PHOTOS:
Crymych scrum half Adam Forster whips a pass from the base of scrum
Hari Williams and Gareth Davies kicked the points for Crymych
Crymych management team

 

Division One (West):

 

Hari helps Crymych with vital points

 

Crymych 12 - Whitland 10

It certainly wasn’t pretty but the large crowd of vociferous supporters from both camps were treated to a massive confrontational derby that was a credit to both clubs in terms of total commitment and effort – and a measure of the defensive hard work that saw only one try.

There were also errors aplenty as Crymych and Whitland desperately sought to gain the upper hand as the former were on top in terms of territory based on a formidable pack power but Whitland were excellent on the counter and could justifiably claim that they had their chances to complete the double, having won 23-21 at home.

Unlikely hero steps up

But in the final analysis the unlikely hero came in the form of 18 year old Hari Williams, who came on when centre Carwyn Phillips sustained a leg injury and the talented youngster held his nerve to slot a penalty from his first touch.

He was then yellow-carded by referee Jackey Boswell (Llanelli) but added two more penalties on target in a desperate last 20 minutes as The Borderers battled away with 13 men – and although he was wide with a fourth attempt it mattered little because the final whistle blew straight afterwards.

Crymych served notice of their intent as Rhys Davies’s boys started well with powerful surges from Osian Phillips, Matthew Freebury and especially No 8 Guto Davies, whilst prop Ryan Rees staked claims for the man of the match tag for his scrummaging, tackling and especially ball carrying.

They took the lead from a penalty by 38 year old outside half Gareth Davies but over eagerness cost them points and Whitland battled back to score from almost their first incursion into the home 22.
 

Mason powers over for a close range try

Nico Setaro was off-target with a long range penalty and Adam Davies was unlucky not to score from a quickly-taken tap penalty – but when Setaro kicked a penalty into the clubhouse corner a superbly-controlled drive saw influential No 8 Jack Mason emerge from a pile of bodies with the ball before Setaro added the extra points from wide out.
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Guto Davies launched another Crymych attack with a strong surge but he was halted by a ‘no arms’ tackle; although Davies was then off-target with the resulting three-pointer

 At the other end Stephenson also missed with a snap drop goal and after Carwyn Phillips limped off up stepped Hari Williams to land a vital penalty before Setaro restored Whitland's four-point advantage with a well-struck penalty.
 

Chances missed by both sides

In the second half both teams had chances to score from useful counter-attacks when the ball was lost on the ground, with Josh Thomas and Gino Setaro tidying up well for The Borderers and Gethin Gibby and Laurence Headlam always posing a threat from the home side.

Another Williams’ penalty hauled his side to within a point before Whitland had a chance to gain some breathing space as Setaro lined up a penalty chance – only for the ball to strike the near post and allow the chance of a terrific Crymych counter attack which was again halted by a forced pass.

The miss proved costly because after  referee Boswell had awarded another Crymych penalty it was Williams who put his side two points ahead against The Borderers’ 13 men.

There were groans from the home crowd as their team elected to quickly take a tapped penalty instead of hoofing the ball into touch but it all ended well for them as they received that last chance for Williams, which he pulled to the right of the posts.

It rounded off a game bristling with intent as neither side was willing to take a backwards step – and which showcased the playing strengths of both Crymych and Whitland.

Crymych: Tomos Phillips: Tomos Jones; Gethin Gibby; Carwyn Phillips; Laurence Headlam: Gareth Davies; Adam Forster: Steffan Harries; Aled Harries; Ryan Rees: Rhys Richards; Matthew Freebury: Rhys Davies (Capt); Osian Phillips; Guto Davies. Replacements: Jason Nicholls; Llew Rees; Hari Williams; Dyfan Phillips; Dafydd Phillips.

Whitland: Nico Setaro: Liam Price; Gino Setaro; Josh Thomas; Rhys Schiavone: James Stephenson; Adam Davies: Tomos Evans; Marc Jones (Capt); Michael Ryan: Courtney Bowman; Benjamin Kirk: Ryan Morgan; Dan Evans; Jack Mason. Replacements: Aaron Mayne; Jimmy Buirds; James Thomas; Scott Buirds; Jason Thomas.

Referee: Jackey Boswell (Llanelli)

PHOTO:
Jack Mason crashes over for the only try of the game for Whitland

 

Seasiders struggle as Hendy run riot

 

Tenby United 28 - Yr Hendy 66 

There were points galore at Heywood Lane as Tenby United notched a four try bonus point – but still fell to a heavy defeat against a rampant Yr Hendy side who had already beaten them by 30-17 at home.

The Seasiders, still seeking a first win of the season, took an early 7-0 lead as winger Jack Parkinson crossed and No 10 Lloyd Thomas converted, but the visitors stormed back with five tries, four of them converted.

Centre Moritz Neumann stemmed the tide with a score for the home side which Thomas again goaled but the visitors added two more scores to make it 47-14 half time.

The points fest continued thereafter as Yr Hendy added three more tries – but Gareth Thomas’ team at least secured a fifth point of the season through tries from No 8 Jack Broadhurst and replacement Jack Tucker, both converted by Thomas.

But it was visitors who moved fourth in the table, finishing with tries from Dyfan Williams (2), Tom Havard (2), Ifan Beynon, Aled Thomas, Iwan Mayze, Rhydian Morris, Jake Newman, and a penalty try.

Morris also added seven conversions.

Tenby United: Shane Rossiter, Geraint Powell, Moritz Neumann, Jack Parkinson, Mark Hamilton, Lloyd Thomas, Ben Pugh, Ethan Morgan, Tom Barrass, Rob Luly, Luke Dedman (Capt), Charlie Patching, Mike Davis, Roy Osborn, Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Jack Tucker, Nicky Guymer, Rob Clark, Wyndham Williams, Ashley Murdoch.

PHOTO:
Try time for Pembroke

 

Division Two (West):

 

Scarlets seize bonus point win

 

Pembroke 26 - Carmarthen Athletic 10

Pembroke coach Geraint Lewis hailed a ‘great squad performance’ as his side continued their promotion push with a bonus point win over Carmarthen Athletic that earned them revenge for a 27-11 loss when the teams met earlier in the season.

The Scarlets led 13-10 after a tight first half but went up a gear in the second period, and Lewis said “We took control after half time. Our defence was outstanding and we were clinical in attack.”

Pembroke led 3-0 early on through a Toby Smith penalty but Athletic responded through a try from winger Josh Watson, while No 10 Tom Gravell added the conversion and then a penalty.

But centre Fraser James, outstanding for the home side, crossed over following an outside break and then Sean Dalling added a second try following a powerful run from No 8 Sam Smith – although both conversions went astray.

Scarlets strike early

It was Pembroke who then struck first in the second half with a terrific team try, Toby Smith rounding off a prolonged period of possession by cutting an angle off scrum half Tom Lewis and making it to the line.

Again it went unconverted but the bonus point was secured by centre Dan Colley, who sneakily joined in at a rolling maul as the home side surged over the line - and reaped the benefits of his pack by emerging from a sea of bodies with the ball!

Toby Smith then nailed a late penalty to make the result safe, completing a good day for Pembroke in which hooker Rhys Mainwaring excelled after stepping in as a late replacement for Seamus Wiseman, and young flanker Jack Smythe also impressed after coming off the bench.

The win was tempered though by an injury to prop Jamie Kaijaks, who suffered a compound fracture in his finger just moments after coming on in the second half. Pembrokeshire Sport wishes him a quick recovery.

 

Seagulls suffer another slow start and lose by a point!

 

Burry Port 35 - Fishguard & Goodwick 34

Fishguard & Goodwick RFC once again lost an away match by a single point and although The Seagulls take two bonus points away from a hard-fought contest against they will reflect on the fact that they made another slow start to concede an unanswered 19 points.

In typical Fishguard fashion they found themselves 32-10 adrift at half time but fought back as their better fitness levels told, they still allowed Burry Port to complete the double, having already won 17-12 at The Moors, and move above Nathan Jenkins’ team in the section table.

Fishguard found themselves seven points adrift from the opening exchange as winger Luke Ruddle sliced through for a try which Kevin Thomas converted.

From bad to worse

And things went from bad to worse as Fishguard conceded a penalty try and then talented right winger Tom Davies, still a youth player, sped over the whitewash for his first try.

The Seagulls finally got out of reverse gear when winger Ed Bendall rounded off a clever blind-side move and skipper Chris Shousha drove over from close range for unconverted tries but then more mistakes crept in and after Kevin Thomas landed an easy penalty there were two further unconverted tries by young winger Davies to give Burry Port a 22-point half time lead.

The Seagulls should have scored from the kick off to the second half but over-eagerness forced an error – although they did serve notice of intent when powerful second row Ben John ploughed over for an unconverted try.

Some Seagulls’ success – but not quite enough

Boosted by this success The Seagulls added further tries for outstanding flanker Jordan James and Ed Bendall to close the gap to just five points but then conceded a penalty chance for Burry Port which Kevin Thomas slotted.

There was some good work for Fishguard from Luke Freebury and Robbie Jones and Fishguard had the final word when James crossed for his second try and Geraint Jones converted.

It was still an agonising two points short of a dramatic come-back win but at least The Seagulls had two bonus points to show for their strong second half efforts!
 

PHOTO:
Ben John - try for Fishguard second row

 
 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Wasps wilt as Laugharne grab 13 tries

 

Llangwm 0 - Laugharne 83

Laugharne had already beaten Llangwm by 45-13 at home and expected a far tougher challenge at Pill Parks as The Wasps have improved over recent weeks and completed a double over St Davids themselves in their last game.

But The Wasps were never at the races as they lost influential Josh Hicks on the morning of the match and were without key midfield controller Robbie Neil as a further set back.

The visitors took control up front from the outset, despite some yeoman work by Wasps’ skipper Gethin Thomas in the front row and flanker Rhys Thomas, who made a huge number of tackles – and were already 36-0 ahead at half time.

Winger Gareth Spiers and centre Tom Jameson (2) rounded off early moves involving forwards and backs, with outside half Steff Davies adding one conversion – whilst scrum half Jack Flanagan joined Davies and Carwyn James on the scoresheet, with Davies landing another two conversions.

Things went from bad to worse after the interval as The Wasps wilted and Laugharne scored at will via Will Evans (2), Spiers, Mikey Williams (2), Steff Davies and Jameson, the last two sharing the conversion duties and helping Laugharne to a one-way win.

One bright moment for Llangwm stalwart Richard Scriven came from the generosity of the Laugharne players, coaches and supporters who made an impromptu collection for the Eliza Scriven appeal fund and were able to make a presentation to her surprised but delighted grandfather. Well done Laugharne RFC!

 

PHOTO:
Tom Jameson - more points from Laugharne centre

 

Blacks bounce back in true style

 

Llanybydder 28 - Neyland 31

Neyland showed all the commitment and willingness to give 100% for the club demanded by coaches Graham Richards and Steve Evans as they fought back from a 21-17 deficit at half in Llanybydder to record a win that showed they had recovered from their shock previous loss at Pembroke Dock Harlequins.

The All Blacks have suffered huge injury problems after winning their first seven matches on the bounce, including a 22-16 home win over Llanybydder, but again they were without key players – and had to overcome some bizarre circumstances before notching a thrilling bonus point win in Llanybydder.

Their squad has been stretched of late, and it showed again yesterday with coaches Graham ‘Gaga’ Richards and ‘retired’ players Chris Busby and Mathew Williams helping to make up their four replacements!

And the latter two both had late run outs, Williams for prop Craig Power, who managed to play for over an hour in gloomy conditions despite losing both contact lenses.

Intense opening stages

The opening stages were intense as home scrum half Llyr James intercepted a pass from Neyland No 10 George Evans and went from his own 22 to score, and Llyr Tobias converted.

But from the kick off Neyland responded as winger Henry McBeth notched a try in the corner, and then from a scrum on half way No 8 Ben Williams and scrum half Jack Richards combined to set up full back Patrick Bellerby – who cut into the line with venom and went under the posts before Evans converted.

And just moments later the same move produced another try, although this time it was McBeth to cross after Bellerby was hauled down just short.

That made it 17-7 and yet it was still The Bydder who led half time, as No 8 Steff Richards powered over for two tries that former Cardigan player Tobias converted.

All Blacks battle back

The pace continued in the second half though as Neyland hooker Gavin Campbell went over and Evans converted, and then a big hit by Williams helped the All Blacks turn defence into attack – and both centres Alex Codd and George Williams took turns to hack the loose ball on before it was Codd who touched down and Evans again did the honours.

Still the home side, or indeed Richards, wasn’t done and after Evans was harshly yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, the home captain got his try hat trick and Tobias converted to set up a tense finish.

But Neyland held on in what team manager Peter Davies called a ‘brilliant game of rugby’.
 

PHOTO:
Henry Macbeth - two more tries for Neyland winger

PHOTO:
Lineout action at the Obs

 

Saints smashed as Trueman claims the Mariners’ scoring record

 

Milford Haven 119 - St Davids 5

James Trueman broke a Milford Haven club record with an amazing haul of 49 points as league leaders Milford Haven were truly ruthless against struggling St Davids.

Outside half Trueman crossed for three tries but even more remarkably, landed 17 out of 17 conversions, including numerous efforts from out wide. His haul is also thought to be the biggest in Division Three (West) A since the new league was formed in the 2014/15 season.

From the first whistle The Mariners simply overran the visitors who had no answer to the power and support play of the home side as they turned a 63-5 half time lead into an eventual three figure score.

Tries galore as Mariners run wild

As well as Trueman, centre Dan Jenkins grabbed a try hat trick and there were also tries for his partner in midfield Dan Birch (2), returning No 8 Sam Dolling (2), second row Brandon Cooper (2), winger Jamie Lewis, flankers Ryan Mansell and Dewi Williams, scrum half Dan McClelland, and assistant coach Steve Martin who came on a full back in the second half.

There was also a first team appearance for young prop Ben Jenkins, who joined brother Dan on the field for the second half.

Saints struggle but battle on

The Saints began with a squad of 16 but lost prop Will Davies to injury in the first half and then had centre Fraser Watson limping out wide after an early hamstring injury – but did manage to raise a cheer in the first half with their only try as a burst from player coach Anthony Davies set up a try for flanker Josh Strangward.

But in all in all this was a very difficult day for the visitors.

“We played some very good rugby and there were some great tries out there today,” said Milford head coach Nathan ‘Gully’ Williams.

“Full credit to St Davids though. No matter what the circumstances they turn up for games and keep going and as a club we admire them for it.”

PHOTO:
James Trueman lines up one of his 17 conversions - pic: Matthew Page photography

 

Blues batter low-key Quins

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 0 - Haverfordwest 88

What a difference a week makes!


Just seven days prior to this home tussle with Haverfordwest and the Quins were rightly jubilant about their first success of the season against table-topping Neyland but unable to continue that sort of form as they tried in vain to pierce The Blues’ defence whilst gifting the visitors 88 points to complete a high-scoring double after a previous 46-3 loss in Haverfordwest.

The writing was already on the wall for The Quins as they trailed by 31-0 at half time after prop Ashley George opened Haverfordwest’s account with a close-range try and although veteran No 10 Steve Williams missed the conversion he quickly found his kicking boots as he not only called the shots but notched conversions of tries from Josh Atherton (2), No 8 Matty Phillips and winger Ben Alba.

Even tougher times after half time

Things certainly didn’t get any easier for The Quins after the break because The Blues added another 57 points, starting with two tries from Craig Barnett that were gaoled by Williams, who also added the extras to Phillips’ second score.

Barnett then added a try and converted another by prop Tom Carrington as he took over the kicking duties when Williams took a rest – and found the target as Liam Manwaring, Karl Busch and Rhys Baker added their names to the try-sheet and Atherton raced clear to claim a hat-trick.

It was demoralising stuff for The Quins whilst Haverfordwest coach Steve Barnett told us,

“We played well as a unit today and although it is easy to feel sorry for The Quins because they never gave up trying we did what we had to do as a mark of respect for their players and coaches, because to ease up would not be that.

“They are a proud club who will bounce back in the future, whilst we have to focus on producing our best form and making sure that we remain in the chase for promotion.”
 

PHOTO:
Carl Busch - one of many Haverfordwest try scorers

 

Coach Colin guides Teifisiders home

 

Cardigan 37 - Tregaron 11

Cardigan RFC’s player coach Colin Davies played a key role in his side’s deserved win over Tregaron at the King George Vth Playing fields, scoring two tries as well as being involved in all The Preseli Men did, aided and abetted by skipper John Lumb, who also scored as Emyr Harries was in form with his boot from the No 10 berth.

Tregaron battled hard in the first period and were still in the game despite trailing by 20-11 as prop Dorian Pugh was again their try scorer and Huw Bonner contributed two well-struck penalties.

The Teifisiders’ tries came from skipper Lumb, playing at full back, and winger Kevin Hurley, both converted by Harries to go with two penalties.

Harries also added a neat drop goal after the interval and then the ubiquitous Davies rounded off two terrific close-range driving mauls for Cardigan, both of which were converted by Harries, to keep alive their hopes of a good run for the league title, leaving Tregaron to linger near the foot of the section table.

 

PHOTO:

Kieran Hurley - nice try for Cardigan winger

 

National Cup:

 

Otters play well in cup exit

 

Swansea 27 - Narberth 10

This trip to the prestigious St Helen’s ground was a chance for Narberth to gauge themselves against Premiership opposition – and The Otters acquitted themselves well in a fierce cup clash.

In fact, led by Alex Jenkins, the away pack more than matched their Swansea counterparts and had the upper hand in the set piece, but the ability of the Premiership side to turn pressure into points ultimately proved the difference.

The All Whites took a 17-0 lead into half time as full back Luke Griffiths landed a penalty, and then added the extras to a try from winger Andrew Claypole.

Before the break centre Mike Evans also cut over for a debut try, Griffiths again adding the extras, leaving Sean Gale’s side facing an uphill task.

Otters start a fight back

But early second half pressure from Narberth led to home hooker Ifan Phillips being yellow carded, and then after a flare up at a scrum Swansea replacement Greg Cunniffe was sent off for throwing a punch at Tom Kaijaks – who impressed alongside Rhodri Owens and Daniel Jacobs in the front row.

And The Otters capitalised as No 10 Ianto Griffiths kicked a penalty into the corner and from the lineout that followed, a driving maul led to an unconverted try for flanker Richard Rees.

But Swansea soon snuffed out any danger of an upset as Phillips returned to the field to get their third try, which Griffiths converted.

Back came Narberth again as a good finish from winger Jack Price brought it back to 24-10, but a late Griffiths penalty eventually settled matters.

“We did well today and the score didn’t truly reflect the game,” said Narberth head coach Sean Gale. “Our pack was dominant at times especially at the set piece and the experience gained in this game will hold us in good stead for our league programme ahead.”

Swansea: Luke Griffiths: Andrew Claypole; Mike Evans; Jedd Evans; Gareth Rees: Foard Cooksley; Chris Morgans: Jack Powell; Ifan Phillips; Richard Murphy: Sam Kiley (Capt); Matthew Dodd: Jon Vaughan; Ben Davies; Charlie Davies. Replacements: Ben Uphill; Greg Cunniffe; Jay Williams; Duane Eggar; Tom Ham; Jake Randall; Nathan Trowbridge.

Narberth: Nick Gale: Jack Price; Kieron Jones; Jake Jenkins; Will Lewis: Ianto Griffiths; Rhys Lane: Dan Jacobs; Rhodri Owens; Tom Kaijaks: Jake Simm; Alex Jenkins (Capt): Richard Rees; Andrew Cooke; Steff Phillips. Replacements: Bradley Davies; Tom Slater; Tom Powell; Harry Phillips; Matthew Morgan; Jonathan Morgan.

PHOTO:
Tom Kaijaks - played really well for The Otters