Division One (West):

Brilliant Borderers claim a big scalp

Penclawdd 15 - Whitland 22

Full back Nico Setaro inspired Whitland as they produced a superb second half fightback to grab a vital win in Penclawdd, scoring a try, two penalties and two dropped goals for a personal haul of 17 points.

Bizarrely, The Borderers has use of a strong wind in the first half, yet trailed 15-6 at the interval as the home side kept possession well against the elements.

Penclawdd full back Tom Howells and Setaro exchanged early penalties, but after the latter then added a drop goal for the visitors, it was The Cocklemen who took command with a penalty try that Howells goaled, and the same player then added another unconverted try with a classy finish.

But led by skipper Jack Mason, Whitland stormed back after the break as Setaro’s cross field kick was gathered by winger Lloyd Williams, who crossed for a try that Setaro duly converted.

The latter also added his second drop goal and another penalty, and then pounced on a chip ahead by Deian Augustus to go over for an unconverted try.

The Borderers then closed out the final minutes for a win which gives them real hope of avoiding the drop to Division Two.

“We played better against the wind than with it – but it was a great second half performance,” said Mason afterwards.
 

Nico Setaro - 17 points in great Whitland win

 

Division Two (West):

 

Soaring Seagulls take league leaders down

Fishguard & Goodwick 13 - Pontarddulais 5 

Fishguard and Goodwick produced the kind of committed performance demanded by coaches Huw Evans and Gareth Thomas as they claimed a deserved win against table-topping Pontarddulais where all the points came in the first half.

The Seagulls are traditionally slow starters at home but they played well from the outset with some real graft from a tight five of Ryan McVeigh, skipper Gavin Walsh, Andrew Morrillo, Luke Freebury, who usually plays in the back row but played really well as second row partner to talented youngster Jac Evans.

Their efforts allowed Chris Shousha, Sion Colella and Simon James to pouch possession at the breakdown – and they deservedly took the lead when Freebury initiated a move in his own 22 which was maintained by supporting full back Ed Bendall before winger James Reynolds finished in style.

Then Bendall added a second score, following more good work by the Seagulls’ eight, and although Kial Keane missed both difficult conversions he added a penalty.

The Bont no 8 Aled Thomas reduced the deficit with an unconverted try but then they had Jamie Davies sent off for violent conduct.

The second half was equally hard fought as both teams had half chances but for the home side there was some resolute defence organised by Andrew Williams and Keane, supported by Ben John and Mike Jenkins through the middle, plus James Conlan, Reynolds and Bendall wider out.

Gwilym Evans and Mark George used their experience when they joined the fray and in the final analysis the Seagulls’ coaches could be very pleased with this all-round performance.
 

James Reynolds - vital opening try for Fishguard winger

 

Blues struggles continue

Haverfordwest 5 - Tycroes 43

Haverfordwest’s tale of woe continued as they lost heavily at home against a Tycroes side who stay in fourth place but narrowed the gap on the front runners as a result of this bonus-point win.

The Blues trailed by 19-0 at half time and things were little better after the break as their only response came from an unconverted try by talented young hooker Kyle Hamer.

For Tycroes, their first-half tries were claimed by Darrell John, Matthew Lemon and Luke Rees, two of them converted by Dean Bromham – with centres Lemon and Rees slicing through for their second tries alongside full back Simon Bowen and No 8 Steve Jones as Bromham added two more conversions to round off a tenth win for Tycroes and a 12th defeat for the besieged Blues!

Tycroes attack against The Blues

 

Division Three (West):

 

Scarlets made to battle by determined Wasps

Pembroke 22 - Llangwm 7

A last gasp try from replacement hooker Max Hayward sealed Pembroke a bonus point against Llangwm – but only after The Wasps had battled manfully in a physical clash punctuated by some over fussy officiating.

It was The Scarlets who took a 5-0 lead when hooker Seamus Wiseman went over from a driving lineout, and they extended the lead further when centre Simon Hooper rounded off a midfield move with a try that full back Luke Hartland converted.

But The Wasps, for whom scrum half Carwyn Morgan, second row Josh Hicks, hooker Gethin Thomas and returning centre Henry Brant all stood out – fought back when No 10 Lewis Murphy rounded off a period of pressure by sniping over from 22 metres out, before adding the extras himself.

The game continued to be tight in the second off, but Geraint Lewis’ team gave themselves some breathing space when prop Jamie Brayford surged forward and popped a pass for Wiseman to power over for his second try.

The visitors remained in the contest until the closing seconds, when a ball went loose from a defensive lineout, and Hayward capitalised by pouncing on the loose ball to seal a five point win for The Scarlets.
 

Seamus Wiseman - two tries for powerful Pembroke prop

 

Cardigan close gap at the top

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 5 - Cardigan 31

Cardigan closed the gap on section leaders St Clears with a comfortable win against a Pembroke Dock Harlequins’ side which played really well in the first half and with a little more luck might have been closer than the 5-19 interval score might suggest.

The Teifisiders’ first half tries came from full back Iestyn Crompton, skipper Llyr Griffiths, playing at No 8, and winger Rhydian Jenkins, two of them converted by outside half Llyr Jones.

The Quins’ response was an unconverted try by back rower Sam Dolling (playing on permit from Milford Haven) alongside other permit players Mike Davis (now with Tenby) and Aaron James.

The Quins continued to battle away in the second half but were unable to add any further scores, whilst Cardigan had a second try for skipper Griffiths alongside a good try by centre Aled Harries and a third conversion by Jones as they celebrated a bonus point victory that takes them to within six points of St Clears but with two games in hand.

Llyr Grifiths - a try brace for Cardigan captain at Bierspool

 

Matches Postponed:

 
Narberth v Newbridge (Weather)
 
Tenby United v Hendy (Weather)
 
St Clears v Neyland (Weather)
 
Laugharne v Milford Haven (Weather)
 
St Davids v Tregaron (Tregaron unable to raise a team)