PHOTOS:
Johnny Morgan in full flight
Adam Clark wins good possession
Alex Jenkins dominates this lineout

 

 

Championship:

 

Whites wilt under Otter pressure

Narberth 13 - Swansea 12

Narberth produced a performance of great commitment and determination to gain a narrow, but fully deserved win over second-placed Swansea, who had led 12-3 at the interval and were desperate to keep the pressure on leaders Bargoed.

But the All Whites were unable to shake the Otters off and could have few complaints about the final verdict as they were allowed by referee Greg Morgan to push the off-side rule to the very limits as they sought desperately to gain parity after the interval, when Adam Clark was outstanding for Narberth alongside Alex Jenkins, Stuart Worrall, Tom Slater and the rest of the Otter pack.
 

Narberth fans not impressed by referee

 
The All Whites brought precious few supporters whose encouragement was drowned by the vociferous home fans as ref Morgan gave a series of penalties against their side after they had taken a third-minute lead with a well-struck penalty from outside half Ianto Griffiths.

After 11 minutes Swansea were awarded a penalty try after Gavin Ronan won lineout ball and Mr Morgan decided Narberth had illegally held up the following drive, with  full back Nicky Thomas slotting the simple extras.

And the scoreline stayed at 3-7 until right on the interval when the referee missed a huge forward pass by Swansea and as play progressed a Narberth defensive lapse allowed left winger Joe Thomas to sprint away for an unconverted try.
 

Otters also benefit

 
Narberth benefitted from a puzzling decision by the match official after 46 minutes when Ianto Griffiths missed a penalty and the Otters were given further use of the ball after Mr Morgan spoke to the Swansea captain, and from the resulting platform scrum half Rhys Lane took a quick tap penalty and dived over the line unopposed for Griffiths to add the extra points.

As the Otter pack ensured the lion’s share of possession Ianto Griffiths missed a penalty but made amends after 71 minutes when he powered over a 46-metre kick to snatch a lead they weren’t to lose.

The Otters held their nerve well and when Rhys Lane finally slammed the ball into touch were able to celebrate an important win that moved them up to fourth – and although Swansea stay second they are now a massive 14 points behind Bargoed!

Narberth:  Johnny Morgan: Nick Gale; Jason Howells; Steve Martin (Capt); Tomi Jones: Ianto Griffiths; Rhys Lane: Sion Lloyd; Dan Smith; Tom Slater: Adam Clark; Alex Jenkins: Nic Aoni; Stuart Worrall; Gareth Bateman. Replacements: Ollie Evans; Steffan Jones; Lewis Woods; Luke Rodgers, Nico Setaro.

Swansea: Nicky J Thomas: Will Lewis; David Watts; Liam Cadd (Capt); Joe Thomas: Jack Wilson; Jake Cole: Harrison Walsh; Paul John; Ryan Thomas: Gavin Ronan; Sam Kiley: Jonathan Vaughan; Matthew Davies; Matthew Llewellyn. Replacements: Tom Sloane; Jon Fox; Liam Popham; Tudor Hughes; Ricky Guest.

Referee: Greg Morgan
 

Division One (West):

 

Pat powers super Seasiders to vital victory

Tenby United 33 - Felinfoel 31

Pat Roberts was the toast of his Tenby United team mates and their hardy band of supporters as the No 8 scored a superb late try which Jonathan Rogers converted from near the posts which earned the Seasiders a nerve-jangling victory over Felinfoel that put them in fourth place, just a point behind their opponents in the table.

Rogers had put his side ahead early on with a penalty but Felinfoel outside half Aled Roberts put his side ahead with a try which he also converted before Roberts was again on target with his second penalty.

Roberts converted a Felinfoel try by second row Andrew Thomas but just before the interval talented young winger Jordan Asparassa popped up on his opposite wing for the Seasiders to score a try which Rogers goaled to put them a single point adrift at the oranges.

Roberts and Rogers swapped further penalties after the restart but then Roberts claimed his second try, again converted.

Rogers notched his fourth penalty but replacement winger Jordan Simone sliced through for another try converted by Roberts to open up a 31-19 lead for the visitors.

But Tenby did well to raise the tempo with a 15-man effort and No 10 Ashley Sutton scored an excellent try, converted by Rogers, to put Tenby just five points behind – and then combined with pat Roberts to take the Seasiders to a memorable victory!
 

Jonathan Rogers kicks a penalty from halfway for Tenby United
Pic: Brian McKehon

 

Preseli Men fall tantalisingly short

Llangennech 35 - Crymych 22

“So near and yet so far,” was the verdict of one Crymych follower after the Preseli Men fought back from a seemingly hopeless position at 30-11 to claim two vital bonus points but falling a tantalising four points short of victory.
 
Crymych trailed 15-6 at the interval as Sam Phillips landed two penalties against fourth-placed Llangennech, who in return had tries by wingers Liam Hutchings and Tom Barnes as Chris Moore converted one and added a penalty.

The second half saw Llangennech add further tries by  left winger Hutchings, centre Ellis Phillips and flanker Dan Griffiths before the Preseli Men scored tries of their own from No 8 Joe Powell, outside half Sam Phillips, centre Carwyn Phillips and full back Carwyn Jones, three converted by No 10 Phillips but home flanker Josh Skelding claimed his team’s sixth try and it was enough to edge them home, leaving the Preseli Men to reflect how close they had come in that exciting second period.
 

Borderers beaten by high-flying Emlyn

Whitland 7 - Newcastle Emlyn 18

Newcastle Emlyn stay second in the table behind Kidwelly after this win at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn against Whitland, who are now in ninth place after their fifth defeat from nine starts.

Yet the gap in their relative positions didn’t do justice to the balance of the play in a tight first half where the Borderers had their share of chances but trailed by just five points as centre Alun Howells crossed for the Emlyn unconverted try.

Then Howells’ co-centre Dan Davies landed a penalty but Whitland fought back with a good try by pacy winger Shaun Coles, converted by James Stephenson.

Emlyn outside half Rhydian Harries featured as he controlled matters with his excellent kicking and although the Borderers battled hard, with Jack Mason always to the fore, Emlyn had a further penalty from Davies, who also converted a late push-over try claimed by No 8 Dan Havard.