Featured Match by Bill Carne 


Division One (West):

 

Seasiders deservedly lower Aber’s colours

 

Tenby United 27 - Aberystwyth 12

 
With both Tenby United and Aberystwyth as the only teams in the section boasting 100% records perhaps it was inevitable that their traditional rivalry developed into a fractious battle where The Seasiders were superb up front and tempers spilled over, especially in the first period, where one mass punch-up saw a number of players from both sides amazingly staying on at Heywood Lane without even a yellow card being issued as niggles broke out, sometimes spreading into smaller tussles as ref Darren Randall repeatedly blew his whistle in vain.
 

Unnecessary violence not acceptable

 
Both sides are known for enterprising rugby and with the physicality and commitment, the odd scuffle might be expected and neither side was totally innocent, but this correspondent doesn’t want to watch a prop run 25 yards to land a blindside punch on an opponent just holding back two sparring partners, which had it landed cleanly would have broken a jaw – or a moment in the second period when a small winger made a great try-saving tackle and on the blindside of the ensuing maul had his head forcibly thrust into the ground by an opposing centre and forward.
 

Aber stuffed in set-pieces

 
Of the quality of the game itself, Aber showed some real pace behind the scrum in full back Harri Gwynn Jones and Austin Ellis-Jones early the early exchanges but a little over-eagerness saw them come to nothing – and the warning came for the Mid Walians as they were stuffed in the set-pieces by super Seasiders’ scrummaging and gradually showed more signs of losing their composure.

But there was no scoring until the 19^th minute when Lloyd Thomas and Roby Luly made inroads to earn a penalty from which Thomas landed the resulting penalty but prop Luly, who was totally dominant up front with Dan Allen and Hywel Baker, had to go off with a shoulder injury but his replacement Joe Poole was even more influential.
 

Tries bound to follow from scrum dominance

 
The Seasiders scored a cracking try from  the elusive running out of defence by full back Gwion Jones, who linked with Dan Colley and especially Poole to give the small space that predatory flanker Dan Colley needed to claim the touchdown from a pile of bodies.

Worse was to follow for Aber as alert Tenby No 9 Dai Jones took a quick penalty near half way from another scrum offence and Jake Roberts, Jack Brown,  Luke Dedman and skipper Tom Barrass created the space for winger Jordan Asparassa to squeeze through and score a quality try that Lloyd Thomas converted.
The Seasiders almost added a fourth score right on the interval as Baker, Dai Jones, Liam Price and Jack Gooding powered their way to the left corner but great cover from Rhys Willetts-Jones, Bryn Sheppard and skipper Lee Truck saved the day.

Aber’s torment continued after the interval as Tenby winger Matthew Lewis followed up the kick-off at pace and bundled his opposite number into touch five metres out – and from the ensuing set-piece the Tenby pack showed good ball retention before the ubiquitous Dan Colley dived over for a try which Thomas converted before missing a penalty.




 

Aber show grit to fight back

 
It says much for Aber’s determination in the face of adversity that enjoyed a period of pressure from which they finally opened their account when No 10 Tommy Sandford, and centre Carwyn Evans created the space for his co-centre Jac Jones scored a try which Evans converted.

But the visitors’ hopes of a fight-back were ruined when Colley was just denied a hat-trick from a thrust in the left corner but Dai Jones was on hand to dive through in the corner.
 
Aber had the final word when they finally mounted a sustained platform in the gatehouse corner from which young replacement forward Ioan Lewis plunged over the line to round off a game that wasn’t for the purists but, other than the petty nastiness, was full of commitment and no little skill where the Tenby pack had a day to remember and Aber’s pack had one to forget!
 
Tenby United: Gwion Jones: Matthew Lewis: Tom Edmonds; Jack Gooding; Jordan Asparassa: Lloyd Thomas; Dai Jones: Hywel Baker; Dan Allen; Rob Luly: Tom Barrass (Capt); Luke Dedman: Jack Brown; Dan Colley; Jake Roberts. Replacements: Joe Poole; Max Boswell; Kieran Machin; Toby Smith; Brad Cramb.
 
Aberystwyth:  Harri Gwynn Jones: Rhys Willetts-Jones: Jac Jones; Carwyn Evans; Austin Ellis-Jones: Tommy Sandford; Ben Griffiths: Osian Bebb-Worrall; Iestyn Thomas; Huw Griffiths: Osian James; Steffan Rattray: Bryn Sheppard; Paul Stubbs; Lee Truck (Capt). Replacements: Matthew Roberts; Ioan Lewis; Ellis Trigg; Evan Rowbotham; Hopkin Beale.





 
 

Premiership Division:

 

Otters miss out in second half

 

Pontypridd 52 - Narberth 23

 
Narberth played really well for almost the first half against Pontypridd to deservedly lead 18-12 but then conceded a late seven points to trail 18-17 – and in the third quarter of the match conceded 24 unanswered points before dynamic scrum half Lewys Gibb scored his second try late on.
 
Ponty opened the scoring with an early try by Kristian Parker but the relatively inexperienced Otters rolled up the sleeves as Gibby hauled them level and they added a good try by hooker Kyle Hamer ploughed over and Jonathan Rogers added the extra points and a penalty to give them a surprise 15-5 lead.
 
Back came Ponty with a try from Cai Jones, converted by Jacob Symes before Rogers landed a second penalty on target, only for the home side to cross via Cally James, again converted by Simes, to lead by a point at half time.
 
Worse was to follow because Ponty added four tries in 14 minutes by winger Louis Rochefort-Shugar flankers Cai and Cally James, plus prop Morgan Bosanko, three of them converted by No 10 Symes.
 
It says much for The Otters’ resilience they managed to bounced back with Gibby’s second score but the Ponty points machine restarted with further tries from full back Dale Stuckey and No 8 Joe Miles, one converted by replacement Jayden Pugh as the home side celebrated a fourth win in as many matches to stay second behind Merthyr, whilst The Otters go into their home match against Newbridge on Saturday still seeking success after their four defeats, albeit against some of the toughest teams in the top division.
 
Pontypridd: Dale Stuckey: Charlie Morgan Stephens; Stuart Floyd-Evans; Garyn Smith; Louis Rochefort-Shugar: Jacob Symes; Joel Raikes:  Ben Drew; Dylan Kelly; Morgan Bosanko: Mitch Barnard; Kristian Parker: Cai James; Cally James (Capt); Joe Miles.  Replacements:  Jeff Young; Dan Cotterell; Kian Mattravers; Will Jameson; Lloyd Kelly; Lucas Welch; Jaydan Pugh; Sam Talbot.
 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Llew Jones; Hedd Nicholas; Jonathan Rogers; Jac Evans: Osian Evans; Lewys Gibby: Bradley Davies; Kyle Hamer; Guto Jones: Sam Martin; Rhys Williams: Caleb Salmon; Tom Powell (Capt); Roy Osborn.  Replacements (from): George Rossiter; Lewis Jones; Ryan Rees; Sam Davies; Josh Hamer; Alex Williams; Matthew John; Harry Fuller.
 
 
 

Championship Division:

 

Crymych miss out in last moments – again!

 

Crymych 29 - Gowerton 32

 
Crymych’s roller-coaster of a season continued at home against a Gowerton side that had lost all of its four league starts but snatched victory with a last-ditch penalty by outside half Ben James – which was made even worse for the Preseli Men since only moments before they had managed to draw level but the conversion went wild so they though they would at least have had a share of the spoils at 29-apiece.
 
The home side played into the wind at Parc Lloyd Thomas and found themselves 10-17 in arrears at the interval as their only points came from a well-worked try by strong-running centre Laurence Headlam and another by full back Ifan davies. – but Gowerton used the elements to their advantage with tries by prop Jason Simons (2) and prop Adam Simons, one converted by James.
 
No 8 Lee Bradley grabbed Gowerton’s only second half try, converted by James, but Crymych made good use of the wind to add scores from Rhys Davies, Iestyn Wood and replacement hooker Lee Griffiths, with Ifan Davies landing two conversions.
 
So Crymych now travel to Tondu on Saturday to face a strong team with four wins from five matches – and will aim to get back to winning ways after collecting two bonus points as reward for their considerable efforts here!
 
Crymych: Ifan Davies: Gavin Thomas; Ifan Phillips; Laurence Headlam; Ianto Davies: Rhys C Davies; Jac Griffiths: Gruff Williams; Lee Griffiths; Osian Charles: Rhys B Davies; Iestyn Wood: Tom Taylor; Llyr Davies; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Carwyn Rees; Ben Cox; Osian Davies; Jon Hill; Owain Davies. Reserve: Matthew Freeman.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Seagulls ease home by a point to maintain a great start

 

Loughor 17 - Fishguard & Goodwick 18

 
Fishguard & Goodwick got off to their best start for many years with this fourth victory giving them a 100% record as they squeezed home by a single point against Loughor, who had won their only previous league match in this disjointed start to the season and had their chances to dent The Seagulls’ record.
 
Fishguard were 8-7 ahead at the interval of a tough clash as the home team served notice of intent with an early first score when winger Joe Burder crossed and Lewis Edwards converted before No 8 Jac Delaney was again on the try sheet from a close-range drive that saw The Seagulls’ pack showing good control on its surge to the line.
 
Mark Jones missed the conversion but made amends with a well-struck penalty to push his team that single point ahead -  and Jake Jenkins gathered a loose ball near half way and sped to the line for an opportunist try to increase their advantage.
 
Lewis Edwards landed a long-range penalty to get Loughor back into contention but The Seagulls grabbed the try of the game as a length of the field move saw at least 10 pairs of hands involved before Mark Jones rounded off the move with a third unconverted try.
 
Even then though, the result wasn’t settled as Loughor had the final word when Jonathan Phillips rounded off a lineout drive by diving over the line for Edwards to converted – but Fishguard maintained their discipline to run out victorious.
 
This Saturday sees them with a mouth-watering home clash at The Moors against second-placed Laugharne, who are sitting just below them with three wins from their three starts so far – it should certainly be well worth watching!
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Dan Evans: James Reynolds; Mark Jones; Mike Jenkins; Rhys Evans: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes;  Iwan McVeigh: Rhys Lewis; Cai Llewellyn: Will Lewis; Sion Colella (Capt); Jac Delaney. Replacements:  Ryan McVeigh; Bryn Thomas; Flynn Tjoonk; Will Nicholas; Iestyn Doble.
 
 

Athletic too strong for gritty Borderers

 

Carmarthen Athletic 38 - Whitland 10

 
Whitland went down to defeat in Carmarthen against an Athletic side which was 18-0 up at half time and added another 20 points thereafter against a Borderers’ team which never gave up but had to settle for 10 points of their own, with a try by hard-working second row Dan Bennett, which  outside half Gareth Davies converted to go with a penalty.
 
For the Athletic it was Zac Williams who was outstanding as he sliced through for three tries alongside two conversions and three penalties for a personal haul of 28 points – with other tries by Morgan Morse and Josh Witney completing their points tally and keeping them in third place behind front runners Fishguard and Laugharne.
 
The Borderers have now lost their two games so far this campaign, but they continue to show a steady improvement as  flanker Gavin Smith, second row Iestyn Comey, Gareth Davies and scrum half Rhys Nicholas earning a mention for their efforts.
 
Whitland:  Oli Bujega: Morgan Lewis; Owyn Griffiths; Dom Davies; Deian Davies: Gareth Davies; Rhys Nicholas: Trystan Bowen; Matt Driver; Ceirion Evans: Iestyn Comey; Dan Bennett: Njabulo  Madondo: Gavin Smith; Zac France-Miller (Capt). Replacements:   Johnny Thomas; Marc Jones; Luke Starkey; Tom Jones; Wihan Fryer.
 
 

Mariners short again!
Lampeter P-P Milford Haven
**Milford Haven unable to raise a team

 
 

Division Three (West):

 

All square as missed conversion cost Blues a victory

 

Cefneithin 17 - Haverfordwest 17

 
Haverfordwest missed out on the chance to win at Cefneithin, who previously had two defeats in as many matches, and might even had lost before they grabbed a last-minute try to level the match – but even then the drama wasn’t over because two Cefneithin players were red-carded during the build-up to the conversion, which was eventually missed to keep the teams sharing 34 points!
 
Cefneithin showed they could be a useful team over the course of the campaign as they led 10-5 at half time, despite pacy winger Scott Candler giving The Blues a good start with an unconverted try – but Cefneithin responded well as Carwyn Lewis landed a penalty and then the No 15 converted a good try by centre Jonathan Morgan.
 
Outstanding flanker Matty Phillips opened The Blues’ account in the second half with a try converted by No 10 Liam Eaton to nudge them two points ahead.
As fortunes ebbed and flowed, however; Cefneithin fought back again as centre Lee Watkins sliced though for Carwyn Evans to add the extra points and set up a very tense finish.
 
And it seemed as if Scott Candler would be the Haverfordwest hero with that late try to tie things up – but the conversion was the wrong side of the post – and in the final analysis perhaps a draw was the fairest result!
 
Haverfordwest: Guy Barrons:  Scott Candler; Iestyn Arnold; Jack Codd; George Hopkins: Liam Eaton; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones: Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas; Tom Carrington: Teifion Owen; Karl Busch (Capt): Mikey Griffiths;  Matty Phillips; Jake Phillips. Replacements: Ben Llewellyn; Jack Clancy; Gabriel Thicker; Andrew Edwards; Paul Dungey.
 
 

Cardies so close to beating unbeaten Tumble

 

Cardigan 29 - Tumble 31

 
Cardigan’s home tussle with Tumble was one of the best seen at The King George Vth Playing Fields for some time and it looked for some time that The Teifisiders might lower Tumble’s 100% start over three matches – only to be denied from virtually the last move of the match when Cardigan were leading 29-28, only for the visitors’ ace kicker Steffan Owens kicked a vital penalty.
 
The Teifisiders were 19-15 ahead after a tight first period as the kicking battle between home marksman Shaun Leonard and Owens developed, with the former landing four penalties, some from long range, and converted a try by prop Andrew Jones.
 
At the other end, visiting flanker Adrian Howells scored two tries and Owens converted one alongside a penalty – but Edwards landed three penalties, including that final effort, plus a conversion of a try by Gethin Morgan in the second period.
 
Leonard added a fifth penalty and converted a good try by No 8 Colin Davies to take The Teifisiders so close and leave them with two league defeats with a combined deficit of only three points – and they will be looking for a win on Saturday as they entertain Llandeilo in search of that deserved first success.
 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: John Lumb; Marcus Castle (Capt); Emyr Harries; Iwan John: Jac Davies; Aaron Evans: Nathan Bowen; Rhodri Palmer-Jones; Andrew Jones:  Dean Harries; Dan Jones: Kieran Hurley; Jackson Tucker Lynch; Colin Davies. Replacements: Luke Palmer-Davies; Will Brice; Ben Hughes; Sion Phillips; Aaron Tomkinson; Llyr Jones; Alun Jenkins.






 
 

Division Four (West) A:

 

Athletic play well as Scarlets continue to improve

 

Narberth Athletic 29 - Pembroke 17

 
Narberth Athletic gained their third win in as many matches to move a point behind leaders Neyland, who sadly didn’t play, whilst Pembroke have now lost their opening three games but again provided signs of improvement from their very young side that included no fewer than five of last year’s youth team Jack Nicolas caught the eye and Josh Greenwood was named as man of the match as reward for his all-action display at scrum half.
 
All the others acquitted themselves well as Evan Phillips also made a welcome return to action as Lewis Davies played solidly at No 10 and scored a cracking early try as he rounded off some good handling by Nicholls and Fraser James inside him.
 
The Scarlets’ other scorers were Scott Powell, who came on after only 10 minutes as Pembroke lost another talented young prospect in Ethan Phillips – with No 8 Dave Rogers showing excellent control at a close-range scrum only for Greenwood to nip in to claim the touchdown before Lewis Davies converted.
 
For The Athletic, there was always the effort to play attacking rugby through the quick hands of half backs Archie Valance and Jordan James, resulting in tries from Harri Harries, Harry Phillips, Kyle Williams and Rhys Jenkins as Shane Rossiter joined the fray and crossed the whitewash as well as adding two conversions, with Yori Morgan adjudged their man of the match in recognition of his back-row play.
 
The Otters’ seconds were 17-10 to the good at the interval and The Scarlets fought hard to reach a 17-24 deficit  before a late unconverted try denied them a bonus point but team manager Simon Edwards, a long-time former captain, was pleased to see the way his and coach Gary Price’s young charges are beginning to have a little self-belief.
 
Narberth Athletic: Harry Harries: Owen Llewellyn; Will Davies; Dylan Walsh; Stephen J Brown:  Archie Vallance; Jordan James: Declan Cole; Rhys Jenkins (Capt); Jac Norcross: Dan Owen; Kyle Williams: Stephen Thomas; Yori Morgan; Harry Phillips. Replacements: Gareth Clifford; Stephen Pilot; Jack Tucker; Shane Rossiter; Luke Conbeer; Osian Phillips; Alex Coaker.
 
Pembroke:   Rhys Johns: Charlie Shiels; Fraser James; Jack Nicholas; TJ Jones: Lewis Davies; Josh Greenwood: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Dan Gosnold; Tommy Oakley: Ethan Brown; Will Edwards: Rhodri Walters; Rhydian Eynon; David Rogers. Replacements: Evan Phillips; Seamus Wiseman; Jack Oliver; Scott Powell; Robin Badham. Travelling Reserve: Zach Evans.
 
 

Makeshift Quins win well at Llan

 

Llanybydder 17 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 48

 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins travelled to Llanybydder after struggling to raise a team because of the Valero shut-down and injuries – but it proved worthwhile against a gritty home team, who played their part in an entertaining tussle as they ran in three tries as opposed to the Quins’ eight.
 
Pacy winger Tom Donovan led the Quins’ good start to the game with two of their early tries, the third claimed in between by centre Damien Miller  from a typically powerful burst  which was converted by skipper Ben Hathaway.
 
Then Jordan Palmer added a fourth to confirm a welcome bonus point but Llanybydder dogged determination not to cave in paid off with a deserved try by Leeroy Jones – only for classy centre Craig Barnett to cut through to the  line and Hathaway added the extra points to give his team a 31-5 interval lead.
Johnny Nicot also scored for The Quins soon after the restart but Llan’s bustling second row Jordan Evans ploughed his way through to reduce the deficit as Mathew Rollins added the extra points.
 
The Quins added further tries by Tom Wheeler and Hathaway himself to earn the Quins’ man of the match award – but again Llan refused to go quietly with a third try, this time by Llyr Jones, leaving them just short of a deserved bonus point for all their hard work.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins:  Squad (from): Jordan Palmer; Alfie Ball; Rhys Doyle; Jack Mallitte;  Danny Wilkes; Damien Miller; Ben Hathaway (Capt); Morgan Rogers; Thomas Wheeler;  Euan McDonald;  Craig Barnett; Tom Donovan,  Josh Brown;  Liam Scourfield; Lewis Scourfield; Ollie Lewis; John Nicot.
 
 

Bulls win the battle of the second strings

 

Teirw Crymych 17 - Dreigiau Emlyn 13

 
Teirw Crymych played really well to beat fellow second-teamers Dreigiau Emlyn at Parc Lloyd Thomas, thus winning their second win in four starts whilst inflicting a first defeat for The Dragons after two league wins.
 
The Bulls had tries by  winger Dylan Thomas and centre Tomos Lewis as reward for trying to play attacking rugby as half backs  Elgan Wilson and Owain Rees controlled play well as No 10 Wilson continued his form with the boot as he landed both conversions and a penalty , with full back Nick Bevan organising the defensive cover and Luke Freebury leading the pack by example alongside his brother Matthew.
 
Teirw Crymych:  Nick Bevan: Gruff Williams; Steffan Rees; Tomos Lewis; Dylan Thomas: Elgan Wilson; Owain Rees: Tomos Davies; Sion Wilson; Aled Hughes: Luke Freebury (Capt); Matthew Freebury: Harri Vaughan; Griff Lloyd; Osian Thomas. Replacements: Robert Davies; Richard Phillips; Elijah Torau; Dylan Harries; Luke Allsworth. Reserves: Liam Barber; Hedd George; Morgan Davies; Iwan Laugharne.
 
 

***Neyland v St Davids:
Match postponed – St Davids unable to raise a team