Division One (West):

 

Crymych pouch the points as Whitland regret missed chances

 

Whitland 13 - Crymych 23

 
Referee: Tom Carew
 
Crymych’s success at Whitland not only allowed them to claim the bragging rights between these old rivals but because it was the only match in the section the four points collected allowed them to move to the top of the table.
 
And for The Borderers there wasn’t just the disappointment of defeat but the fact that full back Adam Phillips last-gasp penalty for The Preseli Men denied them even the consolation of a bonus point after playing their part in a full-blooded contest where they also had their chances but couldn’t quite match the opposition in taking them.
 
Crymych got off to the better start as Adam Jenkins kicked three points after two minutes but within four minutes The Borderers went ahead after No 10 Geraint Jones kicked to the corner and from the resulting throw in a concerted forward drive saw the ball being touched down by hooker Marc Jones and Jones adding the extra points.
 
The Preseli Men had another period of pressure and Ifan Phillips pushed them into the corner from a penalty – only for home No 8 Jack Mason to effect one of several excellent ‘steals’ from the maul and the chance went begging.
 
But Crymych took the lead with a penalty try after Whitland full back took an excellent catch but the ball was spilled as supporters claimed he had been taken out in the air.
 

Crymych again start the second half well

 
Tomos Phillips hacked through to the line he was held back and referee Tom Carew gave them a penalty try and issued scrum half Ianto Davies with a yellow card.
 
Crymych also started the second half well via Dafydd Phillips but with the line at their mercy the final pass went astray – and as the action continued apace Geraint Jones made a good midfield break at the other end and had Callum Evans at his shoulder but Crymych cleared the danger and after ten minutes grabbed a corker of a try, especially so in the greasy conditions.
 
Outside half Ifan Phillips put in a little chip over the top just inside his own half and his brother Tomos broke into the home 22 before delivering the final pass for co-centre Gethin Gibby to dive over before Adam Phillips landed the easy conversion.
 
At 7-17 it might have been the breaking point for Whitland but with Ceiron Evans, Marc Jones, Jack Richards, Mason, skipper Benji Kirk and Evans all battling hard they were awarded two penalties from 38 and 30 metres which hauled them back within sight of at least a bonus point.
 
They were still there despite a soft penalty conceding another three points for Adam Phillips as winger Owyn Griffiths pulled off a vital tap penalty in front of the stands – but then in those fateful final moments Adam Phillips powered another penalty, this time from 41 metres and Crymych celebrated victory and Whitland were left to reflect on what might have been.
 
But both teams (and referee Carew) deserved every credit for playing the game, and for the quality of play, which was hard and uncompromising, but with plenty of excitement for the large crowd who gave their noisy support!
 
Whitland: Jonathan Thomas: Trystan Rees; Liam Price; Gino Setaro; Owyn Griffiths: Geraint Jones’ Ianto Davies: Tom Finnucane; Marc Jones; Ceiron Evans: Benji Kirk (Capt); Jack Richards: Callum Evans; James Lewis; Jack Mason. Replacements: Mike Ryan; Chris Marks; Dai Ebsworth; Rhys Nicholas; Morgan Lewis.
 
Crymych: Adam Phillips: Owain Evans; Tomas Phillips; Gethin Gibby; Ned Bennett: Ifan Phillips; Daf Phillips: Jonathan Clout; Cai Ivans; Ryan Rees: Matthew Freebury; Rhys Davies: Llyr Davies (Capt); Rhydian Howells; Dafydd Gibby. Replacements: Simon Wilson; Jason Nicholas; Rhys Richards; Luke Freebury; Huw Rees.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Seasiders celebrate seven-try success

 

Tenby United 49 - Pontyberem 0

 
This match was the only one that took place in the section and Tenby United took the chance to move into fourth place to run in four converted tries in the first half and add a further three scores afterwards, all seven converted by outside half Lloyd Thomas.
 
Pontyberem are rooted at the foot of the table but still showed early on that they are capable of causing an upset until The Seasiders’ pack got on top and half backs Cam Broadhurst and Thomas called the shots throughout in front of a decent crowd who braved the elements.
 
The Seasiders’ front row of Frankie Boyd, hooker Nicky Guymer and Rob Luly soon settled and second rows Tom Barrass and skipper Luke Dedman won good ball that clearly benefitted their back row because all three claimed on of their three opening scores.
 
Open-side flanker Will Swales grabbed the first after a period pf pressure saw him cross the whitewash, blind-side flanker Charlie Patching grabbed the second from a driving maul and No 8 Jake Roberts was not to be outdone from a close-range maul after a nice-angled run allowed No 10 Thomas to put him over from five yards.
 
Experienced prop Rob Luly rounded off the first-half scoring from another ruck near the line and with Thomas having his kicking boots The Seasiders had already gathered a bonus point before the oranges.
 
It was a similar story after the interval as Pontyberem tried hard to break their points duck but without success as Matthew Morgan, Gwion Jones and Jordan Asparassa covering space at the back well – and it was Asparassa who scored try No 5 after good work by Thomas, Yannic Parker and Jack Golding saw him race over.
 
Jake Roberts scored an old-fashioned No 8’s try, his second of the game, from a scrum five – and winger Gwion Jones rounded off the scoring as quick hands put him clear to the corner and with time to run to the posts so that Thomas could maintain his 100% record and receive the man of the match accolade for his classy all-round performance, with several others vying for the recognition in a solid all-round display by Jonathan Evans’ squad.
 
Tenby United:  Matthew Morgan: Gwion Jones; Yannic Parker; Jack Golding; Jordan Asparassa: Lloyd Thomas; Cam Broadhurst: Frankie Boyd; Nicky Guymer; Rob Luly: Tom Barrass; Luke Dedman: Charlie Patching; Will Swales; Jake Roberts. Replacements: Joe Poole; Ethan Morgan; Rob Clark; Caleb O’Neill; Adam Quill.
 
 

Division Three (West) A:

 

All Blacks so close to a deserved away win

 

Laugharne 23 - Neyland 22

 
Neyland came close to an away as they pushed homesters Laugharne all the way and were only denied victory after prop Luke Griffiths-Dawes grabbed his second try but the wide-angled conversion fell just short.
 
It was a heartening performance from Steve Evans’ team because Laugharne are currently fourth whilst Neyland showed their current sixth spot in the table is no fluke – and they can go higher if they can maintain this form despite losing key players Henry McBeth and Ben James before the start and had to call in Rhys Power and Stuart Phillips as late replacements.
The All Blacks started well with a penalty by outside half Ollie Rothero but Laugharne’s danger man, winger Cian Williams, sped through for a try converted by James Stephenson.
 
Neyland showed their forward power, however, as they set up a controlled catch and drive at a line-out and when Laugharne collapsed it the referee awarded The All Blacks a penalty try to lead by three points – but right on the interval Laugharne had a second try from Cian Williams, this time unconverted but giving them a 12-10 lead.
 
Neyland were reduced to 14 men when centre Adam Peel was yellow-carded and Laugharne added a third try, this time from Steve John and although Stephenson missed the conversion he made amends with two well-stuck penalties.
 
Trailing 22-10 The All Blacks might have decided it wasn’t their day but they rolled up their sleeves, with Ben Williams, Iestyn and Owain Evans leading from the front – and they were rewarded when Griffiths-Dawes maintained his good form with a try converted by Rothero.

Neyland had Mark James sent off but they continued to play with total commitment and Griffiths’ Dawes second try took them within a point of the opposition – but the conversion was agonisingly just short.
 
Laugharne were able to celebrated victory but there were some real plus points for Neyland, with a bonus point as scant reward for their part in this confrontation.
 
Neyland: Ollie Rothero: Rhys Power; George Williams; Adam Peel; Ben Millward: George Evans; Owen Hamer. Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Jack Harries; Stuart Phillips: Mark James; Iestyn Evans: Dan Hart; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Jasper Endine; Andrew Slark; Toby Hayman; Jordan Allen-Wright; Steve Evans.




 
 

Wasps battle in vain in Llan

 

Llanybydder 31 - Llangwm 10

 
Llangwm battled hard after their long journey to Llanybydder and had the satisfaction of scoring two tries but in the final analysis were outgunned up front and the home side claimed a bonus point by dint of scoring five tries.
 
The Wasps’ tries came from Jack Roberts after their pack won good ball and when play was spread wide it was the winger who squeezed over in the corner, and from big-hearted Callum Jenkins, who normally plays hooker but had to switch to prop for this tussle and gave his usual 100% up front alongside No 8 Jason Mock, and flanker Ashley James, with scrum half Ian Jenkins also playing with his usual commitment in attack and defence.
 
For Llanybydder there were two tries by influential No 8 and skipper John Evans, with others claimed by hooker Dan Bonsall, loose-head prop Aled Evans and scrum half Wyn Evans, with experienced outside half Llyr Tobias converting three of them.
 
It left The Wasps with no points to show for a lot of effort from the entire squad and a long journey in poor conditions, but they enjoyed their day out and looked resplendent in their Christmas jumpers supplied early by their loved ones!
 
Llangwm Squad:
Ben Hawkins;  Dan Morgan; Ollie Garson; Luke Dyer; Jack Roberts; Yale Grice; James Brock; Dylan Philpott; Ian Griffiths: Callum Jenkins; Andrew Millard; Phil Llewelyn; Ioan Jarman; Matthew Rees; Ashley James; Gavin Jones; Dan Woodward; Jason Mock; Owain Jones.
 
 

Phillips’ penalties seal Saints’ success

 

St Davids 12 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 10

 
Full back Adam Phillips proved the match winner for St Davids as his four penalties edged the home side to a hard-fought victory over Pembroke Dock Harlequins.
 
With most of the country affected by icy weather, Britain’s smallest city avoided the freeze as both sides produced a tempestuous contest that went down to the final play.
 
It was the visitors who struck first when No 10 Euan McDonald kicked a penalty to the corner which set up a close range line-out, and from the pressure that followed, winger Kobey Thomas benefitted from an overlap to touch down out wide.
 
McDonald was wide with the conversion and then missed a penalty chance to increase the lead, before the Saints responded when a charge from prop Ryan John set up a penalty and Phillips made no mistake from 30 metres.
 
The same player landed three points from similar range just before the break as The Saints turned around with a 6-5 lead.
 
Phillips increased that to 9-5 with another penalty after half time, but after home captain Nathan Foster was forced to leave the filed with a hand injury, The Quins turned the screw.
Another line-out from 10 metres out yielded a penalty, but the visitors opted to tap and run wide, and a big hit from St Davids centre George Raymond saw the ball spilt in midfield and the chance went begging.
 
However, with 10 minutes left, the away side struck with what seemed a decisive score, with McDonald - now moved to the centre - finding space in midfield and chipping ahead, and in the chaos that followed second row Hywel Baker secured the loose ball and dived over to score.
 
The conversion again went wide and there was still time for further twists, and after hooker Tom Clarke found second row Aled Davies with another line-out 20 metres out, the hosts gained a penalty out wide.
 
Phillips again kept his nerve, and to his credit referee Joe Kiff stayed firm amid some far-fetched Dock protests that the ball didn’t go over the bar and moments later the official was left with little option but to issue a red card to Baker, after he threw a punch in a melee that ensued from the kick-off.
 
The drama wasn’t done there though, with Phillips short with a penalty attempt from half way before The Quins mustered late pressure, and even after a costly turnover in midfield another chance came when Saints replacement Olly Owen sliced his clearance kick to touch.
 
But from the final line-out, the ball again went loose and The Saints won a penalty and Owen tapped to himself before clearing with interest, signalling the end of a full-blooded contest.
“Pleased to get over the line,” was the verdict of Noel Lyons, one of the St Davids coaches, afterwards. “Pembroke Dock had their chances at the end but we managed to secure a gritty win.
 
“It played out we expected. They came down with a big pack and some good backs and gave us trouble out wide and we had to dig deep. But it’s great having a kicker [Phillips] who can knock them over in tough conditions.”
 
Next week, the Saints go to Tregaron in their final game before Christmas, while the Quins host Laugharne.
 
St Davids: Adam Phillips, Jack Rees, Ben Joyce, George Raymond, Morgan Davies, Aaron Foster, Zak Morgan, Adam Williams, Tom Clarke, Ryan John, Aled Davies, Llion Williams, Rhys Price, Nathan Foster, Daf Williams. Replacements: Ben Evans, Olly Owen, Jack Morgan, Jack Evans, Dylan Walsh.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway, Kobey Thomas, Geraint Powell, Adam Jones, Tom Hagan, Ewan McDonald, Sam James, Dan McLeod, Jordan Palmer, Jack Davies, Danny Wilkes, Hywel Baker, Harry Owen, Dan Manning, Jack Brown. Replacements: Kieran Cookson, Ben Gibby, Jack Mallite, Byron Hughes, Scourfield.
 
Referee: Joe Kiff.
 
 

Aber remove Lampeter’s unbeaten tag

 

Aberaeron 18 - Lampeter 17

 
With both teams enjoying encouraging starts to the campaign, bragging rights were very much at stake at Parc Drefach on Saturday and with the weather affecting other local matches, the fixture attracted a sizeable and vociferous following, who were to witness a titanic battle with a dramatic conclusion.
 
With fine weather reasonable at the first whistle, the first period was reasonably balanced and Aberaeron were satisfied with a ten-all scoreline at the break. The hosts were first off the mark when Rhodri Jenkins struck an excellent touchline penalty following a series of indiscretions by Lampeter.
 
But despite pressing to further the advantage, they were rocked back with the Lampeter backline's adventurous and expansive play resulting in a quick-fire double to take the advantage. The first resulted from recycled loose possession, and swift full back Rhys Douglas outpaced the home defence to cross in the corner.
 
Minutes later a clearance and chase from his own 22 by Tomos Jones saw the centre caught short of the home line, only for namesake Osian to be on hand to cross under the posts. With the conversion seemingly a formality, quick thinking by nimble scrum half Tudur Jenkins charged down the attempt, and this proved to be crucial at the final whistle.
 
The home eight continued to take the game to their opponents with the front row more than a match and they were to be rewarded with a close range try by hooker Sion Evans, with Jenkins conversions levelling the score.
 
A downpour after the break made playing difficult with numerous spills of the greasy ball and this resulted in a forward battle. Aberaeron regained the lead with another Jenkins’ penalty, only for Lampeter to raise their game with the minutes ticking down, and they were to demonstrate their own forward power with a try for No8 Brynmor Jones, with the conversion successful this time.
 
The restart resulted in a penalty conceded which gave advantage close to the Lampeter line and the resultant lineout saw a concerted drive with most of the backs involved, and a jubilant Daf Lloyd credited with the score with the final move of the match.
 
It was a gripping encounter with the result always in the balance, and Aberaeron will enjoy the bragging rights at least until the return encounter in April.
 
 

Saints stay undefeated and in top spot

 

Cardigan 7 - St Clears 19

*No further details available
 
Cardigan: Ben Rogers: Tomos Jones; John Lumb; Kieran Greenland; Tomos Griffiths: Jac Davies; Llyr Jones: Will Brice; Rhodri Parry Jones; Tomos Evans: Sion Phillips; Andrew Jones: Geraint Williams; Rhodri Davies; Tom Taylor (Capt). Replacements: Ben Hughes; Marcus Castle; Aaron Tomkinson; Iwan John; Jackson Tucker-Lynch.
 

MATCHES POSTPONED:

 
Championship:
 
Otters called off at Pontypool Park
Pontypool P Narberth P
*Match postponed – pitch conditions
Narberth: Nick Gale: Ashley Sutton; Ilan Phillips; Hedd Nicholas; Josh Evans: Jonathan Rogers; Lewis Gibby: Bradley Davies; Dan Smith; Tom Slater: Rhys Williams; Alex Jenkins: Tom Powell; Caine Rees-Jones; Richard Rees. Replacements:  Josh Hamer; Sean Janes; George Rossiter; Josh Hamer; Ben Thomas
 
Division One (West):
 
Crickmarren frosted off
Pembroke P Felinfoel P
*Match postponed – Pitch condition
Pembroke: Simon Stanford: Travis Mathias; Luke Alderwick; Harry Fletcher; Steve Brown: Tom Lewis; Matthew Lewis: Evan Phillips; Seamus Wiseman; Lloyd Davies:  Will Edwards; Tom Cabot: Andrew Evans; Jordan Evans; Sam Smith. Replacements: Dan Gosnald; Rhodri Walters; James Jones; Josh Hicks; Tommy John.
 
Division Two (West):
Seagulls struck down by illness
Fishguard and Goodwick P Burry Port P
*Match postponed - Illness
 
Mariners miss their match through illness
Loughor P Milford Haven P
*Match postponed – Illness
 
Division Three (West) A:
 
Tregaron almost down and out
Tregaron P Haverfordwest P
*Match postponed – Tregaron unable to raise a team – at home!
Haverfordwest:  Owain Roberts: Scott Candler; Josh Thomas; Lee Davies; Jack Evans: Liam Eaton; Lee Summons: Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas; Terry Lovell: Karl Busch; Rhydian Watkins: Matty Phillips (Capt); Mike Griffiths; Jonathan Mason. Replacements: Gethin Evans; Steve Thomas; Jake Morgan; Michael Jones.