Rugby – Pembrokeshire KO Cup:

 

Skipper Shousha steers Seagulls to victory

 

Neyland 0 - Fishguard & Goodwick 26

 
Three tries by skipper and No 8 Chris Shousha, along with one from second row Ben John, took Fishguard & Goodwick to victory at the Athletic Ground against a Neyland team which couldn’t score any points because of solid Seagulls’ defence but pleased their coaches for the way that they stuck to the challenge of taking on a team from a higher division with some key players unavailable.
 
This was particularly so in the second half when The All Blacks trailed 21-0 and only conceded an unconverted try which gave Shousha his hat-trick as The Seagulls utilised their greater strength up front.
 
The Seagulls played with the wind and slope in their favour in the first half and soon established a 14-point lead as Shousha’s strong carries saw him plough over the whitewash twice, with No 10 James Griffiths adding both conversions.
 
The All Blacks, with Mark James playing in the unaccustomed role of prop alongside Iestyn Nash and Craig Power began to settle though as brothers Iestyn and Owain Evans, Paul Busby, Ben Williams and debutants Iestyn Nash and Harrison Grice all gave 100% - but another concerted period of pressure for The Seagulls saw second row Ben John score from close range after good work by Sion Colella, Griff Williams, and Will Delaney.
 

Only one try for The Seagulls in tighter second half

 
The second half was a little on the scrappy side but the home side had half chances as half backs Chris Morgan and George Williams tried hard to release Matthew Richards and Alex Codd, whilst Henry Macbeth posed a threat with his running from full back.
 
But The Seagulls always posed a threat via Andrew Williams and Griffiths as they sought to bring in Rhys Evans and Lewis Davies alongside full back Robbie Jones.
 
In the final analysis, though, the only try came from the ubiquitous Shousha and so Fishguard & Goodwick will travel to take on either Whitland or Cardigan in Round Two.
 
Neyland: Henry Macbeth: Ben Millward; Matthew Richards; Alex Codd; Sam Kataki: George Williams (Capt); Chris Morgan: Mark James; Iestyn Nash; Craig Power: Iestyn Evans; Paul Busby: Harrison Grice; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Simon Phillips; David Walters; Lewis Hallett (who made his debut when he came on for The All Blacks).
Fishguard & Goodwick: Robbie Jones: Ed Bendall; Rhys Evans; Lewis Davies; Creegan Foot: James Griffiths; Andrew Williams: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Ryan McVeigh: Ben John; Gwilym Evans: Griff Williams; Sion Colella; Chris Shousha (Capt). Replacements: Iwan McVeigh; Gavin Walsh; Ryan Foot; Ritchie Hunter; Max Jones; Joe Dunn.
 
 

Old rivalries happily recalled at The Athletic Ground

 
The large crowd who watched this tussle between The All Blacks and The Seasiders saw former players from both clubs meeting up and recalling hard-fought matches and hard personal battles with old rivals who have now become firm friends.
 
Coincidentally, one pair who experienced long and uncompromising battles that saw neither giving an inch featured a little on the pitch in tending injuries as former pocket battleships but now excellent first aid men were Peter ‘Jack’ Davies (Neyland) and Romeo Colella (Fishguard) – but now their enmity is gone, they are good pals and the only contest was to see who could reach their young charges the quicker.
 
It is even rumoured that they shared a few pints together after the match and even watched the Wales versus New Zealand game together – now that is the true spirit that local rugby engenders and long may it continue!
 
 

Young Otters shine in the second half

 

Narberth Development Squad 32 - Tenby United 10

 
Narberth’s Development Squad made their inaugural appearance in the Pembrokeshire KO Cup and fought back well from a 10-5 interval deficit against Tenby United to move forward by producing 27 unanswered points after the interval.
 
It left The Seasiders reflecting on the fact that they started off well and in the early stages were 10-0 ahead and missed another seven points from two conversion and one penalty attempt as Rob Luly led by example and the Broadhurst brothers, Jack and Cam, played really well respectively in the No 8 and 9 shirts.
 
They opened their account with a well-worked try for winger Jordan Asparassa and solid work up front provided the platform for flanker Jack Brown to cross the whitewash – but as the Young Otters fought back their efforts were rewarded when hooker Tom Clarke broke clear after good work by Kyle Williams, Josh Hamer, Dan Owens and Ryan Cole, who carried well throughout the match.
 
The second half saw Narberth raise the tempo as Tenby’s cause wasn’t helped by a couple of yellow cards at key times – and the home side took the lead with two penalties by full back Shane Rossiter and then a try which he also converted.
 
With Jodie James and Harri Harries calling the shots from half back to utilise hard-won ball up front the Young Otters, and further tries came from flanker Hamer and winger Lewis Thompson, both converted by Rossiter, they were good value for victory and their reward is a second round tie at home to Aberystwyth.
 
Narberth Development Squad: Shane Rossiter: Lewys Thompson; Will Davies; Dylan Walsh; Ryan Scourfield: Harri Harries; Jodie James: Declan Cole; Tom Clarke; Jac Norcross: Henry Foster; Ryan Cole: Kyle Williams; Josh Hamer; Dan Owens. Replacements (From): Caleb Higgon; Rhys Jenkins; Richard Watkins; Morgan Lewis; Morgan Rees; Owain Hughes; Lewis Hough; Ifan Rees; Will Lewis; Bez Warlow; Matty Lewis.
Tenby United: Gwion Jones: Matthew Morgan; Ieuan Badham; Yannic Parker; Jordan Asparassa: Lloyd Thomas; Cam Broadhurst: Ethan Morgan; Dan Allen; Rob Luly (Capt): Tom Barrass; Mike Davies:  Jake Roberts; Jack Brown; Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Geoff Marsh; Jordan Brace; Taran Richards; Jimmy Davies; Harvey Johns.