PHOTOS:
The Fishguard & Goodwick team in their smart new kit supplied by Colin Hancock and other generous sponsors
James Griffiths slots the first points of the match
Mark George on a typical burst
Referee Andrew Miles, who had a good game in control
Lampeter hero Arwel Thomas

 

 
Feature match:

 

Swalec Bowl Fourth Round:

 

Thomas denies Seagulls’ success with last kick of the match

Fishguard & Goodwick 10 - Lampeter 11

Lampeter left winger Arwel Thomas was the toast of his colleagues and their hardy band of supporters as his penalty from the very last kick of a titanic clash at The Moors edged his team into the last 16 of a competition where the Seagulls reached the final two years ago.

It was doubly cruel for Fishguard because only two minutes before they had scored a converted try from replacement Owain Morgans which seemed to have earned them a narrow victory but they failed to secure possession from the kick-off and conceded a penalty over 40 metres out which Thomas calmly slotted between the posts.

Seagulls score first but lose their way up front

Fishguard took an early lead following an incisive break by James Griffiths which was halted in the shadow of the posts by some desperate defence – but from the resulting penalty Griffiths landed a simple penalty.

But Lampeter showed why they are in the shake-up for promotion from Division Three (West) A as they took control up front, aided by some poor Seagulls kicking  and although they were playing into a cold wind the Visitors deservedly took the lead from a scrum five drive finished off with an unconverted try by flanker Trystan Lloyd.

A 3-5 interval scoreline showed how tight play was and the Seagulls spurned a possible three points after the oranges when a kick to the corner came to nought.

Seagulls strong – but uncontested scrums hinder their strength

Arwel Thomas notched a long-range penalty for Lampeter before a change of personnel in the Fishguard pack paid dividends and they gained the ascendancy – only for their scrummaging power to be negated when the visitors cleverly opted for uncontested scrums.

But good charges by Owain Morgans and Simon James paid dividends with a controlled drive which saw Owain Morgans plough through for Griffiths to add the vital extra points.

But then came that late, late intervention by Arwel Thomas for Lampeter, which gave his team an entry pass into the fifth round and left the Seagulls reflecting on what might have been had they been able to continue to play without passive scrums that negated their superiority in that area!

Fishguard & Goodwick: Gareth Adamson: Ed Bendall; Ben John; Mike Jenkins; Matthew George: Rhodri Morgans; James Griffiths: Jason Davies; Gavin Walsh; Ryan McVeigh: Rhys Lewis; Richard Hunter: Mark George; Chris Sousha; Simon James. Replacements: Alun George; Gwilym Evans; Owain Morgans; Andrew Morrillo; Gerwyn Davies.


Lampeter:  Rhys Douglas: Carwyn Lewis; Carwyn Gregson; Gareth Griffiths; Arwel Thomas: Huw Thomas; Rhys Jones: Aled Jacob; Eirwyn Thomas; Daryl Davies: Geraint Thomas; Rhydian Evans: Ceri Thomas; Trystan Lloyd; Joe Thomas. Replacements: Chris Thomas; Meirion Jones; Guto Thomas; Dyfan Evans; Gethin Roberts.


 

Championship:

 

Otters were good value for hard-fought victory

Narberth 17 - Newbridge 3

Narberth were good value for victory against experienced opposition in Newbridge as they scored the only two tries of the match and generally called the shots against opponents with whom they had shared 46 points on the opening day of the season.

The Otters were 7-3 to the good at the interval and although never quite reaching the attacking heights of which they are capable, added another ten unanswered points after the interval to record their tenth win and move up to joint third place in the section table.

After an even start where the teams tested each other’s defences out it was Newbridge who took the lead after 17 minutes when outside half Kieran Meek slotted a penalty.

But the lead lasted only a minute as Narberth countered and a superb finish by centre Morgan Griffiths saw them score a try which No 10 Ianto Griffiths converted.

And that is the way that the scoreline stayed until the second period, when the Otters started with a bang thanks to an early try by flanker Wayne Williams, who was perfectly placed to take the final pass of a terrific handling move before Ianto Griffiths again added the extras.

Both Meek and Griffiths failed to land kickable penalties before Griffiths had the final word with a three-pointer that confirmed the Otters’ victory and kept the opposition firmly in the bottom two and in danger of relegation if they are unable to increase their momentum.
 

Morgan Griffiths - excellent try for young Narberth centre

 
 

Division One (West):

 

‘Turbo’ seals Seasiders success

Tenby United 23 - Amman United 20

Experienced outside half Tom ‘Turbo’ Lewis returned to action for Tenby United after a lengthy spell working on a trawler off the Scottish coast and showed how he can still influence matches as he controlled play with his powerful boot and landed points at key times, especially in the 82^nd minute.

The teams had drawn 37-all at Amman United but another draw seemed a remote possibility, when the Seasiders deservedly led 20-6 at half time as Rhys Thomas landed two penalties for the visitors but Tenby had a good support try for flanker Wyndham Williams and another by the influential Toby Smith, both converted by Lewis after he had earlier landed two good penalties.

But Amman United controlled the third quarter, belying their bottom-but-one slot in the table, scoring two tries by winger Ross Chambers which Rhys Thomas goaled to make the scoreline 20-20 and time running out.

Thomas missed a third penalty chance and the Seasiders went on the counter-attack to earn a late penalty which Lewis kicked to ease his side home, to relieved sighs from their supporters!

Tenby's Jason Ronowitz attempting to power his way past the Amman defender with Mark Heywood in the background. Picture by Susan McKehon

 

James inspires Borderers in revenge result

Whitland 25 - Felinfoel 19

James Stephenson played an influential part in Whitland’s excellent win over third-placed Felinfoel to show the Borderers’ real capability as they claimed their sixth win in 12 matches.

It shows how much the Borderers have improved because they were beaten 36-23 at Felinfoel but took command from the start of this return clash to lead 17-0 at half time.

The Borderers’ pack was the lynch-pin for their success and after Stephenson had kicked them in front with a penalty they deservedly grabbed good tries from pacy winger Sean Coles and outside half Jonathan Thomas, both converted by Stephenson.

Outside centre Stephenson also opened the second half scoring with an unconverted try before Felinfoel replied with a try by prop Chris Jones which Aled Roberts converted – but Stephenson added another penalty to make the game safe.

Felinfoel did show what they are capable of with late tries from second row Lawrence Holcombe and No 8 Chris Morris, the first goaled by Roberts, but it was too little, too late against a rejuvenated Whitland team where young prop Ryan Rees, flanker Jack Mason and Stephenson caught the eye in an excellent all-round team display.
 

James Stephenson - influential role for Whitland

 

Crymych complete deserved double

Crymych 12 - Carmarthen Athletic 8

Crymych fought their way to a deserved double over a Carmarthen Athletic side which played far better than their bottom place in the table suggested, although they were pushed to the limit before adding to their 22-15 victory from earlier in the season.

The Preseli Men utilised the power of their pack in the first half as No 8 Joe Powell opened their account from a typical surge, with No 10 Sam Phillips adding the extras but missing the chance of another two points when prop Ifan James crossed as reward for his strong work in the set-pieces and ball winning capability.

A twelve-point advantage was no more than Crymych deserved but the Athletic came back hard at them in the second half and reduced the deficit to only four points thanks to a try from second row Haydon Baldwin and a penalty by No 10 David Evans.

At this point a surprise Athletic win after 11 defeats on the trot was a possibility but the Preseli Men stayed composed and they were able to claim their sixth win for a 50% success ratio in their league matches so far.
 

Ifan James - try for Crymych prop

 

Division Two (West): 

 

Blues beaten by high-flying Wanderers

Llanelli Wanderers 42 - Haverfordwest 5

Haverfordwest found it hard going in their match at promotion-chasing Llanelli Wanderers as they were already 30 points in arrears by half time – but battled hard in the second half despite having another makeshift side.

Centre Daniel Jones opened the Wanderers’ account with a try converted by Jonathan George before No 8 Ben Phillips added their second, this time unconverted.

George added two penalties before further scores were registered by full back Rhydian Morgan and second row Iwan Jones, the latter converted by No 10 George.

Wanderers’ speedy winger Richard de Philippo scored their fifth try before winger Kieran Rees also got his name on the try sheet and George almost inevitably added the extra points.

The Blues deserve credit for never throwing in the towel, however, and Zac France-Miller scored an unconverted try as consolation just before the final whistle.
 

Swalec Bowl:

Scarlets slammed in Swalec tussle

Aberaeron 31 - Pembroke 0

Pembroke were unable to field a recognised front row for much of the match as part of their team selection problems for this Swalec Bowl tussle and they could find little answer as Aberaeron continued their much-improved form of late to deservedly march into the last 16 of the national competition.

Aberaeron took the lead with a try by powerful No 8 Tudur Jenkins before their backs ability to handle at pace allowed Rhydian Harries to speed over for a try brace, two converted by Owain Williams, which opened up a 19-0 interval lead.

The home side increased their lead when winger Aled Morgan raced away for a try converted by Owain Williams, who also added his team’s fifth try to round off a good day for Aberaeron, whilst the Scarlets had to make the long journey home with little to show for their efforts.