Feature Match:

 

Scarlets take a step towards winning Palmer Cup 

 

Llangwm 17 - Pembroke 22

 
Llangwm and Pembroke have for many years contested the Palmer Cup, donated in memory of the well-known family who featured in both clubs, and in this first of the two legs it was The Scarlets who took a five-point advantage back to Crickmarren for the return fixture later in the season, writes Bill Carne.
 
This local derby was played out in front of a large crowd at Pill Parks and both teams were flat-out in attack and defence, as is expected in these local derby games, with both teams having chances before the game ended with The Wasps camped near Pembroke’s try line but unable to penetrate some desperate defence that was well led by Lloyd Davies, Will Edwards and replacement Scott Powell, using his experience as a Scarlets’ skipper over seven seasons.
 
The tone was established from the outset as Pembroke failed to tidy up the kick off and the Wasps’ pack piled in to establish an excellent platform from which prop James Morgan emerged with the touch-down.
 
Harry Makepeace converted and the young No 10 also featured alongside Dan Richards and George James in a number of attacks – but it was Pembroke who responded with a close-range attack from which veteran Jamie Brayford gained the touch-down.
 
Jarred Sherratt missed the conversion but made amends from Pembroke’s second try, which followed a scything run by centre Lewis Davies and ended when back-rower Robin Badham crashed over.
 
But The Wasps had the final word of the half when another powerful forward surge saw several players retain possession well before No 8 Dan Richards ploughed over at the posts and Makepeace converted to extend the gap to two points at half time in favour of the Wasps.
 
As fortunes ebbed and flowed, Pembroke went in front again thanks to their forward power as they set up a lineout drive some 20 metres out and stayed controlled to the try line for Brayford to claim his second try.
 
For some reason Llangwm spurned two kickable penalties and their attacking policy came to nought as Pembroke defended well – and increased their lead with a try by talented young No 9 Josh Greenwood.
 
George James then landed a Llangwm penalty to see his side trail 17-22, which set up a strong period of late pressure where they had some penalties just five metres out but were somehow denied by the Scarlets, to give them a third win on the trot, whilst condemning Llangwm to a sixth defeat in their seven matches.
 
Llangwm:  Breig Matthews: Josh Griffiths; Dan Richards; George James; Elliott Evans: Harry Makepeace; Rhys Power: Joe Newton; Rhys Manwaring; James Morgan: Ashley James (Capt); Jason Mock: Jordan Evans; Jordan Cornick; Dan Richards. Replacements: Callum Jenkins; Matthew Rees; Morgan Rees; Steffan Williams; Jack Roberts.
 
Pembroke: Rhys John: Zach Evans; Jack Nicholas; Lewis Davies; Barry Alderman-John: Jared Sherratt; Josh Greenwood: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Seamus Wiseman; Jamie Brayford: Ethan Brown; William Edwards: Robin Badham; Jack Oliver, Rhydian Eynon.  Replacements: Dan Gosnold; Deryn Williams; Kieran Cookson; Scott Powell.




 
 

Championship Division:

 

Wanderers too streetwise for gritty Crymych

 

Crymych 19 - Llanelli Wanderers 33

 
Crymych showed their willingness to battle hard against the front runners in their section and this game was no exception as they entertained a Llanelli Wanderers’ side coached by former Narberth guru Sean Gale, and with a sprinkling if ex-Otters that included his son Nick.
 
The Preseli Men were 12-18 adrift at half time and never gave the battle but missed out on any bonus points as the Wanderers pouched five points which keep them firmly in the hunt at the top whilst Crymych find themselves embroiled in the battle at the other end, with just one win and a ninth place out of 11.
 
Busy hooker Lee Griffiths grabbed both the home side’s tries in that first period as reward for Carwyn Phillips’ pack high work rate, one converted by Ifan Davies – and The Preseli Men added a penalty try near the end for a maul offence.
 
But The Wanderers claimed four tries to secure their extra bonus point, with Rhydian Morgan, Lewis Jones, Rhodri Owens and Sam Icke on the scoresheet alongside two conversions and three penalties by Lewis Jones.
 
Crymych: Jac Griffiths: Ianto Davies; Ifan Phillips; Elis Thomas; Laurence Headlam: Ifan Davies; Rhys C Davies:  Gruff Williams; Lee Griffiths; Osian Charles: Llyr Davies; Iestyn Wood: Osian Davies; Jon Hill; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Morgan James; Tom Taylor; Matthew Freebury; Rhys B Davies; Dafydd Phillips.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Seasiders make it seven wins on trot

 

Pontarddulais 17 - Tenby United 26

 
Tenby United produced another workmanlike performance against Pontarddulais to secure their seventh victory in seven matches, although they just missed out on the four tries needed for a bonus point, as they went close on a few occasions but a mixture of over-eagerness and the awful cold, wet conditions didn’t help either.
 
But as head coach Jonathan Evans pointed out, any away win is to be celebrated and there were useful all-round individual performances in another gritty squad effort, with back rower Jack Brown just shading the man of the match award from props Rob Luly and Hywel baker, plus full back Geraint Jones for his solid display in defence.
 
The Seasiders started well as Lloyd Thomas landed an early penalty and converted a cracking try by acting skipper Gwion Jones, who slipped his marker near half way, put in a neat chip and catch before diving over the whitewash.
 
The Bont responded with an unconverted try by Ethan Miles but Tenby regained the initiative when their pack set up multiple phases from which burly prop Luly spotted a space to pile through before Thomas added the extra points.
 
The Bont added a second score just before the interval through Lewis Edwards but a second Thomas penalty put Tenby 20-10 ahead at half time.
 
Tenby still held the edge in a tight second period but against the run of play Iwan Evans scored a try and conversion to set the alarm bells ringing but two more Thomas penalties ensured the result was safe and Tenby remain in second spot, but with a game in hand over leaders Aberystwyth, whom they have beaten already.
 
Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Gwion Jones (Capt); Gethin Bradney; Jack Gooding; Jordan Asparassa: Lloyd Thomas; Dai Jones: Hywel Baker; Dan Allen; Rob Luly: Alex Jenkins; Luke Dedman: Charlie Patching; Jack Brown; Dan Colley. Replacements: Kyle Rossiter; Tom Barrass; Jack Broadhurst; Fletcher Broadhurst; Tom Edmonds; Matthew Lewis.
 
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Thomas kicks Borderers to vital victory over The Seagulls

 

Whitland 13 - Fishguard & Goodwick 10

 
A late penalty by Harry Fuller helped Whitland gain another good win as they move up the section table and left old rivals Fishguard and Goodwick with a third defeat from seven starts.
 
Matches between these teams are traditionally hard fought and The Seagulls led by 7-3 in a hard-fought first half after a Johnny Thomas penalty put The Borderers in front, only for the visitors to lead at the break with a close-range try from second row Ben John was converted by full back Mark Jones.
 
It was a similar story after the break, where there was action aplenty but few points, with Rhys Nicholas putting Whitland back in front from an interception near half way and dash to the line for Thomas to add the extras.
 
A Mark Jones penalty hauled The Seagulls back level but with time running out Whitland were awarded a penalty and up stepped Harry Fuller to find the target – and The Borderers gained their fourth win of the season as reward!
 
Whitland:  Tom Hughes: Morgan Lewis; Owyn Griffiths; Dom Davies; Deian Davies: Johnny Thomas; Morgan Edwards: Trystan Bowen; Marc Jones (Capt); Ceirion Evans: Iestyn Comey; Njabulo Madondo: Gavin Smith; Calum Evans; Jack Mason. Replacements: Matt Driver; Johnny Phillips; Jack Evans; Rhys Nicholas; Harry Fuller.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Mark Jones: Dan Cleary; Mike Jenkins; Kial Keane; Rhys Evans: Jake Jenkins; Dan Evans: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Iwan McVeigh: Griff Williams; Ben John: Rhys Lewis; Sion Colella (Capt), Jac Delaney. Replacements: Will Lewis; Ryan McVeigh; Bryn Thomas; Cai Llewellyn; James Reynolds.
 
 

Mariners start well – but miss out later on

 

Carmarthen Athletic 23 - Milford Haven 10

 
Milford Haven are still battling hard to find a settled team with so many players out of action but they battled hard against third-placed Carmarthen Quins and were actually good value for a 10-6 interval lead.
 
But the Athletic maintained their composure and scored 17 unanswered second half points so that The Mariners couldn’t even pouch a losing bonus point as reward for their considerable efforts.
 
Milford had half backs Dan McClelland and coach Steve Martin directing operations early on as their pack played well, with Zac Davies, having to switch from the forwards to play at centre, showing up well alongside Robbie Jones, who looked sharp until he went off injured after scoring a good try, converted by James Trueman, who also landed a penalty.
 
The Athletic’s first half points came from two penalties by full back Zak Williams and in the second half he converted one of the three tries scored by Gethin Phillips, Morgan Morse and Deian Morgan.
 
The Mariners had their chances but missed out in losing their fourth match of the season, but coach Martin was firm in his praise afterwards for the way that his depleted squad gave their all.
 
Milford Haven: Aaron Cookson: James Trueman; Robbie Jones; Zac Davies; Deam McSparron: Steve Martin; Dan McClelland: Luke Ryan; Ryan Williams; Dai Sweeny: Chris Hall; Chris Treiver-Jenkins: Ethan Morgan; Ryan Davies; Jay Goodall. Replacements: Jordan Davies; Andrew Sinton; Dewi Williams.
 
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Teifisiders take a bonus-point away win

 

Cefneithin 16 - Cardigan 29

 
Cardigan continued their recent good form as they made the journey to Cefneithin ad returned with a welcome bonus-point victory as reward for their attacking rugby and ability to turn pressure into points.
 
The Teifisiders were 15-6 ahead at half time and although Cefneithin fought hard they were never able to snatch the initiative, despite two first-half penalties from Carwyn Evans, plus another penalty and a conversion of Jonathan Morgan’s second half try.
 
Cardigan had opened their account with a penalty from full back Shaun Leonard and then influential skipper Marcus castle, playing this week at No 8, rounded off a concerted move with a 40-metre try, converted by Leonard.
 
Leonard then showed he is more than just a place kicker as he sliced through for a try and conversion – and then added another two conversions after the break when positive play by the Cardigan backs, based on quality possession from their pack, saw wingers John Lumb and Jack Taylor finish off some quality handling inside them.
 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: John Lumb; Iwan John; Kieran Greenland; Jack Taylor: Jack Davies; Iwan Toft: Will Brice; Luke Palmer-Davies; Ben Hughes: Sion Phillips; Dean Harries: Sean Owen; Jackson Tucker Lynch; Marcus Castle. Replacements: Rhodri Parry Jones; Aaron Tomkinson; Colin Davies; Llyr Jones; Aaron Evans.
 


 

Division Four (West):

 

All Blacks bag six-try success at Llan

 

Llanybydder 17 - Neyland 43

 
Neyland were on good form after the long trek to Llanybydder and came away with six tries as proof of their positive approach against a home side who deserved credit for giving their supporters three tries to cheer as reward for their participation in an entertaining tussle.
 
The All Blacks looked sharp in a first half where they established a 24-5 lead, the only score for the homesters being a try by Jake Evans after the All Blacks had already grabbed 17 points through an opening try by flanker Owain Evans after good forward pressure, followed by a cracking try by winger Matthew Coles, and then dynamic No 9 Owen Hamer snipping over from 10 metres, with half back partner Oli Rothero adding the conversion.
 
After Llanybydder had responded Neyland then ensured their bonus point for scoring four tries when skipper Georghe Williams again showed his pace from near half-way on a powerful run to the posts so that Rothero could add the extras.
 
The second half opened with an excellent try from young winger Josh Watts, converted by Rothero, and an even better try by the same player, which showed his finishing skills, which was this time unconverted.
 
Co-winger Coles then decided it was time to feature again with his second try with a blind-side run, goaled by Rothero,
 
Llanybydder responded bravely with tries from Dan Davies and Dan Jones, one converted by Ethan Sion Mathias before the All Blacks secured victory and a return to the top of the table as their reward.
 
Neyland: Liam Rees: Matthew Coles; George Williams (Capt); Alex Codd; Henry Macbeth: Oli Rothero; Owen Hamer: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Alex Swales; Seb Mackintosh: Iestyn Evans; George Evans: Tal Tamilia; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements:  Mark James; Andrew Slark; Josh Watts; Nick Wilson.
 
 

All square at Parc Lloyd Thomas

 

Teirw Crymych 17 - St Davids 17

 
At the halfway stage of this match at Parc Lloyd Thomas it seemed as if home team Teirw Crymych were likely winners as they held a 14-0 lead over St Davids, but the visitors battled back after the oranges and in the final analysis perhaps a hard-fought draw was the fairest result since both teams had chances that went astray and neither really deserved to lose.
 
George Plummer opened the scoring for The Bulls and the flanker was joined be fellow back-rower Trystan Griffiths, making a welcome return from his work as an opera singer, on the try sheet as centre Adam Phillips landed both conversions.
 
But The Saints’ pack, well led by skipper Nathan Foster, Tom Clarke and Ethan Griffiths, supplied ball for George Raymond, Will Davies and Zac Morgan to exploit, with tries by Will James and hooker Clarke, alongside a conversion by James, narrowing the gap to two points.
 
The Bulls scored next via a Phillips’ penalty but with five minutes remaining it was Raymond who rounded off The Saints’ pressure with a try to level matters – but the conversion went wide and so the teams had to settle for a share of the spoils!
 
Teirw Crymych: Hedd George: Gruff Williams; Sion Evans; Adam Phillips; Steffan Rees: Elgan Wilson; Nick Bevan: Lloyd Hughes; Richard Phillips; Thomas Davies: Luke Freebury (Capt); George Plummer: Trystan Griffiths; Steffan Morris; Osian Thomas. Replacements: Robert Davies; Hedd James; Aneurin Vaughan; Dylan Thomas; Owain Rees. Reserves: Liam Barber; Dylan Harries; Rhys Richards; Dafydd Gibby; Declan Harries.
 
St Davids: Will James: Morgan Bishop; Iwan Davies; George Raymond; Bob Froy: Owain Swain; Zac Morgan: Ethan Griffiths; Tom Clarke; Adam Williams: Iestyn Griffiths; Noah Dark: Aaron Foster; James Goldsmith; Nathan Foster (Capt). Replacements: Chris Cooper; Ben Evans; Dan Murphy; Rhys Price; Michael Gurney.
 
 

Emlyn capture Athletic’s unbeaten record

 

Dreigiau Emlyn 14 - Narberth Athletic 3

 
Narberth’s unbeaten start to the season was abruptly ended at Ddol Wiber as Dreigiau Emlyn utilised their powerful pack to maintain control and score the only try of the match, alongside three penalties.
 
Athletic tried hard to claw their way back into contention, with skipper Steve Pilot leading the way, and had their moments, but were unable to turn pressure periods into points so that The Dragons won their third game from seven starts, with their only points coming from a penalty by full back Shane Rossiter.
 
Narberth Athletic: Shane Rossiter: Harri Harries; Brad Cramb; Stephen J Brown; Luke Conbeer: Shay Norcross; Jordan James: Declan Cole; Osian Phillips; Ryan Cole: Stephen Thomas; Dan Owen: Wil Nicholas; Yori Morgan; Stephen Pilot (Capt). Replacements: Gethin Thomas; Andrew Williams; Gareth Clifford; Will Davies; Kyle Williams. Travelling Reserves: Archie Vallance; Harry Harries.
 
 

Premiership Division:

 

Otters call off home game against Merthyr
Narberth P Merthyr P
 
**Match postponed – Narberth unable to find a cover tight-head prop**
 

 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Haverfordwest P Amman United P
**Match postponed – a sad bereavement in the Amman United club**

 
Haverfordwest: Guy Barrons: George Hopkins; Iestyn Arnold; Jack Codd; Scott Candler: Matty Phillips; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones: Andrew Evans; Iestyn Bevan; Tom Carrington: Teifion Owen; Karl Busch (Capt): Dylan Williamson; Mike Griffiths; Jonathan Mason. Replacements: Terry Lovell; Jamie Zambas; Russell Watkins; Ioan Kelso-Jones; Gabriel Thicker.