Premiership Division:

 

Narberth keep their survival hopes alive

 

Narberth 39 - Brecon 28

 
Narberth gained an absolutely vital home win over fifth placed Brecon which gives The Otters a real chance now of remaining in the Premiership at the expense of Bonymaen, this five-point success taking them three points ahead of Bonymaen, who lost to Newbridge but do have a game in hand, although have to play three teams in the top five whilst Narberth also have to take on Neath (3^rd) and bottom-placed Newcastle Emlyn, both  away but with Emlyn already doomed to relegation.
 
In a fascinating tussle at Lewis Lloyd Ground the Narberth supporters must have bitten their finger nails below the quick because, not for the first time this season, their team almost managed to pluck defeat from the jaws of victory as they played superbly to establish a 26-0 lead before allowing Brecon a score just before the break.
 
This seemed to raise the visitors’ spirits and after the third quarter they were only 28-29 behind after three more converted tries – and a Narberth defeat now a real prospect – until Osian Evans kicked a penalty and then converted a second try by Otter man of the match Lewys Gibby as reward for his persistence.
 
Narberth had beaten Brecon by 15-12 away but a win by a much wider margin seemed a real prospect as they were gifted a penalty try and yellow card for an opponent, followed by a typical score as dynamic scrum half Gibby spotted a gap at a ruck and sped over for Evans to convert.
 
Evan better was a second penalty try and a bonus-point try from powerful winger Dean James, which went unconverted before Brecon skipper Alwyn Lee ploughed over near half time, converted by Jake Newman to fire a warning shot across Narberth’s bows.
 
An early penalty by Evans might have settled Narberth’s nerves after the break but then Brecon added further tries by Dafydd Edwards and Logan McIntosh to raise the tempo - and when centre Jack Dixon cut through, like the others converted by Jake Newman there was just a point in it.
 
It says much for The Otters’ will to win, however, that they regained the initiative as their pack won a penalty and Evans converted it – and a collective sigh of relief when Gibby applied the coup de grace as Narberth RFC are still very much in contention to keep their coveted slot in the second – although for The Otters and Bonymaen that is still a lot to be played for yet!
 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Geraint Llewellyn; Matthew John; Hedd Nicholas; Dean James: Osian Evans; Lewys Gibby: George Rossiter; Tom Clarke; Tom Kaijaks: Will Blackburn; Rhys Williams: Caleb Salmon; Tom Powell (Capt); Roy Powell. Replacements: Rob Evans; Kyle Hamer; Tom Slater; Sam Martin; Josh Hamer; Alex Williams; Llew Jones; Rhys Harries.
 
Brecon:  Sam Jones: Huw Jones; Tomos Davies; Jack Dixon; Joel Price: Jake Newman; Sean Horobin: Lewis Smout; Aneurin James; Chris Phillips: Alwyn Lee (Capt); Callum Bradbury: Joe Griffiths; Matthew Williams; Ioan Edwards. Replacements: Geraint Clarke; Owen Ford; Cameron Cox; Tom Offa; Logan McIntosh; Lewis Jones; Daf Edwards; Aaron Bramwell.





 
 
 

Championship Division:

 

Sickness causes Crymych to cry off

 

Crymych v Dunvant

 
**Match postponed as a bout of sickness hit the Preseli Men.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Colley leads the way as Seasiders run in nine tries – but just miss promotion

 

Felinfoel 26 - Tenby United 57

 
Tenby United rounded off a terrific season of running rugby with their 16^th win from 18 starts as they ran in nine tries against Felinfoel, completing a high-scoring double because they had already beaten this opposition by 64-19 at home.
 
But there was inevitably a measure of disappointment from coach Jonathan Evans and his talented squad because after completing this five-point rout they still came second, so they miss promotion by a single point after Aberystwyth also won well away at Kidwelly and so gain the single promotion slot available into the championship.
 
Once again leading the way was flanker Dan Colley, whose uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time saw him score four tries – and he might have had another but for a generous pass to a colleague!
 
No 8 Dom Colman, now looking back to full fitness, added two tries and Geraint Jones slotted six conversions, whilst Gwion Jones, who grabbed a try after switching from wing to outside half because of Lloyd Thomas’ broken leg, which will keep him out of the KO Cup Final.
 
Winger Matthew Lewis rounded off the scoring after playing really well alongside outstanding prop Hywel Baker, veteran Alex Jenkins and skipper Tom Barrass.
 
For Felinfoel there were two tries apiece for Dion Jenkins and Cian O’Reilly, which earned them a bonus point, plus three conversions for Aled Roberts.
 
**Tenby now have one important match to round off the campaign and that is the eagerly-awaited Knockout Cup Final fixture against Aberystwyth, with the date to be confirmed – and if it is anything as good as the two games between them in the league, which ended in a home victory apiece, it will be well worth watching!
 
Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Max Brindley; Liam Price; Tom Edmonds; Matthew Lewis: Gwion Jones; Dai Jones: Hywel Baker; Kyle Rossiter; Dom Booth: Alex Jenkins; Tom Barrass (Capt): Jack Brown; Dan Colley; Dom Colman. Replacements: Joe Poole; Rob Luly; Luke Dedman; Max Boswell; Fletcher Broadhurst; Will James; Cam Brodhurst.
 
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Depleted Mariners make the ‘Dreaded drop’

 

Loughor 51 - Milford Haven 19

 
Milford Haven made the journey to Loughor with a much-depleted side and after starting with a bare 15 players they lost the experienced Dan Goodridge and Dai Sweeny with injuries and so played with 13 to further increase their worries.
 
They now have only Carmarthen Athletic to play on the 19^th and hopefully can then regroup and rebuild for next season in Division Three (West) but they will do so with the services of coach Steve Martin, who has given the club wonderful service as a player and quality coach – indeed, he fulfilled both roles in this match and actually scored a try alongside other from Ieuan Davies and James Truman, who also landed two conversions.
 
The Mariners had beaten Loughor by 42-19 at home but the homesters were already 27-5 in front then and about to face a team with only 13 players, although skipper Chris Hall and his team never stopped tackling and trying to be positive!
 
Coach Martin was quick afterwards to sing the praises of those who played in such adversity and he deserves a rest now – and will be a great acquisition for some local club when he eventually makes a welcome return.
 
Milford Haven: Dan Goodridge: Kereem Busby; Steve Martin; Dan Birch; Owen Evans: Aaron Cookson; James Trueman: Ben Jenkins; Ryan Williams; Jordan Davies: Chris Hall (Capt); Chris Treiber-Jenkins: Dai Sweeny; Ethan Aldred; Ieuan Davies. Replacement: Morgan John.
 
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Cardigan share the spoils with a strong second-half comeback

 

Llandeilo 26 - Cardigan 26

 
Cardigan battled their way to a draw at Llandeilo after they had fought back from a 7-21 interval deficit to take their share of the spoils and only missed out on the double (they won 22-19 at home) by the width of an upright as their sensible decision to rest key players before their WRU Division Three semi-final takes place next Saturday.
 
They were, however, able to play former captain Tom Taylor on permit alongside Liam Wilkes from Fishguard and both caught the eye in a pack which played particularly well on the second half after they were trailing 26-7 thanks to three home tries in that first period and another soon after the break.
 
Those tries came in the 3^rd, 7th and 20^th minutes, and their final score almost straight from the restart – whilst Cardigan’s opening score by No 8 Guto Davies, converted by his namesake Jac came after 6 minutes in that mad opening spell.
 
Guto Davies added a second try alongside others from scrum half Llyr Jones and hard-working second row Keiran Hurley as The Cardis fought back in the final quarter, but Jac Davies landed one conversion but was off-target with the other so the game ended all-square.
 
Cardigan:  Aaron Evans: Sam Lloyd; Iwan John; Emyr Harries; Rhodri Davies: Jac Davies; Llyr Jones: Will Brice; Liam Wilkes; Ben Hughes: Flynn Tjoonk; Kieran Hurley: Tom Taylor; Dafydd Rotie; Guto Davies. Replacements: Andrw Jones; Will Delaney; Jac Delaney; Dan Jones; Iwan Toft. Travelling Reserves: Luke Palmer-Davies; Colin Davies; Marcus Castle; Shaun Leonard.
 
 




 

Division Four (West):

 

21 points in five first-half minutes ensure a clear-cut home win

 

Narberth Athletic 61 - Llangwm 10

 
Venue: The Lewis Lloyd Ground, Narberth
Referee: Martyn Rudd (who had a good game with his quiet control and clear signals)
 
Narberth were seven points to the good after 31 minutes of this Division Four (West) A match but had been under the cosh in the set-scrums as Llangwm utilised the front-row drive of Ieuan Power, Ben Elrick and Matthew Rees to establish strong platforms but good Narberth defence kept them out.

At the other end, The Otters’ second string had served notice of their greater pace behind the scrum as a bullocking run by Jack Tucker allowed prop Shay Norcross to power through and Shane Rossiter converted.
 
But then skipper Harry Phillips made a huge contribution as his outstanding support play as he sped through for three tries in six minutes, the first from a lineout-take by Kyle Williams and a clever touch-line dart by Phillips, who then sped through to the posts after more good work by Williams, Dan Owen and Jac Norcross.
 
Number three followed almost immediately as Tom Parcells, Rhys Jenkins and Richard Watkins were involved in the build-up and Rossiter converted all three so that the home side were 28-0 in front.
 
The Wasps finally opened their account right on the break as good work from Ben Llewellyn, Gavin Jones and especially veteran flanker Ian Griffiths earned a penalty which outside half Breig Matthews kicked from 30 metres.
 

Athletic keep on top on second half

 
Narberth started the second half with a well-worked try by centre Brad Cramb, which was for once unconverted – but Rossiter was again on target when he added the difficult touchline conversion when winger Stephen J Brown scored.
 
Llangwm finally managed a try when scrum half George James, who looks a very good player, joined with Matthews in taking them to the far corner at the clubhouse end – and a series of well controlled forward rumbles allowed No 8 Matthew Rees to score as reward for his terrific work-rate, with Matthews adding the extra points.
 
But the strength of the Athletic’s bench became evident as replacement Will Davies grabbed two late tries with Rossiter slotting both conversions and one from his own try sandwiched neatly in between which gave him a personal haul of 21 points to round off an entertaining game enjoyed by a good crowd under the Narberth floodlights!
 
Bill Ridge (Narberth Athletic Team manager): “Fair play to Llangwm they pushed us all the way in the first half hour, but our squad strength played a big part, and we are delighted to take another step in our quest for promotion, with skipper Harry Phillips leading by example and some good other individual performances in a team effort.”
 
James Lewis: We are disappointed by the final scoreline, which we felt didn’t reflect our efforts, especially up front in the first quarter when we were unlucky to trail by one score – but Narberth are a good team and we were grateful they allowed us to make sure we completed what has been a tough season but where everyone stuck together and played their hearts out for Llangwm RFC.”
 
Narberth Athletic: Shane Rossiter: Stephen J Brown; Bead Cramb; Shay Norcross; Will Davies: Archie Vallance; Harri Harries: Jac Norcross; Rhys Jenkins; Richard Watkins: Dan Owen; Tom Parcells: Kyle Williams; Harry Phillips; Jack Tucker. Replacements: Steve Thomas; Jake Philpin; Will Davies; Corey Neilson; Huw Evans. 
 
Llangwm: Mattie Lewis: Steffan Williams; Harri Williams; Josh Griffiths; Jack Roberts: Breig Matthews; George James: Ieuan Power; Ben Elrick; Matthew Rees: Gavin Jones; Ben Llewellyn: Ian Griffiths; Lewis Tucker; Morgan Rees. Replacements: Mark Davies; Andrew Edwards; Alfie Elrick; Harri Harries.
 



 

Saints celebrate superb new scoreboard with exciting double win

 

St Davids 31 - Pembroke 24

 
St Davids completed the double over Pembroke, having already won 20-15 at Crickmarren, and showing great tenacity to claw their way back four times after Pembroke had gone in front – and then grabbing that vital late score to give coach Morgan Griffiths a memorable hat trick.
 
But there was an even more special moment when the John James Memorial Scoreboard was opened in memory of the St Davids RFC ‘legend’ who recently passed away after being so involved at the club for so long, with family members there to mark the occasion.
 
The Scarlets took the lead with an early penalty by Jarred Sharratt but The Saints responded quickly with a cracking try by skipper Nathan Foster, converted by Bob Froy – but back came the visitors when Barry Alderman-John sped over for a try in his last game before retiring after so much wonderful service, Sharratt adding the extras.
 
There was still plenty of time for St Davids to enjoy Morgan Griffiths’ first try, again converted by Froy, to put his team 14-10 in front at the interval.
 
The action continued aplenty because with only three minutes of the second half gone The Scarlets regained the initiative when winger Evan Davies sliced through and Sharratt converted – only for Froy to notch a penalty and level matters.
 
In a topsy-turrvy tussle it came as no surprise when strong-running centre Fraser James crossed the whitewash for Sharratt to add the extras - but again St Davids were level after 53 minutes when Griffiths claimed try No 2 and Froy converted
 
The Saints player/coach was really sharp in his runs from full back and he gave his side the lead for only the second time after 63 minutes and Froy maintain his 100% record with the boot – but to everyone’s surprise on the touchline there was no further scoring.
 
It meant St Davids finished their home programme in style because victory meant they were the winners of the Willington Slate, played for annually between the teams and presented to Saints’ captain Nathan Foster by Darrell Willington in memory of his brother, to round off a game that was a tribute to the spirit that exists in Division Four rugby.
 
St Davids: Morgan Griffiths: Daf Davies; Harvey Lavin; Bob Froy: Ben Joyce; Michael Gurney: Ethan Griffiths; Rhys Price; Adam Williams: Iestyn Owen; James Goldsmith: Aaron Fister; Nathan Foster (Capt); George Raymond. Replacements: Ben Evans; Ben Lloyd; Noah Dark; Owain Morris; Kiron Mason.

Pembroke: TJ Jones: Evan Davies; Fraser James; Lewis Davies; Barry Alderman-John: Jared Sharratt; Josh Greenwood: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Dan Davies; Jamie Brayford: Scott Powell; William Edwards: Rhodri Walters; Rhydian Eynon; Dai Rogers. Replacements: Dan Gosnold; Tommy Oakley; Robin Badham; Rhys Johns; James Allen.