Championship:

 

Terrific away win for Otters

Rhydyfelin 13 - Narberth 36

Narberth continued their excellent start to the new championship season with a third win in as many matches against a tough Rhydyfelin side which is always a daunting challenge on the own Hawthorn turf, as a number of other clubs are sure to appreciate as the season wears on.

Rhydyfelin base their play on a strong pack contribution but the Otters’ front row of Tom Kaijaks, Bradley Davies and Rhodri Owen ensured a rock-solid scrum whilst Tom Powell, Andrew Cooke and skipper Alex Jenkins were eager to be involved as they established a 14-8 lead at the half way stage and were always in control thereafter so that they also pouched a bonus point to keep them firmly in contention at the top of the table.

The home side had tries by Garyn Lucas, which was set up by Kevin Briggs, and Kerry Jones, after Dai Gratton had kicked an early penalty – but Jack Price again caught the eye in attack for Narberth as the strong-running centre grabbed two tries alongside others from Cooke, winger Johnny Morgan and centre Kieron Jones.

Ianto Griffiths again called the shots well in the No 10 slot and also landed three conversions and a penalty to complete an excellent Otters’ win that keeps them in joint top spot with old rivals Pontypool and Cardiff Met University.
 

PHOTO:
Jack Price - crossed for two tries for the Otters

 

PHOTO:
Nico Setaro pounces for a try for Whitland, the outside half collected all his side's points
Pictures by Paul Rodgers

 

Division One (West):

 

Nico stars as Borderers hang on with 12 men

Whitland 23 - Crymych 21

Matches between Whitland and Crymych are traditionally hard fought and this latest match at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn was no exception as Crymych took the early lead, the Borderers led 23-9 but in the final stages were forced to hold on to a two-point lead as skipper Marc Jones, flanker Scott Buirds and scrum half Tom Parry all raised the wrath of the referee and were shown yellow cards to see them with 12 men at one stage.
 

Colella scores twice – but Setaro is the hero of the hour

Coincidentally, Crymych flanker Sion Colella who had also been shown yellow in the first period but returned to the fray to score the two late tries that pulled the Preseli Men back into contention.

But it was outside half Nico Setaro who was once again the hero for The Borderers, scoring all their points as he claimed their only try, slotted a dropped goal and landed five penalties.

Crymych made the brighter start as young fly half Ifan Rees Phillips notched two early penalties and they might have had more points but for some good defensive work by Liam Price, Gino Setaro and Josh Thomas.
 

Borderers look in control – until those late yellow cards!

Gradually though, Whitland clawed their way back and two Nico Setaro penalties hauled them level by the end of the first quarter and with Jack Mason, Ryan Morgan and Scott Buirds to the fore they lead by 14-6 at half time as Setaro dived over the line following the endeavours of Josh Thomas and Scott Lloyd - and also added a dropped goal.

Ifan Rees Phillips kicked his third penalty after the break but Nico Setaro, with three penalties, to put his side in the driving seat - but than in that exciting climax Colella featured twice and Ifan Rees Phillips managed one conversion but it was the home side  that held on, leaving coach Gareth Bennett with severely chewed fingernails!

Whitland:  Gino Setaro: Liam Price; Scott Lloyd; Josh Thomas; Sean Coles: Nico Setaro; Tom Parry: Aaron Mayne; Marc Jones (Capt); Tomos Evans: Courtney Bowman; Benjamin Kirk: Ryan Morgan; Scott Buirds; Jac Mason. Replacements: Dan Evans, Jimmy Buirds; James Thomas; Mike Ryan; Daniel Evans.

Crymych: Alun Jenkins: Nick Bevan; Carwyn Phillips; Tomos Phillips; Tomos Lewis: Ifan Rees Phillips; Adam Forester: Ryan Rees; Morgan James; Matthew Iorwerth-Scott: Matthew Freebury; Rhys Davies (Capt): Aled Harries; Sion Colella; Osian Davies. Replacements: Jason Nicholls; Llew Rhys; Dafydd Phillips; Nick Bevan.

PHOTO:
Josh Thomas - another solid game in the centre for the Borderers

 

Seasiders sunk by basement battlers

Yr Hendy 30 - Tenby United 17

It’s now three league defeats on the bounce for Tenby as they  paid the price for a slow start at Yr Hendy, who notched their first win in this division since being promoted last season.

Home No 8 Aled Thomas was the hero with a try hat trick on his birthday, two of which came in the first half after outside half Rhydian Morris had landed an early penalty.

Shortly after half time Thomas powered over again and Morris added the extras, and at 20-0 the game looked over.

Tenby fought back as scrum half Lloyd Thomas and No 8 Roy Osborn grabbed unconverted tries, but Yousef Sulemain sped over to secure the bonus point for Yr Hendy, with Morris converting.

The Seasiders again responded as Lewis Davies crossed and Lloyd Thomas converted, but a late Morris penalty eased home nerves.

 

PHOTO
No 8 Roy Osborn grabbed a try for the Seasiders

 

Division Two (West):

 

Scarlets miss out through missed chances

Carmarthen Athletic 27 - Pembroke 11

Missed chances cost Pembroke dearly as they finally went down by 16 points to Carmarthen Athletic after two previous wins in their new section – but as coach Geraint Lewis said afterwards, they will have learned about the fact at this new level they cannot afford such luxuries and must be far more clinical in their finishing.

The Scarlets started well enough as Toby Smith slotted early penalties against a try by prop James Newnian for the Athletic alongside a Karl Williams’ penalty to put the home team ahead at the break as loose-head prop Lloyd Davies, back rowers Rhodri Waters and Alex Thomas, plus full back Tom Harding-Jones and half backs Toby Smith and Tom Lewis caught the eye.

Sam Smith joined his brother on the score-sheet with his second-half try but the Athletic added a second try for Newnian and others from full back Robbie Thomas and outside half Karl Williams, who also converted two of them to maintain their 100% start to the campaign and second spot in the section table.
 

PHOTO:
Sam Smith - Pembroke No 8 ploughed over for a try

 

PHOTO:
Sion Jenkins tackles Gareth Rees

Seagulls suffer third narrow loss on the trot

Fishguard & Goodwick 12 - Burry Port 17

Once again Fishguard were left wondering what might have been after failing to make the most of heavy late pressure against Burry Port.

And like their first two matches, The Seagulls were made to rue a slow start in which former Whitland second row Micaiah Jones opened the try scoring for the visitors, and full back Gareth Rees converted.
The Seagulls responded on the brink of half time as a charge from No 8 Simon James set up a try for outstanding skipper Chris Shousha, with Alun George hitting the upright with the conversion.

Burry Port got back in the ascendancy after half time with a try for prop and player coach Gareth Gravell, converted by Rees; who then landed a penalty.

But again Shousha was involved as Fishguard fought back, the flanker setting up a try for Robbie Jones that George was converted.

The No 10 was off target with two more penalty attempts in a nervy finale, but after surviving 10 minutes with flanker Luke Freebury in the sin bin, the home side piled on the pressure.

However, despite being camped in their own 22 for the final few minutes, the visitors held out.

Fishguard and Goodwick: Robbie Jones, Ed Bendall, Thomas George, Sion Rowlands, Osian Lewis, Alun George, Andrew Williams, Zac France-Miller, Liam Wilkes, Adam Bowen, Ben John, Gwilym Evans, Chris Shousha, Luke Freebury, Simon James. Replacements: Dan Evans, Gerwyn Davies, William Delaney, Scott Tiches, Tomas Ilasau.
 

WRU National Bowl – First Round:

 

Mariners miss out in Mid Wales

Aberaeron 21 - Milford Haven 17

The boot of Rhodri Jenkins proved pivotal as Aberaeron progressed in the Bowl against Milford Haven.
Jenkins landed seven penalties, three of which came in the first half - but a try from full back Lee Riley and conversion from winger James Trueman kept The Mariners in touch at half time at 9-7.

The second half was scrappy but fiercely contested, and Jenkins punished Milford indiscipline with four more penalties, while Trueman landed one of his own and also added the extras to his own try.

The final five minutes saw Milford camped on the Aberaeron line, but after a series of lineouts and scrums, the home pack won the turnover they needed and were able to celebrate a tense win!

 

Town too strong for Pant

Haverfordwest 69 - Pantyffynnon 5

Haverfordwest marched into the next stage of the competition with a huge win over a Pantyffynnon outfit which started with only 13 men before the late arrival of other players, The Blues establishing a 43-0 interval lead and always in control as the visitors could only must the opening score of the second period when Terry Jenkins ploughed over for an unconverted try.

Hooker Jamie Zambas got Steve Barnett’s Boys off to a good start with a deserved try and others followed from full back Rhys Baker, full back Josh Atherton, centre Gareth Owen, winger Ben Skudder and outside half Craig Barnett (2), who also landed four conversions.

Barnett added a third try and three more conversions in the second period to end up with a personal haul of 29 points.

There were other tries for The Blues in the second period as Baker claimed his second score and centre Dan Richards also got on the scoresheet before the referee blew up a little early with the home side well and truly over the finishing line!

 

PHOTO:
Craig Barnett - scored a try brace for the Blues

 

Teifisiders take second-half control

Cardigan 45 - Bynea 10

Cardigan were good value for victory over Bynea, who have started the season in Division Three (West) B with two good wins to take top spot in the section but had no answer to The Teifisiders’ second half display as they followed a 19-10 interval lead with 26 unanswered points.

The Cardis were soon 14 points ahead thanks to tries from centre Marcus castle and right winger Dan Purnell, both converted by Iwan John before visiting scrum half Mark Davies and Jack Morgan reduced the deficit; only for influential coach Colin Davies charged through for an unconverted Cardigan try.

It was all Cardigan after the interval as Davies added his second try, with others coming from full back and skipper John Lumb, winger Geraint Williams and replacement No 10 Tom Dunn.

There were two more conversions by Iwan John and one by Emyr Harries to complete the Cardigan points’ tally – and a very good performance into the bargain!

 

PHOTO:
Colin Davies - Cardigan coach led from the front

 

Wasps battle hard in Bowl reverse

New Dock Stars 41 - Llangwm 29

It was a thrilling Bowl tie as New Dock Stars eventually overcame a spirited Llangwm display in which The Wasps scored four tries.

They were 19-14 down half time after tries from winger Spencer Rourke and No 8 Josh Hicks, with No 10 Luke Hayman converting both.

Hayman reduced the deficit with an early penalty in the second half, and after The Stars responded to move 33-17 in front, Lewis Murphy crossed for The Wasps, Hayman again adding the extras.

And even late on with the score at 41-24, Llangwm didn’t give up as Hicks scored his second and the visitors were controversially denied a penalty try.

But it was the home side that went through, with Jamie Gregory (2), Luke Morris, Dillan Jones (2), and Phil Vincent their try scorers. Jason Baxter added four conversions and a penalty.

“It was an excellent cup tie and cracking advert for Division Three rugby,” said Llangwm team manager Richard Scriven.
 

Laugharne edge through after titanic tussle

Penygroes 19 - Laugharne 21

Laugharne had to play really well before winning against a Penygroes side which had won its opening two matches in Division Three (West Central) C and had the backing of their vociferous supporters behind them.

Tom Jameson was a match-winner for Laugharne as the centre claimed their two opening two tries, one an interception, both of which he converted – and they also had a penalty try as reward for their forward efforts close to the line.

Penygroes showed real resolve to claw their way back from a 0-14 deficit with tries from Edwin Thomas and Chris Powell, one converted by Callum McKenzie alongside three penalties – but Laugharne held on well to move into the second round.
 

Quins miss out in Bowl disappointment

Lampeter C-C Pembroke Dock Harlequins
**Sadly, the Quins were unable to field a team
 
 

Saints struggle for players and miss first-ever tussle

Nantgaredig C-C St Clears
** Sadly, The Saints were unable to field a team for first time ever in this competition