Championship Division (West):

 

Preseli Men pounce to avenge narrow defeat

 

Crymych 31 - Ystalyfera 19

 
Crymych produced an outstanding performance in front of their delighted supporters at Parc Lloyd Thomas as they outplayed an Ystalyfera outfit which had sneaked home by 32-31 when the teams met early in the season – but on this occasion it was The Preseli Men who not only gained the verdict but also pocketed a bonus point for scoring four tries to leap-frog over their opponents and into eighth place in the Championship (West) table.
 
Crymych led 14-7 at the interval thanks to a penalty try and a second scored by talented young second row Iestyn Wood, which was converted by No 10 Ifan Davies, who had a good game alongside half-back partner Dafydd Phillips as they proved an effective link between forwards and backs.
 
The Preseli Men had a try by Eilir George, looking sharp at full back on his return to action, also converted by Ifan Davies, before Ystalyfera served notice of intent as they added to their first-half try by flanker Callum Papp, converted by centre Callum Gardner-Jones, who also added the extra points to one of further tries by winger Callum Davies and scrum half Keden Davies as the visitors looked sharp at 19-21.
 
But Crymych raised their tempo as skipper Carwyn Phillips led by example alongside Llyr Davies and Tom Taylor a penalty from No 10 Davies gave them a little breathing space and he also added the extras to a well-worked try by centre Elis Thomas to ensure the bonus point – and The Teifisiders maintained their composure through to the final whistle for a morale-boosting victory.
 
Crymych: Eilir George: Jac Griffiths; Laurence Headlam; Elis Williams; Ianto Davies: Ifan Davies; Dafydd Phillips: Gruff Williams; Lee Griffiths; Osian Charles: Matthew Freebury; Iestyn Wood: Tom Taylor; Llyr Davies; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Ben Cox; Ifan James; Osian Davies; Sion Evans; Rhodri George.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Aber come-back earns a return to top spot

 

Aberystwyth 34 - Tenby United 20

 
Tenby United lost their first match after nine league wins on the bounce as they made the long journey to old rivals Aberystwyth and after leading 24-10 at half time managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and allowed Aber to leap-frog over them and take top place instead.
 
It means Tenby are now four points adrift but with a game in hand – although disappointed by the fact that that a late tactical error saw Aber grab a late try which earned them a bonus point and denied Teny one of their own, otherwise the gap would have been only two points!
 
Tenby had won the early-season fixture between the teams at Heywood Lane with a very convincing performance and it looked as if the double was on the cards as they led 17-10 at half time and added another three points soon afterwards from Lloyd Thomas’s kicking skills.
 
Thomas had given The Seasiders an early led with a penalty but Aber were awarded a penalty try soon afterwards, only for Tenby winger Gwion Jones to slide through for a close-range corner try which Thomas did well to convert.
 
Aber bounced back  with a try by Lee Evand, converted by Dylan Benjamin – but a second Gwion Jones’ try near half time, again converted by Thomas, allowed Tenby to regain the initiative.
 
 
But then Aber showed their resilience to stop their opponents gaining any more points after they trailed by 10-20 and raised their tempo to go 27-20 in front thanks to other tries by Jac Jones and Llywellyn Davies, both converted by Dylan Benjamin alongside two penalties.
 
The second try was the key issue because it came when Tenby elected to run the ball from inside their own 22 in a quest to snatch a draw but good turnover allowed Aber vital possession from which that last seven points came and actually earned them two more bonus points than they might have otherwise had.
 
Tenby United: Gwion Jones: Matthew Lewis; Fletcher Broadhurst; Tom Edmonds; Jordan Asparassa: Lloyd Thomas; Dai Jones: Hywel Baker; Joe Poole; Ethan Morgan: Tom Barrass (Capt);  Alex Morgan: Jack Brown; Dan Colley; Dom Colman. Replacements: Kyle Rossiter; Luke Dedman; Charlie Patching; Jack Broadhurst; Harri Williams.
 
 

Division Two (West): 

 

Jones stars as Seagulls soar to points’ half century

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 51 - Loughor 13

 
Mark Jones was the toast of his Fishguard & Goodwick team mates as the talented full back claimed a personal haul of 26 points as The Seagulls claimed their biggest win of the season as reward for an outstanding performance by a ball-winning pack and backs who relished the open spaces to run the ball at every opportunity.
 
They were already 27-13 ahead as Loughor battled hard and had a try by flanker Ethan Brown, converted by scrum half Robin Davies alongside two penalties – with early tries by home scrum half Max Jones (from the kick off) and hooker Liam Wilkes, both converted by Mark Jones to go with a penalty having put them 17-0 ahead.
 
Then dynamic No 8 Jac Delaney rounded off some good possession and the conversion and a late penalty saw The Seagulls enjoying their interval and some quiet words from coaches Nathan Jenkins and Huw Evans.
 
 
And things got even better after the break as the added another 24 unanswered points as ubiquitous Mark Jones landed another penalty before strong-running centre Kial Keane got his name on the try sheet before skipper Sion Colella scored a try, followed by second scores by Mark Jones and Liam Wilkes, surely one of the most under-rated hookers in the county.
 
Mark Jones continued to be successful with his kicking to help The Seagulls past the half-century mark as they were able to celebrate their sixth win from ten starts as they stay in fourth place with a double tucked under their belts since they had sneaked home by 18-17 in Loughor!
 
 
 

Depleted Mariners pay the price

 

Milford Haven 7 - Lampeter Town 38

 

Milford Haven are still carrying a number of injuries and although they battled hard against Lampeter Town the opposition showed why they are third in the table, currently boasting a 100% record from seven games, as they led 19-0 at half time and eventually doubled that tally as The Mariners were only able to must a solitary try, scored by scrum half Dan McClelland after a typical snipe close to the line.
 
Robbie Jones also played well at full back, as did centre Dan Jenkins and outside half James Williams but although Ieuan Davies, Jay Goodall and Co battled hard up front the visitors were always able to maintain control.
 
Lampeter had tries by second row Robbie Williams, winger Ryan Doughty and full back Iwan Rees in the first half alongside a conversion apiece by centre Gruff Morgan and No 10 Osian Jones.
 
Right wing Doughty grabbed his second score to ensure a bonus point and others came from Gareth Morgan-Isaac and Jack Williams, plus two more conversions by Osian Jones as The Town were worthy winners against a Milford Haven team that gave 100% but are still desperate for some of their walking wounded to return!
 
Milford Haven: Robbie Jones: James Trueman; Dan Jenkins; Aaron Cookson; Dan Goodridge: James Williams; Dan McClelland: Luke Ryan (Capt); Ryan Williams; Dai Sweeny: Chris Treiver-Jenkins; Ethan Aldred: Jack Morgan; Ieuan Davies; Jay Goodall. Replacements: Jordan Davies;  Morgan John; Andrew Sinton; Aaron Davies; Dan Birch.
 
 

Borderers beaten by frozen pitch

 

Whitland P-P Carmarthen Athletic

 
**Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn frozen so the game had to be called off.
 
Whitland: Johnny Thomas: Harry Fuller; Will Hughes; Dom Davies; Deian Davies: Gareth Davies; Morgan Edwards: Trystan Bowen; Shane Webster; Ceiron Evans: Charlie Watson; Alan Proctor: Dan Bennett (Capt); Gavin Smith; Iestyn Comey. Replacements: Aaron Cross; Jack Evans; Dafydd Walters; Ben Evans; Luke Watkins.
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Cardis battle hard for bonus point against high-flying Tumble

 

Tumble 31 - Cardigan 24

 
Cardigan pushed second-placed Tumble all the way as they tried to avenge a previous 31-29 home defeat and were still in with a chance of at least a share of the spoils as they pressed hard in a tense finale but Tumble’s defence held out and The Teifisiders had to settle for a losing bonus point as reward for their part in an absorbing clash.
 
The Tumble tries came from winger Rhys King, hooker Ryan Williams and  centre Steve Bennett, plus two conversions by No 10 Steve Hewitt as they led 19-8 at the break after flanker Dafydd Rotie had crossed for Cardigan and Shaun Leonard landed a penalty.
 
Tumble added further tries by Hewitt and winger Dafydd Thomas, one converted by Hewitt in a tense second half where The Teifisiders could only muster a try by Cai Ifans, who started at No 8 and finished as hooker, converted by Leonard as the ace kicker also slotted three penalties in pressure periods for The Cardis, who lost their fourth match from nine starts and find themselves in fifth place as a result.
 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: Alun Jenkins; Iwan John; Emyr Harries; Llyr Jones: Jac Davies; Iwan Toft: Andrew Jones; Sion Phillips; Will Brice: Dean Harries; Flynn Tjoonk: Kieran Hurley; Dafydd Rotie; Cai Ifans. Replacements: Nathan Bowen; Ben Hughes; Rhodri Davies; Aaron Evans; Dan Jones.
 
 
 

Division Four (West) A:

 

Scarlets win moves them into second place

 

Pembroke 12 - Narberth Athletic 5

 
Pembroke produced one of their best all-round performances as they beat second-placed Narberth Athletic at Crickmarren and leap-frogged over their opponents in the process after this sixth victory on the trot to show how much Gary Price’s team has improved with some serious hard work in training.

All the points came in the first half but a scoreless second half doesn’t really do justice to the standard of play from both camps - but where there were opportunities to score but defences were on top.
 
Pembroke lost young hooker Dan Davies before the start, with his place taken by Seamus ‘Moose’ Wiseman - and with Cyle Weatherall joining the bench and showing his depth of experience before the excellent Ethan Brown also had come on and also caught the eye with his defensive play.

Outside half James Allen opened The Scarlets’ account after he had injured his hand and switched to full back from good carries from the likes of skipper Lloyd Davies, Jamie Branford, Will Edwards and the back row before Fraser Jones put him in at the corner.
 
This change to No 15 caused Lewis Davies to move to outside half and Rhys Johns came on in the centre after Jack Nicholas left early with a shoulder injury.

Leon Stewart, one of that marauding trio, added a second score as he changed down an Athletic clearance attempt and kept his cool to claim the touchdown before scrum half Jared Sherratt added the extra points.
 
To be fair to Athletic, they were playing their part in an absorbing tussle, but some over-eagerness, allied to the home cover at the back, saw them go pointless until a real touch of class by full back Shane Rossiter saw them grab five points.

They had swung play both ways before Rossiter intervened with a clever chip over the top and a kindly bounce allowed him to show The Scarlets a clean pair of heels.

The second half was inevitably tense as The Athletic, who had won by 29-17 at home, tried hard to complete the double, but there were no points forthcoming and Pembroke were good value for victory against a very good Narberth Athletic team which will still feature in the league but might just have lost too much ground to Neyland after this reverse to take the section silverware.
 
Pembroke: Lewis Davies: Zach Evans; Fraser James; Jack Nicholas; Barry Alderman-John: James Allen; Jared Sherratt: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Dan Davies; Jamie Brayford: Ethan Brown; William Edwards: Leon Stewart; Rhydian Eynon; Dai Rogers. Replacements: Seamus Wiseman, Tom Cabot; Scott Powell;  Rhys Johns; Deryn Williams.
 
Narberth Athletic: Shane Rossiter: Harry Williams; Brad Cramb; Stephen J Brown; Rhydian Jones: Harri Harries: Andrew Williams: Declan Cole; Rhys Jenkins; Jac Norcross: Henry Foster; Dan Owen: Stephen Thomas; Harry Phillips; Jack Tucker. Replacements: Yori Morgan; Stephen Pilot; Beau Tattersall;  Olly Hough; Shay Norcross; Archie Vallance; Tom Parcells.




 
 
 

Llan thrilled by deserved second success

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 10 - Llanybydder 13

 
Llanybydder produced a terrific second half after they had trailed 10-0 at Bierspool against Pembroke Dock Harlequins and drew level with two unconverted tries of their own before outside half Llion Evans became their hero of the hour with a penalty ten minutes before the finish.
 
This reverse stung The Quins into a late series of attacks in an attempt at completing the double over a Llan side they had comprehensively beaten 48-17 in their away match - but the visitors showed how much they have improved since that time and The Quins eventually could have few complaints about a surprise defeat.
 
Yet the game had started well enough for The Quins as they opened their account after 15 minutes when skipper Ben Hathaway rounded off a good move a try which he wasn’t able to convert.
Then outside half Euan McDonald added a second score, again unconverted, as Llanybydder’s tackling wasn’t at its best and the No 10 sliced through to the line.
 
The Quins had other chances but a mixture of basic handling errors and food Llan play halted any other scores.

The home side was made to pay because as Llan raised the tempo they were rewarded by an unconverted close-range try by centre Travis Davies, followed by a second five-pointer by flanker Steffan Thomas to tie the scores up.
 
Llion Evans had missed both conversions but when the chance arose to give his team the lead, and ultimately victory, the outside half made no mistake - and the celebrations from his colleagues and their hardy band of supporters showed just how much it meant to them!
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway (Capt): Damien Miller; Craig Barnett; Josh Brown; Owain Turner: Euan McDonald; Sam James: Alfie Ball; George Bellmaine; Jack Davies: Liam Baker; Lewis Scourfield: Harry Owen; Taylor Rees; Callum Jones. Replacements: Danny Wilkes; Rhys Doyle; Jordan Palmer; Jonny Nicot; Tom Donovan.
 
 
 

Dragons defeat Bulls in hard-fought encounter

 

Dreigiau Emlyn 13 - Teirw Crymych 8

 
Dreigiau Emlyn edged through in a hard-fought tussle against their counterparts from Teirw Crymych and so gained revenge for a 17-13 defeat when the teams met earlier in the season at Park Lloyd Thomas.
 
Carwyn Rees grabbed The Bulls’ try and Adam Phillips landed a penalty, whilst Jake Evans crossed for The Dragons alongside the conversion and two penalties by Jake Evans.

Teirw Crymych: Adam Phillips: Hedd George; Tomos Lewis; Trystan Griffiths; Gruff Williams: Tomos Rees; Owain Rees:  Aled Hughes; Steffan Davies; Tomos Davies: Luke Freebury (Capt); Steffan Morris:  Harri Vaughan; Aneirin Vaughan; Osian Thomas. Replacements: Richard Phillips; Carwyn Rees; Rhys Davies; Morgan James; Nick Bevan; Liam Barber; George Plummer; Steffan Rees.
 
 

Friendly Rugby:

 

Seasiders snatch the verdict in Heywood Lane friendly

 

Tenby Seasiders 24 - Llangwm 20

 

Tenby United once again proved to the Doubting Thomases at the Welsh Rugby Union that they are more than capable pf turning out a second team on a regular occasion, as are Narberth Athletic, Teirw Crymych and Dreigiau Emlyn, in Division Four (West) A – and in doing so ensure that the ten spaces allocated for this section were utilised, rather than the nine involved, which means each club is denied vital revenue from one home game!
 
On this occasion they entertained Llangwm Firsts and each club had 26 players changed and ready to take part in the action, which ended with The Seasiders gaining a narrow 24-20 victory that was watched by a very good crowd at Heywood Lane.
 
But perhaps more important than the result was the fact that all those taking part would not have been doing so if the game hadn’t been arranged and not only gave The Seasiders a run out but helped The Wasps because otherwise it was a blank weekend because there are only nine teams in the division, instead of the ten in most other comparable areas of Welsh Rugby!
 
For the record, the Tenby United scorers were Jack Gooding (2), Iorri Richards and Jeff Martin (still going strong at 40), plus two conversions by harry Rossiter – whilst Llangwm’s tries came from George James, Dan Woodward and Rhys Llewellyn, with Harry Makepeace adding a conversion and penalty as second row Jason Mock was chosen as The Wasps’ man of the match!
 
Tenby Seasiders: Archie T Williams: Joe Andrews; Dylan Johns; Jack Gooding; Darcy Langstone: Harry Rossiter; Jake Henson: Frankie Boyd; Nicky Guymer; Wes Bonser: Rhys Grigg; Hudson Diment: Taran Richards; Iorri Richards; Jake Roberts. Replacements (from): Rob Clark; Sam Prestwick; Charlie Fry; Joe Fry; Morgan Grieve; Rob Ayres; Evan Watson; Will Davies; Harry Malone; Harvey Johns.
 
Llangwm (from) - Backs: George James; Breig Matthews; Josh Griffiths; Yale Grice; Dylan Philpott; Jack Roberts; Harry Makepeace; Ian Griffiths; Oli Gerson; Rhys Llewellyn. Forwards: Ieuan Power; Callum Jenkins; Dan Woodward; Phil Llewellyn; Matthew Rees; Joe Newton; Arwyn O’Loughlin; Jason Mock; Ashley James; Jake Thomas; Owain Jones; Jordan Evans;  Jordan Cornick; Morgan Rees; Gavin Jones.