PHOTOS:
Narberth RFC
Otters' coaches Roger Davies, Jonathan Dodd and Sean Gale
A big hit goes in!
Morgan Griffiths on his to a try
Steffan Phillips on the burst

Feature Match:
 
Championship:

 

Otters so strong in final quarter

Narberth 31 - Merthyr 15

15 unanswered points in the final quarter helped Narberth gain a deserved home win over a previously undefeated

Merthyr and kept the Otters firmly ensconced in the top four of the table.
It was not a vintage performance by the home side but it showed their ability to recover from their rustiness to score points when it most mattered as winger Nick Gale pouched two of their scores.

The Otters made a bright start as Ianto Griffiths slotted a penalty but Merthyr soon bounced back with a try from winger Owain Morgan, converted by Steve Lang, which had a hint of a forward pass in the build-up.

But Narberth regained the initiative following good work by Adam Clark, Alex Jenkins and Steffan Phillips which saw skipper Steve Martin’s long pass set Gale on a run to the corner.

Both sides had other chances but the only other score was a Lang penalty which gave Merthyr a 10-8 interval lead.
Alex Jenkins was held up in the clubhouse corner before Griffiths landed his second penalty, only for winger Aaron Howard to race clear to the corner, with Lang missing the conversion to go with an earlier penalty.

A burst by Ianto Griffiths, including three dummies, set up the chance for skipper Martin to score an unconverted try and give his side a 16-5 lead – and anyone’s game going into the final quarter.

But it was The Otters who lasted the pace and Ianto Griffiths landed a penalty before converting further try by centre Morgan Griffiths after a superb run, and a second by Nick Gale which provided an even better result since it meant a bonus point!

Narberth: Jonathan Morgan: Nick Gale; Steve Martin; Morgan Griffiths; Tomi Jones: Ianto Griffiths; Rhys Lane: Sean Lloyd; Dan Smith; Tom Slater: Adam Clark; Alex Jenkins: Pat Roberts; Stuart Worrall; Steffan Phillips. Replacements: Ollie Evans; Nico Setaro; Lewis Wood; Gareth Bateman; Luke Rogers.

Merthyr: Josh Flye: Aaron Howard; Harry Millard; Sam Edwards; Owain Morgan: Steve Lang; Martin Luckwell: Rob Lewis; Luke Harwood; Louis Jones: Ewan Williams; Ben Murphy: James Bull; Matthew Rees; Hemi Barnes. Replacements: Rhys James; Sam Evans; Craig Everett; Sam Parker; Garyn Lucas.
Referee: Dewi Phillips.




















 

Division One:

Tenby take Loughor’s unbeaten tag

Tenby United 31 - Loughor 15

Tenby United produced a splendid all-round team display to defeat a Loughor side seeking a third successive win, a victory that was all the more meritorious since they had Jonathan Rogers, Jack Price and Roy Osborne out playing for Llanelli.

The Seasiders were only 7-3 ahead at half time as Peter Smiriglia kicked Loughor in front with a penalty before Ashley Sutton kicked ahead and claimed a try which he also converted.

Toby Smith slotted a penalty for Tenby before replacement hooker Michael White reduced the deficit to two points with an unconverted try for the visitors only for the Seasiders to take charge with tries by flankers Luke Hansford and Jason Ronowitz which Sutton goaled to go with a penalty.

Centre Kyle Hill scored Loughor’s second try as veteran Steve Wake probed well for them, converted by Smiriglia, but Tenby had the final word as Rob Weston and Damian Miller caught the eye, with a try from replacement centre Andrew Cook that also secured a welcome bonus point.

Ashley Sutton grabs a try for Tenby. Picture Susan McKehon.

 

Borderers so close again

Ammanford 29 - Whitland 25

Whitland went down to their third defeat in as many matches but once again the Borderers could feel hard done by as the final margin was only four points and they had clear-cut claims for a late try by flanker Dan Evans but the referee felt the ball had been held up off the ground by the desperate home defence!

The Borderers were 19-13 adrift at half time as Ammanford had tries by James Owen, Gary Stephenson and Rhydian Morris, who converted the second and third scores. For the Borderers, who held the edge in the set-pieces, there was an early try by winger Owain John, converted by Jonathan Thomas, who also notched two penalties.

The Borderers went in to a 25-19 lead thanks to tries by James Criddle (from 60 metres out to the corner, where Thomas did well to convert) and Jack Mason from closer range.

But Rhydian Morris kicked a penalty and converted a late try from No 8 Jake Baker – but there was still time for that-ditch effort from Evans, which just about summed up Whitland’s fortunes sofar this campaign!

Jack Mason - try for Whitland

 

Crymych crushed by Felinfoel

Felinfoel 53 - Crymych 0

Crymych travelled to Felinfoel without several key players and paid the ultimate price as two wins on the trot were followed by a 50-point drubbing as the home side scored eight tries without reply.

They came from prop Chris Jones, wingers Elliott Dawe and Craig Edwards, Kyle Simmonite, No 8 Elliott Rees, second row Stuart Taylor, replacement centre Stuart Edwards and outside half Aled Roberts, who also kicked a penalty and five conversions.

As Crymych’s spokesman said afterwards, “We really came off the rails today!”
 

Division Two:

Blues beaten by Cocklemen

 

Haverfordwest 14 -  Penclawdd 34

Haverfordwest were in contention for much of their home match with Penclawdd but in the final analysis the Cocklemen were just a little too strong and street-wise in a match were the teams shared six yellow cards.

Matthew Davies gave the Blues an early lead with a try converted by Steve Williams but missed tackles cost them dear and there were tries from the Cocklemen by centre Gwilym Ayre and prop Gareth Evans, both converted by Jamie Moore to go with a penalty.

Moore added a second three-pointer after the oranges but the Blues were awarded a penalty try, converted by Williams, to stay in contention – but then they conceded a penalty try themselves which Moore converted, as he did late on when skipper Lee Gunnell powered his way over for a vital fourth try for the Cocklemen.

Haverfordwest: Matthew Davies, Scott Candler, Luke Harvatt, Scott James, Daren Salmon, Steve Williams, Danny Morgan, Terry Lovell, Gareth Green, Neil Phillips, Liam Brown, Ryan Banner, Adam Williams, Dane Pindair, Zac France-Miller. Replacements: Ashley Mathias, Jamie Zambas, Dan John, Dave O’Leary, Dave Williams.

Penclawdd: Owen Jones, Rhys Eaton, Jonathan Terry, Gwilym Ayre, Ben McCarthy, Jamie Moore, Lee Gunnell, Gareth Evans, Danny James, Daniel Tucker, Matthew Donohue, Richard Deakin, Richard Jones, Jonathan Hughes, Stephen Bennett. Replacements: Josh Eynon, Tom Guarneiri, Luke Davies, Dan Guarneiri.
Referee: Alun Emmanuel.

Full Back Matthew Davies dives over for the opening try for Haverfordwest

 

Sorry start continues for Cardis

Pontarddulais 65 - Cardigan 5

Cardigan’s sorry start to the season continued as they travelled to Pontarddulais and came home having conceded no fewer than ten tries whilst managing one first half unconverted try by left winger Gruff Lewis.

The Teifisiders were already down and out by the interval as they trailed 43-5, with another 22 points accruing for the Bont in the second period.

The home side’s try scorers were flanker Nicky Hopkins (3), No 8 Aled Thomas, scrum half Martin Rees, centre Chris Davies, outside half David James, centre Andrew badger, winger Gethin Williams and second row Jonathan Hier, with Gwyn Davies converting six of them to go with a penalty.
 

Division Three (West) B:

 

Seagulls win top of table clash

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 30 - Laugharne 12

This eagerly-anticipated top of the table clash between Fishguard& Goodwick and Laugharne saw ‘The Seagulls’ overtake ‘The Poets’ in a hard-fought match at the Moors.

The basis of the home side’s success was their pack power, which saw them play into the sea breeze on the first period yet still lead 14-5 as James Griffiths returned to call the shots at fly half.

Laugharne took the lead when their best player, flanker Mike Williams powered over for an unconverted try but Griffiths was soon involved for the Seagulls as he converted an early try by scrum half Rhys Williams after a quickly-taken penalty and dart to the posts, and then sped over himself from 40 metres out and a conversion as the bonus.

As the home pack began to get even more on top in the third quarter there were three penalties from Griffiths before Laugharne fought back with a second try for Mike Williams which Ross Michael goaled.

But Fishguard had the final word when powerhouse back rower Simon James stormed over the line to give his side a bonus point – and Griffiths inevitably converted to round off a good day for the new section leaders.

Simon James - late try secured a bonus point for The Seagulls

 

Aber too strong in second half

Aberaeron 60 - St Davids 8

St Davids battled hard in the first half of their match at Aberaeron but the flood gates were well and truly prised open after the break as Aber added another 40 points without reply.

With skipper Rhys ‘Loshin’ Price leading by example the Saints had a try from Jack Jones and a penalty by Adam Phillips but Aberaeron had first half tries from winger Niall Reed (2), second row and captain Gethin Hughes and outside half Rhodri Jenkins.

Reed added a third try in the second half and there was also a hat-trick from second rower Alistair Severs alongside others by hooker Huw Wozencroft (2), centre Dylan Williams, whilst full back Owen Williams landed five conversions to complete a high-scoring win for Aberaeron.
 

Jack Jones - scored St Davids' try

Blacks beat Wasps in local derby clash

Neyland 41 - Llangwm 3

Neyland maintained their positive start to the new season as they took on near neighbours Llangwm at the Athletic Ground and enjoyed a clear-cut home win.

The All Blacks played up the slope and with the breeze at their back to lead 15-0 at the interval, with winger Darren John opening their account as early as the second minute when he squeezed in at the corner for Mark Riley to add the touchline conversion.

Experienced centre Riley than raced over for a try and although he was off-target with the conversion he soon slotted a penalty as Craig Grice caught the eye up front.

Neyland also started the second half with a bang as a clever chip ahead by Patrick Bellerby allowed Delme Bateman to cut inside and give the scoring pass for a Bellerby try which Riley goaled.

Llangwm finally broke their duck with a penalty by John Whitticombe but it was to be the Wasps only score as Neyland added further tries from Riley, Bellerby and Adam Collins, with Riley converting two of them for a personal haul of 21 points.
 

Mark Riley - 21 points for Neyland's centre

Much improved Mariners play well at Crickmarren

Pembroke 20 - Milford Haven 7

Pembroke maintained their place in the section’s top three as they beat old rivals Milford Haven, who continued their considerable improvement and pushed the Scarlets all the way up front.

Shaun Dalling gave the home side a lead with a well-struck penalty before full back Dan Colley, playing on permit from Tenby, got involved with two good tries.

The first came from a strong surge which put him in at the posts whilst the second came after his pack had set up the platform and he went over in the corner.

Milford skipper Mike Cockburn led his powerful pack by example and was rewarded with a try converted by full back Steve Picton – but the Scarlets had the final word of the first half with a try from winger Barrie John after good handling by his fellow backs.

The second half saw Picton miss a penalty he would normally kick but there were few other scoring opportunities and play was confined to midfield – but the Scarlets were delighted by a victory which moved them up into second spot in the section table!
 
 

Quins battle hard but still go down

St Clears 24 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 7

After two big defeats, Pembroke Dock Harlequins showed true grit to push St Clears all the way, with the Quins in contention for much of the match.

The Saints did take an early lead with a try from Matthew Lewis which Chris Smart converted from in front of the posts

 But back came the Quins with a cracking try initiated by Dean Wilcox from outside the 22 and rounded off in style by veteran flanker Jeff Collins as he galloped under the posts for outside half Jack Price to add the easy extra points.

But St Clears again opened the second half scoring with an unconverted try by Alex Pickersgill before the Quins lost Martin Culley with a nastily gashed head which caused him to be taken to hospital.

Then experienced centre Ceri Jones put the Carmarthenshire Saints further ahead with a good try, followed by a try by Tom Windsor which was converted by Smart – but at least the Quins had cause for hope after this gritty display!