Pembrokeshire KO Cup – First Round:

 
 

Fishguard & Goodwick 65 - Pembroke 15

 

Referee: Joseph Kiff
 
A second-half hat-trick of tries from livewire flanker Sion Colella was a feature of Fishguard & Goodwick’s big win over a Pembroke side that play their league rugby a section higher but brought a relatively inexperienced squad to The Moors for this KO Cup first-round match.
 
The Seagulls already led 34-10 at half time as they scored four tries, with another five afterwards as The Scarlets contributed to a fast and open tussle and never threw in the towel, scoring a try in each half, despite being outgunned up front.
 

Power aplenty in The Seagulls’ pack

 
Fishguard’s pack had skipper Chris Shousha leading Colella and Cai Llewelyn as a ball-winning back row alongside veteran second-row Gwilym Evans and talented youngster Rhys Lewis – and it came as no surprise when they opened their account with a try by hooker Liam Wilkes after good work by fellow front-rowers Will Delaney and Ryan McVeigh.
 
Pacy centre Sion Rowlands added a second via a couple of sidesteps near the posts, and both scores were converted by co centre James Griffiths.
 

Scarlets battle hard to pouch some points

 
At the other end there was no shortage of effort from skipper Seamus ‘Moose’ Wiseman, Johnny Palmer, Josh Hicks, Aaron Williams and Lloyd Davies as The Scarlets opened their account with a penalty by young fly half Harry Fletcher – who also converted a try that stemmed from an innocuous diagonal kick by Matthew Lewis which somehow evaded the clutches of two home defenders and winger Steve Brown pounced to gain the touch down.
 
This reverse stung Fishguard into raising their tempo and after Griffiths had slotted two penalties they added further tries from Creegan Foot, who had a good game overall at full back, and No 9 Max Jones as reward for his support play, again converted by Griffiths.



 

Colella exerts a real influence

 
Both clubs gave their sizeable benches a chance after the interval but it was Colella who claimed two Seagull scores in quick succession as he showed his ability to be in the right place at the right time.
 
But Pembroke showed their grit with a breakaway try by centre Geraint Powell as he latched on to a loose ball and twice kicked ahead before winning the race for the touchdown, with referee Kiff doing well to be right alongside him to award the try.
 
Fishguard’s control up front brought further dividends, however, as replacement props Adam Bowen and Iwan McVeigh ploughed over the line – and Kial Keane supplied the pass for Colella’s third score after the handling move of the match, with Griffiths adding a terrific conversion from wide out.
 

Final thoughts

 
Home coaches, brothers Nathan and Steve Jenkins, will have been delighted by their squad on their first outing whilst opposite numbers Geraint Lewis and Ieuan Matthews will be pleased at the way their young charges never gave up trying and they do have some experienced players soon to return.
 
And finally, a word about referee Joseph Kiff, who showed why he is held in regard ‘up the line’ with his excellent control and ability to be close at hand in all situations, keeping the game flowing wherever possible but not afraid to punish indiscretions.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Creegan Foot: Ed Bendall; Sion Rowlands; James Griffiths; Rhys Evans: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Ryan McVeigh: Gwilym Evans; Rhys Lewis: Cai Llewellyn; Sion Colella; Chris Shousha (Capt). Replacements: Iwan McVeigh; Gavin Walsh; Adam Bowen: Will Lewis; Tal Tamilia; Ed Rathbone; Kial Keane.
 
Pembroke: Lewis Davies: Luke Hartland; Tom Harding-Jones; Geraint Powell; Steve Brown: Harry Fletcher; Matthew Lewis: Lloyd Davies; Seamus Wiseman (Capt); Johnny Palmer: Tom Cabot; Evan Phillips: Andrew Evans; Aaron Williams; Josh Hicks. Replacements: Leon Stewart; Jared Sharratt; Darcy Langstone; Jamie Brayford; Rhys John.