PHOTOS:
Fishguard & Goodwick squad
Mark George on a typical charge, abetted by Chris Sousha
Dom Todaro on a run for the Mariners

Featured Match:

Division 3B (West)

 

Seagulls start with a bang

Fishguard & Goodwick 40 - Milford Haven 14

Fishguard and Goodwick showed why they are favourites to win this section as they comfortably fended off the challenge of a Milford Haven side which lacked match practice since they had been without pre-season friendlies.
 
The Mariners did manage a try in each half as reward for some whole-hearted effort but the Seagulls were too strong and too street-wise, despite having seven regulars on a collective holiday, and eventually ran in six tries, three of them to winger Matthew George and another to his twin brother Mark, playing in an outstanding back row alongside Chris Sousha and skipper Simon James.
 
The Seagulls had to play coach Huw Evans at pivot and he claimed the first league points at The Moors this season with an early penalty before Milford countered with an interception try for centre James Thomas, celebrating his 22^nd birthday, converted by Lee Riley.
 
The home side lost Mike Jenkins with a calf injury and his replacement Rhodri Morgans had an easy run in for their third try after Matthew George had powered over for two tries in quick succession, one converted by Evans.
 
Chris Sousha grabbed a fourth try as reward for his all-action play and Evans added the extra points to give Fishguard a 27-7 interval lead and a guaranteed bonus point.
 
Milford Haven coach Mark Wonnacott, playing at scrum half, made sure his team didn’t give up the battle after the interval and with the wind at their backs had a little more of the territorial play as youngsters Dom Todaro and Evan Morgan caught the eye at flanker and outside half respectively.
 
It was Fishguard who scored the first points of the second period when sustained pressure in the corner allowed Alun George and the ubiquitous Evans to put Mark George in at the corner but after Aidan Laxton and skipper Mike Cockburn led a series of charges it was centre Dean Matthews who marked his return to the Mariners with a try which full back Riley converted.
 
Matthew George had the final word when he rounded off a long-range movement instigated by his captain – and he might have had a fourth but for a try-saving corner tackle by James Thomas, which nicely rounded off an entertaining match.
 
Huw Evans said afterwards,
“It is good to start off with a win and we will get better because we have a strong squad and those absent today will reinforce our squad. We should have had more scores but some players had ‘white line’ fever and we missed out on several tries as a result!”

Opposite number Mark Wonnacott told us,
“We were clearly ring-rusty today because of the fact we have had no match practice – but I was pleased overall with the way we stuck at it.”
 
Fishguard & Goodwick: Gareth Adamson: Matthew George; Mike Jenkins; Ben John; Sam Kurtz: Huw Evans; Alun George: Gerwyn Davies; Gavin Walsh; Jason Davies: Richard hunter; Gwilym Evans: Mark George; Chris Sousha; Simon James (Capt). Replacements: Andrew Morrillo; Nathan Jenkins; Mark James; Rhodri Morgans; Adrian Squelch.

Milford Haven: Lee Riley: Steve Picton; James Thomas; Dean Matthews: Evan Morgan; Mark Wonnacott: Nathan Rees; Adam Thomas; Adam Rees: Andrew Haughey; Chris Hall: Mike Cockburn (Capt); David Sweeney; Dom Todaro. Replacements: Lee Devonald; Darren Lewis; Aidan Laxton; Mark Sinnott.

Referee: Tony Pratt.

Milford Haven Squad

 

Championship:

 

Otters play well in second half

Narberth 20 - Bridgend Athletic 10

Narberth made a promising start to their campaign in the Championship section as they produced a good second-half display to fend off a strong challenge by a determined Bridgend Athletic side which claimed the only points of a dour first half when fly half Josh White slotted a penalty.

Up until that point the Otters looked less than impressive with a series of errors showing their ring-rustiness but when veteran prop Sion Lloyd joined the fray he helped reorganise matters up front so that Narberth began to look more settled, especially in the close exchanges.

After 47 minutes Ianto Griffiths haled the Otters level with a penalty from 35 metres and the Otter pack were deservedly awarded a 55^th minute penalty try which Griffiths converted before slotting a neat drop goal three minutes later.

Stuart Worrall also looked strong up front and Nick Gale made some good runs but it was scrum half Rhys Lane who scored a decisive try as he broke clear for Ianto Griffiths to notch the extra points.

The Athletic did manage a try by left winger Dan Howells in the last seconds but it was far too little, too late as the Otters claimed a first win which will hopefully put them in good heart for a challenging season.

Ianto Griffiths - points for Narberth No 10

 

Division One:

 

Seasiders storm to a deserved draw

Amman United 37 - Tenby United 37

Tenby United had to call upon all their reserves of courage and commitment to gain a deserved draw against Amman United as they trailed 37-18 with seven minutes left but fought their way back to share the spoils.

Even the most die-hard Seasiders’ supporter must have given up the ghost but then flanker Andrew Cook grabbed an unconverted try.

Then Damien Miller powered his way from deep in his own 22 to score a wonderful try which Jonathan Rogers converted and then Rogers himself got on the try sheet and added the vital extra points before the final whistle.

Amman United led 11-10 at half time through a try by Dean Williams alongside a penalty and dropped goal from Ryan Williams as Rogers kicked a penalty for the Seasiders and converted Jack Price’s interception try.

Tenby had a Rogers’ penalty and try from Toby Smith during a period when Amman United held the overall edge where they sped into what seemed that unassailable 37-18 advantage – but then came those amazing 19 points in the last seven minutes which showed that the Seasiders can certainly hold their own in this tough division.
 

Borderers battle in vain

Felinfoel 36 - Whitland 23

Whitland suffered the disappointment of a first-day defeat at Felinfoel but they scored four tries to at least gain the consolation of a bonus point as reward for their efforts.

The home side took a 15-13 lead into half time thanks to tries by Kyle Solomon and Aled Roberts, who also contributed a conversion and dropped goal, whilst Jonathan Thomas landed a penalty for the Borderers and there were tries from wingers Liam Price and James Criddle after Thomas had created the space.

But Felinfoel got on top in the third quarter of play to register tries by full back Rhydian Mason, No 8 Elliott Rees and outside half Roberts, who converted all three to finish with 21 points.

The Borderers refused to submit, however, and late tries from Liam Price and flanker Rhydian Davies at least made sure they took something away from this match.
 

Great start for Preseli Men

 

Carmarthen Athletic 15 - Crymych 22

Crymych made a great start to this new campaign as they beat Carmarthen Athletic on their own turf, which is no mean feat in itself as few sides win at the Athletic Field.

Leading the way for the Preseli Men were brothers Tom and Joe Powell alongside Rhys ‘Beaky’ Davies in the back row and it was Tom who helped Crymych into an early 14-0 lead after outside half Sam Phillips had opened their account, both converted by scrum half Rhys ‘Ginger’ Davies.

Jack Wilson responded with an Athletic penalty but full back Tom Turner sped over for an unconverted Crymych try before Wilson landed two more kicks on target to limit Crymych to a 19-9 interval advantage.

Wilson also kicked two more penalties after the break but Rhys Davies was on target with a penalty for the Preseli Men as they resisted a strong come-back attempt by Athletic to secure the spoils.

 

Tom Powell - good try for Crymych flanker

 

Division Two:

 

Cardis crash in Mid Wales

Aberystwyth 78 - Cardigan 12

Cardigan travelled to Mid Wales for their opening match of the season but returned down Cardigan Bay with little to be pleased about as Aberystwyth were already home and dry at half time as they led 47-5.

No 8 Llyr Griffiths opened Cardigan’s account with a try after eight minutes but by then Aber had scored tries from Steffan Rees and Prys Lewis, both converted by Jason Rees.

Worse was to follow as Aber added further tries by Rhys Jones and a brace apiece for winger Adrian Carvell and No 8 Dan Binks, four of them goaled by No 10 Rees.

It was a similar story in the second half as the Teifisiders mustered a second try as winger Rhydian Jenkins sped through and Llyr Tobias converted but the try glut for Aber continued as Carvell and Binks both finished with hat-tricks alongside other scores from Steffan Rees, his second, flanker Paul Stubbs and full back Ian Ellis.

Jason Rees kicked three more conversions to bring his tally to nine kicks on target and when a Cardigan spokesman said afterwards that they had endured a ‘bad day at the office’ he wasn’t far wrong in his appraisal!
 

Injury-hit Blues edged out by Wanderers

Haverfordwest 15 - Llanelli Wanderers 21

Matches between Haverfordwest and Llanelli Wanderers are traditionally hard fought and this encounter at Merlins Bridge was no exception as the result was in doubt until the final whistle but the Blues were unable to recover from a strong of injuries and had to settle for a bonus point.

The Wanderers claimed the double last season with wins of 29-24 and 18-17 and this was always going to be a close one as the Wanderers led 18-15 at the interval and claimed the only three points thereafter as Jonathan George found the target and the Blues lost Steve Williams, Alun Harries, Mikey Jones and Neil ‘Spud’ Phillips at various times.

It was George who had opened the scoring for the Wanderers before the Blues had an excellent try from flanker Adam Wilkins which Steve Williams converted, only for hooker James Bannister to respond for the visitors with a try converted by George.

Scott Candler rounded off some good home handling with an unconverted Haverfordwest try but after George and Williams had exchanged penalties it was the Wanderers who went into the half-time lead with a try by centre Richard De Fillipo.

The second half saw both teams have chances but it was the Wanderers who held on for that third narrow win on the trot against the Blues, who know they were so close to victory themselves.

Haverfordwest: Craig Barnett, Darren Salmon (Captain), Scott James, Mikey Jones, Scott Candler, Steve Williams, Richard James, Terry Lovell, Gareth Green, Neil Phillips, Gareth Phillips, Liam Brown, Adam Williams, Matthew Clark, Alun Harries. Replacements: Jamie Zambas; Zac France-Miller, Ryan Banner, Danny Morgan, Luke Harvatt.

Llanelli Wanderers: Dafydd Daniel, David Jenkins, Richard De Fillipo, Rhydian Morgan, Rhys Phillips, Jonathan George, Kyle Richards, Hywel Jenkins, James Bannister (Captain), Ben Harries, Iwan Jones, James Bonner Evans, Thomas Samuel, Sean Jenkins, Ben Phillips. Replacements: Sam Gurung, Rhys Davies, Daniel Jones, Matthew Bannister.

Referee: Jonathan Walters.

Matthew Clark hits the contact area hard for Haverfordwest
Steve Williams kicks a penalty for the Blues

 
 

Division Three (West) B:

 

Depleted Quins pay the price

Aberaeron 52 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 5

Pembroke Dock Harlequins made the long journey to Aberaeron with only 15 players and paid the ultimate price of a heavy defeat as they suffered injury problems and played much of the 80 minutes with only 13 players.

They battled hard in the first period and were only 13-0 down but when they lost Nathan Abrahams and Ben Goodridge the floodgates gradually opened and the home side ended up with eight tries scored by Sean Gorman, Ivan Slinger (2), Gethin Hughes, Liam Wozencroft, Kevin Etheridge, Alistair Severs, and James Freeman, who also contributed three conversions and two first-half penalties.

Chris Harries, Mike Davies and especially Alex Pearce caught the eye for the Quins but their only reward was an unconverted try by Andrew Price, who was off-target with the conversion.
 

Scarlets beat old rivals in Palmer Cup tussle

Pembroke 48 - Llangwm 10

Pembroke scored 24 points in each half against Llangwm at Crickmarren to stake a strong claim for retaining the Palmer Cup, played annually between these traditional rivals, for many years.

Leading the way for the Scarlets were skipper Max Hayward, Sam Smith and Sean Dalling, who were all involved in the points scoring as well as making major contributions in all aspects of play.

It was Dalling who opened their account as he rounded off a superb handling movement, and skipper Hayward added two tries from close range as the Scarlets’ pack looked strong – before No 8 Smith bullocked his way through for a try.

Dalling also added two conversions and all The Wasps could muster from a lot of hard work initiated by skipper James Lewis and Gavin Jones was a penalty by Luke Brock.

Andrew Brock also added a try in the second half as Ben Charles caught the eye at the back, with Luke Brock adding the extra points but Pembroke were always in control.

Scarlets’ powerhouse centre Mark Williams ended his rugby sabbatical with a try alongside others from scrum half Elliott Lewis and Sam Smith – and again Dalling converted two of them to help Pembroke amass a 38-point advantage to take across the Cleddau Bridge for the return leg at Pill Parks later in the year.

Max Hayward - two tries for Pembroke skipper

 

All Blacks off to a winning start

St Clears 13 - Neyland 20

Neyland enjoyed their winning start to the new campaign at St Clears as reward for some excellent all-round play which saw them lead 8-6 at the interval and recover when the Carmarthenshire Saints mounted a strong second-half comeback.

It was the home side who took the lead from a Chris Smart penalty but centre Mark Riley levelled matters with a penalty, via the upright for the All Blacks.

Both kickers missed penalties before prop Gareth Bevans put the visitors in front with and unconverted try before Smart reduced the interval deficit to two points with his second penalty.

The Saints regained the lead soon after the oranges with a try by flanker Nick Price but with Patrick Bellerby playing well at full back and with half backs Adam Cawley and ex-youth player Johnny Lloyd spreading the ball wide the All Blacks had a good try by centre Adam Collins which Riley goaled, again via the woodwork.

Neyland also had youth player Luke Dawes catching the eye and Riley scored an excellent try to seal success and round off a cracking away win for the All Blacks, which bodes well for the season!

Mark Riley - vital points for Neyland

 

Saints slammed by 12-try Laugharne

St Davids 3 - Laugharne 74

St Davids suffered a hugely disappointing start to this new campaign as they conceded 12 tries to visitors Laugharne in a game played in front of Rick O’Shea and the Scrum V cameras.

There was a two-division gap between the teams before the WRU re-structure, but ironically it was The Saints who made the brighter start after kicking off with a strong wind at their backs.

Home full back Craig Challonder missed an early chance to open the scoring when he was off target with a penalty, before Laugharne were forced to repel a series of close range scrums and line-outs.

But after weathering the early storm, Laugharne took control as second row Gary Jones and inside centre Jonathan Owen both rounded off good moves to score.

Full back Ross Michael landed a conversion and then also added the extras after impressive scrum half Aled Rees sniped through a gap from close range.

St Davids did get off the mark when Challonder kicked a penalty from 35 metres, but then visiting winger Tom Thomas sped over out wide and outside half Owain Thomas jinked his way under the posts, whilst Michael converted the latter try to make it 31-3 at the break.

With the elements in their favour in the second half, Laugharne cut loose with Michael and outside centre Anthony John both crossing for converted tries.

The Saints went close to an elusive try when flanker Carl Evans was tackled just short, before fellow back row player Scott Riches was hauled down by the cover defence after breaking through in midfield.

But the day belonged to Laugharne, who in a one sided final quarter added further tries from centre John, replacement No 8 Carwyn Evans, flanker Mike Williams (2) and then Michael again. The full back converted two of those for a personal haul of 24 points, helping seal a comfortable win for the visitors.

Highlights of the game will be shown on Scrum V Sunday on BBC 2 Wales, 6.45pm.
 

Gethin Bateman loses this lineout battle for the Saints