PHOTO:
Prop Jack Harries drives hard for Neyland

Featured Match:

 

Division Three (West) A

 

Aberaeron hang on at The Athletic Ground

Neyland 5 - Aberaeron 12

This match was low on points but played with total commitment in difficult conditions before Aberaeron edged home and denied Neyland the chance of claiming a first win after two previous defeats.

But although they had to settle for a losing bonus point The All Blacks battled hard and coach Steve Martin must have been pleased with the display of his talented youngsters who were ably assisted by Martin himself at outside half, Mark Riley at full back, winger Delme Bateman, Mark James in the second row and especially Chris Busby at No 8.

There were some real positive in performances by young centres Alex Codd and George Williams, flankers Iestyn and Jake Evans, second row Luke Dawes, plus props Jack Harries and Eugene Grice – and no shortage of effort from hooker Craig Power and winger Chris Morgan.

Aberaeron arrived with a big pack that included powerful forwards like Owen Wozencroft, Alistair Severs, Gareth Hughes and skipper Alex Denton, who was chosen as Aber’s man of the match for his efforts at tight head prop.

They led 7-5 at half time as centre Ollie Sayer scored a try, converted by No 10 Rhodri Jenkins, whilst Neyland replied with a Martin try where the easy conversion was missed.

The All Blacks had the advantage of wind and slope after the oranges but failed to convert pressure into points – and the only score came from a good support try for the visitors by dynamic flanker Aaron Lewis.
It was a disappointing conclusion to this tussle for Martin and Co but the coach will know that he has some talented players in his squad who will gain experience during the season – and the results will improve!
 
Neyland: Mark Riley: Chris Morgan; Alex Codd; George Williams; Delme Bateman: Steve Martin; Adam Cawley: Jack Harries; Craig Power; Eugene Grice: Mark James; Luke Dawes: Jake Evans; Iestyn Evans; Chris Busby. Replacements: Richard Jones; Steve Hamer; Ben Goodridge; Harley Tree; Johnny Lloyd.

Aberaeron:  Dyfrig Dafis: Bleddyn Thomas; Tom Slinger; Ollie Sayers; Rhodri Thomas: Rhodri Jenkins; Iwan Thomas: Owen Wozencroft; Rhydian harries; Alex Danton: Alistair Severs; Gethin Hughes: Aaron Lewis; Sion Stephens; Tudur Jenkins. Replacements: Dafydd Lloyd; Iwan Evans; Dafydd Llewellyn; Sion Evans; Steffan Doyle.
Referee: Simon Harries
 
 

Championship Division:

 

Pooler too strong for The Otters

Pontypool 29 - Narberth 0

Pontypool maintained their 100% start to the season with a comfortable win over a Narberth side which never gave up trying but whose cause certainly wasn’t helped by a series of injuries that has swelled their already large list of ‘walking wounded’ who are unable to play.

Pooler were 22-0 up at half time and a large score looked on the cards but the Otters collectively rolled up their sleeves and only conceded another converted try through solid defence whilst also looking to attack at every opportunity as they also had chances.

There was no score until midway through the first half, when outside half Matthew Jones put Pooler ahead with a penalty – and he also converted their opening try scored by Kieran Meek.

The Otters lost winger Jack Parkinson and second row Jake Simm, replaced by Kieran Griffiths and Pat Roberts and the home side added further tries by No 8 Jordan Williams and hooker Ben Parry, one converted by Evans.

It says much for The Otters’ determination that they only conceded one more try by replacement winger Jamie Jeune and goaled by Evans, with Narberth players Ryan Rees and Ryan Davies also leaving the field injured, replaced respectively by Rhys Davies and Lewys Gibby.

Narberth: Nick Gale, Ryan Davies, Kieran Jones, Paul Davies, Jack Parkinson, Jonathan Rogers, Rhys Lane, Bradley Davies, Dan Smith, Ryan Rees, Jake Simm, Alex Jenkins (captain), Rich Rees, Sean Jenkins, Steffan Phillips. Replacements: Rhys Davies, Rhodri Owens, Pat Roberts, Lewys Gibby, Kieran Griffiths.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Seasiders deservedly return to winning ways

Tenby United 33 - Aberystwyth 7

Tenby United returned to winning ways with a convincing win over Aberystwyth, who were several places ahead of The Seasiders but were always shaded in every department as the home side were also rewarded with a bonus point for scoring five tries to their opponents’ one.

Tenby were just seven points to the good at half time but had created a wonderful base through the quality of their defensive work before enjoying the benefit of the elements afterwards.

Ashley Sutton scored that vital try and converted it, as well as maintaining a head of steam up front through his tactical kicking in support of superb forward play by the likes of  Barry Parsons, Mike Davies, Roy Osborne, Dewi Williams, Rob Clark and the rest of the home eight.

It certainly paid dividends because although the home side did manage a converted try the Seasiders added further tries from Yannick Parker, Johnny Morgan, Jordan Asparassa and Osborne, to go with three more conversions from the influential Sutton.
 

PHOTO:
Johnny Morgan - good try for Tenby

 

Late postponement frustrates Preseli Men

Crymych v Llanelli Wanderers – Match postponed

With both teams changed and the referee ready to start the game at Parc Lloyd Thomas the visitors decided that the pitch wasn’t in good enough condition to play, leaving the match official with no option but to call the game off and Crymych disappointed at their inactivity!
 

Division Two (West)

 

Slow-starting Seagulls pay the price

Yr Hendy 33 - Fishguard & Goodwick 18

Over the last couple of seasons Fishguard and Goodwick have earned the unenviable reputation of being slow starters, and this game was no exception as Hendy were already 21-3 ahead after 25 minutes before The Seagulls battled back.

But the margin was too wide and in the final analysis Hendy were good value for victory.

Flanker Mark Witherspoon, centre Josh Baxter and winger Tom Harford scored Hendy’s first-half tries, all converted by outside half Rhydian Morris as Alun George slotted a Fishguard penalty before Tomos George sped through for an unconverted try right on half time.

With Chris Shousha as a human battering ram in the centre and with Gavin Walsh and Luke Freebury leading up front, The Seagulls managed a further try from skipper Walsh, converted by George to go with his second penalty.

But Hendy responded with second tries by Harford and Baxter, one converted by Morris – and The Seagulls really must address this early ‘travel sickness’ if they are to move up the table!’

Fishguard: Edward Bendall, Mathew George, Mike Jenkins, Chris Shousha, Thomas George, Alun George, Andrew Williams, Ryan McVeigh, Liam Wilkes, Neil Perkins, Richard Hunter, Gwilym Evans, Gavin Walsh (captain), Luke Freebury, Mark George.  Replacements: Jason Davies, Owain Richards, Jac Evans, Ryan Langman, Mathew Harries.
 

PHOTO:
Gavin Walsh - try for Fishguard skipper

 

Whitland match off because of Nico’s nuptials

Loughor v Whitland – Match Postponed

This match was postponed with the mutual consent of the clubs because The Borderers outside half Nico Setaro’s wedding was due to take place.
 

Division Three (West):

 

Sam helps Scarlets slam Tregaron

Pembroke 79 - Tregaron 14

Four tries from back row powerhouse Sam Smith helped Pembroke to a huge win over Tregaron at Crickmarren as proof that they had recovered from defeat the previous week.

The Scarlets suffered an early set back when they conceded a soft converted try almost from the kick off but then crossed for 13 tries, seven of them converted by centre Sean Dalling, before the Mid Wales’ side had the final word with another seven-pointer before making the long journey home.

Smith was part of a dynamic back row where Billy Wood and Jordan Evans (2) joined him on the try sheet, as did skipper Scott Powell as reward for his graft in the second row, with The Scarlets ahead by 50-7 at half time and looking eager for more points as teenage winger claimed the try of the match from long range.

Half backs Tom Lewis and Toby Smith made sure that a plethora of possession was used well, the latter marking his return at No 10 with a try as winger Barry John, full back Luke Hartland and centre Dom Colman completed the try count and coach Geraint Lewis was understandably delighted about the manner in which his team achieved success in moving to the top of the table.
 

PHOTO:

Sam Smith - four tries for Pembroke powerhouse

 

Quins win well at St Davids

St Davids 10 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 29

In the only Pembrokeshire derby of the day, a hat trick of tries from Pembroke Dock Quins’ captain Thomas Doyle helped his side to a win in a fiercely contested battle at St Davids.

It was The Saints who dominated in terms of territory and possession, but The Quins were far more clinical as they crossed five times and defended solidly to notch a second successive league win.

The away side were ahead within two minutes when centre Josh Norman made an outside break and then outstripped the cover defence for a try that No 10 Lewis Davies converted.

And midway through the half, Ossie Boswell’s team extended the lead when prop Hywel Baker powerfully crashed over from 15 metres out.

But St Davids, for whom No 8 Dafydd Williams shone with his relentless ball carrying, then spent a long period battering away at the away team’s try line, and eventually crossed when winger John Miles gave the scoring pass to prop Ben Evans out wide.

It meant The Quins led 12-5 at the break, but they extended that by a further five points straight after half time when outside half Davies took a quick tap penalty in midfield, and it led to Doyle speeding over in the corner.

And the centre soon notched his second score, taking a pop pass from scrum half Jake Griffiths and cutting through a gap for a well worked try.

But after The Quins had Norman and flanker Steff Halwood sin binned, St Davids battled back again and centre Mathew Bennett set up replacement winger James Atherton for a debut try out wide.

The Saints then pressed for the late try that would have given them a bonus point, but again the visitors stood firm in defence, before breaking upfield and setting the platform for Doyle to cut over from 10 metres out and complete his try treble.

Davies converted, and afterwards Boswell was quick to praise both sides.

“It was a really good game today,” he told Pembrokeshire Sport afterwards.

“We have a young side that is improving all the time. But credit to St Davids, they tested us and are in far better shape than they were last season as well.”
 

PHOTO:
Thomas Doyle - try hat-trick for Quins' skipper

 
 

Six-try Laugharne overcome Wasps’ fire

Laugharne 38 - Llangwm 3

Laugharne scored six tries to stifle visiting Llangwm’s hopes of a surprise win but The Wasps never gave up trying after trailing 17-3 at the break but never able to capture the sort of consistent possession needed to stage a fight-back.

Outside half Joseph Kiff claimed the only Llangwm points from a well-stuck penalty as he joined partner Luke Hayman in trying to keep their pack, which was well led by skipper James Lewis, going in difficult conditions.

But Laugharne always held the edge and were rewarded with tries by flanker Carwyn Jones, centre Ross Michael, winger Jack Morris, full back Aled Rees, flanker Rhys Evans and a penalty try.

They had successful conversions from outside half Owen Thomas and centre Tom Jameson (2) to complete their points tally and give them their first win of the campaign, whilst The Wasps have now lost all four of their matches so far.
 

PHOTO:
James Lewis - Llangwm skipper led by example

 

Blues game halted by Cardis’ Bowl involvement!

Haverfordwest v Cardigan – Match Postponed

*Cardigan had Welsh National Bowl match scheduled at Ferryside which took precedence over a league fixture but was postponed at the last minute as the referee ruled the pitch unplayable.

So the Blues played a friendly against Cwmllynfell with a mixture of firsts, seconds and youth players and ended up at Pembroke Road with a 25 10 win.

Leading the way again was centre Ben Skudder with a try, two conversions and two penalties for a personal haul of 15 points, whilst second row Paul Thomas and full back Rhys Baker also crossed the whitewash.

For Cwmllynfell, who play in Division Three (West Central) C, there were two tries from Matthew Simons to round off an entertaining game.

PHOTO:
Rhys Baker - try in Haverfordwest's friendly win