Mixed Ability Rugby News:
Pembrokeshire Vikings 17 - Milford Haven Round Table 14
Referee: Gary Wilks
Venue: The Observatory Field, Milford Haven
Pembrokeshire Vikings started off their new rugby campaign as they hosted the Milford Haven Round Table, which was labelled as the’ Battle of the Haven’ by some of the Round Tablers in the inaugural game, playing for the Eric Harries Cup.The challenge was laid down to the Round Table earlier in the year and it was billed as a touch rugby game, but soon excitement grew and developed into a full contact game.
Some Milford RFC Veterans polished their boots, especially Leigh Broome, who controlled things from his fly half position, whilst captain Mark Khan played well at the back of the scrum, but unfortunately was met by another veteran in his prime, Gethin Bateman.
In the first game of the season for the Vikings things were a bit rusty, but referee Garry Wilks let the game flow in true Mixed Ability spirit. The first half was very close and at half time was all level, and time for Dan Mills to bring on the oranges kindly sponsored by Martha’s Vineyard.
In the second half the Vikings’ fitness told, the bigger Round Table forwards were starting to blow a little, and the Vikings came out worthy winners by 17-14.For The Vikings, Gethin Bateman scored after a powerful run, with Shaun Treadwell scoring a well-deserved try after all his hard work. Dafydd Cowl was rightly very excited about scoring the deciding try, which Jay Carter converted.
The scorers for the Round Table were Ellis Thorne and Leeam (‘Shandy’ Newboult, with Leigh Broome converting both. The Round Table played in true mixed ability spirit with rugby being the day's winner.
The family of Eric Harries were on hand to present the winning captain Bleddyn Gibbs with the new trophy and it is planner that this game is going to become a yearly event in the Pembrokeshire Rugby diary.Lots of fun and laughter was the order of the day in the clubhouse afterwards, with lots of aches and pains on Sunday morning, especially from the Round Tablers!
Pembrokeshire Vikings: Ben Couceiro; Ashley Couceiro; Sean McKenzie Hughes; Luke Beavis; Rob Sweeny; Josh Price; Lucas Lewis; James Tyler; Peter Pritchard; Andrew Meddings; Graham Elliott; Dan McCaffrey; Keiran Burrows; Bleddyn Gibbs (Capt); Tom Brown; John JC Ellis; Gethin Bateman; Callum Power; Stephen Morse; Jay Carter; Dave Roberts; Gareth Rees; Dafydd Cowl; Nathan Jones; Sean Treadwell.
Milford Haven Round Table squad:1. Nathan Rees; 2. Paul Lloyd; 3. Gareth Roberts; 4. Adam Khan; 5. Gareth Saunders; 6. Ellis Thorne; 7. Marc Johnson; 8. Mark Khan (Capt); 9. Morgan Harries; 10. Leigh Broome; 11. Nik Kerrison; 12. Mark Blockwell; 13. Richard Johnson; 14. Neil Turner; 15. Andrew Turner; 16. Leeam Newboult; 17. Leo Devlin; 18. Sean Boyce. First Aid & Water Boy: Dan Mills.
