PHOTOS:
The delighted Fishguard squad
Simon James and Gordon Eynon
Sam Kurtz scores a Fishguard try

Feature match:

Division Three (West) B:

Another century for Seagulls as they celebrate title

Fishguard & Goodwick 108 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 16

Fishguard and Goodwick rounded off their home fixtures with their second century of points of the season against a Pembroke Dock Harlequins’ side which, with coach Keith Harries, rounded off a miserable season at the foot of the table but deserve every credit for fulfilling the fixture.

They were already 66-6 adrift at half time, despite opening the scoring with a Danny Woods’ penalty, another being notched by Woods, whilst at the other end there were ten  tries for the Seagulls, shared by Rhys Williams, Chris Shousha (2), Gareth Adamson, Gavin Walsh (2), skipper Simon James, Mike Jenkins and Sam Kurtz (2), who also landed eight conversions for a first-half tally of 26 points.

The loudest cheer of the day was reserved for the first Quins’ try, scored by Josh White, who also went close on another occasion – and when several injuries depleted the Quins’ team the Seagulls sportingly loaned them a few players, and Ryan McVeigh powered over against his own team-mates.

Other Fishguard tries came from twins Owain and Rhodri Morgans, Mark George, Ed Bendall, Rhys Lewis and Shousha again, with Kurtz adding another five conversions and skipper James showed his skills by drop-kicking one attempt between the uprights.

It was appropriate that the lovely cut-glass trophy should be presented to Simon James by excellent District H representative on the WRU, Gordon Eynon, before the Seagulls celebrated in style!

Championship:

 

All Whites too sharp for Otters

Swansea 50 - Narberth 17

Narberth were unable to produce the form that they showed at home against Swansea and could have few complaints as the All Whites rattled up a half century of points.

The Otters were already 24-10 behind at the half way mark as they managed a good try from full back Johnny Morgan late in the period which was converted by Ianto Griffiths to go with a penalty from Nick gale before the winger was injured and replaced by Nick Jones. Playing his 200^th league game for the Otters.

Scrum half Scott Maynard and full back Nicky Thomas had given the All Whites the early advantage with tries that Thomas converted to go with a penalty – and Thomas chipped in with another converted try right on half time before grabbing his hat-trick soon after the oranges, again converted.

Further Swansea tries came from centre David Watts and replacement Matthew Davies, both goaled by Thomas before Nico Setaro grabbed the Otters’ second try and Ianto Griffiths added the extra points

But Swansea had the final word with a try from former Otter Will Lewis, for once unconverted, as his side were very good value for victory.
 

Division One:

Borderers do well at Gorseinon

 

Gorseinon 22 - Whitland 32

Whitland again showed really good form with this excellent win at Gorseinon which confirms their status for next season, with talented teenage outside half Steffan James orchestrating matters with a maturity beyond his years.

James converted a good opening try by will o’ the wisp winger Will Davies and after Gorseinon had taken the lead with a brace of unconverted tries by No 8 Sean Heycocks he cut through for an unconverted try that nudged the Borderers into a 12-10 interval lead.

Flying winger Sean Coles scored a try for Whitland in the second half which James converted before adding two penalties as reward for his packs’ work rate, and when Davies sped over in the corner for his second try another good conversion from James was a real boost.

Gorseinon did manage a try by winger Nathan Davies and Heycocks powered over to complete his hat-trick, one converted by Nathan Phelps, but it mattered little because the Borderers were worthy winners and completed the double, having edged home by 6-5 in their earlier tussle.
 

Seasiders stifled by late decisions

Tenby United 22 - Ammanford 24

Tenby United rounded off their home fixtures in a disappointing manner as they conceded two late penalty chances, which Ammanford gratefully accepted, to lose by two points – and reflect on the fact that they had claims for tries by Luke Edmunds and Damien Miller turned down.

The Seasiders had started badly as Ammanford had early tries from scrum half Johnny Evans and second row Jack Baker, plus a conversion and penalty by Rhidian Morris but showed great resilience to take a 17-15 interval lead with tries by Jack Guerreiro Jordan Asparassa and Toby Smith, who also slotted a conversion.

A third Morris penalty edged the visitors back in front but then Damien Miller scored one of the best tries seen at Heywood Lane over recent years before those fateful final minutes when Morris struck twice and Ammanford followed up their 48-5 home victory with this narrow success.

PHOTO:
Damian Miller dives in the corner for Tenby's third try
Picture by Susan McKehon

 

Division Two:

Woodwork denies Blues late on

Haverfordwest 27 - Hendy 29

Haverfordwest veterans Steve Williams and hooker Gareth Green were given a guard of honour to mark their last game at home before retirement but although both played influential roles there was no fairytale ending as the Blues were shaded out by two points in a tense finish.

Williams marked the end of a distinguished career with two tries, both converted, but his last-second conversion of Scott James’ try caught the woodwork and Hendy completed the double over a Blues’ team now to be relegated but looking back an lots of games that they lost narrowly.

The teams shared 30 points in the first half as home tries came from skipper Darren Salmon and Williams, who also contributed a conversion and penalty, whilst at the other end there were tries for flanker Ashley Banfield and second row Richard Kinnear as Josh Batcup landed a conversion and a penalty.

A second Steve Williams’ try and conversion raised Blues’ supporters’ hopes of victory but second row Joshua Thomas powered over the whitewash and Batcup added the extras to level matters again before Williams Russell also got on the try sheet and Batcup converted.

Then came Scott James’ late try but Williams’ kick caught in the wind and tantalisingly found the upright to deny the Blues a share of the spoils that they certainly deserved.
 

PHOTO:
Dewi Williams drives up the middle for the Blues

Teifisiders dedicate their win to Life President Ian

Llandeilo 13 - Cardigan 23

Cardigan were on the bus to Llandeilo when news came through that their hugely-respected Life President Ian Gollop had passed away but after discussion it was felt that the game should go ahead because it would have been what he would have wanted – and Cardigan rose to the occasion to record a win, despite everyone feeling understandably saddened at the passing of a real character and a gentleman of the game.

Llandeilo were still in with a chance as they trailed by 15-13 at half time, having had a try, conversion and two penalties from full back Owen Roberts but Cardigan had responded well in the circumstances with unconverted tries from flanker Sion Hughes (2) and centre Emyr Harries.

The Teifisiders took control of the second half to deny Llandeilo any further points and a try by Sion James alongside a penalty by full back Iestyn Crompton, was enough to see them collect a bonus-point win on a very sad day for the club.
 
 

Division Three (West) B:

Aber take the honours despite the Wasps’ efforts

Aberaeron 29 -Llangwm 17

Aberaeron had won by 45-0 at Pill Parks earlier in the season but although they gained the double in this match there was never any likelihood of a similar margin as coaches Jeremy Brock and Richard Scriven praised their squad afterwards for their season’s work.

The Wasps had a first half try by scrum half Rhys Mason which Luke Brock converted, as he did when second row Mikey Phillips added the Wasps’ second score, and Brock also landed a penalty.

But they trailed 17-7 at half time as home centre Bleddyn Henson powered his way through for a try hat-trick, one converted by centre Sion Evans.

In an equally competitive second period Aber added further tries by second row Alistair Sievers and experienced No 8 Tudur Jenkins, one converted by James, before Llangwm made the long journey home having already elected front rower Dai Owens to be captain for next season!
 

Laugharne end their season in style

Neyland 29 - Laugharne 33

Laugharne ended their season in style with a comfortable win at the Athletic Ground against a Neyland side which never gave up trying and earned a bonus point of their own for scoring four tries.

The All Blacks were 27-10 adrift at half time but their refusal to submit brought tries from Ben Goodridge, Gareth Lawlor, Craig Grice and Patrick Bellerby, who also marked his return from injury with three conversions and a penalty.

For Laugharne, their first half tries came from hooker Tom Waters, outside half Owain Thomas, centre Mike Williams and winger Tom Thomas, plus two conversions and a penalty by centre Ross Michael.

In the second half they added further tries by second row Gary Jones, and flankers Barry John and Lewis Owen, one converted by Michael as the visitors gained their 12^th win from 18 outings to earn a creditable fourth place in the table and a double over the All Blacks, whom they had already defeated 46-21 in Laugharne.

PHOTO:
Mark James drives hard for Neyland against Laugharne