Athletic slotted two of theirs as Shane Rossiter again featured with his kicking skills.
 
The Otters’ Seconds string had started well as their ability to throw the ball about paid dividends as quick hands by Will Davies and Brad Cramb set winger Harry Williams over for two tries, the second converted by Rossiter – with the Quins reducing the deficit before half time as irrepressible full back Damien Miller showing how hard he is to stop once he gets up a head of steam!
 
The Quins were eager to build on this success with a good start after the interval but they suffered a real set-back as they fluffed the return of the kick-off and busy replacement forward Ben Llewellyn, playing on permit from Haverfordwest, was gifted a soft try which Rossiter goaled.
 
The home side showed their resilience though as, boosted by play-maker Craig Barnett they set up a powerful platform from which second row Rhys Doyle showed a good turn of speed to reach the line – and flanker Danny Wilkes also got his name on the Quins’ try sheet.
 
It set up a tense finale but Narberth Athletic managed to stay calm and defend sensibly – and their reward was the double over the Quins, having beaten them 27-22 at home, and second spot in the section table as their reward.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Damien Miller: Owain Turner; Crag Barnett; Adam Jones; Tom Donovan: Ben Hathaway (Capt); Morgan Rogers: Alfie Ball; Dan McLeod; Jack Davies: Taylor Rees; Rhys Doyle: Callum Jones; Danny Wilkes; Harry Owen, Replacements: Lewys Scourfield; Jack Brown; George Evans; George Williams; Gethin Bradney.
 
Narberth Athletic: Shane Rossiter: Harry Williams; Brad Cramb; Will Davies; Luke Conbeer: Archie Vallance; Harri Harries: Declan Cole; Rhys Jenkins; Jac Norcross: Henry Foster; Dan Owen: Tom Parsells; Sam Davies; Harry Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Jack Tucker; Steve Thomas; Iestyn Doble; Ben Llewelyn; Kyle Williams; Rhydian Jones; Cory Neilson.