The Rugby Reports for 22nd April 2017
Feature Match:
Division Two (West):
Seasiders still very much in contention
Tenby United 50 - Llanybydder 8
Tenby United kept their promotion hopes very much alive with this convincing bonus-point victory over Llanybydder at Heywood Lane, as The Seasiders ran in seven tries whilst conceding just one to Steffan Davies, who also kicked a penalty for the visitors.
Ashley Sutton opened Tenby’s account with a penalty and first-half tries came from Mike Davies, Andrew Cook, Toby Smith and Johnny Morgan, three of them goaled by Sutton to help his side to a deserved 29-3 interval lead.
Mark Heywood opened The Seasiders’ second half scoring and other tries followed by replacement Alex Thomas and Mauritz Neumann, all converted by Sutton to take them to a half century of points, knowing that if they can win their final two matches, at home on Saturday to fourth-placed Hendy and at Pontyberem the following week, they will leap-frog over Tycroes and gain promotion to Division One (West) as their due reward.
Mark Heyward on the burst for Tenby United
Picture by Brian McKehon
Championship:
Otters finish on a down-beat note
Narberth 31 - Newbridge 43
Narberth’s amazingly successful season ended on a down-beat note as they lost their final match of the campaign to lowly Newbridge before the Gwent team and their hardy band of supporters celebrated their escape from relegation.
The Otters shared 34 points in a see-saw first half where they had tries from Liam Hutchings (2) and prop Bradley Davies, one converted by Ianto Griffiths, whilst Newbridge responded with tries by prop Steve Edwards, second row Anthony Simon and Les Cunliffe, converted by Simon Veale.
Newbridge assumed control in the third quarter via tries by Veale, Tom Watkins, Jack Barnett and Josh Hills, three converted by Veale, before The Otters fought back through a penalty try and a late score from Gethin Gibby – but it was too little too late as Narberth lost only their fifth defeat in 22 outings but remain firmly ensconced in second spot behind Pontypool!
Liam Hutchings - two tries in Narberth defeat
Division One (West):
Preseli Men battle to deserved double
Crymych 12 - Gorseinon 10
Crymych completed a deserved double over third-placed Gorseinon as they won a really tough battle at Parc Lloyd Thomas to go with an equally tight 29-24 verdict when the teams previously met.
The Preseli Men led 5-3 after a committed first half by both teams, with winger Lawrence Headlam continuing his fine run of form with the only try, whilst visiting fluy half Jack Gronow slotted a penalty.
Gorseinon full back Andrew Steele managed Gorseinon try which Gronow converted in the second period by flanker Dylan Phillips responded with a home try goaled by Tomos Phillips to give the Preseli Men a deserved win as reward for their committed defence and refusal to panic under pressure.
Borderers end on a high note
Whitland 31 - Felinfoel 29
Although Whitland had already has to accept the spectre of relegation they showed typical Borderers’ grit as they beat Felinfoel by two points in a high-scoring tussle at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn – and gave a special send-off to Andrew Jenkins after over a decade of commitment at scrum half.
Fortunes ebbed and flowed in an entertaining match where Whitland were 19-17 ahead at the break and kept their heads as Felinfoel fought hard to come back, with tries from Elliott Dawe, Lee Randell, Chris Forge and Gareth Harvard, plus three conversions and a penalty by Randell.
But The Borderers responded with good tries from Zac France-Miller, Sean Coles (2), Lloyd Williams and Ryan Rees, with Nico Setaro notching three conversions for a deserved win – but still the nagging pain of having four points deducted which in the final analysis would have kept them up!
Sean Coles - another try brace for Whitland winger
Division Two (West):
Seagulls stumble in Tumble
Tumble 46 - Fishguard & Goodwick 13
After just 30 seconds of their match in Tumble, Fishguard & Goodwick were seven points ahead thanks to a Mike Jenkins’ try which was converted by Alun George – but The Seagulls flattered to deceive as they trailed by 29-13 at half time and could have few complaints about defeat against a home team that clearly wanted the win a little more.
Jenkins also kicked two penalties but Tumble had an opening penalty from Leighton McKenna to go with tries from Steffan Price (2), Tom Rogers and Iwan Morgan alongside three McKenna conversions.
Scrum half Morgan opened the second half scoring for Tumble with a good try and he was joined in scoring tries by Rogers again and Steffan Price, one of them converted by McKenna to help give his team revenge for a defeat at The Moors earlier in the campaign.
Mike Jenkins - try for Fishguard after 30 seconds!
Blues concede three-figure defeat
Tycroes 105 - Haverfordwest 0
Haverfordwest took a mixture of second team and youth players to Tycroes alongside six first-team regulars and paid the inevitable price against a home side still intent on possible promotion.
The Blues trailed 48-0 at half time and unrelenting home pressure saw them score another 58 points thereafter despite the yeoman efforts of Haverfordwest to tackle until the final whistle.
Tycroes first half try scorers were Luke Rees (2), Mike Hopkins (2) Aled Jones (3) and Dean John, whilst Dean Bromham landed three conversions.
Tycroes added further tries after the oranges by Luke Rees (2), Simon Cooper and Dean John (2), with Cooper completing his hat-trick and further tries claimed by Steffan Jones (2) and Bromham, who also notched another four conversions – and The Blues can now try to rebuild as they return to Division Three (West) A after just one season at this level!
Division Three (West) A:
Cardigan end in style with a points’ century
Cardigan 106 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 0
Cardigan finished their season on a high note by scoring 16 tries against a makeshift Quins side which was only able to muster 14 players and paid the inevitable price to round off a disappointing season for Ossie Boswell’s boys.
Coach Boswell has worked tirelessly in the Quins’ cause but has more often than not been unable to field a settled side and this match was no exception as The Teifisiders were 40-0 ahead at half time and ran in another 66 points in a one-sided second half.
Powerful centre Emyr Harries opened the Cardigan scoring and completed his hat trick by half time as full back Alun Jenkins and centre Sion Hughes also got on the try-sheet; all five converted by scrum half Luke Rogers.
Luke Rogers began the Cardigan second-half scoring and Emyr Harries claimed his fourth score alongside others from prop Ben Hughes, replacement centre Llyr Edwards, Rhydian Jenkins (2), Alun Jenkins (two more) and Rogers, who also notched 12 conversions – and Luke Palmer-Davies also chipped in with a conversion to complete the rout!