Featured Match: Division Two (West):

 

Seagulls soar as Whitland battle hard

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 45 - Whitland 14

 
When these two teams met at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn earlier in the season it was Whitland who prevailed by 13-10 but in this return tussle at The Moor it was The Seagulls who always looked likely to gain revenge, especially after taking a deserved 19-0 lead at half time, despite The Borderers’ yeoman efforts at a come-back, writes Bill Carne.
 
Fishguard’s pack were certainly better in the ball-winning stakes in that first period as young players like Rhys and Will Lewis, Bryn Thomas, Cai Llewellyn and Will Delaney played with a maturity beyond their years alongside skipper Sion Colella and slightly older hands like Iwan McVeigh and Liam Wilkes in the front row.
 
They allowed Dan Evans and Jake Jenkins to release a keen back division and there were excellent tries by hooker Wilkes, winger Rhys Evans and full back Mark Jones, who also landed two conversions – and a bonus-point fourth try soon after the restart by ‘old-timer’ replacement  Gavin Walsh, again converted by Jones.
 
To be fair to Whitland, they played their part in an entertaining game as skipper Dan Bennett, Rhys Nicholas and Iestyn Comey, plus Will and Tom Hughes, Gareth Davies and Oli Bujega behind the scrum put in good shifts and they fought back well with excellent tries by Will Hughes and pacy winger Morgan Lewis, both converted by replacement full back Jonathan Thomas, who certainly added something to their  performance.
 
But their hopes of a huge fight-back were soon ruined as The Seagulls regrouped and added two more tries from centre Nial Keane, after a strong run to the posts, and Mike Jenkins as reward for his strong play alongside Keane in the centre.





 
Fishguard & Goodwick:
Tries: Liam Wilkes 2, Rhys Evans, Mike Jenkins, Kial Keane, Mark Jones, Gavin Walsh
Cons: Mark Jones 5
 
Whitland:
Tries: Will Hughes, Morgan Lewis
Cons: Johnny Thomas
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Marc Jones: Dan Cleary; Mike Jenkins; Kial Keane; Rhys Evans: Jake Jenkins; Dan Evans: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Iwan McVeigh: Cai Llewellyn; Bryn Thomas: Will Lewis; Sion Colella (Capt); Rhys Lewis. Replacements: Gavin Walsh; Ryan McVeigh; Kev Ormond; Simon James; Ed Bendall. Reserve: Ed Rathbone.
 
Whitland:  Oli Bujega: Morgan Lewis; Tom Hughes; Will Hughes; Ben Evans: Gareth Davies; Morgan Edwards: Trystan Bowen; Matt Driver; Ceirion Evans: Jack Evans; Dan Bennett (Capt): Rhys Nicholas; Gavin Smith; Iestyn Comey. Replacements: Marc Jones; Johnny Phillips; Charlie Watkins; Deian Davies; Jonathan Thomas.






 
 
 

Premiership Division:

 

Otters come unstuck again in tight finish

 

Newbridge 28 – Narberth 24

 
Once again Narberth showed their ability to stay the course at this very high level for a long period in a match but again  were unable to hold on to an early lead and just missed out on what have been a vital victory.
 
The Otters had lost 30-36 to Newbridge at home but looked as if they might avenge that defeat as they started well, with skipper Tom Powell leading by example alongside Roy Osborn and the Hamer brothers up front – and with Hedd Nicholas eventually being awarded man of the match for the way he played in midfield.
 
Narberth were soon deservedly 13 points ahead as fitness coach Matthew John again showed his worth to the side and outside half Osian Evans again contributed with the boot with a conversion and a couple of penalties on the back of the yeoman efforts by the Otter pack.
 
Newbridge fought back with two converted tries but Narberth still led 16-14 at the interval and another Evans penalty increased that slight advantage – but then they lost their way and with time running out found themselves losing 28-19 and with nothing to show for their efforts until Kyle Hamer grabbed a late try that at least saw them pick up what could prove to be a vital losing bonus point.
 
Having scored four tries, Newbridge pocketed all five points on offer to earn their sixth win of a long campaign and move away from the danger zone, whereas The Otters are still rooted in the bottom two, but still with a good chance of staying at this high level if they can last out the full 80 minutes of every game.
 
Newbridge:
Tries: Ross Evans, Gavin Price, Luke Morgan, Jack Thomas
Cons: Rob Thurley 4
 
Narberth:
Tries: Matthew John, Kyle Hamer
Con: Osian Evans
Pens: Osian Evans4
 
Narberth: Llew Jones:  Lewys Gibby; Harrison Griffiths; Hedd Nicholas; Matthew John: Osian Evans; Alex Williams: George Rossiter; Kyle Hamer; Ryan Rees: Will Blackburn; Rhys Williams: Tom Powell (Capt); Josh Hamer; Roy Osborn. Replacements: Bradley Davies, Tom Kaijaks, Ricky Guest; Caleb Salmon; Jac Bennett; Sam Davies; Jonathan Rogers; Rhys Harris.
 
Newbridge: Robbie Turley: Sam Watkins; Haydn Palmer; Josh Thomas; Cian Jones: Reegan Davies; Matthew Davies: Gareth Young; Joel Gilbert; Jordan Reames-Williams: Lloyd Ford; Gavin McDonnell: Ross Edwards; Luke Morgan; Garin Price (Capt). Replacements: Stuart Vokes; Owen Hatherill; Geraint Evans; Jakob Duffy; Michael Preece; Iestyn Martin-Lloyd; Simon Veall; Ethan Chess.
 
 
 

Championship Division (West):

 

Crymych suffer heavy home defeat against Tondu

 

Crymych 0 - Tondu 37

 
Crymych had lost 66-17 against a Tondu side whose comfortable win over The Preseli Men saw they in second spot in the table. With 12 victories from their 16 starts, whilst the home side were unable to manage a single score against a much bigger side who had No 10 Louis Davies using that advantage to good effect.
 
Home skipper Carwyn Phillips and back row colleagues Tom Taylor and Llyr Davies tried hard to stem the tide but they were already 13 points behind at the break and could have few complaints about the margin of defeat.
 
The Preseli Men are now ninth in the table, with four wins from 16 matches, but still nine points away from the danger zone on the run in to this campaign.
 
Tondu:
Tries: Steff Lewis 2, Ben Davies, Jake Lewis, Josh Tatchell. Caile Woolaton
Cons: Jamie Murphy 2
Pen: Josh Tatchell


Crymych: Adam Phillips: Hedd George; Sion Rowlands; Jon Hill; Tomos Lewis: Elis Thomas; Dafydd Phillips: Gruff Williams; Lee Griffiths; Ben Cox: Matthew Freebury; Osian Davies: Tom Taylor; Llyr Davies; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Morgan James; Osian Charles; Rhys Davies; Owain Evans; Ianto Davies.

Tondu: Max Ambrosini: Lewis Hyatt; Dudley Jones (Capt); Gregor Devine; Jake Brennan: Louis Davies; Chris Partleton: Tom Northey; Jac Simons; Berian Williams: Sam Heaphy; Ethan Harries: Dan Jones; Adam Williams; Lewis Bradley. Replacements: Aled Simons; Calder Devine; Garan Williams; Ethan Ranson; Ben Thomas.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Seasiders complete a deserved double

 

Tenby United 36 - Pontarddulais 12

 
Tenby United completed a comfortable double over Pontarddulais as they followed up their 26-17 win at The Bont with this six-try performance that still maintains their interest in promotion.
 
Leading the way with a hat-trick was influential centre Liam Price and others who caught the eye were props Hywel Baker and Joe Poole, second rows Luje Dedman and skipper Tom Barrass, plus a very busy back row and  scrum half Fletcher Broadhurst.
 
It wasn’t all plain sailing for The Seasiders, however, because after taking an early seven point lead they trailed 12-7 before clawing their way back into a 19-12 interval advantage – and then  17 unanswered points in a good second half where the replacements off the bench also made an impact.
 
Tenby United:
Tries:  Liam Price 3, Dan Colley, Kyle Rossiter, Dom Colman
Cons: Geraint Jones 3
 
Pontarddulais:
Tries: Ieuan Walters, Jacob Miles
Con: Owain Evans
 
Tenby United: Gwion Jones: Will James; Liam Price; Tom Edmonds; Jordan Asparassa: Geraint Jones; Fletcher Broadhurst: Hywel Baker; Kyle Rossiter; Joe Poole: Luke Dedman; Tom Barrass (Capt): Jack Brown; Dan Colley; Dom Colman. Replacements: Rob Luly; Alex Jenkins; Charlie Patching; Jake Roberts; Gethin Bradney; Matthew Lewis; Cam Brodhurst.
 
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Blues complete double over Amman United

 

Amman United 14 - Haverfordwest 24

 
 
Haverfordwest made the trek to play Amman United  and came home with their sixth win of the season and a six-point cushion away from the relegation battle – but this is the sort of result they need, preferably with a bonus point after leading by 17-0 at half time, through two converted tries and a penalty – but they could only muster a single try thereafter and allowed their relegation-haunted hosts to come back at them with two converted tries of their own.
 
The Blues included new recruits Crawford Hedmon, in the  back row, and  Jetman Temaki as centre partner for Jack Evans, and both have settled in after making the long journey from the small Pacific Island of Naru, which has a rugby academy and they joined three others who are currently playing in Scotland.
 
Haverfordwest actually moved 24 points ahead but Amman United fought back with a penalty try and another score towards the game’s conclusion but The Blues maintained their composure to take a solid victory, which they badly needed.
 
Haverfordwest:
Tries: Karl Busch, Penalty try, Tom Carrington
Cons: Jack Codd 2
Penalty: Jack Codd
 
Amman United:
Tries:  Penalty try, Luke Rees
Conversion: Iestyn Griffiths
 
Haverfordwest: Owain Roberts: Guy Barrons; Jack Evans; Jetman Temaki; Scott Candler: Matthew Phillips; Liam Eaton: Terry Lovell, Jamie Zambas;  Tom Carrington: Jake Evans; Karl Busch (Capt): Conrad Hedmon; Dylan Williamson; Mike Griffiths. Replacements:  Andrew Edwards; Jon Mason;  Jack Codd; Teifion Owen; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones; Jamie Phillips.
 
 
 

Cardis claim a bonus-point verdict

 

Cardigan 26 - Cefneithin 17

 
Cardigan completed bonus-point win over Cefneithin as they scored four excellent tries to give them the double after previously beating ‘Yr Eithin’ 14-3 when the teams met at Cae Carwyn James.
 
The Teifisiders were deservedly 14-3 ahead at the interval after conceding an early penalty and although their opponents added two converted tries after the interval, Cardigan ‘s sixth win keeps them a clear six points away from the bottom four, and the ‘Dreaded drop’ and with games in hand over the team above them.
 
Cardigan:
Tries: Emyr Harries, Alun Jenkins, John Lumb, Aaron Tomkinson
Cons: Llyr Jones 2, Shaun Leonard:
 
Cefneithin:
Tries: Dion Roberts, Criag Griffiths
Cons: Carwyn Evans 2
Pen: Carwyn Evans
 
Cardigan: Alun Jenkins: John Lumb; Iwan John; Emyr Harries; Aaron Evans: Jac Davies; Llyr Jones: Will Brace; Luke Palmer-Davies; Ben Hughes: Kieran Hurley; Dan Jones: Aaron Tomkinson; Marcus Castle (Capt); Colin Davies. Replacements: Andrew Jones; Dean Harries; Sion Phillips; Iwan Toft; Shaun Leonard. Reserves: Flynn Tjoonk; Kieran Greenland; Sam Lloyd.
 





 
 

Division Four (West) A:

 

Saints defend well and score at vital times by Fraser Watson

 

St Davids 17 - Teirw Crymych 0

 
It’s now four wins from four for St Davids as tries from centre Harvey Lavin and hooker Rhys Price proved decisive in their tough battle with Crymych, writes Fraser Watson.
 
On a heavy pitch and in strong wind, the Saints’ superiority at the set-piece proved crucial, as the visitors struggled for parity in the scrum and were also guilty of lineouts going astray at crucial moments.
 
And yet the visitors threatened first as centre Sion Evans made two midfield breaks, the second of which saw him chip ahead before full-back Mike Gurney scrambled back and averted the danger.
 
But then the Saints took command after skipper Nathan Foster linked with centre George Raymond. Although he was hauled down short, his charge created the space for Lavin to go over in the corner before Bob Froy converted brilliantly from the touchline.
 
That prompted a heavy spell of home pressure, and one lineout drive was held up over the line, but Crymych resolutely held out to trail just 7-0 at the break.
 
That became 10-0 soon after half-time after Gurney landed a simple penalty, and the away side was then presented with a shot of goal of their own, but No.10 Nick Bevan pushed his effort wide from in front of the posts.
 
But the Bulls still threatened a comeback with their best spell of the game as replacement Aled Harries went close, and then a close-range lineout went to waste as hooker Carwyn Rees was adjudged to have not thrown in straight.
 
Then, at the other end, came the killer blow when St Davids outside half Ben Joyce, a threat throughout with ball in hand, kicked a penalty into the corner. From the platform that followed, a powerful charge from Raymond ended with him popping the scoring pass to Price.
 
Crymych did have a chance for a consolation score at the death but No.8 Osian Thomas failed to gather a loose ball with the line at his mercy, the final act of a real war of attrition as the Saints continued their recent resurgence. 
 
St Davids: Mike Gurney: Morgan Davies; Harvey Lavin; George Raymond; Bob Froy: Ben Joyce; Zak Morgan: Ethan Griffiths; Rhys Price; Ben Evans: James Goldsmith; Iestyn Owen: Aaron Foster; Owain Morris; Nathan Foster (Capt). Replacements: Chris Cooper;  Dan Murphy; Aled Davies; Morgan Griffiths.
 
Teirw Crymych: Tomos Davies: Iori Lewis; Sion Evans; Elgan Wilson; Gruff Williams: Nick Bevan; Owain Rees: Lloyd Hughes; Carwyn Rees; Tomos Dafis: Matthew Freebury (Capt); Harri Vaughan: Griff Lloyd; Aneirin Vaughan: Osian Thomas. Replacements: Richard Phillips; Carwyn Lawrence; Hedd James; Aled Harries; Steffan Rees; Rhys Richards; Jonah Laidlaw.
 
 
 

Pembroke retain Palmer Cup despite Wasps’ best efforts

 

Pembroke 42 - Llangwm 21

 
The Palmer Cup is competed for annually by Pembroke and Llangwm, in memory of a family who had people of influence in both camps a while ago and the tradition is carried on with real determination by both camps, with The Scarlets holding a five point advantage after the first leg at Pill Parks.
 
And it looked as if they might stroll to retention of the trophy as they sped into a 15-0 lead after only ten minutes but Llangwm served notice they had no intentions of lying down, although going in for the break they were still 20-6 behind.
 
But as both teams received a spate of yellow cards for high tackles – and with The Scarlets temporarily down to 13 men, they clawed their way back to lead 21-20 and be in with a chance of surprisingly scooping the silverware as Ashley James led the team by example and others like Jason Mock, Ieuan Power and Ryan Banner happily followed.
 
But Pembroke used some of their bench, who exerted a considerable influence and gradually got back on top to take the silverware as Will Edwards scored the try of the match and there was a loud cheer when prop Dan Gosnold got his name on the scoresheet – but they certainly they had been in a battle to hold on to it!
 
Pembroke:
Tries: Barry Alderman-John 2, Rhys Johns 2, Jamie Brayford, William Edwards, Josh Greenwood, Dan Gosnold
Con: Lewis Davies
 
Llangwm:
Tries: Rhys Mainwaring 2
Con: Breig Matthews
Pens: Breig Matthews 3
 
Pembroke: Lewis Davies: Evan Davies; Fraser James; Jack Nicholas; Barry Alderman-John: Rhys Johns; Josh Greenwood: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Seamus Wiseman; Jamie Brayford: William Edwards; Scott Powell: Rhodri Walters; Rhydian Eynon; Robin Badham. Replacements: Dan Gosnold; Jack Oliver; Deryn Williams; Zach Evans; Max Boswell.
 
Llangwm: Mattie Lewis: Jack Roberts; Yale Grice; Josh Griffiths; Steff Williams: Breig Matthew; George James: Ieuan Power; Rhys Mainwaring; Joe Newton: Ashley James (Capt); Jason Mock: Morgan Rees; Morgan Scott-Walker; Ryan Banner. Replacements: Callum Jenkins; Dan Woodward; Jake Thomas; Jed Evans; Dylan Philpott.
 
 

Ten-try Neyland easily beat triers Llanybydder

 

Neyland 60 - Llanybydder 12

 
Neyland remain firmly in pole position after another high-scoring win over a Llanybydder side which was praised by the All Blacks’ staff for the way they stuck to their task after trailing 28-0 at half time and then bounced back a little with two tries in the third quarter – but couldn’t prevent George Williams’ side adding another six scores, with his big brother grabbing three of them!
 
Half backs Oen Hamer and Oli Rother controlled matters well and the pack looked sharp throughout so that The All Blacks completed the double after an earlier 43-17 verdict in Llanybydder.
 
Neyland:
Tries: Ben Williams 3, Owen Hamer 2, Seb Mackintosh, Josh Waters 2, George Evans, Iestyn Evans
Cons: George Evans 5
 
Llanybydder: Tries: Wyn Davies, Iestyn Evans
Con: Steffan Griffiths
 
Neyland Jake Griffiths: Matthew Coles; George Williams (Capt); Fletcher Picton; Josh Watts: Oli Rothero; Owen Hamer: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Alex Swales; Seb Mackintosh: Adam Peel; Iestyn Evans: George Evans; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Mark James; Andrew Slark; Ieuan Hadley; Jasper Endean; Liam Rees.
 
 


 

Athletic gain revenge victory

 

Narberth Athletic 39 - Dreigiau Emlyn 11

 
When Narberth Athletic travelled to Ddol Wiber earlier in the season they lost 14-3 to a well-organised Dragon’s side but they raised the tempo somewhat as the Newcastle Emlyn reserve team were unable to match a determined home side   which ran in six tries and limited the visits to just one after the interval after they had only managed two penalties before the break. 
 
By then The Otters’ second string had scored  two tries, one converted as Henry Foster played well up front alongside Declan Cole, who switched prop positions and still looked comfortable, whilst centre Brad Cramb celebrated his birthday with a strong performance and Kyle Williams made a big impact when he joined the fray.
 
Dreigiau Emlyn showed real determination in a strong second-half spell but The Athletic defended well, soaked up the punishment and added four more tries, one converted by Iwan john on his return to action.
 
Narberth Athletic:
Tries: Rhys Jenkins; Jack Tucker, Stephen Pilot; Will Davies; Shane Rossiter, Harry Williams.
Cons: Shane Rossiter 2, Iwan Thomas
Pen: Shane Rossiter
 
Dreigiau Emlyn: Try: Osian Griffiths
Pens: *Not provided
 
Narberth Athletic: Shane Rossiter: Harry Williams; Brad Cramb; Will Davies; Rhydian Jones: Archie Vallance; Andrew Williams: Declan Cole; Rhys Jenkins; Gareth Clifford: Henry Foster; Dan Owen: Harry Phillips; Jack Tucker; Stephen Pilot. Replacements: Kyle Williams; Wil Nicholas; Elliott Evans; Iwan Thomas; Jake Philpin.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Pitch too wet at The Obs

 

Milford Haven P-P Carmarthen Athletic
 
*Match postponed – pitch unfit for play**