Premiership Division:

 

Otters trounced by Premiership favourites

 

Merthyr 78 - Narberth 17

 
Merthyr showed just why they are considered title favourites as they overwhelmed  a gritty Narberth side to such an extent that they ran in 12 tries  to push The Otters that little closer to relegation but at least managed to score three tries but without a bonus point if they had managed one more.
 
Merthyr’s powerful pack supplied the possession and leading in the try count was winger Finley Baker, who raced through for five tries alongside others by Dafydd Land, Dafyd Thomas (2), a penalty try, Cole Swannock, Kian Evans and Jack Kathrens , with four conversions each by skipper Ben Jones, who orchestrated matters all afternoon from outside half, and replacement Jacob Lloyd.
 
For Narberth, second row Will Blackburn charged over for two tries whilst winger Llew Jones added another, one converted by Jonathan Rogers as the visitors were already in the mire at half time as they were already 38-7 behind.
 
The only consolation was that fellow strugglers Bonymaen lost at home to Cardiff Met, but they did pouch a vital bonus point and they have that precious game in hand!
 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Llew Jones; Ilan Phillips; Hedd Nicholas; Matthew John: Jonathan Rogers; Lewys Gibby:  Bradley Davies; Kyle Hamer; Tom Slater: Will Blackburn; Sam Martin: Caleb Salmon; Tom Powell (Capt); Roy Osborn. Replacements: George Rossiter; Tom Clarke; Tom Kaijaks; Rhys Williams; Josh Hamer; Sam Davies; Osian Evans; Geraint Llewellyn.
 
Merthyr: Jack Kathrens: Finlay Baker; Cole Swannack; Tom Hughes; Dafydd Thomas; Ben Jones (Capt); Dafydd Land: Travis Hawkins; Ellis Shipp; Callum Dawe: Craig Locke; Aled Evans: Daniel Phillips; Lennon Greggains; Sam Cross.  Replacements: Ryan Hughes; Callum Lewis; Rhys Lewis; Kian Evans; Jack Perkins; James Soames; Rhys Davies; Jacob Lloyd.
 
 

Championship Division (West):

 

Preseli Men concede the double to The Wanderers

 

Llanelli Wanderers 68 - Crymych 12

 
Crymych lost 33-19 to Llanelli Wanderers at home but found it much harder going this time as they found themselves 32-0 down at the break and were always on the back foot thereafter as their opponents now stand in second spot,  five points behind Tata Steel but with two games in hand.
 
The Wanderers, who are coached by ex-Narberth man Sean Gale, had first-half tries by wingers Owen Davies (2) and Jac Hart, plus others by prop Gareth Havard and full back Lewis Jones as well as two conversions and a penalty by Jones.
 
Crymych could argue that luck wasn’t on their side as they claimed an early score when just a try behind but the referee ruled the ball had been held up over the line.
 
The Preseli Men did manage tries by flanker Tom Taylor and hooker Lee Griffiths after the interval, one converted by Adam Phillips,  but The Wanderers added further tries by Ryan Evans, skipper Josh Batcup, Havard again, Jonathan George and Tom Janes, three converted by Jones.
 
Unfortunately for Crymych, fellow contenders for the ‘Dreaded Drop’ in  Gowerton smashed already-doomed Maesteg Quins but they had a snippet of luck as Gowerton were leading Ammanford but the game was abandoned because of an injury after 42 minutes and so has to replayed.
 
Crymych: Owain Evans: Jac Griffiths; Sion Evans; Elis Thomas; Ianto Davies: Adam Phillips; Dafydd Phillips: Gruff Williams; Lee Griffiths; Osian Charles:  Matthew Freebury; Osian Davies: Tom Taylor; Llyr Davies; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Ben Cox; Will Delaney; Rhys Davies; Jac Delaney; Tomos Lewis.
 
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Seasiders maintain their winning streak

 

Tenby United 51 - St Clears 0

 
Tenby United played some of their best rugby of the season as they outplayed third-placed St Clears but they stay in second place behind Aberystwyth, who also had a bonus-point victory to keep a single point ahead as both teams have one game left.
 
The Seasiders had already won 24-17 at St Clears but were clearly determined to win this one, despite key No 10 Lloyd Thomas dropping out in the morning with a dead leg – so skipper Gwion Jones switched there from the wing and worked well with Dai Jones as they built up a deserved 28-0 lead by half time and added another four in the second half.
 
Leading the way on the try sheet was No 8 Dom Colman, who scored two in the first period after Jordan Asparassa had showed his pace on the wing to open the scoring and Colman added another in the second half, all from well-controlled forward drives.
 
Centre Tom Edmonds rounded of the first half scoring and all four were converted by full back Geraint Thomas, who added a penalty when play resumed to make sure The Saints would have to score five tries in the unlikely event of a come-back at that stage.
 
But although they never gave up the ghost The Saints weren’t up to their usual form and The Seasiders had other tries by centre Liam Price, flanker Jake Roberts and winger Matthew Lewis to round off Tenby’s home matches in style – as they must now travel to play Felinfoel , who are in the bottom two but capable of avoiding relegation if they do well from their games in hand – and Aber travel to Kidwelly, who are currently in sixth position.
 
Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Jordan Asparassa; Liam Price; Tom Edmonds; Matthew Lewis: Gwion Jones; Dai Jones: Hywel Baker; Joe Poole; Ethan Morgan: Alex Jenkins; Luke Dedman: Jake Roberts; Jack Brown; Dom Colman. Replacements: Kyle Rossiter; Dom Booth; Tom Barrass; Dan Colley; Max Brindley; Jack Broadhurst.
 
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Trueman leads the way as mighty Mariners run amok

 

Milford Haven  42 - Loughor 17

 
Milford Haven finally found the sort of form they could have if they were able to field a settled side on a regular basis as they took on fifth-placed Loughor and established a deserved 28-0 lead by half time and were always in control despite the visitors battling hard to come-back.
 
Leading the way with a personal haul of 22 points was winger James Trueman but this was an excellent all-round performance because the forwards made sure they provided quality possession for half backs James Williams and Dan McClelland could utilise so that there was some good running rugby for their supporters to cheer on.
 
Particularly pleased will have been coaches Steve Martin and Lee Riley, who have both played far more than they should have and must have been delighted with the performance because both have intimated their intent=ion to take a deserved rest in the next campaign.
 
It was Loughor who opened the scoring with an unconverted try by winger Alex Eaton but The Mariners took the lead with tries by Trueman, centre Aaron Cookson, winger Dean McSparron and outside half James Williams, all converted by Trueman, as full back Robbie Jones and centre Dan Jenkins posed problems with their runs from deep positions.
 
Up front, Luke Ryan led by example and was enthusiastically supported by Dai Sweeny, Jack Morgan, Chris Hall and Jack Davies, with Jamie Parr rolling back the years alongside Dewi  and Ryan Williams.
 
Loughor managed tries from Delme Luke and Lewis Edwards, who converted one of them, but with Truman and Ieuan Davies adding further converted tries, this bonus-point victory means if The Mariners could have two bonus-point wins and Betws lose both theirs without any points then Milford could still stay up – unlikely perhaps, but it is the sort of stuff that rugby dreams are made of!
 
Milford Haven:  Robbie Jones: Dean McSparron; Aaron Cookson; Dan Jenkins; James Trueman: James Williams; Dan McClelland: Jamie Parr; Ryan Williams; Luke Ryan: Chris Hall; Zack Davies: Jack Morgan; Ieuan Davies; Dewi Williams. Replacements: Ben Jenkins; Dai Sweeny; Ethan Aldred;  Dan Goodridge; Aeron Davies.
 
 
 

Borderers push promotion contenders all the way

 

Whitland 10 - Lampeter Town 24

 
Lampeter Town supporters looked a little pensive at half time at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn as Whitland  were deservedly 10-7 ahead of the second-placed team and favourites for promotion – but a loose third quarter saw The Borders headed and they don’t even earn a bonus point for all their efforts!
 
It was Whitland who took the lead with a penalty by scrum half Rhys Nicholas and after Lampeter had scored a try by Daniel Morgan, converted by Osian Jones, outstanding No 8  Iestyn Comey ploughed through for a try which Nicholas converted – and in their general play were good value for that lead.
 
But Lampeter are not promotion hopefuls for nothing and they added tries by Ioan Rees, Iestyn Evans and Ryan Kel, one converted by Osian Jones to snatch their 12^th win from 14 starts, whilst The Borderers remain seventh in the table.
 
Whitland: Oli Bujega: Deian Davies; Dom Davies; Will Hughes; Owyn Griffiths: Jamie Thomas; Rhys Nicholas: Jonny Phillips; Matt Driver; Ceiron Evans: Trystan Bowen; Alan Proctor: Dan Bennett (Capt); Trystan Rees; Iestyn Comey. Replacements: Shane Webster; Gavin Smith; Tom Hughes; Gareth Davies; Jack Mason.
 
 

Nantgaredig P-P Fishguard & Goodwick

• Match postponed

 
 




 

Division Three (West):

 

Eaton snatches the spoils with last-ditch penalty for The Blues

 

Cardigan 30 - Haverfordwest 33

 
For the second time this season a last-gasp penalty by Liam Eaton edged Haverfordwest  through after the teams had been locked on 30-apiece but with Cardigan scoring three tries and The Blues running in six tries, all unconverted!
 
But then came that vital penalty some 40 metres out and it is to Eaton’s credit that he coolly slotted it between the uprights after being off-target with all six conversion attempts!
 
The Blues had seemed in total control as they led 20-6 at half time  through tries by Fijian recruits Jetman Temaki and Crawford Hedmon alongside others by Eaton and Jack Evans, whilst Shaun Leonard slotted two penalties for The Teifisiders and thought he had landed a third but the referee thought otherwise.
 
But if The Blues thought it was plain sailing through to a win that moves them up to fourth place they were soon thinking otherwise, despite adding tries by prop Dan Berry, and teenage replacement Logun Young, still playing in youth rugby and looking one to watch for the future.
 
Cardigan kept plugging away and tries from scrum half Iwan Toft (2) and pocket-battleship flanker Aaron Tomkinson, all converted by Leonard alongside his third penalty suddenly saw The Teifisiders sharing 60 points with the shell-shocked Blues’ supporters.
 
Then up stepped Eaton with his kick 40 yards out – and he sent it unerringly on target to round off an entertaining, roller-coaster of a match!





 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: John Lumb; Iwan John; Emyr Harries: Aaron Evans: Llyr Jones; Iwan Toft: Andrew Jones; Luke Palmer-Davies; Ben Hughes: Dean Harries; Sion Phillips: Kieran Hurley; Aaron Tomkinson; Marcus Castle (Capt). Replacements: Gwyn Morris; Colin Davies; Dafydd Rotie; Jac Davies; Alun Jenkins. Reserves: Flynn Tjoonk; Sam Lloyd.
 
Haverfordwest:  Guy Barrons:  Jetman Temaki; Jack Evans; Iestyn Arnold; Liam Gainfort: Liam Eaton; Isaac Kelso-Jones: Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas; Terry Lovell: Teifion Owen; Karl Busch (Capt): Crawford Hedmon; Dylan Williamson; Mike Griffiths. Replacements: Tom Carrington; Andrew Edwards; Kieran harries; Logun Young; Lee Summons.


 


 
 

Division Four (West) A:

 

Llanybydder grab second success of the season

 

Llangwm 17 - Llanybydder 19

 
This tussle between the basement battlers of Division Four (West) A was enjoyed by a decent crowd at Pill Parks and although Llangwm outscored Llanybydder by three tries to two they conceded vital penalties  and were unable to add more from an early onslaught where they were camped on the visitors’ line but failed to turn any pressure into points.
 
Llanybydder had beaten The Wasps by 24-20 at home and their defensive patterns were excellent as several permit players fitted in well alongside warriors like skipper Jack Evans and Mathew Rollins so they somehow managed to lead 13-5 at half time and grabbed their third win of the season with two penalties by Osian Roberts.
 
 It was Rollins and Roberts who scored first-half tries for Llan, along with a penalty by the latter, whilst Ethan Edwards, playing on permit from Amman United claimed an unconverted try for The Wasps.
 
Llangwm added tries from Dan Richards, from a sweeping move involving a number of players, and Josh Griffiths, one converted by Breig Matthews, but in the final analysis they will look back on that opening quarter and reflect on the fact that this was definitely a game they could have win.
 
For Llanybydder they made the long journey home safe in the knowledge that they have avoided the section wooden spoon – and both teams deserve every credit for the commitment and effort given to their clubs in a tough season.
 
Llangwm: Mattie Lewis: Jack Roberts; Ieuan Grey; Luke Dyer; Ollie Gerson: Breig Matthews; Steffan Thomas: Joe Newton; Ethan Edsworth; Dan Murphy: Ashley James (Capt); Jason Mock: Owain Jones; Josh Griffiths; Morgan Rees. Replacements: Charlie Wilson; Jordan Evans; Ian Griffiths; George James; Dan Richards.





 


 

Athletic remain favourites for second promotion spot

 

Narberth Athletic 38 - Teirw Crymych 5

 
Narberth Athletic’s tenth win from 13 starts puts them as very hot favourites to secure the second promotion place behind Neyland  as they ran in six tries against Teirw Crymych and conceded only one to now stand six points clear of Pembroke with a game in hand, whilst their opponents have now completed their programme and stand in fifth place in what is their first season of WRU league rugby.
 
The Athletic were already 24-5 ahead at half time as flanker Richard Sharp-Williams returned to action and claimed The Bulls only score  whilst Athletic skipper Harry Phillips led his side by example from No 8 and scored their second try after second row Henry Foster had ploughed over for their first as a result of some great work up front by their powerful pack.
 
Jack Tucker and Harri Harries also got their names on the scoresheet and in the second half Luke Conbeer and Stephen J Brown added tries – and with Shane Rossiter contributing four conversions it was a clear-cut victory.
 
So only a mini-disaster could prevent Narberth Athletic from gaining promotion at their very first attempt and it is a tribute to the commitment of their players, coaching and management staff that they go up to Division Three (West)
 
Narberth Athletic:  Shane Rossiter: Luke Conbeer; Brad Cramb; Will Davies; Harry Williams: Shay Norcross; Harri Harries: Declan Cole; Rhys Jenkins; Jac Norcross: Henry Foster; Dan Owen: Sam Davies; Jack Tucker; Harry Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Kyle Williams; Richard Watkins; Gareth Clifford; Archie Vallance;  Stephen J Brown.
 
Teirw Crymych: Iori Lewis: Gruff Williams; Declan Harries; Nick Bevan; Steffan Rees: Sion Croshaw; Tomos Davies: Tomos Davies; Aled Hughes; Richard Phillips: Luke Freebury (Capt); Steffan Morris: Owain Rees; Sion Wilson; Richard Sharpe-Williams. Replacements: Steffan Davies; Lloyd Davies; Scott Powell; Harri Vaughan; Will Williams; Rhys Richards.