Featured Match:

 

Division Two (West):

 

Seagulls succeed against the gritty Seasiders

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 20 - Tenby United13

 
Fishguard & Goodwick’s dogged determination saw them come through in this traditional Pembrokeshire derby against old rivals Tenby United, but not before they had been pushed all the way by The Seasiders in a match of contrasts where the home side looked to utilise the power of their pack whilst the visitors were eager to use their pacy young back division at every opportunity.
 
And until the final quarter it looked as if Jonathan Evans’ team might just ease through as they led 13-6 but then Fishguard grabbed tries by tearaway flanker Sion Colella and inspiration skipper Chris Shousha ploughed over for James Griffiths to add the extra points.
 
It was The Seagulls who started brightly as Shousha and Aled Bowen were used as battering rams after Rhys Lewis, Gwilym Evans, Will Lewis and Will Delaney were good ball winners – and they earned a few penalties from which James Griffiths put them three points ahead.
 
But Tenby showed their spirit as they levelled matters with a well-judged penalty from outstanding full back Max Brindley and after Griffiths had been on target again it was outside half Gwion Jones who made the score 6-6 at half time although The Seasiders hadn’t made best use of a lot of hard-won possession as The Seagulls defended well in what had become a stop-start tussle.
 

Seasiders start second half better but The Seagulls battle back

 
The visitors made the better start to the second period and good work up the left flank by Brindley and Tom Griffin saw real pressure maintained by the likes of Rob Luly, Jack Broadhurst, Dan Colley and skipper Luke Dedman they were awarded a close-range penalty where scrum half Matthew Morgan was first to react and took a quick tap penalty to reach the line before Gwion Jones converted.
 
At the other end Ed Bendall did well to get into the opposing 22 on two occasions but his pack conceded careless penalties in their desperation to come back.
 
And this time it was a quick penalty from James Griffiths which started the move from which quick hands saw play taken to the left corner where flanker Colella was perfectly placed to cross the whitewash and Griffiths converted to tie things up.
 
As the ferocity of the forward exchanges was maintained both camps used their replacements, with the McVeigh brothers and Gavin Walsh putting their experience to good effect from a series of surges and it was Shousha who ploughed over for what turned out to be the winning score, with Griffiths duly adding the conversion.
 

Comments:

 
Nathan Jenkins (Fishguard & Goodwick Coach):
 
“To be honest we are just delighted by the result but not happy about our performance because we squandered too much possession and showed a lack of discipline in conceding silly penalties at vital times. But a win is a win and credit to Tenby for making it very hard for us because they are a useful team.”
 
Jonathan Evans (Tenby United Head Coach):
 
“Naturally I am disappointed to lose because we definitely had chances to win it but inexperience told – and we never quite got to grips with the drives set up by Chris Shousha and his try sealed our defeat. It means we have lost a game we might well have won but we have a young squad and will get better as we gain more experience together.”
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Kial Keane: Robbie Jones; James Griffiths; Sion Rowlands; Ed Bendall: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Adam Bowen: Gwilym Evans; Rhys Lewis: Will Lewis; Sion Colella; Chris Shousha (Capt). Replacements: Ryan McVeigh; Iwan McVeigh; Gavin Walsh; Cai Llewellyn; Andrew Williams; Creegan Foot.
 
Tenby United:  Max Brindley: Jack Gooding; Adam Quill; Yannic Parker; Tom Griffin: Gwion Jones; Matthew Morgan: Frankie Boyd; Dom Booth; Ethan Morgan:  Rob Luly; Luke Dedman (Capt); Will Swales; Dan Colley; Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Dan Allen; Rob Clark; Nicky Guymer; Jimmy Davies; Adam Quill.




 

Championship Division:

 

Gibby grabs late winner for The Otters

 

Bedwas 26 - Narberth 27

 
Narberth gained their first victory in seven league matches against Bedwas as replacement Lewys Gibby claimed an all-important late try to secure success by a single point.
 
But The Otters looked as if they might have surrendered a 22-7 interval lead as Bedwas fought back to lead 26-22 but then Gibby, brought on as a replacement, was perfectly placed to take the scoring pass after Josh Davies had fielded an attempted clearance and exploited a gap which suddenly opened up and went in at the posts – and although Jonathan Rogers missed the simple conversion it mattered little because The Otters were able to celebrate a bonus-point win!
 
Narberth took the lead as early as the 8^th minute when talented young scrum half George McDonald made a break from 40 metres out and Ifan Phillips scored for Ianto Griffiths to convert – and after 19 minutes added a second try through Josh Davies, although Griffiths missed the difficult conversion, as he did a penalty soon afterwards.
 
Bedwas responded with a try by Callaghan Smith, converted by Lloyd Wilkins but The Otters’ skipper Tom Powell claimed a third try as he raced through from over half way – and Griffiths converted and landed a penalty to see his side 15 points to the good at half time.

The home side have a reputation for come-backs and tries from Rhys Morgans, Dylan Morgan and then Aaron Billingham, plus two more Wilkins’ conversions, seemed to provide Bedwas with a real chance of victory at 26-22 but up popped Gibby to ensure a bonus point win for The Otters that made up for their narrow home defeat  to Bargoed in their previous league match.
 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Josh Davies; Jordan Roberts; Ifan Phillips; Josh Evans: Ianto Griffiths; George McDonald: Bradley Davies; Dan Smith; Sean Jones: Rhys Williams; Alex Jenkins: Tom Powell (Capt); Caine Rees-Jones; Richard Rees. Replacements: Kyle Hamer; Ifan James; Josh Hamer; Jonathan Rogers; Lewys Gibby.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Phillips brothers’ tries help the Preseli Men win

 

Gorseinon 19 - Crymych 24

 
Tries by brothers Tomos and Ifan Phillips were a feature of Crymych’s excellent away win at Gorseinon as The Preseli Men also secured a bonus point in making it a second success from two starts., and both from games away.
 
Crymych made a great start as they led 12-0 at the interval thanks to tries by hooker Carwyn Rees and full back Adam Phillips, who also landed a conversion – and there was some excellent defence as their pack played well as a unit and the tackling and covering was outstanding.
 
Then centre Tomos Phillips raced away for an unconverted try on his 100^th appearance for the club but Gorseinon responded with a try by winger Dai Rees, converted by Richard Phillips but The Preseli Men regrouped and Adam Phillips crossed for their fourth try to push them 24-7 ahead before Gorseinon made a spirited comeback.
 
The home side had beaten Llanelli Wanderers 24-16 in their opening encounter and managed tries from flanker Johnny Evans and a second for Dai Smith, one converted by Richard Phillips, but in the final analysis Crymych could be proud of their committed defence, alongside their earlier attacking prowess, as they took the verdict.
 
Crymych: Adam Phillips: Ned Bennett; Tomos Phillips; Gethin Gibby; Tomos Lewis: Ifan Phillips; Huw Rees:  Dylan Phillips; Carwyn Rees; Ryan Rees: Matthew Freebury; Rhys Davies: Rhydian Howells; Cai Ifans; Trystan Griffiths. Replacements: Lee Griffiths; Jonathan Clout; Llyr Davies; Morgan Lewis; Dafydd Phillips.
 
 

Price powers Borderers on his return to the club

 

Pembroke 20 - Whitland 33

Whitland were good value for victory at Crickmarren after they had established a 15-point interval lead but although Pembroke came back after the break it was the Borderers who claimed victory after heavy defeat in their first match, also away, leaving The Scarlets with two home losses to start their league campaign.
 
Inspiring Whitland on his return from Felinfoel was centre Liam Price, who showed his nose for points with three excellent tries as he linked well with Geraint Jones, Gino Setaro and Jonathan Thomas, after good ball-winning by the back row of Calum Evans James Lewis and James Thomas.
 
Yet it was Pembroke who took an early lead with a penalty by outside half Harry Fletcher but Whitland fought back with two converted tries before a second three-pointer from Fletcher and a third converted score for The Borderers.
 
Whitland’s fourth try, all converted by No 10 Geraint Jones, put them in control although Pembroke’s gritty efforts earned them tries from prop Lloyd Davies and replacement Sam Smith, both converted by Fletcher – but with scrum half Ianto Davies and Geraint Jones also on the try sheet it was The Borderers who made the journey home with five very welcome league points.
 
Pembroke: Lewis Davies: Steve Brown; Luke Alderwick; Fraser James; Luke Hartland: Harry Fletcher; Jarred Sharrat: Lloyd Davies; Seamus Wiseman (Capt); Johnny Palmer: Scott Powell; Josh Hicks: Jordan Cornick; Rhodri Walters; Aaron Williams. Replacements: Evan Phillips; Tom Cabot; Sam Smith; Cyle Wetherall; Matthew Lewis.
 
Whitland: Johnny Thomas: Owen Griffiths; Liam Price; Gino Setaro; Rhys Nicholas: Geraint Jones; Ianto Davies:  Tomos Evans; Luke Palme- Davies; Morgan Thomas: Benji Kirk (Capt); Raff Williams: James Thomas; Calum Evans; James Lewis. Replacements:  Tristan Bowen; Chris Marks; Dai Ebsworth; Sam Clarke; Morgan Lewis.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

No game for Mariners – Ponty unable to field a team!

 

Milford Haven P-P Pontyberem

 
 

Division Three (West) A:

 

 

Blues beaten again

 

Lampeter 29 - Haverfordwest 19

 
Haverfordwest made it two league losses in as many games as they were unable to play with any fluidity at Lampeter and the home side punished some poor defensive cover to claim victory.
 
The Blues were slow getting off the bus and found themselves 15 points adrift through tries by winger Meirion Lloyd and flanker James Edwards, with a penalty and conversion by outside half Osian Jones as well.
 
They managed to reduce the deficit as prop Tom Carrington charged over but the conversion went awry – and Lampeter added a third try before the break from second row Rhodri Williams that Jones converted.
 
An excellent try and conversion by outside half Jake Morgan gave The Blues hope but again they conceded vital possession and home skipper Thomas Rees-Jones  sliced through from his centre berth to earn his team a bonus point.
 
Haverfordwest had the final word with a try by replacement winger Lee Davies, converted by Jake Morgan – but there were no furthers scores as home full back Rhys Douglas organised his defence superbly to keep his side comfortably home.
 
Haverfordwest:   Archie Thomas: Jack Evans; Matthew John; Craig Barnett; Scott Candler: Jake Morgan; Liam Eaton: Dan Berry; Jon Mason;  Tom Carrington: Karl Busch; Jack Clancy:  Will Blackburn; Mike Griffiths; Matty Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Terry Lovell; Jamie Zambas; Lewis Tingay; Russell Watkins; Lee Summons.




 

Replacement Gareth steers Saints to victory

 

Neyland 19 - St Clears 38

 
Two tries by powerful replacement prop Gareth Jones helped St Clears win against a Neyland side which played its part with three tries but were unable to fight back from a 19-7 interval deficit.
 
Ethan Davies opened The Saints’ account but The All Blacks fought back as fly half Oliver Rothero intercepted a pass near half way and sped through for a try which he also converted.
But the visitors grabbed two tries from Jac Howell and Ethan Davies again, both converted by outside half Dan Griffiths to open up their 14-point interval advantage.
 
The Saints also made a good start to the second half as Tom Williams and Gareth Jones scored tries, one converted by Griffiths, before Neyland reduced the deficit when replacement Andrew Slark grabbed a try - but –veteran prop Jones’ second score put the result beyond doubt.
 
Neyland had the final word when prop Mark James came back on and ploughed over for a try converted by Rothero as The Saints made it two wins from two starts in a match well reffed by Richard Thomas (Carmarthen).
 
Neyland: George Williams: Ben Millward; Alex Codd; Adam Peele; Matthew Coles: Oliver Rothero; Owen Hamer: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Gavin Campbell; Mark James: Dan Hart; Chris Busby: George Evans; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Alex Swales; Jack Kinnersley; Henry McBeth; Andrew Slark; Will Lewis.




 

Wasps wilt in second half

 

Pembroke Dock Quins 66 - Llangwm 5

 
Llangwm were just about still in the game at half time as Pembroke Dock Harlequins led 17-5 but the pressure applied by The Quins in that period told on The Wasps’ defence and replacement Harry Owen led the home side with three tries as they added 49 points in a runaway second period.
 
The Quins served notice of intent in the opening five minutes as they raced through for tries by Hywel Baker and Gethin Bradney, both converted by scrum half Morgan Rogers, who also added a penalty.
 
But then Llangwm showed their true grit via the likes of James Lewis, Dave Reynolds and Ian Griffiths in the back row alongside Calum Jenkins, Matthew Rees and Gavin Jones – and they had the final word in the session as Gavin Jones, Dan Morgan and Lewis Murphy helped create the space for full back Luke Dyer to score an unconverted try.
 
Quins’ skipper Jack Brown opened The Quins’ second-half account and as their pack gained superiority Harry Owen joined the fray to use his power to good effect with his hat-trick alongside a second for Baker and Bradney and others by second row Sam James and  flanker Jack Mallite.
 
Morgan slotted two more conversions and replacement Ben Hathaway also added four more to give the Quins their victory but it is to The Wasps’ credit that they never gave up trying and gave 100% to their cause.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins:  Kieran Machin: Tom Donovan; Gethin Bradney; Adam Jones; Kobie Thomas: Euan McDonald; Morgan Rogers: Connor Kolmel; Jayden Webber; Dan McLeod: Ben Gibby; Sam James: Hywel Baker; Jack Mallite; Jack Brown (Capt). Replacements: Harry Owen; Jack Byrne; Josh Brown; Sam ‘Rasher’ James; Ben Hathaway.
 
Llangwm: Luke Dyer: Jack Roberts; Yale Grice; Dan Woodward; Ollie Gerson:  Lewis Murphy; Dylan Philpott: Andrew Millward; Calum Jenkins; Matthew Rees: Gavin Jones; Daniel Morgan: James Lewis; Dave Reynolds; Ian Griffiths. Replacements: Ioan Jarman; Steve Rees; Joel Thomas; Liam Dowling; Ben Hawkins.
 



 

Foster brothers feature in Saints’ draw

 

St Davids 10 - Cardigan 10

 
Brothers Nathan and Aaron Foster claimed the points for St Davids which helped them to a deserved draw against visiting Cardigan but it was a solid all-round team performance that gave The Saints a share of the spoils.
 
But it was The Teifisiders who held a narrow five-point interval lead as influential No 8 Tom Taylor rounded off as good handling move in the 24^th minute that saw him speed in from 15 metres.
 
Taylor added his second unconverted try in the second half as he played well alongside Rhodri Davies and Kester Adams but The Saints kept plugging away and reaped their reward when Nathan Foster, leading by example as skipper, crossed the whitewash and brother Aaron, added the extra points.
 
Other key players for the Saints were scrum half Zac Morgan and Ben Joyce, who had switched from the wing to No 10 in the second half, both played well alongside Llion Williams, who caught the eye with his tackling, ball-carrying and good support play.
 
With time running out The Saints finally secured a penalty which Aaron Foster converted to level matters when the final whistle blew soon afterwards.
 
St Davids: Harvey Godkin: Owen Swain; Ollie Owen; George Raymond; Ben Joyce: Morgan Davies; Jac Morgan: Ben Evans; Rhys Price; Ryan John: Llion Williams; Aled Davies: Nathan Foster (Capt); Kieran Jones; Tommy Reynolds.   Replacements: Aaron Foster; Rhys Meredith-Barrett; Owen Lewis; Rhys Morgan; Jack Johnson.
 
Cardigan: Matthew Roebuck: Gwern Phillips; Kieran Greenland; Tom Griff; Jack Taylor: Llyr Jones; Tomos Jones: Andrew Fletcher; Owain Morgan; Ben Hughes; Sion Phillips; Ifan Morgan: Kester Adams; Rhodri Davies; Tom Taylor. Replacements: William Brice; Rhodri Palmer-Jones; Craig Morris; Mark Foley; Geraint Williams.