Division One (West):

 

Borderers edge home in a real nerve-jangler

 

Whitland 29 - Llanelli Wanderers 28

 
A penalty by experienced No 10 Nico Setaro from the final kick of the match saw Whitland gain an exciting victory over Llanelli Wanderers where the lead exchanged hands on several occasions before Setaro calmly had the final say.
 
Yet it was The Wanderers who got off to a fast start with a try by flanker Ben Chiffi alongside the conversion and a penalty – but then The Borderers played some excellent rugby to bounce back with three tries from winger Ollie Hughes, full back Harry Fuller and veteran skipper Marc Jones, who certainly led by example up front, all converted by Setaro.
 
The Wanderers came back near the interval when Tobi Lloyd, who played well alongside prop Gavin Rowlands, powered his way over and Lewis Jones converted to make the interval score 21-17 in favour of the home team.
 
Lloyd then put the visitors back in front with an unconverted try at the start of the second half and Jones added a penalty before Whitland No 8 James Thomas scored in the corner to put his team a point ahead.
 
Back came The Wanderers, however, with a Rhydian Morgan dropped goal and now trailing 28-26 it seemed as if Gareth Bennett’s boys were going to be squeezed out – but they raised the tempo for one last-ditch attempt and Setaro stepped up to take Whitland through, as he has done so many times before!
 
Whitland: Harry Fuller: Ollie Hughes; Dylan Richards; Geraint Jones: Trystan Rees: Nico Setaro; Llyr Ebsworth: Tom Finucane; Marc Jones (Capt); Ceirion Evans: Benji Kirk; Raff Williams: Iwan Lewis; Callum Evans; James Thomas. Replacements: Trystan Bowen; Frankie Boyd; Tom Taylor; Chris Maggs; Matthew Jess.




 
 

Scarlets suffer against section stars

 

Pembroke 24 - Newcastle Emlyn 64

 
Newcastle Emlyn showed why they are unbeaten in this section so far as they travelled to Crickmarren and were already 38-10 ahead at the interval and were always in control thereafter.
 
“We played quite well,” said Darrell Willington, the Scarlets’ chairman, “but they have high skill levels that allow them to play at pace, and great fitness to back it up. Once they went 19-0 ahead early on we were always chasing matters – and at least deserve credit for never throwing in the towel.”
 
Newcastle Emlyn ran in ten tries as Gareth Morgan, Dean Jones (2), Llyr Davies, Dafydd Evans, Aled Davies, Elliot Rogers, Alex Williams, Mike Jones and Dan Havard crossing the whitewash, with Mike Jones also adding seven conversions.
 
For Pembroke, back rower Josh Hicks caught the eye with a try in each half, the first after he charged 20 metres to the posts and the second as reward for some good support play – whilst skipper Lewys Gibby, playing at outside half, added their third from a typically classy piece of play as he broke from near half way, weaved his way past a couple of bemused defenders and sped to the line.
 
Full back Luke Alderwick landed all three conversions after a penalty to open The Scarlets’ account but Newcastle Emlyn could well remain unbeaten in all their league fixtures if they continue to play like this!
 
Pembroke:  Luke Alderwick: Luke Hartland; Geraint Powell; Lewis Davies; Steve Brown: Lewys Gibby; Jarred Sharratt: Evan Phillips; Seamus Wiseman; Lloyd Davies: Will Edwards; Danny James: Evan Sheldon; Matthew Price; Josh Hicks. Replacements: Tom Zoogah; Billy Kinnear; Matthew Lewis; Barry Alderman-John.
 
Newcastle Emlyn: Llyr Davies: Mike Jones; Aled Davies; Rhun Phillips; Dean James: Steffan Evans; Dafydd Evans: Emrys Davies; Alex Williams; Dexter Thomas: Daniel Havard; Elliott Rees: Ellis Rees-Lewis; Gareth Thompson; Brynmor Jones. Replacements: Ifan Bryant; Lee Griffiths; Dafydd Rotie; Andrew Owens; Dion Jones.
 
 

Depleted Crymych pay the price

 

Aberystwyth 41 - Crymych 7

 
Crymych took on Aberystwyth with a depleted side and with only 17 players in the squad it was no real surprise that they were already 31 points adrift at half time and it is to their credit that they battled away and only conceded another ten points, whilst scoring seven of their own.
 
“We stuck at it,” said a club spokesman, “and a positive for us was the back row play of Dafydd Gibby, Gethin and Osian Davies, with centre Carwyn Davies cutting through to the posts for full back Adam Phillips to add the extra points.”
 
But Aberystwyth were in control once they had opened their account and ended up with six tries shared by Wil Carron, Tomos Jenkins, Ben Jones, Matthew Jacobs, Lee Evans and Ioan Lewis, with Steff Rees contributing 11 points from four conversions and a penalty.
 
Crymych: Adam Phillips: Tomos Lewis; Hedd Nicholas; Carwyn Phillips; Lawrence Headlam: Gavin Thomas; Ianto Davies: Ifan James; Aled Hughes; Rhys Richards: Llyr Davies; Rhydian Howells: Osian Davies; Dafydd Gibby; Gethin Davies. Replacements: Morgan Davies; Iolo Phillips.

 

Division Two (West):

 

Cracking away win for excellent Mariners

 

Pontyberem 7 - Milford Haven 41

 
Milford Haven produced some of their best rugby of the season as they travelled to Pontyberem and gained their fourth win of the league campaign, scoring seven tries whilst conceding just one.
 
And leading the way was second row Zac Davies, who scored three tries as reward for his work rate alongside his namesake Tristan, with the front row of Rhys Davies, Luke Ryan and Ben Jenkins ensuring a solid platform.
 
As player/coach Steve Martin told us afterwards,
“We really played well today as forwards and backs combined so we led 22-7 at half time and added another 19 points in the second half whilst keeping a clean sheet. The back row of Kyle Hamer, Zac France-Miller and skipper Dewi Williams linked well with scrum half Dan McClelland so I was able to bring our backs into play.”
 
Zac Davies’s tries included one from close range but there was also a 60 metre interception run and another from near the 22, with winger Jamie Lewis contributing two tries and his wing partner Ieuan Davies also crossing the whitewash alongside full back Kyron Gray as Dan Jenkins, Martin and Lee Riley always posed a threat.
 
There was also a conversion apiece by Martin, Gray and James Stephenson as Pontyberem could only muster a try by Matthew Lloyd, converted by Dom Sauro, as winger Tom Lloyd also looked sharp but couldn’t get enough ball to exert an influence.
 
Milford Haven: Kyron Grey: Lee Riley; Jamie Lewis; Dan Jenkins; Ieuan Davies: Steve Martin; Dan McClelland: Rhys Davies; Luke Ryan; Ben Jenkins: Tristan Davies; Zac Davies: Dewi Williams (Capt); Kyle Hamer; Zac France-Miller. Replacements: James Trueman, James Stephenson.