Feature Match :
 
Division Two (West):

 

Seagulls slam visiting Nant by Bill Carne

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 44 - Nantgaredig 5

 
Fishguard and Goodwick produced a scintillating 40 minutes of rugby to lead Nantgaredig by 27-0 at half time and although the visitors to The Moors put up stout resistance in the second period it was The Seagulls who boosted their tally by another 17 points before Nant grabbed a late try by winger Sion Evans there was no doubt that The Seagulls are in fine fettle at the start of this season with their relatively young team inspired by the rousing display of skipper Sion Colella and his ball winning pack.
 
Behind them sit halves Max Jones and Jake Jenkins and their pacy three quarter line will test most teams. Included at centre for the first time for over five years was Mike Jenkins, who looked super-sharp alongside full back Mark Jones – and he should have started off with a brilliant try from a late run that carved up the Nant defence and he touched down within 15 yards of this reporter, only for the unsighted referee, like most of the defence trailing in his wake,  to signal that he was held up over the line!
 

Strong start – and points galore

 
Fishguard could not have made a better start as they scored directly from the kick-off, with Will Delaney, Liam Wilkes, Ryan McVeigh and Rhys Lewis all involved before winger Rhys Evans and Mike Jenkins combined on the left to put No10 Jake Jenkins in for a try which Mark Jones converted.
 
Nant were well short with a penalty but then Mark Jones slotted a penalty following good ball retention by Colella, Cai Llewellyn, Will Lewis and Jac Delaney – and Jones thumped over another three points from fully 40 metres.
 
Jake Jenkins set up another chance from a chip over the top which he caught himself before finding support from Kial Keane and Dylan Scott  and from this platform another seven points accrued after 22 minutes as Jac Delaney ploughed over from a controlled line-out drive and Mark Jones converted from wide out.
 
More good work up front from a concerted period of pressure saw Jake Jenkins speed over for his second try, inevitably converted by Mark Jones and it says much for Nant’s resilience that they didn’t collapse and kept Fishguard out for the rest of the half – but were caught on the hop after the oranges as Jac Delaney burst over for his second score and mark Jones converted.
 
There were exaggerated groans from the Seagulls’ supporters when ace kick Jones’ trusty left boot finally let him down after he had scored a try and when scrum half Max Jones finally rounded off the scoring.
 
It was nice to see Nant’s efforts rewarded with their late try, although Seagulls’ coaches Nathan Jenkins and Huw Evans were not so delighted – but they knew this was another excellent performance as they now have two maximum-point wins and 97 points scored whilst only conceding 17!
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Mark Jones: Dylan Scott; Mike Jenkins; Kial Keane; Rhys Evans: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes;  Ryan McVeigh: Rhys Lewis; Cai Llewellyn: Will Lewis; Sion Colella (Capt);  Jac Delaney. Replacements: Iwan McVeigh; Gavin Walsh; Ryan Foot; Simon James; Ed Bendall.




 
 

Premiership Division:

 

Otters miss out against powerful Bargoed

 

Bargoed 19 - Narberth 0

 
Narberth knew that this would be a challenging season in a higher section and their away match at Bargoed provided proof as they failed to record a single point whilst conceding three tries – although The Otters did have their chances, especially in the second half, but the organised home defence held out.
 
Bargoed scored two tries in the first half bb prop Keagan Bale and hooker Louis Tovey after 20 and 32 minutes respectively, both converted by No 10 Josh Prosser as The Otters had man of the match Roy Osborn to the fore in defence alongside Tom Powell,  Bradley Davies, Rhys Williams, Kyle and Josh Hamer.
 
Lewys Gibby tried hard to get the likes of Hedd Nicholas, Josh Davies and Llew Jones off on runs but there was no further scoring at either end until the closing stages, when Bargoed added a third forward-orientated try, this time unconverted. By second row James Locke.
 
This Saturday sees Narberth entertain Llangennech who, like The Otters are without a win from two matches – and they will be hoping to break their duck at the expense of old rivals!
 
Narberth:  Llew Jones: Rhys Harries; Josh Davies; Hedd Nicholas; Ollie Hawke: Osian Evans; Lewys Gibby: Bradley Davies; Kyle Hamer; Ryan Rees: Will Blackburn; Rhys Williams: Josh Hamer; Tom Powell; Roy Osborn. Replacements: George Rossiter; Guto Jones, Lewis Jones, Sam Martin; Jac Bennett; Jonathan Rogers; Matthew John.
 
 

Championship Division:

 

Preseli Men pay the penalty twice over

 

Crymych 6 - Glynneath 26

 
Glynneath claimed their third victory in as many league games to sit at the top of the division, including a bonus point for scoring four tries against Crymych, two of them awarded as penalty tries as he deemed The Preseli Men had transgressed for an illegal interception attempt and an infringement at a scrum.
 
It made things hard for Crymych as they trailed 3-7 by the first decision before the break, after Adam Phillips had landed a penalty kick earlier on when his pack were playing well.
 
Phillips also added a second three-pointer in the second half but as well as that second penalty try the visitors grabbed others from second row Johnny Griffiths and centre Sam Harry, one converted by Dylan Francis.
 
Crymych: Adam Phillips: Dafydd Phillips; Sion Evans; Lawrence Headlam; Ianto Davies: Ifan Phillips; Rhys Davies: Morgan James; Carwyn Rees; Osian Charles: Iestyn Wood; Rhys Davies: Osian Davies; Llyr Davies; Carwyn Phillips. Replacements: Lee Griffiths;  Gruff Williams;  Matthew Freebury; Jon Hill; Jack Griffiths.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Tenby United P-P Felinfoel
*Felinfoel unable to raise a team!

 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Borderers well beaten by Lampeter

 

Lampeter 65 - Whitland 8

 
Lampeter showed why they are likely to be contenders for silverware as they easily accounted for Whitland, running up a 32-3 interval lead and maintain the pressure after the interval as they eventually ran in 11 tries.
 
Harry Fuller claimed Whitland’s penalty and old war horse Jack Mason scored their try as he caught the eye alongside another hard-grafting veteran in Raff Barnett.
 
No further details available!
 
 

*Milford Haven unable to raise a team*
 
Loughor P-P Milford Haven

 




 

Division Three (West):

 

Blues skipper Busch scores twice in tight win

 

Llangadog 22 - Haverfordwest 27

 
For the second week in succession Haverfordwest completed a narrow victory where they were called upon to overcome a Llangadog side eager to gain a home win after defeat in their first fixture at Aberaeron – and they did well to pouch a bonus point for scoring four tries, two of them by outstanding skipper Karl Busch, whilst their opponents had to settle for a deserved single bonus point after so much effort.
 
The Blues had edged home by 10-9 at home to Cardigan  and knew this was going to be another battle after they had led 12-9 at the break and had to overcome the second-half loss of influential No 8 Jonathan Mason, from what the referee decreed to be a high tackle.
 
It was Llangadog who made the better start as they had two penalties from outside half Ceri Williams as The Blues shrugged off the journey and replied with a try by Jonathan Mason after good work up front by the tight five of Dan Berry, Jamie Zambas, Andrew Edwards, Jack Clancy and the skipper Busch, although Liam Eaton was unable to convert.
 
Then Busch claimed his first score after a strong surge that featured Matty Phillips, Mike Griffiths, Jack Codd and Iestyn Arnold, with outside half Eaton on target with the conversion.
 
But the home side had the final word of the half when Williams notched his third penalty to indicate that Llangadog’s resistance was far from over.
 
The Blues started the second period in positive mood when pacy winger Scott Canler grabbed a good try and Eaton added the extras – but then mason departed and Rhodri Davies kicked a penalty for Llangadog, which was soon cancelled out by a similar effort from Eaton before Busch seemed to have made the game safe for Haverfordwest as he powered through for his second try, this time unconverted.
 
But Llangadog had other ideas and they reduced the deficit with an excellent tries by centre Chris Davies converted by Rhodri Davies, who then notched a last-minute penalty which at least earned them that bonus point as the nervy band of travelling supporters from Haverfordwest were able to breathe a sigh of relief when the final whistle sounded and they had won by five points
 
Haverfordwest: Guy Barrons: Gabriel Thicker; Jack Codd; Iestyn Arnold; Scott Candler: Liam Eaton; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones: Andrew Edwards; Jamie Zambas; Dan Berry: Jack Clancy; Karl Busch (Capt): Mike Griffiths; Matty Phillips; Jonathan Mason. Replacements: Ieuan Bevan; Terry Lovell; Jamie Phillips; Terry Owen; Jack Evans.





 
 

Referee injury brings a very early halt at King George Vth Fields

 

Cardigan P-P Pontyberem

 
This match was abandoned after only 13 minutes as the referee sustained a leg injury – and with no suitable replacement the game had to be abandoned, leaving two teams very disappointed at the outcome and now having to wait for a new date to be arranged!
 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: Iwan John; Marcus Castle (Capt); Emyr Harries; Jack Taylor: Jac Davies; Llyr Jones: Will Brice; Dan Jones; Nathan Bowen: Dean Harries; Dylan Davies: Aaron Tomkinson;  Kieran Hurley; Colin Davies. Replacements: Andrew Jones; Ben Hughes; Jackson Tucker Lynch; Aaron Evans; Kieran Greenland. Reserves: Dan Cope; Sean Owen; Sion Phillips.
 




 

Division Four (West) A:

 

Saints outstay The Scarlets

 

Pembroke 15 - St Davids 20

 
St Davids got their new league season off to a real flier as they outlasted Pembroke at Crickmarren and showed the improvement made in pre-season training.

They could also lay claim to the try of the match as Ben Joyce, playing at outside half,  sold a dummy in his own 22, sliced through the gap and outstripped the cover defence for a superb solo try.
 
As coach Jack Dudley enthused afterwards,
“Even his sister Jasmine would have been proud of it!”
 
The conversion by Bob Froy to go with an earlier penalty, along with an  opening try by centre Morgan Griffiths and another by outstanding back rower George Raymond, saw The Saints 20-8 ahead as The Scarlets  opened with a Jarred Sharratt a penalty and were awarded a close-range try by powerhouse back-rower Sam Smith.
 
Pembroke had former players Luke Hartland and Dan Colley (Tenby United) in their line-up, both very adept try scorers, but good work by the likes of Raymond, hooker Rob Clarke (Narberth, but formerly with St Davids) and especially skipper George Raymond, stopped them having that major influence on the game.
 
Sam Smith did add his second score, converted by scrum half Sharrett, but it was too little, too late, as The Saints held out well to secure  victory, with the home side having to settle for a single losing bonus point.
 
Pembroke:  TJ Jones: Luke Hartland; Frazer James; Jack Nicholas; Barry Alderman-John: Rhys Johns; Jarred Sharratt: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Dan Davies; Tommy Oakley: Ethan Brown; Will Edwards: Dan Colley; Rhydian Eynon; David Rogers. Replacements: Peter Muller; Dan Gosnold; Sam Smith;  James Morgan; Lewis Davies.
 
St Davids: Owain Swaine: Norman Price; Morgan Griffiths; Iwan Davies; Bob Froy: Ben Joyce; Mike Gurney: Ben Evans; Tom Clarke; Adam Williams: Owain Morris; Iestyn Owen: Aaron Foster; Nathan Foster (Capt); George Raymond. Replacements: Rob Clarke; Aled Davies; Noah Dark; Will James; Morgan Davies.




 

Wasps miss out in close battle

 

Llanybydder 24 - Llangwm 20

 
Llandovery claimed their first victory of the season as they fended off the strong challenge of a Llangwm team still seeking their theirs but falling just short, but earning praise from a Llandovery official for the way they approached the game. Indeed, our Llandovery spokesperson said that they couldn’t have complained had they lost – but deserved credit for winning after outstanding No 8 Joshua Jones suffered a dislocated shoulder and flanker Steffan Thomas joined him in hospital
 
The Wasps were 12-3 adrift at the interval as Harry Makepeace landed their penalty whilst playing well alongside Dylan Philpott at half back, with Jac Roberts posing a threat after switching from wing to centre, whilst Yale Grice also looked at home in the back row alongside Morgan Scott-Walker and No 8 Jordan Evans, who was their man of the match and claimed two tries as Callum Jenkins, Gavin Jones, Charlie Wilson and Joe Newton battled hard in the ball-winning stakes.
 
Joshua Jones and winger Travis Davies scored first half tries for the homesters, one converted by outside half Mathew Rollins, with others following by centres Iestyn Evans and Tomos Evans, one converted by Rollins.
 
As well as Evans’ try brace for The Wasps there was also a try by Makepeace alongside a conversion and there were encouraging signs as there was total commitment and willingness to run the ball via Steve Brown,  Ollie Gerson, Josh Griffiths and new recruit Rhys Llewellyn.
 
Llangwm: Rhys Llewellyn: Ollie Gerson; Jac Roberts; Steve Brown; Josh Griffiths: Harry Makepeace; Dylan Philpott: Joe Newton; Owain Jones; Callum Jenkins: Gavin Jones; Charlie Wilson: Morgan Scott-Walker: Yale Grice; Jordan Evans. Replacements: Matthew Rees; Flynn Tjoonk; Giovanni Hutchings.
 
 

On-form All Blacks too strong for Crymych Seconds

 

Neyland 42 - Crymych Athletic 16

 
Neyland maintained their excellent start to their league campaign with a deserved victory over Crymych Athletic in a match that was fast and competitive but always in the right spirit as referee Dean Evans (Llanelli) controlled play well – as The All Blacks were already 22-6 ahead at half time and maintained their momentum thereafter.
 
Yet it was the Preseli Men who twice took the lead early on with a penalty from  No 10 Elgan Wilson either side of Neyland’s first try by Matthew Coles but from then on they struggled to contain that home backs as home halves Owen Hamer and Oli Rothero orchestrated matters and they set the likes of Tal Tamilia, Liam Rees, Coles, Josh Watts and skipper George Williams on regular attacks and it was Hamer who put The All Blacks in front, his try converted by Rothero, something they did until the final whistle saw them with six tries.
 
In the second half Rothero landed a penalty to go with a converted try by the No 10,   and second row George Evans grabbing an unconverted try from a mistake by the visitors at a lineout.
 
It says much for the Crymych spirit that they managed an unconverted try by flanker Griff Lloyd but Neyland raised the tempo via the likes of Seb Mackintosh, Alex Swales, Luke Griffiths-Dawes, Dan Hart, Iestyn and Owain Evens that No 8 Ben Williams ploughed through for Rothero to add the extra points.

Crymych had the final word, however, as centre Osian Thomas crossed the whitewash but Neyland were already good value for victory and have maximum points in the bag from their first two games.
 
Neyland: Liam Rees: Matthew Coles; George Williams (Capt); Tal Tamilia; Josh Watts: Oli Rothero; Owen Hamer: Seb Mackintosh; Alex Swales; Luke Griffiths-Dawes: Iestyn Evans; George Evans: Don Hart; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Mark  James; Lewis Hallett; Adam Peel; Andrew Slark; Delme Bateman.

Crymych Athletic: Owain Evans: Luke Allsworth; Hedd George; Osian Thomas; Gruff Williams: Elgan Wilson; Owain Rees: Aled Hughes; Ben Cox; Thomas Davies: Luke Freebury (Capt); Harri Vaughan: Rhydian Howells; Griff Lloyd; Dafydd Gibby. Replacements: Richard Phillips; Lloyd Hughes; Liam Barber; Steffan Morris; Hedd James. Travelling Reserve:  Dylan Thomas.
 
 

Narberth Athletic P-P Pembroke Dock Harlequins
 
*The Quins were unable to raise a team.*