PHOTOS:
Fishguard flanker Chris Sousha puts pressure on Uplands' scrum half Sam Pugh
Gwilym Evans commands this early lineout

 

Featured match:

 

Division Four (West):

Seagulls sneak home by a single point

Fishguard 25 - Swansea Uplands 24

Fishguard and Goodwick produced a spirited display against Swansea Uplands in a hard-fought tussle at The Moors which they won by a single point to show they had recovered from the disappointment of defeat against bottom side Furnace the previous week.

Yet the Seagulls made a less than auspicious start as talented Uplands centre Harrison Lees, scored two early tries, one converted by full back Sam Jones, the first from good handling along the line which had the hint of a forward pass and the second from a piece of opportunism that left the home cover helpless.

But Fishguard were still 13-12 ahead at half time as Chris Sousha, skipper Simon James and the rest of their pack helped create tries for James and front rower Melvyn McVeigh after Rhodri Morgans had slotted a close-range penalty following good work by Gwilym Evans, Richard Hunter, Rhys Lewis and Gavin Walsh.

Topsy-turvy scoring

The Seagulls added another try soon after the interval when Gavin Walsh flopped over from five metres after he had been involved in several surges for the line.

The Uplands’ backs looked very sharp but it was second row Jordan St John who scored their next try, only for Jones to miss the conversion that would have pushed them in front.

Fishguard looked to have made the game safe when Owain Morgans rounded off another surge initiated by Steve Jenkins, and Mike Jenkins added the extra points.

But there was still time for Lees to complete a deserved hat-trick with a try at the posts which Jones converted to set up a very nervy few minutes for the Seagulls.

The Uplands had their chances st snatch the verdict but a mixture of over-anxiety and good defence prevented further scores – and the Seagulls were delighted to avenge a 30-17 reverse when the teams met in Swansea!

Fishguard & Goodwick: Ed Bendall: Matthew George; Geraint Bateman; Ben John; Mike Jenkins: Kial Keene; Rhodri Morgans: Owain Morgans; Gavin Walsh; Melvyn McVeigh: Gwilym Evans; Richard Hunter: Rhys Lewis; Chris Sousha; Simon James (Capt). Replacements: Steve Jenkins; Adrian Squelch; Dan Evans.
Referee: Martin Williams WRU
 
 

Championship:

 

Otters so strong with six-try burst

Newbridge 3 - Narberth 36

Steve Martin scored two tries to lead Narberth to a convincing 36-3 victory at Newbridge as reward for a strong pack display in which Adam Clark was outstanding, followed by Stuart Worrall and the rest of the Otter pack.

They were 14-3 in front as centre Martin and winger Nick Gale scored tries, both converted by Ianto Griffiths as Kieran Meek scored Newbridge’s only points with a penalty.

The Otters remained on top after half time with further good tries from Martin, Worrall, Tomi Jones and Jason Howells, two of them converted by Ianto Griffiths.

The only black spot for the Otters came when talented young full back Johnny Morgan was stretchered off with an ankle injury – and in a late melee Narberth prop Owen Jordan joined the Newbridge duo of No 8 Lewis Blacker and second row Owen Bilton with red cards.
 

Division One (West):

 

Crymych miss out in second half

Builth Wells 14 - Crymych 3

Builth Wells eased home against Crymych after the Preseli Men had led 3-0 at half time but were unable to stop Builth having the better of an equally tight second half.

Rhys Davies scored that first-half penalty but Builth added two converted tries afterwards to take the spoils.
 

Borderers beaten after bright start

Kidwelly 25 - Whitland 11

Kidwelly gained revenge for a 13-5 defeat at Whitland earlier in the campaign with this win against a Borderers outfit which made the brighter start but thereafter were unable to turn period of  pressure into much-needed points.

James Stephenson put the visitors ahead with an early penalty and a Scott Newton dropped goal doubled their lead before second-placed Kidwelly came back to lead 15-6 at half time with a penalty by James Evans alongside tries by centre Gary Rees and hooker Tyrone Myhill, one converted by Evans.

The Borderers also started the second period well as good work by Matthew Clark and Rhydian Davies set up the chance for bustling flanker Jack Mason to power his way over the line for an unconverted try.

But Kidwelly regained the initiative with a try by Jonathan Williams and a second score by New Zealander Myhill which not only secured success but ensured them of a welcome bonus points.
 

Division Three (West): 

 

Superb Seasiders make giant strides

Tenby United 21 - Penclawdd 13

Tenby United’s chances of gaining promotion at the end of the season took a giant leap as they deservedly beat second-placed Penclawdd at Heywood Lane – but both these teams moved down the table as Gorseinon leap-frogged them with a bonus-point success at home to Llanelli Wanderers.

The Seasiders were clearly up for revenge after losing to the Cocklemen 14-3 earlier in the season and they were good value for a 13-6 interval lead. Jonathan Rogers fired over an early penalty which was cancelled out by a similar kick by Dan Guaneri, who added a second in a good patch for Penclawdd. But the Tenby pack really exerted itself and Rogers slotted another three-pointer and the simple conversion of a penalty try before the oranges.
Rogers slotted a third penalty after the break and Dai Meyrick sliced through for a vital unconverted try.

All that the Cocklemen could offer in response was a try from Jonathan Hughes – and they missed a gilt-edged chance of a consolation bonus point when Guaneri somehow sliced his penalty attempt from in front of the posts.
 

Blues bag Cardi double

Cardigan 18 - Haverfordwest 25

Haverfordwest completed the double over Cardigan at the King George Vth ground as they followed a 13-8 home win with this hard-fought victory.

Yet it was the Teifisiders who made the brighter start as No 10 Llyr Tobias notched two penalties after 12 and 22 minutes – and five minutes later left winger Rhydian Jenkins raced through for a try which put his side 11 points ahead.

The Blues finally opened their account right on the break as good handling initiated by Craig Barnett put Scott James over for an unconverted try,

Haverfordwest started the second period really strongly and a good try by centre Mikey Jones, who brushed aside his marker, was converted by outside half Steve Williams to nudge the Blues ahead – and winger Darren Salmon celebrated his birthday in style with a well-taken try that Williams again converted before adding two well-struck penalties.

To be fair to Cardigan, they never gave up trying and managed to secure a precious bonus point just before the final whistle as skipper Llyr Griffiths ploughed over and Tobias added the extra points to round off an entertaining tussle between these old rivals.
 

Division Four (West):

 

Mariners begin rehab programme

Milford Haven 15 - Laugharne 20

Milford Haven found hope for the future with the welcome return of several key players and after conceding 202 points in their two previous matches pushed Laugharne all the way and might even gained a victory with a little more luck.

Lee Riley missed an early penalty for the Mariners before Laugharne grabbed tries by No 8 Carl Smith from a tapped penalty and full back Tom Thomas – but experienced No 8 Mark Wonnacott reduced the interval deficit to five points with a good try.

Mike Cockburn was an inspirational leader for the Mariners as he switched to prop alongside hooker Craig Smith, who marked his return to the fold with a try.

Second row Gary Jones scored Laugharne’s third try, converted by Tom Jameson to go with a penalty, but Wonnacott claimed his second score before late chances came to nothing – but Milford Haven were a different team on this performance!
 

Division Five (West):

 

Pembroke pouch the Palmer Cup

Pembroke 32 - Llangwm 26

Pembroke retained the Palmer Cup, competed for annually by these old rivals, but not before Llangwm had also played really well and secured two bonus points as their reward.

The Scarlets had already won 34-5 at Pill Parks and they were good value for a 17-7 lead at the interval through tries from No 8 Jordan Gwilliam, scrum half James Skeels and centre Dom Colman, converted by Lewis Davies.

They had Sean Willington, Seamus Wiseman and Matthew Pritchard strong in the scrums and Will Edwards returning to second row after injury - but the Wasps showed what they can do with a smashing try from full back Rhys Baker, converted by Will Beresford.

Baker cut the deficit by another five points early in the second half before flanker Danny Manning and Edwards added further unconverted tries for the Scarlets.

But still the Wasps kept buzzing and had good tries by centre Henry Brant and hooker Deion Lloyd-Hughes, both converted by Beresford, before the Scarlets had the final word when replacement forward Craig Williamson scored their sixth try.
 

All Blacks rue missed chances

Neyland 12 - Bynea 30

Neyland were unable to maintain their recent good run as they lost at the Athletic Ground against a Bynea side which took more of their chances than the All Blacks in an evenly fought match.

They trailed 13-0 at half time, despite having powerful bursts from veteran centre Adam Collins, with Bynea No 10 Mark Davies landing a long-range penalty and full back Sean Evans finding the target from shorter range, as well as adding the extra points to a try by centre Iwan Mayze.

Worse was to follow at the start of the second half when winger Dai Blewitt scored an early Bynea try and flanker Jonathan Charles followed him onto the scoresheet.

The All Blacks showed their mettle with good tries by experienced front rower Richard Banner, converted by Patrick Bellerby, and full back Shane Phillips, as Andrew Slark led by example up front – but hopes of a sensational come-back were soon halted as Sean Evans scored another Bynea try which he also converted.
 

Quins pointless at Bierspool

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 0 - Pantyffynnon 25

Pembroke Dock Harlequins not only lost at home against Pantyffynon but were unable to register a single point as the visitors built on their 50-10 win when the teams last met in Pantyffynnon.

The Quins had left winger Dan Goodridge and centre Chad Meyer posing a threat with their direct running but they were still 10 points adrift at half time as full back Ceri Jones and left winger Lewis Key rounded off some good handling with unconverted tries.

Nicky James opened the second half scoring for the visitors with a penalty and when flanker Dan James sped over he added the conversion – and finished in style as he rounded off the scoring with a try of his own.