Feature Match:

 

Division Four (West) A

 

Rothero shines again All Blacks win an entertaining derby

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 22 - Neyland 40

 
A third bonus-point win on the trot sees Neyland sitting proudly atop the section table after this local-derby win against old rivals Pembroke Dock Harlequins in front of a big crowd at Bierspool where both teams played attacking rugby as young referee Charlie Evans (Carmarthenshire) was praised by both camps for his handling of play.
 
Again, leading the way for The All Blacks was talented outside half Oli Rothero as he and partner Owen Hamer had the benefit of a ball-winning pack which was very quick to secure possession, despite the efforts of their opponents, with centres Alex Codd and skipper George Williams also catching the eye with their yeoman work in defence that made sure The Quins superb centres Jack Price and Craig Barnett were unable to influence play as they normally do.
 
It was Rothero who opened the Neyland account with a penalty which was soon cancelled out by  three points from Quins’ skipper Ben Hathaway – but then the All Blacks’ No 10 kicked a second penalty and they grabbed another seven points when good work by prop Adam Peel and second row George Evans helped set up a try for No 8 Ben Williams which Rothero converted to put his team 13-3 ahead at half time.
 
At the start of the second period The Quins reduced the deficit when powerful winger Damian Miller powered through for a try converted by Hathaway but then The All Blacks countered with a cracking try when Codd and George Williams released Rothero and he raced through for an unconverted try.
 
Back came The Quins as their pack battled hard for No 8 Ben Gibby to plough his way over for Hathaway to add the extra points to again narrow the gap to one point – but then The All Blacks raised the tempo even further after another Rothero penalty.
 
Firstly, he sped through for a splendid try of the match from an 80-metre run and others came from winger Josh Watts and No 9 Hamer, converted by Rothero, to kill off home hopes.
 
But it says much for The Quins’ spirit as they had the final word when Damian Murphy raced in for his second try before the final whistle but it was The All Blacks who took all the honours – and a very proud place so far in the table!
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway (Capt): Tom Donovan; Craig Barnett; Jack Price; Thomas Wheeler: Morgan Rogers; Ollie Lewis:
George Bellmaine; Jordan Palmer; Danny McLeod: Taylor Rees; Danny Wilkes: Ryan Gammer; Jack Mallitte; Ben Gibby. Replacements: Jayden Webber;
Damien Miller; Rhys Bradney; Ryan Neilson; Lewis Scourfield; Rhys Davies/Alfie Ball.
 
Neyland: Patrick Bellerby: Tal Tamilia; George Williams (Capt); Alex Codd: Josh Watts; Oli Rothero; Owen Hamer: Mark James; Alex Swales; Adam Peel: Iestyn Evans; George Evans: Dan Hart, Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Jake Griffiths; Andrew Slark,  Kieran Cookson.
 




 

Premiership Division:

Otters lose again – and just miss out on a bonus point

 

Narberth 8 - Llangennech 17

 
Narberth continue to find life challenging at this higher level as they lost their third successive fixture, this time to a Llangennech outfit that was also struggling to break its duck and did so after coming back from an interval deficit of 5-8 to take the spoils.
 
Ashley Sutton scored the Otters’ only try to go with a Jonathan Rogers’ penalty before the break whilst winger Thomas M Davies grabbed the sole visiting points from an unconverted try, but despite some yeoman work by the Narberth back row, in which Josh Hamer, Roy Osborn and Tom Powell caught the eye: with Powell earning the man of the match accolade,  there were no further points for the homesters and Llan added the only points after the oranges.
 
They came from tries by  replacement Callum Jenkins and centre Kallum Evans alongside a penalty by talented  outside half Steff Marshall, to leave The Otters just missing out on a losing point to complete a disappointing result for the home crowd.
 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Lewys Gibby; Josh Davies; Hedd Nicholas; Rhys Harries: Jonathan Rogers; Josh Thomas. Bradley Davies; Kyle Hamer; Ryan Rees: Will Blackburn; Sam Martin: Josh Hamer; Tom Powell; Roy Osborn. Replacements (from): Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Lewis Jones; George Rossiter; Caleb Salmon; Jac Bennett; Osian Evans; Harry Fuller; Llew Jones.
 
Llangennech: Callum Price: Callum Wooley; Kallum Evans; Wil Thomas; Thomas M Davies: Steff Marshall; Tristan Jones: Tom Phillips; Finn Thomas; Brandon Lee: Ryan Morgans; Sam Richards: Finlay Cooke; Shaun Edwards (Capt); Jordan Saunders. Replacements: Callum Jenkins; Iestyn Jones; Richard Bassett; Aaron Howles; Rhys Morgan; Tom Morgan; Eray Wilson; Josh Edwards.
 
 

Championship Division:
 
Preseli Mem caught out in the second half

 

Ammanford 33 - Crymych 20

 
Ammanford outside half Sam Potter as the undoubted star of his team’s workmanlike win over Crymych as his 23-point haul took them to victory with a bonus point thrown in, leaving Crymych with the disappointment of defeat after they had played well in the first half and actually led 13-7.
 
The half back pairing of Ifan Phillips and Rhys Davies made an impact for The Preseli Men in that period as both scored tries following some powerful performances up front in which skipper Carwyn Phillips led by example and the likes of Iestyn Wood, Carwyn Rees, Osian and Llyr Davies followed – and although Adam Phillips was off-target with both conversions he did slot a penalty.
 
But the only score Crymych could muster in the second period was a second try for No 10 Ifan Phillips, which his namesake Adam converted to haul them back to 20-21 but then the homesters added another 12 points in the closing stages..
 
Sam Potter responded for Ammanford with a try brace alongside two conversions and three penalties as reward for his overall play at outside half and there were other tries by Liam Smith and Toby Tallett as the home side celebrated their second success from four starts.
 
Crymych: Adam Phillips: Dafydd Phillips; Sion Evans;  Laurence Headlam;  Ianto Davies: Ifan Phillips; Rhys Davies:  Gruff Williams; Carwyn Rees; Osian Charles:  Matthew Freebury; Iestyn Wood: Osian Davies; Llyr Davies; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Lee Griffiths; Morgan James; Jon Hill; Tom Taylor; Daniel Morgan.
 
 

Division One (West):
 
Colley strikes twice as Seasiders set up second success

 

Kidwelly 21 - Tenby United 29

 
Dan Colley again proved what a poacher he is in local rugby as Tenby United’s former centre turned back rower added another two tries to the incredible number he has grabbed since the conversion by coach Jonathan Evans, and The Seasiders were good value for an away victory against Kidwelly.
 
The Seasiders were 14-7  ahead at half time, looked likely winners at 26-7 as they raised the tempo but then had to withstand a late fight-back by the home side but showed good composure, especially in defence.
 
Winger Gwion Jones opened the Seasiders’ account and Lloyd Thomas added the extra points but straight from the kick off Kidwelly levelled matters as they gained possession from which their No 10 Declan Smith chipped over the top and No 8 and captain Richard Pearce touched down and Smith converted.
 
Thomas and new half back partner Dan Jones kept pushing their pack forward whenever the chance arose and proved decisive before the break when The Seasiders surged through Dom Colman, Rob Luly,  Alex Jenkins and skipper Tom Barrass and as usual Colley was perfectly placed to pick up the loose ball and plunge over the line for Thomas to add the extra points.
 
The first points after the break came when No 9 Jones (who hails from the Llanelli area) burst through on the blind side and linked with Gwion Jones, whose clever switch inside found Colley again lurking with intent to score in the corner – and then Gwion Jones claimed his second score as he intercepted in his own 22 and sped through for an opportunist try which Thomas converted.
 
It says much for Kidwelly’s resolve that they forced The Seasiders into a backs-to-the-wall spell that earned them a try from prop James Smith that Declan Smith converted – but a long-range Thomas penalty made sure of a Tenby victory, despite the homesters having a final say as scored a try and conversion as reward for his part in his team’s spirited display.
 
Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Gwion Jones; Tom Edmonds; Jack Gooding; Brad Cramb: Lloyd Thomas; Dai Jones: Ethan Morgan; Kyle Rossiter; Rob Luly: Tom Barrass (Capt); Alex Jenkins: Lewis Tingay, Jack Brown, Dom Colman. Replacements: Hywel Baker; Dan Colley; Jack Broadhurst; Jordan Asparassa; Matthew Lewis; Dan Allen.
 
 

Division Two (West):
 
Seagulls make it three out of three

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 19 - Carmarthen Athletic 7

 
With both teams having won their opening two fixtures something had to give at The Moors and it was Fishguard & Goodwick who made good use of home advantage to go top of the table as reward for their total commitment and willingness to run the ball at the opposition.
 
The Athletic are a strong, well-organised team but the first half saw both teams playing entertaining rugby but with no tries as defences held out – and the only points coming from two penalties by The Seagulls No 10 Jake Jenkins as reward for his work in controlling matters as their young pack, with Rhys Lewis outstanding, never gave an inch as skipper Sion Colella, Will Lewis and Jac Delaney also caught the eye in a quality performance by the entire pack.
 
Amman served notice of intent after the break with a good try from full back Deian Morgan which outside half Tom Gravell converted to put them a point in front but a third Jenkins penalty nudged Fishguard back in front.
 
The Seagulls have worked hard under head coach Nathan Jenkins on their fitness and it paid dividends in the final quarter as they finally opened their try account when a collective effort involving the who Seagulls’ eight saw Sion Colella power his way over after a series of orchestrated drives – and whenever the Athletic tried to claw their way back there was some big hits amongst the home backs to halt their rhythm.
 
And in the final moments it was No 8 Jac Delaney who put the icing on the home cake as he ploughed through for a deserved try which ensured victory that was enjoyed by a good home crowd who appreciated all their team’s efforts!
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Dan Evans: Will James; Mike Jenkins; Kial Keane; Ed Bendall: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Ryan McVeigh; Liam Wilkes; Iwan McVeigh: Rhys Lewis; Cai Llewellyn: Will Lewis;  Sion Colella (Capt); Jac Delaney. Replacements: Will Delaney; Bryn Thomas; Simon James; Ben Bone; James Reynolds.




 
 

Laugharne show their mettle at The Obs
 

Milford Haven 17 - Laugharne 48

 
Milford Haven battled hard to fulfil this fixture against a committed Laugharne team at The Obs because they have a number of players working at the Valero shut-down alongside an injury list uncommon so early in the season – so it was no surprise that  the visitors won, but they also showed how well they have adapted to life in this higher division as they ran in eight tries, led by 25-5 at the interval and were in control throughout.
 
Milford had their coaches Steve Martin and Lee Riley at No 10 and No 14, with Adam Parr stepping out of retirement at prop alongside Adam Rees, with another veteran in second row Dai Sweeney scoring their first half try, and adding a second as reward for his enthusiasm later on along with a try for flanker Ieuan Davies which Martin converted, following good work by Luke Ryan; Jay Goodall, Ryan Williams  and Ethan Aldred.
 
But Laugharne scored tries at regular intervals as their pack won quality possession and their pacy backs spread play wide at every opportunity, their first half scores coming from full back Harry Rossiter, winger Tyler Reynolds, lively scrum half Adam Davies, second row Tom Rees and prop Rhys Thomas so that a bonus point was already assured, with others coming afterwards by winger Tom Davies, centre Trystan Rees and replacement Tom Waters,
 
Four conversions were shared by Harry Rossiter and coach Nico Setaro as Laugharne confirmed the fact that they will more than hold their own in this tough section, whilst The Mariners will be glad when all their unavailable plyers are able to return!
 
Milford Haven: Robbie Jones: Lee Riley; Dan Jenkins; Andrew Sinton; Dean McSparron: Steve Martin; Dan McClelland: Jamie Parr; Luke Ryan; Adam Rees: Ethan Aldred; Dai Sweeny: Ryan Williams; Ieuan Davies, Jay Goodall. Replacements: Chris Trieber-Jenkins; Jordan Davies; Jack Johnson;  Alan Davies.
 
 

Borderers bag a deserved bonus-point win

 

Whitland  31 - Betws 3

 
Whitland claimed their first league victory of this campaign as they proved too strong in all departments and scored four excellent tries to earn a bonus point as an added reward for all their combined efforts.
 
The Borderers were good value for a 10-3 interval lead as full back Deian Davies scored a try which No 10 Jonathan Thomas converted to go with a penalty – and Thomas was also on target after half time as he added the extra points to tries from winger Owyn Griffiths,  replacement Will Hughes and outstanding No 8 Iestyn Comey, who laid strong claims for the man of the match alongside No 10 Thomas and Rhys Nicholas in the back row.
 
Benji Kirk also returned after a months’ absence and played alongside Raff Williams in the second row as if he hadn’t missed a second of the team’s previous play and although Betws did manage tow unconverted tries it mattered little in the final analysis because this performance showed what The Borderers can do if they keep up their hard work on the training pitch.
 
Whitland: Deian Davies: Oli Bujega, Owyn Griffiths; Dom Davies; Wihan Fryer: Jonathan Thomas; Jack Flanagan: Tristan Bowen; Matt Driver; Ceirion Evans: Raff Williams; Benji Kirk: Dan Bennett; Rhys Nicholls; Iestyn Comey. Replacements: Charlie Watson; Jack Evans; Like Starkey; Gareth Davies; Will Hughes.
 




 

Division Three (West):
 

Blues disappoint as they make so many mistakes

 

Haverfordwest 15 - Tycroes 28

 
Haverfordwest had their share of chances in this home match against Tycroes but the visitors made far fewer basic errors and took their chances as outside half Rhys Tench kicked well and their defence was well organised by centre Shaun Jones and back row of Dylan Lewis, Steff Rees and Gareth Morgan-Isaac
 
In contrast, The Blues kicking was  often off the mark, their lost vital possession from losing so many lineouts, and other basic errors that cost them key attacking positions and put Tycroes back on the front foot.
 
The visitors opened their account when a Blues’ penalty kick failed to find touch and the visitors built a head of steam which allowed big second row Tom Cooksey over for a try which was converted by Tench after he had made amends for missing an earlier penalty chance.
 
Haverfordwest showed their capabilities soon afterwards when good work by Ioan Hawkridge-Jones, Iestyn Arnold (an outstanding young ball carrier) and Gabriel Thicker saw new full back Guy Barrons a deserved unconverted try.
 
But other opportunities went astray and Tycroes added their second score after 28 minutes when winger  Dan Thomas sliced through some would-be tackling like a knife through butter and Tench converted.
 
The Blues began the second period well and were rewarded as Arnold and replacement Archie Thomas combined to put  flanker Mikey Griffiths over and run round to the posts for Liam Eaton to convert.
 
Tench then put distance between the teams with two penalties, one before Eaton claimed a three-pointer for The Blues and the other from long range after Cooksey charged over the line for his second try.
 
So, a deserved win for Tycroes and no points for Haverfordwest after such a lack-lustre performance – but an opening two wins show they have the ability to more than hold their own in this section but they still look ring-rusty and must cut out basic errors in key positions if they are to stay near the top of the table.
 
Haverfordwest: Guy Barrows: Gabriel Thicker; Jack Codd; Iestyn Arnold; Scott Candler: Liam Eaton; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones:  Dan Berry; Ieuan Bevan; Terry Lovell: Jack Clancy; Karl Busch (Capt): Jamie Phillips; Mikey Griffiths; Jake Evans. Replacements:  Tom Carrington; Andrew Edwards; Teifion Owens; Paul Dungey, Archie Thomas.
 
 

Amman call off – because of a wedding at the club!

 

Amman United P-P Cardigan

 
 

Division Four (West) A:
 
Saints struggle to contain the Narberth Athletic points machine

 

St Davids 0 - Narberth Athletic 40

 
“We weren’t at the races today,” was the honest appraisal of coach Jack Dudley as his team, which had started the campaign so well, really came a cropper against Narberth Athletic, who showed some high-quality play throughout that saw them score three converted tries in the first period and another three after the interval, the first five converted by full back Shane Rossiter, who had a major influence on events.
 
Rossiter also grabbed two tries, as did powerful No 8 Harry Phillips, plus  winger Harry Williams and second row Kyle Williams, with centres Dylan Walsh and Will Davies posing a regular threat.
 
The Saints did have half chances which came to nothing because of basic errors and taking wrong options and it came as no surprise that Rossiter was The Otters Seconds’ man of the match for his tries and his powerful kicking, especially in defence.
 
St Davids: Owain Swain: Morgan Davies; Morgan Griffiths; Will Savage; Bob Froy: Ben Joyce; Michael Gurney: Ethan Griffiths; Tom Clarke; Adam Williams: Iestyn Owen; Owen Morse: Aaron Foster; Nathan Foster (Capt); George Raymond. Replacements: Ben Evans; Rhys Price; Noah Dark; Rhys Meredith Barrett; Harvey Lavin. Reserve: Joe Nash.
 
Narberth Athletic: Shane Rossiter: Harry Williams; Will Davies; Dylan Walsh; Iestyn Scoble: Archie Vallance; Jordan James: Gareth Clifford; Rhys Jenkins (Capt); Jac Norcross: Henry Foster; Dan Owen: Jack Tucker; Yori Morgan; Harry Phillips, Replacements: Stephe Pilot; Osian Phillips; Steve Thomas; Stephen Brown; Matty Lewis; Rhydian Jones.



 
 

Wasps go close but just miss out against Emlyn Seconds

 

Llangwm 17 - Newcastle Emlyn 2nds 19

 
Llangwm battled hard at Pill Parks against a strong seconds’ team from Newcastle Emlyn, who eventually won their second match in as many matches and The Wasps were left to reflect on some half chances not taken when they had done well to build up periods of pressure.
 
Harry Makepeace landed a first-half penalty as Llangwm trailed 3-10, with good second half tries by committed prop Callum Jenkins, from close range, and George James,  who intercepted on the half way line and sped through for a try.
 
Both Llangwm scores were converted by Makepeace and other plus points were the return of powerful prop Ieuan Power and George James, who was man of the match for The Wasps as he really caught the eye with his performance in the scrum half berth.
 
Llangwm: Dylan Philpott: Jack Roberts; Yale Grice; Josh Griffiths: Owen Evans: Harry Makepeace; George James: Ieuan Power; Rhys Mainwaring; Callum Jenkins: Jake Thomas; Flynn Tjoonk: Andrew Evans; Jordan Evans; Jordan Cornack. Replacements: Matthew Rees; Charlie Wilson; Ieuan Gray; Olie Gerson; Rhys Llewellyn.
 
 

Crymych Seconds too strong for gritty Llanybydder

 

Crymych Athletic 42 - Llanybydder 21

 
After two successive defeats, Crymych Athletic finally got their season’s first success as they beat a gritty Llanybydder outfit to pouch a first bonus point as they ran in six tries, all converted by influential outside half Elgan Wilson, to three tries from their opponents.
 
Winger Tomos Rees gave The Bulls the lead with tries in the 6^th and 15^th minutes before centre Hedd James added their third – but Llanybydder showed typical grit as they bounced back with a try from Osian Roberts, which he also converted, before back rower Griff Lloyd powered over to give Crymych a 28-7 interval lead.
 
 Home skipper Luke Freebury also got on the Crymych try list alongside Osian Thomas but Llan added two further tries from Mathew Robbins and Will Evans, both goaled by Roberts, although they weren’t quite able to add a fourth try that would have given them a deserved bonus point!
 
Crymych Athletic: Dylan Thomas: Luke Allsworth; Hedd James; Owain Rees; Tomos Rees:  Elgan Wilson; Owain Evans: Lloyd Hughes; Sion Wilson; Aled Hughes: Luke Freebury (Capt); Harri Vaughan: Steffan Morris; Griff Lloyd; Osian Thomas. Replacements Liam Barber; Ben Cox;  Gareth Owens; Richard Phillips; Callum James.