Championship Division (West):

 



 

12-try Otters run riot in the second half

 

Narberth 76 -  Tata Steel 7

 
Narberth maintained their proud position at the top of a very tough section with this thrashing of basement battlers Tata Steel – and there was further good news for The Otters when it filtered through via announcer Freeman Brawn as he told a delighted crowd that previously unbeaten rivals Brecon had lost their first match of the season!

Narberth had beaten Tata by 67-5 in their first of 11 wins on the trot but with coach Liam Gadd having made seven changes to give some support players game time there was a little anxiety in the crowd as The Otters trailed 7-5 after 25 minutes – but they grabbed two more tries before the break to lead 19-5.

And whatever coach Gadd said in the interval it certainly galvanised them into action because they produced 57 unanswered tries in the second period, including four in 13 minutes from the 44^th to the 57^th minutes.

Narberth seemed likely to open their account after 16 minutes when Ashley Sutton made a typical break from deep before Josh Evans was held up short – but they scored two minutes later when a penalty to the clubhouse corner saw No 8 Rich Rees winning the lineout and being driven over the line.

But Tata showed some steel as The Otters missed a few midfield tackles against Sam Jukes, Callum Jones and Isaac Morgan – and paid the price when they allowed the ball to go to ground in their own 22 and visiting centre Jacob Skeels hacked the ball over the line and slotted the simple conversion.

The Otters regained the lead in the 27^th minute when skipper Tom Powell won the penalty lineout in the same corner and hooker Tom Clarke emerged from a pile of bodies over the line to claim a try that outside half Ianto Griffiths converted as he did just on half time after centre Aled Rees made the initial thrust and
Sutton had the pace to score a quality try.

Sutton also opened the second half points glut in the bottom right corner as The Otters moved from 19-5 to 45-7 in such a short time, with quality play between forwards and back bringing tries by winger Dean James, flanker Josh Hamer and James again, three of them converted by Griffiths.

As the tries continued to flow Josh Evans darted through and when coach Gadd brought on some of his regular selections Lewys Gibby made an immediate impact after Alex Williams had played really well at No 9, ploughing through for a try hat-trick.

Second row Rhys Williams rounded off the scoring with a try as reward for his yeoman work alongside an outstanding new recruit this year in Will Blackburn, converted by Griffiths, his eighth success in 12 attempts, which was no mean feat in the conditions.

The game was very memorable for Lewys Gibby as he completed 100 games for the Otters and marked his short time on the pitch with three tries, whilst second row Alex Jenkins ran out late on to play his 316^th game for the club, a remarkable new record indeed.

Both were splendidly announced by the silken tones of the afore-mentioned Mr Brawn, who committed the ‘commentator’s curse’ with his build-up because Alex promptly dropped the ball from his very first touch!

 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Dean James; Aled Reed; Hedd Nicholas; Josh Evans: Ianto Griffiths; Alex Williams: Lewis Davies; Tom Clarke; Tom Slater: Will Blackburn; Rhys Williams: Josh Hamer; Tom Powell; (Capt); Richard Rees. Replacements: Ricky Guest; Bradley Davies; Alex Jenkins; Lewys Gibby; Jonathan Rogers.




 

Crymych bounce back with morale-boosting victory

 

Crymych 36 - Ystalyfera 7

 
Crymych showed their ability to bounce back with this comfortable win against over 10^th-placed Ystalyfera at Parc Lloyd Thomas, opening up a deserved 15-0 lead by the break and always being in control thereafter as they also pouched a bonus point for their try-scoring exploits and completing the double, having already won 47-18 when the teams met early in the season.
 
Eilir George, playing at outside half, slotted a penalty before The Preseli Men added a brace of tries for winger Tomos Lewis as reward for good ball retention by their pack and quick hands from their pacy back division.
 
The visitors showed some spirit and opened their account with a penalty try but their hopes of a comeback were quickly quelled when hooker Carwyn Rees rounded off a well-controlled driving maul, this time converted by full back Adam Phillips, and Crymych assured their bonus try when broke to the line and again Phillips added the extra points.
 
It sealed victory for The Preseli Men but with skipper Carwyn Phillips leading by example and prop Aled Hughes also catching the eye with his all-round play, they added a fifth try, again by No 10 George and again converted by No 10 Adam Phillips, to give them a seventh win and a continued place in the section’s top five.
 
Crymych: Adam Phillips: Ianto Davies; Tomos Phillips; Laurence Headlam; Tomos Lewis: Eilir George; Dafydd Phillips: Aled Hughes; Carwyn Rees; Will Couch: Matthew Freebury; Luke Freebury: Osian Davies; Llyr Davies; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Lee Griffiths; Ryan Rees; Iestyn Wood; Jon Hill; Tristan Jones.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Borderers battle well for a bonus point

 

Penclawdd 32 - Whitland 22

 
Whitland were unable to complete the double over Penclawdd, a side they had defeated 27-15 at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn, but there were positives to be taken out of the match as they scored four tries to gain a bonus point and there was promise aplenty from the efforts of young players like Cian Evans, Oli Bujega and Morgan Lewis alongside the commitment shown by more experienced players like Raff Williams, Marc Jones, Jonathan Thomas and Jack Mason.

The Borderers took an early lead but ‘The Cocklemen’ were ahead at half time as they had the better of the play.
 
It was a similar story after the interval as they added further scores but could never quite catch up as the home side had tries from Iwan Jones (2) and Tom Howell (2), three of them converted by Alex Hughes alongside a penalty, plus a dropped goal from Cameron Lewis.
 
For The Borderers there were tries by Raff Williams, Oli Bujega, Jack Mason and Zac France-Miller, one converted by Liam Price – and there a little more consolation from the fact that their hard-earned bonus point at least took them off the foot of the table!.
 
Whitland (from): Trystan Bowen; Marc Jones; Ceiron Evans; Raff Williams; Beji Kirk (Capt); Dan Bennett; Cian Evans; Zac France-Miller; Rhys Nicholas; Jonathan Thomas; Monty Milton; Dom Davies; Trystan Rees; Oli Bujega; Morgan Lewis; Jack Mason; Jack Worthing.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Brown’s tries help Seasiders to the double

 

Tenby United 33 - Mumbles 17

 
Tenby United returned to winning ways with this deserved seventh success in eight starts against eight-placed Mumbles, whom they had already beaten 29-10 in September, to remain well-placed in the battle for top spot in the table.
 
The Seasiders needed a reaction to their first defeat at St Clears and got it as they opened their account by No 8 Jack Brown and although No 10 Harry Rossiter missed the conversion he soon added a penalty – and then converted an excellent support try as the back row were again involved when Hywell Baker made an excellent break near half way and when he was just held up did well to pop the ball up for co-flanker Liam Pugh to score.
 
But Mumbles opened their account near half time as a Seasiders’ error allowed them to hack a loose ball through and winger Will Mellowship claimed the touch down before Tom Richards added the extra points.
Matthew Hughes added a penalty early in the second half for Mumbles but then Jack Brown added his second try from a scrum-five drive and Rossiter notched another penalty to widen the gap.

Good play by forwards and backs allowed The Seasiders to return to the attack and full back Gwion Jones was released in the corner but did well to race around to the posts for Rossiter to convert – but Mumbles added their second try from No 8 Lewis Bulley, converted by Hughes.
 
Tenby finished the game well and their pack earned a late penalty but with the bonus point already assured Harry Rossiter opted for a kick at goal and rounded off the scoring to nicely round off a good overall result for Jonathan Evans’ eager team!
 
Tenby United:  Gwion Jones: Joe Andrews; Jack Gooding; Luke Waygood; Brad Cramb: Harry Rossiter; Cam Broadhurst: George Rossiter; Kyle Rossiter; Rob Luly: Tom Barrass; Luke Dedman (Capt): Liam Pugh; Hywel Baker; Jack Brown. Replacements (from): Jay Brace; Lloyd Thomas; Lloyd Thomas; Will James; Geraint Powell; Rhys Grigg; James Morgan.
 
 

Mariners’ come back too late

 

Carmarthen Athletic 22 - Milford Haven 14

 
Milford Haven didn’t have the best of first halves at Carmarthen Athletic as they found themselves 15-0 down at the interval - and then trailed by 22 points thanks to home tries from Tom Jones, Bradley Roddick and Joe Rhys Ellis, along with two conversions and a penalty from Scott Maynard.
 
But The Mariners than played well in the final quarter as skipper Zac Davies led by example and his efforts were rewarded by a try after prop Jimmy Buirds had opened their account, both converted by James Trueman.
 
Milford had won the earlier fixture at home by 31-19 but could have few completes about The Athletic winning this one – although a club spokesman said that he was pleased with the collective effort, especially up front after the interval, which they hope to build on for their next match, at home to Nantgaredig on December 30^th.
 
Milford Haven: James Trueman; Ieuan Davies; James Williams; Lee Riley; Ryan Williams: Ollie Rothero; Dan McClelland: Ben Jenkins; Luke Ryan; Jimmy Buirds: Jay Goodall; Ethan Aldred: Ben Groves; Zac Davies (Capt); Ryan Mansell. Replacements: Shaun Devonald; Dai Sweeny; Chris Jenkins; Dewi Williams; Aaron Harries.
 

Match off – Amman United unable to field a team

 

Fishguard & Goodwick P-P Amman United

 
**Sadly, Amman United were forced to call the game off on Saturday morning because of players dropping out late!**

Fishguard & Goodwick: Dan Cleary: Dan Evans; Liam Price; James Griffiths (Capt); Dylan Scott: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Iwan McVeigh: Osian Rowe; Bryn Thomas: Will Lewis; Sion Colella; Jac Delaney. Replacements: Griff Williams; Ben John; Matt Driver; Creegan Foot; Callum Campbell.
 




 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Scarlets edge home to bruising local derby win

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 7 - Pembroke 12

 
Local derbies between Pembroke Dock Harlequins and near neighbours Pembroke are traditionally hard-fought and this latest tussle at Bierspool, watched by a very big crowd of partisan supporters was no exception as The Quins took the lead, The Scarlets levelled matters before half time and Craig Williamson was the match-winner in a tight second period to give the visitors the double after a previous 17-10 victory at Crickmarren.
 
It would be fair to say that it was never a match to raise the excitement of the purists but it was real blood and guts stuff as typified by the centre cut-and-thrust between Jack Price (Quins) and Jordan Evans (Pembroke) which featured some powerful runs but also massive tackles from both players.
 
The Quins took the lead from a Pembroke error near half way when the ball was spilled and after being kicked ahead it was centre Gethin Bradney, whose brother Rhys was playing at full back for The Scarlets, who won the race for the touchdown before he also added the extra points.
 
The Scarlets’ scrummaging strength earned them their equalising score as No 8 Billy Kinnear touched down from a scrum five shove that rocked the opposition back, with No 10 Luke Rutherford slotting the conversion.
 
Both sides had chances after the oranges as fortunes ebbed and flowed before Craig Williamson, who has looked a very good player since joining the Pembroke pack as a real asset, scored from close range.
 
The Quins tried desperately to find a winning score in the last 15 minutes but it was all to no avail as The Scarlets kept their line intact to earn them the bragging rights over their old opponents – at least for the rest of this campaign!
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway: Jordan Asparassa; Gethin Bradney; Jack Price; Tom Donovan: Craig Barnett; Kieran Machin (Capt): Mark Van Rhys; Jack Hagan; Dan McLeod: Rhys Doyle; Andrew Edwards: Jack Mallitte; Jordan Palmer; Liam Scourfield. Replacements: Dean Wilcox; Ryan Gammer; Dannie Wilkes; Tom Wheeler; Morgan Rogers.
 
Pembroke:  Rhys Bradney: Josh Griffiths; James Jones; Jordan Evans; Barrie Alderman-John: Luke Alderwick; Elliot Lewis: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Seamus Wiseman; Jamie Brayford: Cyle Weatherall; Craig Williamson: Andrew Evans; Rhodri Walters; Billy Kinnear. Replacements: Evan Phillips; Dan Gosnold; Rhys Badham; Simon Stanford; Zac Evans.





 
 

Cardis stay top as All Blacks battle hard

 

Cardigan 36 - Neyland 10

 
Section leaders Cardigan gained their expected win over fifth-placed Neyland but faced stout resistance from The All Blacks before completing the double after having already won 53-20 at The Athletic Ground.
 
The Teifisiders led 15-5 at half time as they opened their account with a Shaun Leonard penalty and added tries through hooker Rhodri Parry Jones and winger Alun Jenkins, one converted by full back Leonard, but with an unconverted Neyland try from nippy scrum half Owen Hamer sandwiched in between after good work by Ben Williams, Ben James, Iestyn and Owain Evans.
 
The second half followed a similar pattern as Cardigan held the edge but were never able to walk away with the result, but with tries by skipper Emyr Harries, a second for winger Jenkins and Leonard, who added all three conversions.
 
But The All Blacks battled hard and were rewarded with a try by Scott Buirds for their considerable efforts in a hard-fought and entertaining game at The King George Vth Ground.
 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: John Lumb; Iwan John; Emyr Harries (Capt); Alun Jenkins: Jac Davies; Llyr Jones: Dan Cope; Rhodri Palmer Jones; Nathan Bowen: Dean Harries; Sion Phillips: Kester Adams; Jackson Tucker Lynch; Tom Taylor. Replacements: Will Brice; Ben Hughes; Aaron Tomkinson; Geraint Williams; Jack Taylor.
 
Neyland: Callum O’Riorden: Matthew Coles; Alex Codd; Ben Williams; Jasper Endean: Liam Rees; Owen Hamer: Ben James; Alex Swales; Jack Harries: Mark James; Lewis Hallett: Iestyn Evans; Owain Evans (Capt); Scott Buirds. Replacements: Ebenezer Svitka; Kieron Cookson; Joel Thomas; Asha Gledhill; Robert Codd.
 


 

Aber win well at Pill Parks

 

Llangwm 0 - Aberaeron 45

 
Llangwm found it hard-going in terms of points won against an Aberaeron side that is known for the quality of its pacy back division that can score tries from all parts of the pitch after good work by a solid pack and that was certainly the case in this match at Pill Parks – but the only crumb of comfort for coach Matthew Hughes and his staff is the fact that his players never gave up trying and in the final quarter his pack was on top in the scrums as young props Charlie Owens and Callum Jenkins came on alongside Gethin Thomas, who replaced the injured Tom Meehan early on.
 
Aberaeron were already 30-0 to the good at half time and they ended up with seven tries shared between Ceri Davies, Gethin Jenkins, Morgan Llewellyn, Dyfrig Dafis, Osian Davies, Hefin Williams and Rhodri Jenkins, who also slotted five conversions.
 
Owain Jones was adjudged The Wasps’ man of the match and flanker Hefin Williams received the same accolade for Aberaeron.
 
Llangwm: Ollie Gerson: Matthew Hughes; Owain Jones; Jed Evans; Jack Roberts: Dylan Philpott; Giovanni Hitchings: Rob Clarke; Phil Llewellyn; Aled Rogers: Dave Reynolds; Jake Thomas: Morgan Scott-Walker; James Lewis; Tom Meehan. Replacements: Callum Jenkins; Charlie Wilson; Gethin Thomas; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones; Gavin Jones.
 
Aberaeron: Morgan Llewellyn (Capt): Dyfrig Dafis; Gethin Jenkins; Rhodri Jenkins; Matthew Harries: Steffan Rees; Owain Watson. Owen Wozencraft; Rhys Jones; Ceri Davies: Richard Francis; Llyr Davies: Hefin Williams; Gethin Dafis; Tudur Jenkins. Replacements: Osian Davies; Kavi Black; Gethin Hughes; Bleddyn Thomas; Ollie Sawyer.




 
 

Match postponed at Merlins Bridge

 

Haverfordwest P-P St Davids

 
**Match postponed by mutual agreement. To be played in February!**