PHOTOS:
Rhys Lane gets his backs in action
Good defence from the Otters

 

Championship:

 

Otters sucked into a war of attrition

 

Narberth 16 - Maesteg Quins 11

The form book proved positive at The Lewis Lloyd Ground as second placed Narberth beat ninth-placed Maesteg Quins but it was far from easy as The Otters allowed themselves to be sucked into a war of attrition and in the final analysis could have lost the points but for two late Quins’ forward passes in the home 22.

The Quins had clearly come to assert themselves and some of their players were in the ear of referee Chris Oliver from the outset but he maintained his calm, even if he did spend a little too much explaining things when perhaps he might have insisted that only both captains could speak to him!
 

Stop start tussle didn’t suit The Otters

The result was a stop-start game where The Otters took an early lead but it was soon cancelled out as The Quins enjoyed ten minutes of territorial advantage where they might have scored more than a Tadge McGluckin penalty and an unconverted try by Geraint Evans.

One try possibility was halted by an attempt at a spectacular dive by Alex Griffiths over the whitewash where he lost possession – and Kieran Watkins was halted right in the far corner.

Narberth huffed and puffed as Jack Price always posed a threat and Richie Rees led a back row where Tom Powell and Dewi Williams also made steady contributions.

The Otters had few clear-cut try-scoring chances but as the Quins blocked possession at rucks they were penalised and Ianto Griffiths landed two excellent penalties to give his side a 9-8 interval lead – and rapped the woodwork with another attempt.

Otters start second half well – but then fail to build on it

The third quarter saw the home side begin to make headway as Price and Gethin Gibby made runs and it was the latter who finally claimed The Otters’ try after a run up the touchline following some quick hands – and sped to the posts for Griffiths to land the simple extras.

But they failed to turn more pressure into further points and with experienced centre Lee Ronan directing operations alongside skipper Andrew Healy, playing at No 8, The Quins began to realise this was a game where they might have something to show for some good periods alongside the chatter.

They opted for a penalty to take them within seven points at 16-11 and might just have grabbed victory in those final minutes.

But The Otters held out as their bench also did well – and now can look forward to another interesting tussle when these teams meet again on April 27th in what is the only match left for Narberth of another successful season under Sean Gale.

Narberth: Ianto Griffiths, Gethin Gibby, Jack Price, Jake Jenkins, Yannic Parker, Jonathan Rogers, Rhys Lane, Daniel Jacobs, Rhodri Owens; Gareth Harvard:, Alex Jenkins (capt), Roy Osborn, Dewi Williams, Tom Powell, Richie Rees. Replacements: Bradley Davies, Dan Smith, Kyle Hamer, Lewys Gibby, Llew Jones.

PHOTO:
Narberth go close but are denied

 

Division One (West):

 

Off-colour Crymych pay the price

 

Llanelli Wanderers 34 - Crymych 7

It was a day to forget for ninth-placed Crymych at Llanelli Wanderers as the Preseli Men never got going against a team now just one position below them in the table.

They trailed early on to an unconverted try from No 10 Rhydian Morgan, who then added a penalty despite his team having David Jenkins yellow-carded.

A penalty try increased the lead to 15-0 at half time and the home dominance continued after half time as Lewis Jones went over.

Crymych hit back through a try from winger Laurence Headlam that Gareth Davies converted, but it was Morgan who went over for another score and added the extras – as he did when Lloyd Thomas crossed late on.

Randal Williams’ side now just have two home games left and after three games without a win, the head coach will want his side back in form ahead of the Pembrokeshire KO Cup final with Whitland on April 26th.

PHOTO:
James Stephenson dives over for the Borderers

 

Borderers run riot against struggling Seasiders

 

Whitland 67 - Tenby United 12

Whitland totally outclassed Tenby as the hosts crossed for 11 tries to claim a comfortable bonus-point win at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn.

The Borderers looked dangerous every time they had the ball in hand and grabbed some fantastic tries in the process. The home side led 33-7 at half time and followed up with a further 34 points in the second.
 

Impressive form continued

This was the Borderers impressive fourth win on the trot, and it was second row Raff Williams who crashed over for the opening try, it stemmed from good lineout possession and followed by good hands from Nico Setaro, Josh Thomas and Gino Setaro.

No 8 Jack Mason added the second score, Jonny Thomas and James Stephenson counter attacked from deep before Mason pounced from close range. Both tries converted by Nico Setaro.

The Seasiders’ cause wasn’t helped as they had second row Tom Barrass sent to the sin-bin. The Borderers took advantage as Courtney Bowman cantered 50 metres for a cracking solo unconverted effort to make it 19-0.

Centre Gino Setaro and full back James Stephenson both dived over for two well-worked tries and outside half Nico Setaro added the extras.

The Seasiders worked their way up field and was rewarded when Luke Dedman crashed over for Lloyd Thomas to convert as the hosts led 33-7 at half time.

Good Borderers’ start to second half

The second half started well for the Borderers, centre Josh Thomas breaking the gain line on the visitors’ 22 and crossing for try number six before Setaro added the extras.

Mason grabbed his second try of the match, the No 8 driving hard to score in the left hand corner for an unconverted score.

Ryan Morgan scored the Borderers’ eighth try, the replacement back row man throwing an audacious dummy and cantering over from the Seasiders’ 22

Skipper Marc Jones set-up try number nine for Nico Setaro, and the visitors struck back with a close range five-pointer from prop Ethan Morgan.

However the hosts had the final say as winger Scott Lloyd and centre Gino Setaro crossed for two more tries to complete the rout.

Whitland coaches Gareth Bennett and Dan Mason were extremely happy and spoke to PembrokeshireSport.co.uk shortly afterwards.

Mason: “The boys did the job that we came to do really. It was scrappy at times but we really put Tenby to the sword today.”

Bennett: “It was a great team effort. The boys stuck to the task but it was a good resounding win in the end with the sun on our backs the boys showed what they can do.”

Tenby coach Gareth Thomas: “It’s been a tough season, and today was also hard against a good Whitland side. This side is not good enough playing at this level and they’ve learned some hard lessons in Division One this season.”

Next Saturday, Whitland entertain Llanelli Wanderers in their last league fixture of the season.

Whitland: James Stephenson, Scott Lloyd, Gino Setaro, Josh Thomas, Jonathan Thomas, Nico Setaro, Adam Davies, Aaron Mayne, Marc Jones, Jimmy Buirds, Raff Williams, Courtney Bowman, Ryan Morgan, Jack Mason. Replacements: Josh Thomas, Tomos Evans, Gethin Lewis, Simon Meakins, Danny Evans.

Tenby United: Jack Tucker, Jordan Asparassa, Ben Pugh, Moritz Neumann, Ryan Hill, Lloyd Thomas, Dan Thomas, Ethan Morgan, Dan Allen, Rob Luly, Huw Evans, Tom Barrass, Luke Dedman, Charlie Patching, Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Geoff Martin, Harry Owen, Mark Hamilton, Nicky Guymer, Mike Davis.

PHOTO:
Whitland centre Gino Setaro pounces for a try

 

Division Two (West):

 

Seagulls push league leaders but run out of steam

 

Fishguard 20 - Penclawdd 34 

After beating second-placed Pontyberem the previous week Fishguard & Goodwick also played well at The Moors against section leaders Penclawdd in a match full of running rugby.

The Seagulls were very much in contention at half time as they tailed 24-20 but Penclawdd completed a deserved double (after winning 26-7 in the previous fixture, scoring two more tries and making sure that they shut down the home’s attacking options.

The Seagulls were twice ahead early on; firstly as No 10 Geraint Jones notched a penalty and then adding a second kick on target after Penclawdd scored an unconverted try via James Snell.

But then The Donks showed why they are top of the table as they sped over for tries by Kristian Corbisiero, Jed Evans and Tom Howell, who also landed two conversions to help his side lead 24-6.

Fishguard showed their battling ability, however, as Ben John reduced the deficit as reward for his support play and Jones converted, as he did just before half time when young full back Robbie Jones broke from his own 22 and sped to the Penclawdd try line after a side-step and a couple of dummies to claim the try of the game.

The Seagulls had their chances after the interval but The Donks used their experience to good effect with further tries from Robbie James and Ben McCarthy before their mouth-watering next fixture with Pontyberem!

Fishguard: Robbie Jones, Thomas George, Sion Rowlands, Kial Keane, Ed Bendall, Geraint Jones, Andrew Williams, Gavin Walsh, Liam Wilkes, Ryan McVeigh, Ben John, Luke Freebury, Lewis Davies, Jordan James, Chris Shousha (capt). Replacements: Neil Perkins, Mark George, Gwilym Evans, Alun George, Osian Lewis.

 

 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Mansell helps Mariners win top-three tussle

 

Milford Haven 25 - Laugharne 19

A hat trick of tries from Ryan Mansell had helped Milford Haven overturn a 5-8 half time deficit to beat Laugharne at The Obs – but only after a nervy finale.

The Mariners were 25-14 ahead with two minutes to go, but then came a try from away skipper Carl Smith and from the final play, Mikey Williams  was adjudged to have put a foot in touch before slipping what would have been the scoring pass to centre Steff Davies.

It meant a crucial bonus point win for Milford ahead of a potential title decider in Aberaeron next week - although the day didn't start well for them as Laugharne centre Tom Jameson rounded off some slick back play to score in the corner.

Milford levelled matters with a five pointer of their own as flanker Mansell touched down from a driving lineout, but Davies landed a penalty to ensure his side led at the break.

But the home side started the second half with a real tempo and it was Mansell who touched down again, taking an inside pass from No 8 Mark Wonnacott after he'd broken down the blind side.

A quickly taken penalty from Dan McClelland then set up an attack from which winger Craig Thomas went over in the corner.

The try again went unconverted though, and although McClelland did add a penalty Davies added two more himself to reduce the deficit to 18-14.

But with 10 minutes left the home side appeared safe after a big shunt from a scrum again culminated with Mansell going over and McClelland converted - but with time running out Smith charged over out wide to bring his side back within a converted try.

And they so nearly go it when from the kick off No 10 Owain Thomas immediately went wide and Laugharne swept upfield before that marginal call went against them.

"It's often a sign of a good side who can win without playing well and I don't think we played well today," said Milford player coach Nathan Williams.

"But it was a tough game and took a massive effort from us. Full credit to Laugharne as well - they've taken us to the limit in both games now."

Milford Haven: Steve Martin, Jamie Lewis, Dan Jenkins, Dan Birch, Craig Thomas, Efan Morgan, Dan McClelland, Mike Cockburn, Luke Ryan, Nathan Williams, Chris Hall, David Round, Ben Groves, Ryan Mansell, Mark Wonnacott. Replacements: Adam Rees, James Trueman, Dai Sweeny, Zac Davies, Dean McSparron.

Laugharne: Tom Davies, Gareth Spiers, Tom Jameson, Steff Davies, Will Evans, Owain Thomas, Gethin Jones, Rhys Thomas, Tom Waters, Dorian Harris, Leigh Thomas, Tom Rees, Carl Smith, Rhodri Rees, Mikey Williams. Replacements: Richie Waters, Gavin John, Carwyn Jones, Dai Thomas, Jack Flanagan.

PHOTO:
Mark Wonnacott on the drive for the Mariners

 

Ten-try Bydder prove too strong for The Wasps

 

Llanybydder 62 - Llangwm 12

Llanybydder lost in midweek at Haverfordwest but climbed into the top half of the table with this convincing win over Llangwm where they ran in ten tries to The Wasps two scores.

Josh Hicks broke strongly from a scrum to claim his 18th try of the season for Llangwm and they were also awarded a penalty try for a high tackle.

But Llanybydder were already 38-12 in front at the interval and added another 24 points afterwards, thanks to tries by centre Bleddyn Jones (2), wingers Ross Holder and Luc Evans, full back Arwel Thomas, skipper and No 8 Ricky Davies (2), flanker Bedwyr Davies, centre Llyr James and replacement back-rower Aled Evans.

Outside half Steff Richards slotted six conversions and the home team leap-frogged the opposition in the table and claimed the double, having already won by 34-7 at Pill Parks.
 

PHOTO:
Josh Hicks - amazing 18th try of the season for Llangwm No 8

 

Tregaron win basement battle

 

St Davids 26 - Tregaron 

St Davids finished their league season with just one win to their name as they came up short against a Tregaron team who backed up their narrow win in Pembroke Dock last Saturday.

The Mid Wales side got a great start when centre Chris Wilkins crossed over and Gethin Jones converted, and then veteran prop Dorian Pugh continued his strong season with a try.

Winger Josh Atherton, on permit from Haverfordwest, pulled a try back for the Saints though as they remained in it at 12-5 half time.

The home side had a second half try from prop Dan Murphy and a penalty from Matty McLeod, who earlier replaced Matthew Bennett after he was stretchered off, but Tregaron sealed a bonus point with further scores from replacement flanker Dan Rees and Rhodri Harris, both converted by No 10 Huw Bonner.

Tregaron round off their campaign with a home clash with Llangwm next Saturday.

St Davids: Rhys Morgan, Josh Atherton, Gabe York, Dylan Davies, Luke Brooks, Mathew Bennett, Harvey Godkin,, Will Davies, Rhys Price, Dan Murphy, Rhys ‘Loshin’ Price, Gethin Bateman, Josh Strangward, Andrew Groves, George Raymond . Replacements:  Ben Evans, Mark Wilson, Dan Ridge, Ewan Kimsey, Daniel Jenkins.
 

PHOTO:
Dan Murphy - another try for St Davids

 

Quins unable to travel again

Aberaeron v Pembroke Dock Harlequins

*Match postponed – Quins very short of players to make the journey