Premiership Division:

 

Rogers rescues Otters in the nick of time

 

Narberth 28 - Bargoed 26

 
A magnificent long-range penalty from Jonthan Rogers in the dying moments of this absorbing clash saw Narberth edge home against a strong Bargoed side which finished fourth last season and have extended their squad for this campaign – and must have thought they were going to pouch a bonus-point away win to get off to a flier – but Rogers’ powerful left boot put an end to that – but not before a few tense moments at the end, writes Bill Carne.
 
There were basic errors that were perhaps understandable with so many new players involved and The Otters clearly need to strengthen their line-out but a real plus point for new coach Ricky Guest was The Otters’ superiority in the set-scrums, which was particularly so in the opening quarter when they opened their scoring from the first set-piece as influential scrum half Lewys Gibby featured twice in a looping move and put winger Harry Fuller over for a quality try converted by Rogers.
 
Then Gibby sliced through from 40 metres with a terrific dummy followed by a show of strength as he managed to shrug off tackers on the line, with Rogers again adding the extra points.
 

Basic mistakes cause The Otters to gift Bargoed points

 
But then The Otters erred from the kick-off and a sharp break by Bargoed full back Dylan Williams allowed flanker Jason Jones to score an unconverted try from the line-out – and they wasted other chances through hurried passes or rank-bad kicking options which allowed Bargoed to score a second try as good hands released winger Ashley Norton for a try converted by Joseph Scrivens.
 
Rogers added a penalty to give the homesters a 17-12 interval lead when the general feeling was that they might have enjoyed a wider margin.
 
But it was soon widened again within minutes of the restart when Aled Davies and Rogers put winger Dean James over in the corner but again they almost conceded a soft score from the kick-off but Gibby was back to cover – but again a home period of pressure went unrewarded and Bargoed bounced back with a second try for flanker Jason Jones and replacement Josh Prosser converted.
 
Rogers powered over a second penalty but then The Otters found themselves behind for the first time as hard-working second row Morgan Thomas rounded off a flowing move and Prosser’s vital conversion found the target.
 
And that’s the way the score stayed, with Bargoed 26-25 in front until that vital last kick where the visitors conceded a penalty after good work by the home forwards, superbly led by home skipper and man of the match Tom Powell. Near the half way line and up stepped Rogers to take Narberth to an epic victory – after they had survived a few nervy moments before Rhys Jones’ final whistle!
 
Narberth: Llew Jones: Harry Fuller; Aled Davies; Harrison Griffiths; Dean James: Jonathan Rogers; Lewys Gibby: George Rossiter; Kyle Hamer; Ryan Rees: Rhys Williams; Sam Martin: Will Boyde; Tom Powell (Capt), Roy  Osborn. Replacements: Tom Clarke; Josh Wrigglesworth;  Chris Davies; Dewi Williams; Jac Bennett; Josh Thomas; Nico Setaro; Ashley Sutton.
 
Bargoed: Dylan Williams: Ashley Norton; Logan Yendle; Matthew Lewis, Dai Evans: Joseph Scrivens; Matthew Flanagan: Louis Jones; Morgan Edwards; Keagan Bale; James Locke; Morgan Thomas: Jason James; Rhys Stephens (Capt); Dafydd Rees. Replacements: Joey Hall, Kieron Brown; Josh parry; Tom Rice; Callum Merrick;  Toby Thomas; Josh Prosser;  Callum Jones.
 
 
 

Championship Division (West):

 

Crymych crash in opening encounter

 

Kenfig Hill 64 - Crymych 0

 
**No further details available from Crymych
The Kenfig Hill try scorers were Corum Nott 3, Morgan Roach 3, Jake Dickson 2, Jamie Bright, Zac Wilson, plus seven conversions.
 
Crymych: Tomos Davies: Harri Davies; Jac Griffiths; Ifan Phillips; Ianto Davies: Deiniol Mathias; Dafydd Phillips (Capt): Harri Vaughan; Sion Wilson; Ben Cox: Llyr Davies; Luke Freebury: Tom Taylor; Osian Thomas; Osian Davies. Replacements: Aled Hughes; Osian Charles; Owen Fletcher; Dylan Rowe; Kieran Edwards.
 
 




 
 

Division One (West):

 

Seasiders start superbly as Keanu claims a winning debut double

 

Tenby United 40 - Laugharne 10

 
Tenby United gained a comfortable win over a Laugharne side setting out in the section after promotion last season, with The Seasiders establishing a 28-3 interval lead and maintain control thereafter – which will have pleased influential coach Jonathan Evans since he blooded youngsters Jesse James, Kodi Bratcher and Keanu Williams, who was named as man of the match after he had scored a classy try brace. They were joined by Paul Fox and Jackson Gravatt, a New Zealander who contacted the club and has fitted in well as centre partner to Liam Price.
 
As well as Williams’ two tries there were others from prop Ethan Morgan, Price, Gravatt, and winger Gwion Jones, with five of them converted by No 10 Lloyd Thomas and there was recognition for new skipper Alex Jenkins as he played his 50^th game for The Seasiders after a record-breaking tally of 300+ for Tenby United.
 
For Laugharne, Lennon Reynolds landed a first-half penalty and his twin brother Tyler added a conversion later on of a try by Cory Delany as No 8 Mikey Williams again caught the eye with his tackling and support play.
 
Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Keanu Williams; Liam Price; Jackson Gravatt; Gwion Jones: Lloyd Thomas; Dai Jones: Hywel Baker; Kyle Rossiter; Ethan Morgan: Alex Jenkins (Capt); Luke Dedman: Jesse James; Josh Hamer; Dom Colman. Replacements: Will Fox; Jake Roberts; Tom Barrass; Max Brindley; Kodi Bratcher; Fletcher Broadhurst.
 
Laugharne: Lennon Reynolds: Tomos Jameson; Trystan Rees; Tom Davies; Will Evans: Tyler Reynolds; Jack Flanagan: Mikey Ryan; Marc Jones; Tom Lloyd: Tom Rees; Carl Smith: Aled Thomas; Carwyn Jones; Mikey Williams. Replacements: Ryan Lewis; Rhys Evans; Morgan Williams; Corey Delaney; Antonio Setaro.
 





 

Division Three (West):

 

Blues win with second half points bonanza

 

Cardigan 17 - Haverfordwest 34

 
In last years first match of the season Haverfordwest beat Cardigan by 10-9 and it looked as if this match, albeit at Cardigan this time, would end the same way as The Blues led 3-0 at the interval after having the strong breeze in his favour – but there was a bonanza of 48 points after the oranges before the visitors went home with a bonus-point victory.
 
Outside half Jake Morgan landed that early three points before he also landed all four conversions to tries by bustling second row Karl Busch, ex-youth winger Logan Youmg (2), and back rower Mikey Griffiths – and then replacement Jack Codd added a late long-range penalty to give new skipper Jack Evans a winning start.
 
For The Teifisiders, they must have expected positive things in the second half but could only muster tries by busy flanker Guto Davies, winger Alun Jenkins alongside both conversions and a penalty by centre Shaun Leonard.
 
So The Blues, with Liam Eaton to the fore,  made a cracking start to a new campaign whilst Cardigan have the ability to hold their own in this section – and if ever there was a recent tussle that the old cliche ‘a game of two halves’ applied to then this match would take some beating!
 
 
Cardigan: Llyr Jones: Ben Rogers; Iwan John; Shaun Leonard; Alun Jenkins: Jack Davies; Iwan Toft: Will Brice; Luke Palmer-Davies; Andrew Jones: Dean Harries; Dan Jones: Cai Ifans; Guto Davies; Marcus Castle (Capt). Replacements: Ben Hughes; Flynn Tjonk; Dafydd Rotie; Emyr Harries; Tomos Jones. Reserves: Charlie Jones; Josh Verrall; Sam Lloyd; Ifan James.
 
Haverfordwest: Owain Roberts: Guy Barrons; Jack Evans (Capt); Iestyn Arnold; Logun Young: Jake Morgan; Liam Eaton: Jamie Zambas; Iori Curtis; Terry Lovell: James Hart; Karl Busch: Devin Williams; Mikey Griffiths; Kieran Harries. Replacements: Dan Berry; Kai Robertson; Jamie Phillips; Jack Codd; Scott Candler.
 
 
 

Athletic take a tumble on Division Three debut

 

Tumble 52 - Narberth Athletic 12

 
Narberth trailed 26-5 at half time on the third division debut at Tumble as Harry Phillips scored their only try – and they conceded another 26 points after the interval as Sam Davies grabbed their second try and Adam Phillips converted.
 
Steven Hewitt (3), Steffan Price, Ewan Morgan, Rhys King,  Jack Norris & Rhys Tobias scored the tries for Tumble and Hewitt landed six conversions for a personal haul of 27 points – and he hit the woodwork with four penalties!
 
*Sadly, no further details available from The Narberth Athletic camp!
 
Narberth Athletic: Forwards (from): Declan Cole; Harry Phillips; Jac Norcross; Richard Watkins; Cory Neilson; Henry Foster; Harry Brown, Stephen Pilot; Sam Davies, Dewi Thomas; Lewis Reed. Backs (from): Elliot Evans; Archie Vallance; Shay Norcross; Adam Phillips, Iestyn Doble; Harry Williams; Ashton O’Riordan; Olly Hough; Iori Lewis; Huw Evans.
 
 
 
 
 

Pembrokeshire KO Cup Round One:

 





 

Saints' seven-try demolition of depleted Bulls

 

Teirw Crymych 12 - St Davids 47

 
St Davids started their competitive season with a bang as they took on a depleted Teirw Crymych outfit at Parc Lloyd Thomas and raced through for seven tries, six of them converted by  Bob Froy (5) and Iwan Davies.

 

The Saints were totally in charge of the set-pieces and were already 19-5 ahead at the break as The Bulls could only muster an unconverted try by experienced back-rower Richard Sharp-Williams before they added another in the second half from second row Steffan Morris, converted by outside half Owain Evans.

 

Daf Williams opened The Saints’ account before busy scrum half Aaron Foster added a brace to go with two conversions from Froy – and in the second half they added more tries by Nathan Foster, Iwan Davies, Froy and centre Harvey Lavin, plus their four more conversions.
 



Teirw Crymych:
Tries: Richard Sharp-Williams, Steff Morris
Con: Owain Evans



 
St Davids: Iwan Davies: Daf Davies; Harvey Lavin; George Raymond;  Bob Froy: Ben Joyce; Aaron Foster: Adam Williams; Rhys Price; Dan Murphy: Charlie Lavin; Iestyn Owen: Cameron Sapsford; Nathan Foster; Daf Williams. Replacements: George Scale; Sol Almond; Danny Voyce; Adam Phillips; Ben Evans.






 
 
 

Price powers Quins to excellent start

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 39 - Whitland 27

 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins began their competitive campaign with a bang as they were comfortable winners and only three late tries saved the Borderers’ blushes – as outstanding centre Jack Price was the focal point of most of The Quins attacking ploys.
 
Price has played at a far higher standard and looks as if he might be able to play there now but prefers to help the club he started out with – and as a result they scored some superb tries, two of them by Price as he turned The Borderers’ defence inside out.
 
The Borderers made a bright start and were soon ten points in front from tries by Shane Rossiter and skipper Dan Bennett, but The  Quins already led 22-10 at the interval and increased that lead to 39-10 as Price was joined on the scoresheet by the pacy Sam James,  a corker from winger Tom Donovan and finally from skipper Ben Hathaway, who increased his tally to 19 points with four conversions and two penalties.
 
It says much for The Borderers’ resolve that they finished in style with tries from centre Rhys Nicholas either side of a try by winger Morgan Lewis. One of them converted by Rossiter – but The Quins will be a strong unit in Division Four (West) this campaign – as long as they can keep Mr Price fit for more action!
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins:
Josh Brown: Owain Turner; Jack Price; Rhys Marchant; Tom Donovan: Ben Hathaway (Capt); Adam Cawley: Alfie Ball; Jack Hagan; Jack Davies: Lewys Scourfield; Liam Baker: Callum Jones; Danny Wilkes; Harry Owen. Replacements: Jason Keight; Rhys Doyle; Ben Gibby; Jake Griffiths; Sam James; Euan McDonald.
 
Whitland:  Gareth Davies: Deian Davies; Dom Davies;  Rhys Nicholas; Gavin Smith: Shane Rossiter; Luke Watkins: Trystan Bowen; Matt Driver; Charlie Watson: Alan Proctor; Jack Evans: Sam Clarke; Thomas Iraia; Dan Bennett (Capt). Replacements: Jack Evans, Tomos Hughes; Benji Kirk;  Raff Williams; Morgan Lewis.
 
 
 

Neyland so close to away win but miss out late on

 

Aberaeron 30 - Neyland 26

 
Referee Ifan Morgan (Cardigan)
 
Neyland came close to a surprise win but their ability to push second-division Aberaeron all the way shows that they should certainly to be able to hold their heads up in Division Three (West) this campaign.
 
Indeed, The All Blacks were deservedly 20-15 ahead after an entertaining first period, and finally ended up with tries from Henry McBeth, both cracking team-tries, hooker Alex ‘Budgie’ Swales and powerful second row George Evans, plus two penalties by No 10 Rio Phillips, who made an impressive debut after coming out of youth rugby.
 
For Aber, tries were scored by centre Matthew Harries, full back Jac Crompton-Roberts,  hooker Owen Bonsall and  outside half Steffan Rees alongside two conversions and two penalties by ace kicker Rhodri Jenkins.
 
It left the home side victorious but Neyland pleased with the way they had pushed Aber all the way, despite losing skipper George Williams and Alec Codd through injury, with one home spectator actually admitted his team might just have played a ‘get out of jail’ card!
 
Aberaeron:  Jac-Crompton Crompton:  Dyfrig Dafis; Gareth Jenkins; Rhodri Jenkins; Matthew Harries: Steffan Rees; Ifan Rishko; Aled Lewis; Owain Bonsall; Alex Danton: Julian Roberts; Bleddyn Thomas: Osian Davies; Steff Jones; Will Stone: Replacements: Rhys Jones 1, Ryan Williams; Morgan Evans; Ioan Evans; Rhys Jones 2; Dilwyn Harries; Ifan Davies.
 
Neyland: Oli Rothero: Henry McBeth; Fletcher Picton; Alex Codd; Josh Watts: Rio Phillips; Owen Hamer: Ben James; Alex Swales; Seb Mackintosh: George Evans; Iestyn Evans: Dan Hart; Owain Evans; George Williams (Capt). Replacements: Andrew Slark; Mason Kerrison; Tal Tamilia; James Hamilton; Finn Gale; Matthew Coles; Liam Rees.