WRU Division One Cup:

 

Seasiders snatch success in North Wales

 

Wrexham 19 - Tenby United 21

 
Tenby United came back from their 300-mile round trip to North Wales with a narrow, but deserved, victory over a strong and committed Wrexham side – but still scratching their heads about the fact that this stage of the Division One Cup is supposed to be undertaken on a zone basis and there is no financial help from the beleaguered WRU to cover the massive cost of needing to travel by coach.

 
Head coach Jonathan Evans was understandably delighted with such a quality away win and now they must hope that the third-round draw will be a little kinder, preferably with a match at Heywood Lane!

 
The Seasiders again gave a chance for some of their less experienced players to gain experience by being included in the squad – and they got off to a great start as they scored almost from the kick-off as they secured possession via their pack and halves Bowyn Clark and Lloyd Thomas combined to set centre Liam Price over the line.

 
Wrexham responded with a well-worked try by Jack Harrison, converted by Jacob Huges before canny winger Gwion Jones sliced through for an unconverted Seasiders’ try.

 
The North Walians levelled matters with a try from Craig Thomas but Hughes missed an easy conversion attempt, which was to prove vital in the final analysis – but in the second period he made amends by adding the extras to their third try, which he scored himself to give Wrexham a 17-12 lead.
 

But Tenby United kept their focus and good work up front by outstanding skipper Alex Jenkins, still a real warrior alongside Max Brindley, Dan Colley, Jesse James and the rest of their pack, earned three penalties which Lloyd Thomas slotted between the posts – and The Seasiders are in the draw for the third round!
 


Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Keanu Williams; Liam Price; Jackson Gravatt; Gwion Jones: Lloyd Thomas; Bowyn Clark: Hywel Baker; Kyle Rossiter; Ethan Morgan: Luke Dedman; Alex Jenkins: Max Brindley; Jesse James; Dan Colley. Replacements: Joe Poole; Tom Barrass; Josh Hamer; Cian Evans;  Tom Edmonds; Kodi Bratcher.
 
 


 

WRU Division Two Cup:

 

Seasiders seal a hard-fought cup-tie

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 17 - Bryncethin 13

 
 
Bryncethin arrived at The Moors with a playing record of one win and five defeats in Division Two (West Central) but they played with a commitment and pace that belied their status – but Fishguard & Goodwick maintained their composure and eased home, although they missed vital points through poor place-kicking and taking of wrong options at key times following a good build up.
 
Both sides received a yellow card from referee Ifan Morgan (Cardigan), who had a good game and had no hesitation in sending off a visiting replacement for alleged stamping within minutes of coming on the pitch – but his team deserve every credit for battling away until the final whistle and still looked as if they might snatch the game out of the fire, but for resolute defending by a home team in which  skipper Jac Delaney was outstanding, closely by Osian Rowe and Griff Williams.
 
After missing an early penalty themselves, The Seagulls went behind with a simple penalty from Bryncethin’s No 10 Gruff Davies but the home side fought back, using the strong but tricky wind at their backs, when good work by Iwan and Ryan McVeigh, Jack Richards and the ubiquitous Delaney saw  outside half Dylan James score a try which he also started.
 
The easy conversion went well wide and Bryncethin regained the lead with a Griff Davies’ second penalty  before The Seagulls went in at half time with a 10-6 lead as good running by  scrum half Max Jones, full back Creegan Foot, winger Ed Rathbone  and Osian Row allowed Delaney to force his way over in the corner.
 
The Seagulls had to face the elements after the break but their tackling was excellent, ball-winning on the ground and their scrummaging was solid – and showed what they could do with controlled line-out ball when Rowe jumped high, play was spread left by speedy retention initiated by James which allowed centre Dan Cleary, who had worked well with new recruit Dec Thomas, barged over – and the loudest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for young hooker Will Robinson as he added the easy extras!
 
Even, though, Bryncethin deserved credit as they battled hard and were rewarded with a corner try by full back Dan Howells, which Davies did well to convert – and they looked likely to add more points in a frenzied series of late attacks. But The Seagulls, reinforced by some fresh legs from an excellent bench, held out and move into round three!
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Creegan Foot: Ed Rathbone; Dec Thomas; Dan Cleary; Dom Sinnott: Dylan James; Max Jones: Iwan McVeigh; Will Robinson; Ryan McVeigh: Osian Row; Griff Williams: Bryn Thomas; Jack Richards; Jac Delaney (Capt). Replacements: Will Delaney; Ben Jones; Keith Ormond; Will Lewis; Will Thomas.      
 
 
 
 

Borderers unable to field a team

 

Wattstown C - Whitland C

 
*Match cancelled – Wattstown receive a walkover to round three*
 
 
 

WRU Division Three Cup:

 

Cardis  unable to hold gritty Garn

 

Garndiffaith 24 – Cardigan 17

 
Cardigan were another team forced to make a long journey as they took on a Garndiffaith team based near Pontypool and playing in Division Three (East), having won half of their six matches and sitting fifth in a strong division.
 
In the final analysis The Teifisiders battled really well but the home side scored four tries, two of them converted, whilst Cardigan had a try brace from powerful prop Ben Hughes, one converted by full back Llyr Jones.
 
Scrum half Ifan James grabbed another try for Cardigan after the interval but it wasn’t quite enough to snatch victory – but with Cardigan RFC deserving every credit just for making the 201-mile round-trip – and the inevitable transport costs!
 
Cardigan:  Llyr Jones: Josh Verrall; Iwan John; Emyr Harries; Sam Lloyd: Jac Davies; Ifan James: Andrew Jones; Luke Palmer-Davies; Ben Hughes: Dan Jones; Flynn Tjoonk: Dean Harries; Sior Phillips; Kieran Hurley. Replacements: Will Brice; Rhodri Davies; Connor Owen; Joe Thomas; Tomos Jones. Travelling reserves: Dan Cope; Shane Tilley.





 
 
 

All Blacks go through by default

 

Neyland C-C Machynlleth

 
Match cancelled – Machynlleth unable to travel so tie awarded to Neyland
 
 
 

Division Four Cup:

 

Terrific team effort takes Tenby Athletic through

 

Tenby United Athletic 38 - Briton Ferry 7

 
Tenby United Athletic claimed an excellent victory in their first-ever WRU Division Four Cup tie as they entertained an experienced Briton Ferry team at Heywood Lane and after conceded an early seven points from a Ferry try and conversions took control up front and had half backs Cam Broadhurst utilising good possession to help their team to scoring five tries, plus 13 points from Rossiter’s powerful boot with two conversions and three conversions.
 
Tearaway prop Iorri Richards was chosen as man of the match as he scored two tries, as did lively young hooker Iwan Duffy, fresh out of youth but already playing with maturity in the senior game.
 
They were joined by experienced full back Jordan Asparassa on the try-sheet but this was a whole-squad performance in front of a large and appreciative home crowd!
 
Tenby United: Jordan Asparassa: Dylan Johns; Jack Gooding (Capt); Joe Owen; Darcy Langston: Harry Rossiter; Fletcher Broadhurst: Rob Clark; Iorri Richards; James Morgan: Rhys Grigg; Rob Ayers: Taz Richards; Jake Henson; Liam Pugh. Replacements: Andrew John; Iwan Duffy; Lewis Catt; Morgan Grieve; Ben Pugh; Nick Guymer.
 
 
 

Bulls run out of steam after the break

 

Pontyates 36 - Teirw Crymych 19

 
Crymych's second string travelled to Pontyates with just 15 players but for 40 minutes, threatened an upset win before the home side took command.

The visitors led 19-17 at the break, scoring three tries through hooker Tom Taylor, first team coach and makeshift No.8 Aled Harries, and centre Osian Rees.
 
Impressive centre Aled Lewis and No.20 Tomos Davies landed a conversion each, but the lack of replacements caught up with Crymych in the second half.

For Pontyates, centre Daniel Gunny crossed twice, while skipper and scrum half Dion Davies and winger Kwame Smith also scored tries. Outside half Nathan James helped kill the game off with a try of his own as well as four conversions and a penalty for a personal haul of 16 points.
 
"The final score didn't reflect the game," said Jac Williams, who himself had to play 80 minutes on the wing for the away side. "We played well but having no subs made it tough in the second half."
 
 

Scarlets struggle in first half

 

Pembroke 5 - Pontyberem 44

 
Pembroke were under the cosh in the first half at Crickmarren as Pontyberem showed why they are top of the table with a 100% record, using the wind to its full advantage to establish a 39-0 lead – and although they conceded another try after the interval it was The Scarlets who went close early on from his No 8 berth and talented young scrum half Josh Greenwood marked his first game of the season with a deserved try for his god work alongside danny and Lloyd Davies, plus Will Edwards and Cyle Weatherall, there was no way back for The Scarlets.
 
*Sadly, no further details were forthcoming!
 
Pembroke: Evan Davies: Jack Oliver; Stephen Brown; Huw Silcox; Iolo Williams: Jared Sherratt; Josh Greenwood: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Danny Davies; Jamie Brayford: Will Edwards; Cyle Weatherall: George Jones; Zak Shaw; Dai Rogers. Replacements: Seamus Wiseman; Theo Davies; Jon Wood; Toby Hounsell.