Boxing Day Rugby:

 




 

Haverfordwest 66 - Llangwm 5

 
Haverfordwest ruled the Bishop Cup roost for 2022 as they ran in ten tries against old rivals Llangwm, who could muster just one second half score in front of a huge crowd at Merlins Bridge but deserve every credit for the way that they stuck to their task.
 
Indeed, Llangwm refused to opt for the tactical move of requesting uncontested scrums, as so many other clubs have done this campaign, and although they were pushed all over the place by the powerful home pack, tackled like demons and battled hard to try and prevent Haverfordwest having even more possession than they did.
 

Blues run in five first-half tries

 
The Blues’ superior strength provided the platform for a five-try tally total in each half and a 35-0 interval lead after in front early when prop Tom Carrington took the kick-off and sliced through to establish the platform from which winger Jack Evans eventually danced his way over the line from 35 metres out for No 10 Jake Morgan to convert.
 
Evans was also involved with fellow winger Scott Candler in taking play close to the right corner and full back Archie Thomas was up in support and crashed over for Morgan to add the extra points with a well-judged kick.
 
Then The Blues showed their scrummaging power from a set-piece 15 metres out where No 8 Lewis Tingey kept control and eventually touched down and Morgan was again on target with the conversion.
 
Prop Tom Carrington added try No 4 as he reached over the try line to outwit the Wasps’ defence and Morgan kept his 100% kicking record, as he did soon afterwards after Karl Busch was shown a yellow card by referee Richard Thomas – but The Blues still had the fire-power as skipper Matty Phillips, playing at centre, brushed off two would-be tacklers and spun over the line.
 
At 35-0 it might appear a real drubbing but The Wasps had played their part in a game where skipper Ieuan Power, back rowers Ashley James, Jason Mock and Owain Jones were joined by scrum half Ian Griffiths and full back Luke Dyer in their work rate.
 

Similar story in second half

 
It was a similar story after the break as Tingey claimed his second score as he picked up and barged his way over and Morgan converted, as he did from the try of the match after Llangwm had attacked but a loose kick saw them lose possession near the Haverfordwest line and quick hands from Morgan, Phillips, Thomas and Jack Codd saw Jack Evans receive the ball wide on the left and he eluded a couple of touchline tackles on a 80-metre run to the line.
 
The loudest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for Llangwm’s only score as they gained a foothold in the right corner and although it looked as if they weren’t going to turn pressure into points when the ball broke loose, flanker Ashley James somehow gained a deserved touchdown for an unconverted try.
 
But The Blues quickly added more points as Tingey charged from a set-piece and a flicked pass saw Candler cross in the corner for an unconverted try – and scrum half Liam Eaton ripped the ball away at a maul, cleverly sniped away on the blind side and did well to make it to the line.
 
Morgan added his eighth conversion when Jack Evans rounded off the scoring and set the seal on an entertaining clash before Blues’ chairman Alun Wills welcomed the huge crowd, thanked both teams and presented the Bishop Cup to Haverfordwest RFC captain Matty Phillips.



 

Jack receives the Roy James Memorial Tankard

 
For many years the Roy James memorial man of the match tankard has been presented by a member of the family and on this occasion it was presented by Jamie Sanders, Roy’s great grandson and grandson of club ‘legend’ Gelly James.
 
Jamie was over staying for the festive season from Italy and the deserved recipient was Jack Evans, The Blues try-scoring winger.
 



 
Haverfordwest: Archie Thomas: Scott Candler; Matty Phillips (Capt); Jack Codd; Jack Evans: Jake Morgan; Lee Summons: Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas; Tom Carrington: Karl Busch; Jack Clancy: Will Blackburn; Mike Griffiths; Lewis Tingey. Replacements: Ben Llewellyn; Steve Thomas; Lee Davies; Josh Young; Liam Eaton; Adam Williams.
 
Llangwm: Luke Dyer: Ollie Gerson; Mikey Phillips; Yale Grice; Jack Roberts: Dylan Philpott; Ian Jenkins: Ieuan Power (Capt); Phil Llewellyn; Callum Jenkins: Steve Rees; Dave Reynolds: Dan Woodward; Jason Mock; Owain Jones. Replacements: James Lewis; Daniel Morgan; Ollie Kersey; Bradley James; Aled Morgan.
 
Referee: Mr Richard Thomas.