PHOTO:
Andrew Williams gets the ball away for Fishguard

 

Feature Match:

 

Division Two (West):

 

Super Seagulls snatch single-point victory

 

Fishguard & Goodwick 13 - Pontarddulais 12

After three defeats where they lost once by five points and twice by a single point, Fishguard & Goodwick finally broke that unfortunate record with a deserved home win over Pontarddulais – by just one point!

The Seagulls showed terrific commitment up front to overcome an early deficit as they conceded a good try by The Bont’s experienced centre Jonathan Lloyd, converted by Aled Stone.
 

Committed pack display

Leading the way again was outstanding captain Chris Shousha, joined in the back row by Jordan James and Simon James, with the front row of Gavin Walsh, Liam Wilkes and Neil Perkins, drafted in late after Michael Ryan had sustained an injury in the pre-match warm up. Luke Freebury and Ben John had arguably their best games of the season as they not only won lineout possession but acted like back-rowers in the loose.

They had several chances from close-range drives and Shousha looked to have scored but the referee was unsighted – and from a resultant penalty in front of the posts Kyle Keane missed an easy three points – but quickly made amends with two cracking kicks, one from near half way.
 

Great try featuring young Seagulls – and excellent second half defence

And they took the lead before half time when a poor clearance kick by The Bont allowed young full back Robbie Jones to counter-attack as he easily beat two would-be tacklers and found Rhys Evans as he provided the try-scoring pass for Rhys Evans to outflank the cover with a splendid finish near enough to the posts for Keane to add the extra points.

But with the wind at their backs in the second period Pontarddulais felt confident of closing the six-point gap and used the boost of Stone and Lloyd to gain positions in the home 22 which were halted by great cover from Thomas George, Osian Lewis and Andrew Williams, with the back row fully involved in drives that took them away from danger.

They had chances to add a second try in a frenzied spell close to The Bont line but conceded a dubious penalty which resulted in replacement Steve Jenkins being harshly yellow-carded with two minutes of joining the fray.

It allowed Pontarddulais to clear the ball and hooker Andrew Badger claimed a corner try from a misdirected Seagulls throw – but Stone’s difficult conversion attempt was off target.

The Seagulls had the final word after storming runs by Jordan James, Freebury and Shousha and Rhys Evans was halted just inches short of a try before the final whistle saw them still that point ahead – and a deserved win that moved them out of the relegation zone.
*Prior to the match there was a minute's silence in memory of Mr Ivor Leyshon, a former committee man and hugely respected gentleman of the local community, and our sympathy goes out to his smashing family.

Fishguard & Goodwick: Robbie Jones: Rhys Evans; Thomas George; Shaun Rowlands; Osian Lewis: Kyle Keane; Andrew Williams: Gavin Walsh; Liam Wilkes; Neil Perkins: Luke Freebury; Ben John: Jordan James; Chris Shousha (Capt); Simon James. Replacements: Steve Jenkins; Richard Hunter; Nathan Jenkins.

PHOTO:
The Seagulls on a charge

 

Championship:

 

Otters slammed in second half

 

Pontypool 55 - Narberth 8

Pontypool showed why they are clear favourites to easily win the championship as they easily removed Narberth’s unbeaten record with a performance of pace and power that saw them score 38 unanswered points in a one-sided second half at Pontypool Park.

The Otters were only 17-8 adrift at the interval as Andrew Cook scored a good try and Ianto Griffiths notched a penalty, with Pooler responding with tries by Rob Nash and Lloyd Lewis, both converted by Matthew Jones to go with a penalty.

But it was all one-way traffic towards the Otters’ line thereafter with further tries by Joshua Thomas, Nash and Lewis again, Geraint Walsh and Clayton Gullis, alongside three more conversions by Jones and a single two-pointer by Kieran Meek.

The margin of defeat was a hugely disappointing one for The Otters, and Sean Gale and his coaches will be looking to make sure that Narberth bounce back as they entertain eighth-placed Maesteg Quins at the Lewis Lloyd Ground on Saturday.
 

PHOTO:
Andrew Cook - try for Narberth

 

Division One (West):

 

Seasiders left wandering after a poor second half

 

Llanelli Wanderers 40 - Tenby United 13

Tenby’s failure to put an 80 minute performance together again cost them dearly as their winless league run continued at Llanelli Wanderers.

The Seasiders only trailed 18-13 at half time, with promising young flanker Jack Broadhurst getting his first senior try alongside a conversion and two penalties from outside half Lloyd Thomas.

But the Wanderers had tries from Dafydd Parkman and Hywel Jenkins, one converted by Rhydian Morris who also kicked two penalties.

And then with the wind behind them in the second half, the home side dominated as Jordan Evans crossed twice and there was a try for Richard De Filipo, with No 10 Morris adding two more conversions and a third three-pointer.

It means the Seasiders host Llangennech next week still seeking a first win since returning to this tough section.
 

PHOTO:
Lloyd Thomas 8 points for Tenby United

 

Preseli Men pipped in try fest

 

Yr Hendy 41 - Crymych 27

For the third league game in a row, Yr Hendy beat a Pembrokeshire side and this time it was Crymych who were the victims in a great game of running rugby.

And the Preseli Men at least returned home with a bonus point, thanks to tries from in-form flanker Sion Colella, centre Ifan Phillips, flanker Aled Harries and replacement prop Carwyn Rees. Youngster Phillips also kicked a conversion and two penalties.

But it was the home side which attacked with the greater intensity, and tries from No 9 Cian Beynon, flanker Jack Mohamed, winger Steffan Howells, full back Jake Newman, hooker Ben Batcup and replacement Steffan Howells sealed the win, with Rhydian Jones adding four conversions and a penalty.

 

PHOTO:
Aled Harries - scored one of Crymych's four tries 

 

Whitland wilt in first half

 

Gowerton 32 - Whitland 17

Whitland failed to recover from a poor first 20 minutes in Gowerton – which saw The Borderers trail 19-0 before staging a fightback.

They reduced that deficit to 19-10 before half time as prop Zac France Miller powered over for a try Nico Setaro converted, and the No 10 also added a penalty.

But although flanker Ryan Morgan went over for a second half try that Setaro again goaled, the home side re-asserted their authority and ended up with a bonus point win as second row Jack Soloman, scrum half Sam Cambriani, and winger Gwyn Davies (2) had tries.

And the trusty boot of No 10 Paul Spowart did the rest, landing three conversions and two penalties to help condemn Whitland to a second straight league defeat.
 

PHOTO:
Nico Setaro - another 7 points in Whitland defeat

 

Division Two (West):

 

Scarlets score five away tries but still lose

 

Penclawdd 51 - Pembroke 29

Pembroke showed their powerful attacking flair as they score five tries at able-topping Penclawdd but still lost by 22 points as their defensive errors, added to some frustrating decisions as The Cocklemen retained their 100% league record.

Scarlets’ No 8 Sam Smith was in terrific form as he joined replacement No 10 James Davies and replacement second row Dom Colman on the scoresheet, with two conversions from Toby Smith.

A welcome boost was the inclusion of Tom Kaijaks alongside Johnny Palmer and Sean Wiseman that was on top almost throughout the game but Penclawdd had seven tries, two of them from interceptions Richard Jones, Matthew Evans, James Snell and Barry Suggett were joined by three tries by Tom Hall, who completed an impressive personal haul of 31 points to scuttle The Scarlets’ hopes of victory.
 

PHOTO:
Sam Smith - another 3 tries for Pembroke No 8 

 

PHOTOS:
Neyland try scorers Alex Codd.... 

 

WRU Bowl – Second Round:

 

Bellerby and Codd race over for try hat-tricks

 

Neyland 61 - Cefneithin 24

Neyland’s try scoring form continued as they produced some superb rugby to see off Cefneithin in a high-scoring contest.

Prop Luke Griffiths barged over from close range after just five minutes, and moments later centre Alex Codd got his first try after good work from midfield partner George Williams. Outside half Dillen McGaffin converted both scores.

Cefneithin battled back with a try from full back Jon Owen, but Neyland full back Patrick Bellerby showed his pace with a length of the field interception try, and then Codd rounded off a lovely team move by going under the posts for his second score. McGaffin added the extras both times to make it 28-5 half time.

Despite the visitors turning around with a strong wind at their backs, Neyland winger Henry Macbeth continued his great form with an individual try, again converted - although after replacement John Tennick was yellow carded, Cefneithin threatened a comeback as they got a penalty try from a close range scrum, and then centre Dion Lewis cut over for a try that Sion Williams goaled.

But the All Blacks finished with a flourish, as Codd rounding off yet more great handling with his third try, and after Macbeth added his second, Bellerby also crossed twice more to complete his hat trick, one of which came from a clever chip kick from replacement Jack Richards.

No 9 George Evans, another to impress alongside outstanding prop Eugene Grice, took over the kicking duties late on after Macbeth got injured, and added three conversions – and although Matthew Greene got a fourth try for Cefneithin it was little more than a consolation.

Neyland: Patrick Bellerby: Mark Riley; Alex Codd; George Williams (capt); Henry Macbeth: Dillen McGiffen; George Evans: Eugene Grice; Gavin Campbell; Luke Dawes: Mark James; Richard Jones: Iestyn Evans; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Delme Bateman; John Tennick; Jack Richards; Craig Power.







...and Patrick Bellerby

PHOTO:
Josh Atherton dives over in the corner for Blues' opening try

 

Blues cruise into third round

Haverfordwest 55 - Llangadog 0

The Principality Stadium dream remains alive for Haverfordwest as they battered Division Three (West) B team Llangadog at Merlins Bridge.

Steve Barnett’s team lead early on when winger Josh Atherton sped over, and flanker Jack Clancy and young prop Jonathan Clout, later judged man of the match, cemented their good start with further tries.

No 10 Craig Barnett converted one of them, and then added the extras to two more first half tries as Atherton grabbed his second and centre Dan Richards and winger Ollie Hughes also touched down as the Blues led 36-0 half time.

Richards cut over for another try shortly after the break and then full back Rhys Baker got in on the act, Barnett converting both scores before flanker Matty Phillips rounded off a one-sided tussle with a late try.

PHOTO:
Winger Ollie Hughes canters over for a try

 

Cardis caught out by Gethin

Cardigan 8 - Nantgaredig 29

Cardigan bowed out of the WRU Bowl at this second stage as they were unable to cope with the try-scoring prowess of Nantgaredig right winger Gethin Davies, who fed off some quick handling by the visitors’ back division to claim a hat-trick.

The Teifisiders battled hard and were very much in contention at half time as Iwan John kicked a penalty against two tries by Davies, one converted by Dafydd Lewis – and they added an unconverted try from replacement flanker Kieran Hurley afterwards.

But Davies sped over the whitewash to open the second half scoring for Nantgaredig, again converted by Lewis, with further unconverted tries by centre Bleddyn Lewis and left winger Kieran Thomas taking them into round three.

 

Trimsaran 27 - Laugharne 5

Laugharne suffered an off day at Trimsaran as they rarely looked settled and paid the price as the homesters were 10-0 ahead at the interval and ended up with five tries to The Boathouse Boys’ one.

Daniel Griffiths and Steff Roberts claimed the early tries for Trimsaran and Roberts added his second after the oranges alongside Ioan Jones and Daniel Morgan, with Dafydd Griffiths converting one of them.

All Laugharne could muster in return was another try from centre Tom Jameson and they will be looking to return quickly to winning ways this weekend as they entertain Haverfordwest in the league.
 

PHOTO:
Tom Jameson - scored Laugharne's only points  

 
 

Palmer Cup first leg:

 

Wasps power past Pembroke 2nds at Pill Parks

 

Llangwm 43 - Pembroke 2nds 10

With their first XV’s now in different divisions, Llangwm and Pembroke 2nds made the most of a spare Saturday to keep the annual Palmer Cup going, traditionally played for over two legs by these two old rivals.

And it proved a morale boosting win for The Wasps, despite away No 10 Rhys Johns going over for an early unconverted try.

But Llangwm stormed back as Lewis Murphy kicked a penalty and then crossed for a try, and then converted scores from Ben Goodridge and Josh Hicks to make it 22-5 at the break.

Hicks and Robbie Neill extended the lead with tries early in the second half, both converted by Murphy, and then it was No 8 Hicks who powered over for his hat trick.

The Scarlets had the final word when Johns went over again late on, but it was The Wasps who gained some momentum to take into their league game with Neyland next week.