Rugby Reports for Saturday, September 16th - 2017

Championship Division:

Rogers holds his nerve as The Otters win on the road

Beddau 13 - Narberth 16

A 78th minute penalty from outside half Jonathan Rogers sealed a great win on the road for Narberth as they edged out Beddau after an epic tussle.

Rogers’ opposite number, Hywel Chatham, had seemingly grabbed a draw for the Pontypridd side when he landed a three pointer with five minutes to go – but then the Narberth pack earned a penalty 40 metres out, and Rogers kept his nerve to ensure his side bounced back from their defeat at Cardiff Met last week.

It was Rogers, making his first start of the campaign, who exchanged penalties with Chatham in a physical first half, where try chances were few and far between as the sides went in 3-3 at the break.

But early in the second half, The Otters took control as their front row of Bradley Davies, Dan Smith, and Tom Slater were instrumental in earning a seven point penalty try as they forced the Beddau pack into collapsing a close range scrum.

The home side hit back though when No 8 Leon Rogers charged over, and Chatham converted.

Rogers nailed another penalty to put his side 13-10 up, and after Chatham again responded with three of his own, came that late drama as the young No 10 sealed the victory for Sean Gale’s men.

“This is always a tough place to come and we had a young side today,” said Narberth RFC Chairman Rob ‘Basher’ Lewis afterwards.

“So the boys are delighted with the win.”

Narberth: Ianto Griffiths, Jack Parkinson, Kieran Jones, Kieran Griffiths, Gethin Gibby, Jonathan Rogers, Rhys Lane, Bradley Davies, Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Jake Simm, Ryan Banner, Rich Rees (captain), Sean Jenkins, Steffan Phillips. Replacements: Ollie Evans, Dewi Williams, Tom Powell, Lewis Gibby, Joe Hutchings.

PHOTO:
Jonathan Rogers - vital points for Narberth

Division One (West):

Crymych v Gorseinon – match postponed, waterlogged pitch.

Seasiders stifled at Heywood Lane

Tenby United 17 - Penclawdd 20

After being so impressive at home last season, Tenby went down to a disappointing defeat at Heywood Lane to an organised Penclawdd side.

Much of The Cocklemen’s win was down to their strong set piece play, and they took control to lead 14-5 at half time thanks to tries from Dan James and Luke Gunville.

Outside half Daniel Guarneri added both conversions, and after Tenby were hindered by a yellow card to hooker Joe Poole, then landed two second half penalties as his side led 20-12 in the closing stages.

It was then that Tenby, who had earlier tries from second row Mike Davies and winger Jevon Barnes, one converted by Ashley Sutton, really rallied and Jonathan Morgan sniped over from scrum half to set up a grand stand finish.

But the visitors held out to inflict a second straight league defeat on Luke Hansford and co.

“We could have snatched it at the end but overall, we didn’t perform well enough today,” admitted the skipper afterwards.

PHOTO:
Jevon Barnes scores for Tenby - Brian McKehon

Division Two (West):

Setaro secures a narrow win for Whitland

Carmarthen Athletic 3 - Whitland 6

To call this a hard fought local derby would perhaps be an understatement as Whitland stayed top of the table courtesy of a 6-3 win over near neighbours Carmarthen Athletic.

In terrible conditions, The Borderers made it three wins from three thanks to two first half penalties from No 10 Nico Setaro, whilst opposite number Tom Gravell responded with Athletic’s only three points.

Both Gravell and Setaro were off target with further efforts in the second half, but the latter was joined by Whitland backs Jonathan Thomas and Scott Newton in controlling the play with their kicking out of hand.

Prop Michael Ryan also stood out with his powerful ball carrying, and the manner of the win would not have remotely bothered The Borderers as they continued their 100% start.

PHOTO:
Michael Ryan - played well up front for Whitland

Seagulls did deep for a first league win

Llanybydder 12 - Fishguard & Goodwick 16

Outside half Alun George landed 11 points as Fishguard & Goodwick got their season up and running with a hard fought win in Llanybydder.

With the pitch understandably soaking from torrential pre-game rain, George landed an early penalty, before converting a try from Andrew Williams after the scrum half had sniped over from close range.

Richard Davies brought the home side back into it with an unconverted try before the break, but in the second half, George landed two further penalties following good work up front hooker and skipper Gavin Walsh and his pack.

It was a nervy finish for The Seagulls though after Aled Evans crossed for Bydder and Jordan Jones converted, but the visitors showed their resilience late on before celebrating a first league win.

PHOTO:
Mike Jenkins on a charge for Fishguard - Andrew Butler

Shane spurs the Carmarthenshire Saints

St Clears 24 - Pontyberem 5

Outside half Shane Morgan starred as St Clears showed their capabilities with a bonus point win over Pontyberem.

Morgan crossed for a try hat trick, alongside a Wayne Price try, with young full back Geraint Rees kicking two conversions for Mike Jones’ men.

For the well beaten visitors, scrum half Rhys Armstrong crossed for an unconverted try.

National Bowl Round One:

Makeshift Mariners leathered in Llanelli

Cefneithin 43 - Milford Haven 7

It was a long day on the road for Milford Haven as they travelled to Cefneithin minus several key players, and paid the price with a heavy defeat.

Alan McClelland’s men had little answer to the home side’s intensity, as they notched try braces through scrum half Steffan Davies and second row Nick Harbuck, while winger Scott Davies and prop James Gronow also crossed.

Outside half Richard Watts added five conversions and a penalty – while The Mariners could only manage a well taken try from centre Jamie Lewis, that full back Lee Riley converted.

Crymych 2nds v Newcastle Emlyn 2nds – match postponed, waterlogged pitch

Ferryside v Cardigan – match postponed, waterlogged pitch

PHOTO:
Tom Lewis - key role in Pembroke win at Haverfordwest

Five star Scarlets move into round two

Haverfordwest 24 - Pembroke 31

The much awaited cup clash between Haverfordwest and Pembroke didn’t disappoint – and it was The Scarlets who prevailed after outscoring their hosts by five tries to four.

It was actually The Blues who led early as winger Ben Skudder surged over in the corner, but the visitors responded immediately as in-form No 8 Sam Smith touched down from a rolling maul, and full back Sean Dalling converted.

Dalling himself then crossed following a well-worked training ground instigated by No 9 Tom Lewis, and he converted again before The Scarlets really took control with a second pushover try for Smith.

Trailing 19-5, the home side needed a spark and they found it after half time through elusive No 10 Matthew Davies, who cut through for a try that Skudder converted – but then Davies’ opposite number Simon Hooper responded in kind with a five pointer of his own for Pembroke.

And then Geraint Lewis’ men seemingly made the game safe as scrum half Lewis sniped over, and Dalling converted to open up a 31-12 lead.

But as The Scarlets tired, Haverfordwest stormed back through another Davies try that Skudder goaled, and then flanker Daniel John charged over to cut the deficit to seven points.

But Pembroke held firm late on, to the delight of head coach Lewis.

“We were outstanding up front today and our scrum and lineout made the difference,” he said.

“We were missing key players like Dom Colman and Toby Smith, but the boys who came in were brilliant and this shows the all-round strength of our squad.”

Haverfordwest: Rhys Baker, Ollie Hughes, Matty Phillips, Dane Pindair, Ben Skudder, Matthew Davies, Richard James, Richard Little, Graham Jenkins, Ieuan Bevan, Liam Brown, Karl Busch, Daniel John, Adam Williams, Alun Harries. Replacements: David O'Leary, Ben Llewellyn, Morgan Layton, Iestyn Griffiths.

Pembroke: Luke Hartland, Daffy Lewis, Shaun Dalling, Dan Colley, Elliot Evans, Simon Hooper, Tom Lewis, Lloyd Davies, Max Hayward, Jonny Palmer, Scott Powell, Alex Wilkes, Jordan Gwilliam, Jordan Evans, Samuel John. Replacements: Seamus Wiseman, Jim Brace, Rhodri Walters, William Edwards, Ryan Wilkins.

Referee: David Anthony Jones.

Laugharne v Narberth 2nds – walkover to Laugharne

Williams inspires All Blacks to a win in Llandovery

Llandovery 2nds 20 - Neyland 36

There was an entertaining clash at Llandovery as Neyland progressed into the next round after a game that saw seven tries, five of which went to the All Blacks.

Steve Martin’s men played some good rugby to secure a first win of the season, as impressive young centre George Williams went over for two tries, and Dan and Ben Goodridge both crossed from their respective wings

The experienced Martin also went over, as Mark Riley landed four conversions alongside a penalty from Alex Codd.

But the hosts also played their part, as Celvin Davies grabbed a try alongside a 15-point haul from No 10 Ken Evans, who finished with a try, two conversions, and two penalties to his name.

It wasn’t enough however to prevent The All Blacks going through, and more importantly, securing a first win of the season.

Saints struggle after a tight start

Llangadog 36 - St Davids 5

The Saints bowed out of the Bowl despite battling hard on a heavy pitch at Llangadog.

The home side led just 3-0 after a combative first 20 minutes, with centre Daf Jenkins kicking a simple penalty.

But after away second row Gethin Bateman was harshly sin binned, Llangadog took advantage as No 8 Carwyn Poulton and flanker Iwan Jones both powered over from close range.

Jenkins converted both, and then also added the extras on the brink of half time when flanker Josh Hatton won the race to a clever grubber kick through to score.

The away side got a foothold after the break though, and with hooker Noel Lyons and centre Aled Harries impressing, got a try back as scrum half Fraser Watson returned from injury to dummy his way over from 20 metres out.

The home side put a slightly misleading tilt on the scoreline however with two more tries in the dying minutes, as winger Aled Williams finished well and Jenkins again converted, before No 10 Aled Davies jinked over from the game’s final play.