PHOTO
Andrew Morrillo on a charge

 

Featured Match:
 
Division Two (West):

 

Super Seagulls find their form

Fishguard & Goodwick 34 - Pontyberem 20

Fishguard & Goodwick found something like their best form as they gained revenge for a 42-17 reverse at Pontyberem earlier in the campaign to secure a victory for the Seagulls which pleased coaches Huw Evans and Gareth Thomas.

Their platform for victory was provided by the dynamism of their pack, who regularly stole ball from the opposition and put it to good use as halves Andrew Williams and Alun George called the shots – and although George was off-target with an early penalty shot his side were soon 14 points to the good as George made a superb break before Simon James and Gwilym Evans featured before Chris Shousha powered over from the lineout drive.

Debut-making full back Robbie Jones then sped up the left wing and found support from  Luke Freebury and Jac Evans before play was spread wide and centre Ben John judged his angle perfectly to score at the posts, both scores converted by George.

As The Seagulls continued to dominate they added a third, based on the power of Ryan McVeigh, Andrew Morrillo and skipper Gavin Walsh, who ploughed through a pile of bodies to score a deserved unconverted try.


Pontyberem opened their account with a penalty from outside half Dominic Sauro but Fishguard were good value for a 19-3 interval lead.

The Seagulls also made a strong start to the second half but spurned chances through over- eagerness and taking of wrong options – and paid the price as Pontyberem scored a try from Matthew Lloyd, converted by Sauro.

Liam Wilks looked to have scored a bonus-winning fourth try but was recalled for a foot in touch – but got his name on the scoresheet shortly afterwards, as did skipper Walsh for a second time, and Luke Freebury.
Pontyberem did add a third score from Dafydd Lloyd but they could have few complaints about this defeat as Fishguard showed just what they are capable of when their confidence is high.

Fishguard & Goodwick: Robbie Jones: Liam Wilks; Thomas George; Ben John; Dylan Thomas: Alun George; Andrew Williams: Andrew Morrillo; Gavin Walsh (Capt); Ryan McVeigh: Jac Evans; Gwilym Evans: Luke Freebury; Chris Shousha; Simon James. Replacements: Neil Perkins; Jordan James; Richard Hunter; Mark George.

Pontyberem:  Rhodri Lewis: Rhys Armstrong; Gwion Jones; Dafydd Lloyd; Steffan Bennett: Dominic Sauro; Adrian Williams (Capt): James Prosser; Ben Morris; Ceiron Evans: Matthew Lloyd; Alex Williams: Pete Sauro; Dion Robinson; Wayne Williams. Replacements: Mike Sauro; Kieran Walters; Craig Winn.
Referee: Huw David (Cefn Cribwr)



PHOTOS:
Ben John scores a try for the Seagulls
Ryan McVeigh looking strong

 

Championship Division:

  

Otters complete deserved win double

Glynneath 15 - Narberth 40

Narberth completed a deserved double as they followed up a 27-3 home win against basement battlers Glynneath with this relatively comfortable success, overcoming a determined home side and a heavy pitch that didn’t really suit the Otters’ attempts at running rugby.

But Narberth are capable of adapting their play and were soon 14 points ahead thanks to a try from winger Liam Hutchings and back-rower Steff Phillips, both converted by Nick Gale.

The home side responded with an unconverted try by Aled Evans before No 8 Phillips added his second, converted by Gale.

Back came Glynneath as Gareth Hoard claimed five points but Hutchings had the final word of the period with his second and although Gale was for once off target The Otters could be pleased with a 26-10 interval lead.

It was a similar story in the second half as Kieron Jones and Dewi Williams scored converted tries with a home try by Craig Taylor sandwiched in between and although The Otters were reduced to 13 men at one time as Jones and replacement Ianto Griffiths were yellow carded their defensive qualities ensured the score remained at 15-40 to give Sean Gale’s side a welcome bonus-point win.

PHOTO:
Liam Hutchings - two tries for Otters' winger

 

Division One (West):

 

15-man Seasiders miss out in second half

Gorseinon 26 - Tenby United 18

Tenby United travelled to Gorseinon with just 15 players and did well to hold the section’s fourth-placed team to 13-all at the half-way stage but eventually ran out of steam and sadly just missed out on a losing bonus point after so much effort.

The Seasiders conceded tries through winger Owain Thomas and centre Andrew Steele, with outside half Tim O’Kelly missing both conversions but landing a penalty – whilst Seasiders’ skipper Johnny Morgan claimed all their points after kicking two early penalties and adding a try and conversion just before half time.

O’Kelly opened the second-half scoring with another penalty and also added the extra points to a try by full back David Rees and after both teams missed penalties Tenby winger Yanik Parker raised their hopes with a well-taken try that reduced the deficit to five points.

But in the final few minutes O’Kelly notched his third penalty to take the Seasiders out of the losing bonus point range which they tried to restore but a late long-range penalty attempt drifted just wide of the mark.

PHOTO:
Johnny Morgan - scored a try and kicked eight points for Tenby

 

Division Two (West):

 

Borderers’ winger Coles claims another four-timer

Amman United 0 - Whitland 35

Whitland maintained their good form in their quest for promotion with a confident and convincing victory against Amman United where they ran in three tries in each half and prevented the opposition from scoring a single point.

The Borderers have the benefit of a combative and expert ball-winning unit up front alongside backs who are prepared to run the ball, plus a sound defence – and this match again featured four tries from flying New Zealand winger Sean Coles for the second time in eight days.

But it was astute skipper Nico Setaro who got them off the mark with a penalty, followed by a good try from winger Liam Price.

Then Coles sped through for a brace before the interval to help his side to an 18-0 lead before cutting the home defence to ribbons twice more after the break – with powerful centre Josh Thomas rounding off another good personal performance with a try and Scott Lloyd converting one to keep the pressure on front runners Hendy, whose game was postponed.
 

PHOTO:
Sean Coles - winger sped over for four tries for Whitland

 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Bonus-point Scarlets stay top

 

Laugharne 15 - Pembroke 32

Pembroke remain top of the table after not only gaining a hard-fought win over a Laugharne side that battled hard but also pouching a welcome bonus point as they quelled a strong home come-back and finished the stronger, to the evident pleasure of Scarlets’ coach Geraint Lewis.

“We knew this was going to be a tough game,” he said but our pack was terrific so that half backs Toby Smith and Tom Lewis could control play and bring our backs into action.”

And that is just what they did to open up a 15-3 interval with unconverted tries by powerful prop Johnny Palmer, Toby Smith and Dan Colley, from a clever switch move where he judged his angle to perfection – and all Laugharne could muster in response was a penalty from Tom Jameson, playing at No 10 because regular incumbent Owain Thomas had broken a wrist.

Laugharne scored first after the oranges with a try by winger Aaron Ebsworth, converted by Jameson and they also managed a later score from Gethin Spier – but The Scarlet surge restarted with outstanding flanker Rhodri Walters helping set up other tries from winger Elliott Evans, Colley again and full back Luke Hartland, who also added their only conversion.

PHOTO:
Dan Colley - powerful centre crossed for two tries for Pembroke

 

Mariners maintain pressure on Pembroke

 

St Davids 5 - Milford Haven 48

Winger Craig ‘Yoda’ Thomas and centre Jamie Lewis claimed try braces as Milford Haven stayed second in the table to Pembroke with a bonus point win at St Davids.

The Mariners were kept scoreless for the first 20 minutes as The Saints defended bravely, but broke the deadlock when scrum half Dan McClelland sniped through a gap and after he was hauled down short, it was Thomas who benefitted from the overlap to score in the corner.

Alan McClelland’s side added a second try when Lewis broke down the left swing and although his inside pass went to ground, No 10 Lee Riley did well to scoop up the loose ball and dive over.

Veteran winger ‘Yoda’ then evaded several tackles as he weaved his way to the line for a second try, and the visitors secured their bonus point when hooker Luke Ryan broke through in midfield, before supplying the scoring pass to No 8 Archie Smithies.

No 9 McClelland added one first half conversion in difficult kicking conditions.
But The Saints did enjoy spells of pressure, and after a weaving run from centre Gavin Smith came to nothing, the home side also failed to score from a series of close range scrums and lineouts before the break.
And they paid the price shortly after half time as Lewis scored twice in quick succession, firstly slicing over in midfield from close range for a try McClelland converted, and then striking again in similar fashion after flanker Ben Groves had been stopped inches short of the line.

It was McClelland who added the next score when he picked up from a ruck and powered through a gap before adding the extras himself, as he did when promising young second row Zac Davies completed the Milford scoring with a powerful burst to the posts.

But as always, St Davids kept playing as the elusive running of centre Gabe York caused The Mariners problems, and the home side eventually crossed when veteran No 8 Anthony Davies, on as a second half replacement, picked up from a five metre scrum to score.

The result keeps Milford a point behind Pembroke, but they will have to be relying on The Scarlets to slip up from here on in to be in with a chance of claiming the title.

St Davids: Rhys Morgan, Tanapon Phumkhonsan, Gavin Smith, Gabe York, Harvey Godkin, Owain Beynon, Zac Morgan, Will Davies, Noel Lyons, Dan Murphy, Gethin Bateman, Rhys Price (capt), Andrew Groves, Scott Riches, Dafydd Williams.
Replacements: Anthony Davies, Chris Jenkins, Fraser Watson.
Milford Haven: Jimmy Thomas, Craig Thomas, Jamie Lewis, Dan Jenkins, Billy Marchant, Lee Riley, Dan McClelland, Mike Cockburn, Luke Ryan, Adam Rees (capt), Zac Davies, Chris Hall, David Round, Ben Groves, Archie Smithies.
Replacements: Dean Aldred, Mark Wonnacott, Darren Lewis, Brandon Cooper.

PHOTO:
Jamie Lewis - the quick running centre scored a brace of tries for Milford Haven

 

PHOTO:
Blues' try-scorer Lewis Wood is hauled down by Neyland's Steve Martin

Blues fight back for late local derby win

Haverfordwest 17 - Neyland 15

A late penalty from young outside half Liam Mainwaring saw Haverfordwest edge home in their local derby fixture at home to Neyland after the All Blacks had led for much of a hard-fought tussle.

Outside half Steve Martin put Neyland ahead early on with a penalty after some good work by the likes of Alex Codd, Iestyn Evans and Alex Codd – but The Blues  claimed the opening try of the match when Dane Pindare powered over the line for Mainwaring to add the extra points.

But The All Blacks refused to submit and talented young centre George Williams rounded off a good move with an unconverted try – followed a typical break by Steve Martin that brought the Neyland player/coach a try and conversion to put his side 15-7 to the good at half time.

Haverfordwest opened the second half with a try from experienced No 8 Lewis Wood which Mainwaring goaled to take his side within a point of the opposition.

Both teams had chances to seal success but late in the game it was The Blues who were awarded a penalty and Mainwaring maintained his composure to slot the vital three-pointer between the uprights.

Spokesmen from both camps agreed that this could have gone either way but in the final analysis it was The Blues who won, but with The All Blacks at least securing a bonus point as some measure of compensation!
 

Cardis win well at Pill Parks

Llangwm 3 - Cardigan 31

Cardigan secured a bonus point from their visit to Pill Parks as they ran in five tries as all The Wasps could muster in return was an early penalty from Luke Hayman which gave them an early lead.

No 8 Jason Mock also played well for the home side but they were unable to turn half- chances into points and The Teifisiders were ahead by 24-3 at the interval thanks to tries from flanker Gruff Lewis, scrum half Tomos Jones, hooker Luke palmer-Davies and centre Sion Hughes, right on half time, assisted by a brace of conversions by full back John Lumb.

The second half was more evenly contested and the only try came from Cardigan tight-head prop Andrew Jones, converted by Lumb, to give Teifiders’ coach Colin Davies a decent win in view of The Wasps’ recent performances.
 

Aberaeron win Bierspool tussle

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 20 - Aberaeron 39

There was entertaining rugby galore at Bierspool as Pembroke Dock Harlequins were in sight of a bonus point until Aberaeron claimed a late score that just about earned them victory.

Aber No 10 Rhodri Jenkins gave his side an early three-point lead before opposing kicker Lewis Davies put the Quins 6-3 ahead with two penalties on target after good work by Thomas Doyle’s pack.

But the visitors regained the lead with an unconverted try by winger Dyfrig Dafys and then Jenkins slotted a penalty and then added the conversion to a good try by Ollie Sawyer.

Dafys added his second try within five minutes of the restart, again converted by Jenkins, but The Quins bounced back with a try from flanker Hywel Baker, who was put through by Jordan Palmer, before Doyle’s break allowed No 10 Aaron Cookson to cross the whitewash, both converted by Davies.

Home coach Ossie Boswell must have been harbouring thoughts of a win as they trailed 20-25 but Aberaeron finished the stronger with tries from centre Tom Slinger and then Chris Lewis in the closing seconds, both converted by Jenkins, leaving his side with a bonus-point win and the Quins having nothing to show for a whole lot of effort!
 

PHOTO:
Hywel Baker - scored a try in vain for The Quins

 
 

WRU National Plate Competition:

 

Preseli Men falter in quarterfinal tussle

Crymych 17 - Ystalyfera 28

Crymych gave their all in their quest to reach the last four of this WRU National competition but in the final analysis it was Ystalyfera who prevailed by dint of the fact that they made fewer errors and took their chances better.

The visitors are currently undefeated in Division One (West Central) but if they arrived at Parc Lloyd Thomas expecting an easy win they were soon under no such illusions as Crymych battled hard up front through skipper Rhys Davies, Richard Sharp-Williams, Zac France-Miller, Ryan Rees and the rest and were only 15-11 adrift at half time as flanker Llyr Davies claimed their try alongside two penalties from winger Ifan Phillips.

Ystalyfera replied with tries throughout the game from full back Steff Castle, winger Luke Carney and experienced scrum half Scott Gibson, plus two conversions and three penalties by Castle.

The Preseli Men added two more penalties from Phillips but the visitors had a sufficient edge to take the honours and leave Crymych beaten but unbowed!

PHOTO:
Ifan Phillips - kicked four penalties for Crymych