Rugby Reports - 19th October 2024
Featured match - Division Three (West):
Blues’ errors costly as Aber deserve victory
Haverfordwest 13 - Aberaeron 25
Haverfordwest went down to a disappointing home defeat against Aberaeron as they made a huge number of basic errors despite having a greater territorial advantage, only to have a large number of knock-ons and a seeming inability to turn pressure into points,
It was a different story for Aberaeron as they clearly struggled in the set-scrums but managed to turn bad ball into good thanks to No 8 William James, and with Jac Evans (No 10) and Rhodri Jenkins (centre) playing key roles but in different ways as Evans controlled play well and Jenkins posed a constant threat in the place kicking and joining Morgan Llewellyn as key attackers with limited possession.
This was shown dramatically in the opening 12 minutes as Aber raced into a 13-0 lead as Jenkins notched a third-minute penalty and then rounded off sharp work by No 9 Rhodri Thomas, Evans and Rhys Jones to plunge through some tame home tackling.
Jenkins then added the conversion and a second penalty.
The Blues also started the second half well as Mikey Griffiths rounded off some good work involving young centres Jack Codd and Iestyn Arnold, the flanker crashing over for another unconverted try to reduce the deficit to three pints.
Blues’ talented teenage scrum half Ioan Hawkridge-Jones launched a counter-attack with a quick snipe, Jon Mason was always available to on a charge with Mikey Griffiths and Matty Phillips close at hand – but the final hurried pass seemed to break their momentum but just before the interval the homesters broke back with a good unconverted corner try by winger Jack Evans.
But the mercurial Morgan Llewellyn rounded off some good forward charges to pop up for an unconverted try before Liam Eaton notched three points for The Blues to keep them in contention – only for other half chances to go abegging.
And then right at the finish, a pretty big punch up was sorted out by referee Leighton Bambry, but there was still time for Rhodri Jenkins to squeeze in at the corner for Aberaeron to deny Haverfordwest even the consolation of a bonus point.
Haverfordwest: Guy Barrons: Scott Candler; Jack Codd; Iestyn Arnold; Jack Evans: Liam Eaton; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones: Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas (Capt); Tom Carrington: Teifion Owen; Jack Clancy: Mike Griffiths; Matty Phillips; Jon Mason.
Replacements: Terry Lovel; Rhydian Watkins; Gabriel Thicker; L Young; Jake Evans.
Aberaeron: Morgan Llewellyn: Dyfrig Dafis; Rhodri Jenkins; Rhys Jones; Steffan D Jones: Steffan Rees; Rhodri Thomas: Owain Wozencroft; Owain Bonsall; Ryan Williams: Richard Francis; Bleddyn Thomas: Robert Jones; Gethin Dafis; William James.
Replacements: Owain Bonsall; Sion Evans; Ceri Davies, Jack Crompton Steffan B Jones.
Premiership Division:
Otters’ brave fight-back in vain
Narberth 30 - Newbridge 36
Narberth’s search for a win in this top division goes on after another home defeat where they were 26-5 adrift at one stage, bravely battled back to take the lead for a short while but finally succumbed to the greater experience of visitors Newbridge.
The Otters conceded an early try to second row Jakob Duffy, converted by Robbie Turley but then outstanding forward Roy Osborn scored a good try as reward for the efforts of skipper Tom Powell, Caleb Salmon, Josh and Kyle Hamer but then Aneurin Potter, Scott Evans and Cian Jones piled up the points for the visitors.
But The Otters showed their grit as they fought back with another Osborn try and winger Geraint Llewellyn – and although Rogers missed all three conversions he finally found his kicking boots with three penalties in quick succession – and a fourth a little later pushed his side into a 27-26 lead.
This certainly raised the optimism levels amongst the Narberth faithful but then classy Newbridge No 10 Simon Veall sliced through for a try and conversion to put them back in front.
A fifth Rogers’ penalty took The Otters back to within a point but then Gareth Young grabbed a late try to seal Newbridge’s third win from six league starts, leaving Narberth with a solitary bonus point as their reward after such a big second half effort.
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Geraint Llewellyn; Hedd Nicholas; Jonathan Rogers; Rhys Harries: Osian Evans; Lewys Gibby: George Rossiter; Kyle Hamer; Guto Jones: Sam Martin; Caleb Salmon: Josh Hamer; Tom Powell; Roy Osborn.
Replacements: Bradley Davies; Llyr Green; Lewis Jones; Will Blackburn; Sam Davies; Alex Williams; Matthew John; Harry Fuller.
Championship Division:
Crymych crash to late onslaught
Tondu 66 - Crymych 17
Crymych suffered one of their heaviest defeats for a while at Tondu after a decent early start but then things going astray as the home team were already 38-17 ahead after the first half and finished up with ten tries, eight of them converted to earn them a fifth win alongside one defeat in their best opening to a league campaign.
The Preseli Men had tries from centre Laurence Headlam and second row Iestyn Wood, both converted by outside half Ifan Phillips, who also landed a penalty – and they could also feel unlucky when they had a try disallowed but it was a disappointing display, nonetheless, to see them suffer a fifth defeat in their six league matches.
Crymych: Owain Evans: Hedd James; Laurence Headlam; Jon Hill; Ianto Davies: Ifan Phillips; Jack Griffiths: Gruff Williams; Lee Griffiths; Osian Charles; Osian Davies; Iestyn Wood: Tom Taylor; Llyr Davies; Carwyn Phillips (Capt).
Replacements: Lloyd Hughes; Rhys Richards; Rhys Davies Matthew Freebury; Gruff Williams.
Division One (West):
Seasiders still unbeaten after four wins on trot
Tenby United 22 - Burry Port 15
Four wins and a 100% start are testament to Tenby United’s excellent start to life in Division One (West) but this wasn’t The Seasiders at their vibrant form of the previous match against Aberystwyth, although they still had enough for victory over a Burry Port team that had only lost one game prior to this hard-fought tussle.
The Seasiders were perhaps rocked back on their heels in the first quarter as they conceded an early unconverted ty, followed by a penalty
They battled back, however, with an excellent try from winger Gwin Jones after a long pass gave him just enough space to brush off his marker and race up the touchline before going around to the posts to give Lloyd Thomas an easy conversion.
It certainly raised the tempo for Tenby but then against the run of play Burry Port showed the danger they posed as their centre kicked hopefully through, received a good bounce and a simple run-in and a 15-7 lead.
But just before half time centre Liam Price grabbed his first try since joining the club as he found space and Lloyd Thomas added the extra points just before the interval.
The third period was frustrating for The Seasiders as they missed a few chances but they finally took the lead when Lloyd Thomas grabbed a try and conversion, which he followed up with a penalty in the 70
th minute.
It gave his side a seven-point cushion but knowing they were only one score away from a draw but they showed common-sense in defence and were just about good value for a victory that puts them in second spot, just a point behind Aberystwyth but with a game in hand.
Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Matthew Lewis; Liam Price; Toby Smith; Gwion Jones: Lloyd Thomas; Fletcher Broadhurst: Ethan Morgan; Dan Allen; Rob Luly: Tom Barrass (Capt); Alex Jenkins: Jack Brown; Jack Broadhurst; Dom Colman.
Replacements: Hywel Baker; Kyle Rossiter; Jake Roberts; Kieran Machin; Tom Edmonds.
Division Two (West):
Davies drives Laugharne to vital victory
Fishguard & Goodwick 17 - Laugharne 35
Adam Davies was the toast of his Laugharne team mates after the nippy scrum half played really well and also grabbed two vital late tries as he showed his nose for points in this absorbing top of the table clash where both sides entered the fray with 100% records but the visitors make the fewer errors and showing good ball retention to end up with a bonus point as The Seagulls had nothing to show for their efforts.
Laugharne made a positive start and were rewarded midway through the half with a penalty try but Fishguard took the score to 7-all in a very even first 40 minutes when their back pushed the visitors back at a close-range scrum and home No 8 Jac Delaney scored a try that centre Mark Jones converted from in front of the posts.
It was a similar story in the third quarter of a very competitive match as Laugharne regained the lead with a good try by Tom Waters which Lennon Reynolds converted, only for The Seagulls to level matters again with a cracking second try from No 8 Delaney from a pick and go caught Laugharne unaware.
Mark Jones added the conversion and then a penalty to nudge his side ahead but then Davies intervened with two close-range tries, plus a second by Tom Waters sandwiched neatly in between, all three converted by Lennon Reynolds before a Fishguard forward was shown a red card late on to round off a disappointing day where they didn’t even manage a single bonus point.
Fishguard & Goodwick: Dan Evans: Dylan Scott; Mark Jones; Kial Keane; Rhys Evans: Jake Jenkins; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Ryan McVeigh: Griff Williams; Cai Llewellyn: Will Lewis; Sion Colella (Capt); Jack Delaney.
Replacements: Iwan McVeigh; Gavin Walsh; Ryan Foot; Jack Phillips; Ed Bendall.
Reserve: Dom Sinnott.
Mariners maul Betws as McClelland scores three tries
Milford Haven 52 - Betws 14
Scrum half Dan McClelland was the toast of his Milford Haven team mates and supporters as he scored three of their seven tries against Betws, with winger James Trueman only just behind as he scored two tries and kicked 16 points as reward for his involvement.
It was an important victory for The Mariners because they had lost both their league games, whilst their opponents had lost all three of theirs, so a 23-7 interval lead meant that they were on the way to breaking their duck as Truman opened their account with try alongside others from Dean McSparron and McClelland to go with a conversion and two penalties.
For Bettws there was a penalty try awarded right on half time when a collapsed scrum near the line saw the referee lose patience – and they added a second when the game was all but won by the Mariners when No 8 Jake Griffiths ploughed over the line and outside half Ben Morris converted.
In that entertaining second half for Milford, McClelland darted over twice more and other tries came from second row Jay Goodall, and busy flanker Ieuan Davies, who worked well with Ben Groves and Zac Davies, making a welcome return from work at Hinkley, as reward for great industry alongside Ethan Aldred, Luke Ryan, Dai Sweeney and Charlie Watson, playing on permit from Whitland
James Trueman also crossed again and converted three more conversions for a personal haul of 26 points – with ‘retired’ coaches Steve Martin and Lee Riley also worthy of a mention along with Robbie Jones, and Dan Jenkins for their midfield control!
Milford Haven: Lee Riley: James Trueman; Robbie Jones; Dan Jenkins; Dean McSparron: Steve Martin; Dan McClelland: Luke Ryan; Dai Sweeny; Charlie Watson: Ethan Aldred; Jay Goodall: Ben Groves; Ieuan Davies; Zac Davies.
Replacements: Darren Lewis; Tristan Lewis; Ryan Williams; Aaron Davies; Dan Goodridge.
Division Three (West):
Teifisiders take their first league win by a whisker
Cardigan 22 - Llandeilo 19
After defeats by one and two points in their previous league matches, Cardigan managed to make it third time lucky against Llandeilo as they almost managed to grab a draw from the jaws of victory but the visitors missed a last-gasp penalty – and leave the home supporters with yet more badly bitten fingernails!
The Teifisiders were 10-7 ahead at the break thanks to a penalty, try and conversion by full back Shaun Leonard – but Llandeilo had answered with a good try by nippy No 9 Haydn Morgan which was converted by outside half Owen Phillips.
The second half was equally as tight, with neither side giving an inch but with Cardigan adding an unconverted try after 44 minutes from classy winger John Lumb and then another 11 minutes later by Powerful prop Will Brice, converted by Leonard.
But then The Cardis seemed to take their foot of the pedal and Llandeilo needed no second bidding to reduce the margin with tries by Jack Davies and George Plowman, one converted by Phillips, who missed that late chance of three points, to the evident relief of the King George Vth faithful!
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: John Lumb; Marcus Castle (Capt); Emyr Harries; Alun Jenkins: Jac Davies; Llyr Jones: Will Brice; Luke Palmer-Davies; Andrew Jones: Dan Jones; Dean Harries: Rhodri Parry Jones; Kieran Hurley: Guto Davies.
Replacements: Ben Hughes; Sion Phillips; Flynn Tjoonk; Aaron Evans; Iwan John.
Division Four (West) A:
All Blacks win comfortably despite a late Scarlets’ come-back
Pembroke 31 - Neyland 43
Neyland maintained their proud 100% record after four matches at the head of Division Four (West) A with what looked likely to be a comfortable win over old rivals Pembroke at Crickmarren as they led 41-10 going into the final quarter but then took their foot off the gas and the Scarlets needed no second bidding to add three converted tries to put a more respectable slant on the final scoreline – and earn themselves a deserved bonus point for scoring four tries.
Pembroke actually opened the scoring with an early penalty by scrum half Jarred Sherratt but The All Blacks showed their pace behind the scrum as young winger Josh Watts opened their try count and skipper George Williams added a second from long distance when full back Patrick Bellerby and the rest of their back line opened up from inside their own 22.
Then skipper Williams added his second as he crossed at the posts and Ollie Rothero converted before hard effort up front and more good work by Alex Codd and Bellerby saw Rothero get his name on the try count alongside his second conversion.
Pembroke showed they weren’t ready to lie down right on half time as Will Edwards. Rhodri Waters, Rhydian Enon and skipper Lloyd Davies combined to put second row Cyle Weatherall over for a try converted by Sharrett.
The third quarter saw Neyland back on top as centre Alex Codd, Watts (for a second time) and then prop Luke Griffiths-Dawes, with the try of the match as Tal Tamilia, Ben Williams and Jack Harries combined to put the prop away on a gallop that took him to the posts
But then skipper Lloyd Davies rallied his Pembroke troops and he scored alongside replacements James Jones and Dan Davies, all three converted by No 10 Lewis Davies as he played well alongside Fraser James, Barry Alderman-John and Rhys Johns.
Pembroke: Rhys Johns: Charlie Sheils; Fraser James; Jack Nicholas; Barry Alderman-John: Lewis Davies; Jarred Sharratt: Lloyd Davies (Capt); Dan Gosnold; Evan Phillips: Cyle Weatherall; Will Edwards: Rhodri Walters; Rhydian Eynon; David Rogers.
Replacements: Tommy Oakley; Seamus Wiseman; Zach Evans; James Jones; Robin Badham, Dan Davies.
Neyland: Patrick Bellerby: Liam Rees; George Williams (Capt); Alex Codd; Josh Watts: Oli Rothero; Owen Hamer: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Alex Swales; Seb Mackintosh: Dan Hart; George Evans: Tal Tamilia; Owain Evans; Ben Williams.
Replacements: Jack Harries; Mark James; Iestyn Evans; Andrew Slark; Henry Macbeth.
Travelling reserve: Nick Wilson.
Skipper Hathaway stars for The Quins
Pembroke Dock Harlequins 34 - Dreigiau Emlyn 25
Pembroke Dock Harlequins skipper Ben Hathaway was the man of the match as his side beat Dreigiau Emlyn at Bierspool to now have three wins from four outings as they led 19-7 at half time, lost their way a little – and the lead, before a late ten points from their skipper saw them win with an added bonus point for scoring four tries.
Yet Emlyn started with something of a bank when they scored in the second minute as winger Gethin Davies crossed the whitewash and Cian Jones added the extras – but after 10 minutes the home side was level as classy centres Craig Barnett and Jack Price conspired to create a gap which Barnett sailed through and Hathaway converted.
Play was fairly even until the 30
th minute when The Quins No 8 Taylor Rees scored and Hathaway converted – but he was off target right on half time when Price added their third try.
The Dragons reduced the deficit through a try by full back Dafydd Robins, converted by Jones, only for Hathaway to add a terrific converted try by The Quins - only for fortunes to sway again when right winger Deiniol Rees grabbed their third try.
Cian Jones missed the conversion but made amends with two penalties in quick succession to recapture the lead for Emlyn at 27-25 – but that is when Hathaway struck again with his second try, conversion and penalty for a personal haul of 19 points to complete a deserved win for a committed Quins’ squad.
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway (Capt): Tom Wheeler; Craig Barnett; Jack Price; Josh Brown: Morgan Rogers; Ollie Lewis: Dan McLeod; Jordan Palmer; Jimmy Nicot: Lewys Scourfield; Rhys Doyle: Liam Scourfield; Danny Wilkes; Taylor Rees.
Replacements: Alfie Ball; Ben Gibby; Euan McDonald; Dave Bradney; Ryan Neilson.
Bulls beat Wasps in hard-fought encounter
Teirw Crymych 26 - Llangwm 17
Llangwm travelled to Teirw Crymych in search of a first win after three defeats but although they showed total commitment it was The Bulls who held that important edge in the basic skills, especially with regard to ball retention, and they completed their third victory in five matches to stay in fourth place.
Prop Liam Barber was the hero of the 80 minutes for The Bulls because he ploughed his way over for a hat-trick of tries, not a regular feat for any front-row man, and was joined by replacement Tomos Davies as No 10 Elgan Wilson landed three conversions.
For Llangwm there was no shortage of effort from the likes of second row Andrew Evans, No 8 Aaron Evans and new full back Brigg Matthews, who announced his arrival on the scene with a neat chip through and helpful bounce to put player/coach Jordan Evans over for a try,
Influential No 8 Aaron Williams also crossed for a try and there were two conversions and a penalty from centre George James but The Wasps were unable to gain the upper hand and Teirw Crymych held out to win an exciting contest where both teams showed total commitment to their cause!
Teirw Crymych: Dylan Thomas: Luke Allsworth; Nick Bevan; Tomos Lewis; Hedd George: Elgan Wilson; Owain Rees: Liam Barber; Sion Wilson; Richard Phillips: Gareth Owens; Elijah Torau: Luke Freebury (Capt); Griff Lloyd; Harri Vaughan. Replacements: Tomos Davies; Robert Davies; Osian Thomas; Gruff Howells; Tomos Rees. Reserves: Jonah Laidlaw; Dylan Harries; Callum James; Steffan Rees.
Llangwm: Brigg Matthews: Ollie Gerson; Jordan Evans; George James; Josh Griffiths: Dylan Philpott; Steff Thomas: Joe Newton; Dan Woodward; Callum Jenkins: Andrew Evans; Jason Mock: Will Ridge; Morgan Scott-Walker; Aaron Evans.
Replacements: Gavin Jones; Morgan Rees; Giovanni Hitchings.
Llan can’t raise a team
St Davids P-P Llanybydder
Llanybydder were unable to find enough players to travel to St Davids, despite The Saints offering to lend them some – it still wasn’t enough! But Jack Dudley and Co deserve a pat on the back for trying to help another small club and save them a fine – WRU please note that we think fining teams isn’t the answer in these difficult times for clubs!