Feature Match – Division Four (West) A:

 

Rossiter shines as Neyland lose way in closing stages

 

Neyland 20 - Narberth Athletic 23

 
Neyland and Narberth Athletic went into this tussle at The Athletic Field with 100% records and so something had to give – and in the final analysis it was The Athletic who  fought back from an 8-20 deficit in the last quarter as The All Blacks managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as visiting full back Shane Rossiter was the clear match-winner as he notched a try hat-trick and scored the winner in the last seconds of the game after Neyland had been twice marched back ten metres and conceded a needless yellow card for ‘Chopsing’!
 
An old cliché used too often but so true in this case because in a game of marked differences it was The All Blacks who held a clear scrummaging advantage but The Athletic ruled the lineout roost to such an extent that the home side lost loads of quality attacking platforms as a result but still managed to lead for much of the match after Rossiter had served notice of intent with a very early penalty and home kicker Oli Rothero was off target with his first attempt.
 
But then Rothero found the target to level matters and his side added 12 points as dynamic prop Luke Griffiths-Dawes grabbed two excellent support tries and Rothero landed a superb wide-angled penalty.
 
Back came The Athletic after outstanding skipper and No 8 Stephen Pilot bullocked his way close to the line and from this platform, play was eventually spread right and Rossiter dived over for a try which had been initiated by halves Jordan James and Shay Norcross.
 
Full back Patrick Bellerby used his pace to send Neyland into the bottom left corner as a clever chip and chase saw him put winger Matthew Coles in at the corner.
 
The All Blacks had other attacking chances but three kickable penalties were hooked wide and again it was Rossiter who rounded off some excellent handling by his forwards and backs to put Rossiter in for try No 2.
 
Then came that penalty for indiscipline which gave Rossiter an easier three points – and it meant that The Athletic managed to snatch the result when a further attacking platform saw Rossiter in the right place at the right time to score his third try, which he also converted to add insult to injury.
 
It meant joy for the visitors and disappointment in defeat for Neyland in a game that was a credit to both clubs in front a large crowd, proving that local matches are worth watching, with both squads playing the game at a great pace, and with The Athletic maintaining their 100% record – and with this talented Neyland side learning focus on what they do best, which is playing an excellent brand of running rugby!
 
Neyland: Patrick Bellerby: Matthew Coles; Alex Codd; George Williams (Capt); Josh Watts: Oli Rothero; Owen Hamer: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Alex Swales; Seb Mackintosh: Dan Hart; Iestyn Evans: Tal Tamilia; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Adam Peel; Andrew Slark; Mark James; George Evans; Henry Macbeth.
 
Narberth Athletic: Shane Rossiter: Luke Conbeer; Brad Cramb; Stephen J Brown; Iestyn Doble: Shay Norcross; Jordan James: Declan Cole; Rhys Jenkins; Jac Norcross: Dan Owen; Henry Foster: Jack Tucker; Harry Harries; Stephen Pilot (Capt). Replacements (from): Ryan Cole; Osian Phillips; Kyle Williams; Harri Harries; Andrew Williams.
 



 
 

Premiership Division:

 

Otters slammed in one-sided first half

 
 

Narberth 20 - Cardiff Met 38

 
Narberth were looking to break their Premiership League duck as they entertained a Cardiff Met team situated just above them in the table but that hope had almost vanished out of sight by half time as they trailed by 0-28 and the students had already pouched a bonus point for scoring four tries.
 
It says much for The Otters resilience that they did make a better job of it in the second period as they did manage four tries, all unconverted, but Cardiff Met refused to cave in, as The Otters had before the oranges, and they also added another ten points to stay clear of any real danger.
 
Centre Chris Patterson started the visitors’ points’ fest as he cut through for two early tries, both converted by outside half Ross Mackay, and others came from prop Max Surry and full back Tiaan Evans, again both converted by Mackay, who looked dangerous as he called the shots.
 
Narberth skipper Tom Powell opened his team’s account with a try soon after the break but Mackay notched a penalty and also added the extra points to another try by winger Ryan Couzens.
 
The Otters had the better of the final quarter, though, with further tries by winger Harry Fuller, flanker Josh Hamer and superb No 8 Roy Osborn to secure the bonus point, which was appropriate because he had played really well alongside scrumhalf Lewys Gibby, who was again chosen as  man of the match for his play in adversity.
 
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Harry Fuller; Ilan Phillips; Hedd Nicolas; Jack Evans: Jonathan Rogers; Lewys Gibby: George Rossiter; Kyle Hamer; Ryan  Rees: Iestyn Richards; Caleb Salmon: Josh Hamer; Tom Powell (Capt); Roy Osborn. Replacements:  Bradley Davies; Tom Clarke; Tom Kaijaks, Will Blackburn; Owain Thomas; Alex Williams; Osian Evans; Harrison Griffiths.
 
Cardiff Met:  Tiaan Evans:  Ioan Evans; Jack Statton; Gus Patterson; Ben Parsons: Ross McKay; Harry Rice: Max Surry; Olly Arnold; Jac Pritchard: Sam Bryan; Ryan Cozens: Max Brown; Josh Hart; Will Owen. Replacements: Evan Wood; Charlie Reboul; Alex Wakefield; Billy Wiseman; Tom Sunray; Louis Pereira; Tom Howlett; Jack Walsh.
 
 

Championship Division:

 

Preseli Men pay a second-half price

 

Crymych 21 - Kenfig Hill 38

 
Crymych were good value for a narrow first half lead against a powerful Kenfig Hill team that somehow managed to raise the tempo in the second period and added a further 21 points so that The Preseli Men didn’t even have a bonus point to show for all their efforts.
 
The Parc Lloyd Thomas faithful have seen a similar story a couple of times recently and again they scored three cracking tries by scrum half Rhodri Davies, No 8 and skipper Carwyn Phillips and outside half Rhys Davies, all converted by full back Eilir George, making a welcome return to the team.
 
Kenfig Hill had influential half backs in who used good possession in skipper Tom Briggs and outside half Max Brace, and Brace completed a good all-round display with 11 points from a penalty and all four conversions of tries from wingers Aaron Grabham and Gareth Rees, No 8 Ben Jones,  centre Jonny Clatworthy and a penalty try.
 
Crymych: Eilir George: Laurence Headlam; Ifan Phillips; Jon Hill; Ianto Davies: Rhys Davies; Rhodri Davies; Gruff Williams; Lee Griffiths; Ifan James: Osian Davies; Iestyn Wood: Tom Taylor; Llyr Davies; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Morgan James; Osian Charles; Matthew Freebury; Luke Freebury; Ellis Thomas; Hedd George.
 
 

Division One (West):

 

Seasiders ease through against Waun

 

Waunarlwydd 12 - Tenby United 17

 
Tenby United completed a cup and league win double over Waunarlwydd in eight days at Roseland Road, this speedy return following the same pattern where the home side used ground advantage to the full and forced The Seasiders to show all their determination in maintain their 100% start to the campaign.
 
Waun are nicknamed ‘The Rams’ and they showed their power in the first 15 minutes as they deservedly took a 12-point lead with good work from forwards like Kirwan and skipper Seeley at prop to set up tries by hooker Andrew Lloyd and No 8 Caradog Koniewski, one converted by No 10 Cameron Smith.
 
But Tenby gradually weathered the storm and reduced the deficit when they built pressure in the corner and gritty scrum half Dai Jones to dive over the line for Lloyd Thomas to add the very difficult conversion.
 
Inspired by this score The Seasiders actually took the lead before the interval with a good try by strong-running centre Liam Price, who took a well-timed flat pass from Thomas and sped to the line for Thomas to add the much simpler conversion and push Tenby into a 14-12 interval lead.
 
The second half was equally as tense because both teams clearly wanted to take the verdict, with both having yellow cards, two to the respective captains at one stage and there was also a red card for the homesters that reduced their effectiveness – but there was no further scoring until the 75^th minute,  and it was Tenby who were awarded a penalty and no-one better to take it than Lloyd Thomas.
 
The outside half calmly lined up his kick and sent it unerringly through the uprights, but there was still one vital moment to come because as the Rams applied really pressure in the final seconds it seemed a home score was a possibility – but Dan Colley claimed the turn-over and The Seasiders were victorious!
 
Tenby coach Jonathan Evans was full of praise after for his team’s resilience and singled out replacements Frankie Boyd and 18-year-old Max Boswell, who came on  very early and was still going strong at the end. It was a nice moment for assistant coach Ossie Boswell to see his  grandson playing so well, with another grand-son in Lewis Boswell also on and off the field as The Seasiders’ physio!
 
Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Gwion Jones; Liam Price; Tom Edmonds; Matthew Lewis: Lloyd Thomas; Dai Jones: Hywel Baker; Dan Alen; Ethan Morgan: Tom Barrass (Capt); Luke Dedman: Charlie Patching; Dan Colley; Jake Roberts. Replacements:  Frankie Boyd; Alex Jenkins; Max Boswell; Fletcher Broadhurst; Gethin Bradney.
 
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

District H derby victory for battling Borderers

 

Whitland 14 - Milford Haven 10

 
Matches between these old District H rivals go a long way back and there were some epic clashes in the KO Cup as well – and this one at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn was no exception as no quarter was asked for or given before The Borderers outscored The Mariners by two tries to one and secured a second win in four matches for the homesters and inflicted a third defeat in four starts for Steve Martin’s boys.
 
Coach Martin again had to play at outside half for Milford and his assistant Lee Riley was on the bench, with no shortage of endeavour from the entire squad, led by skipper Luke Ryan, Zac Davies and Dan Jenkins – with rival skipper Zac France-Miller a key figure for Whitland before he had to go off injured. It certainly swung the game a little in The Mariners’ favour because Milford brought on back rower Dewi Williams for his first appearance during the shutdown and he exerted a major influence on the game, but without being able to swing the final verdict his team’s favour.
 
Others who played well for Whitland as they led 7-0 at half time and eventually eased home 14-10, were Courtney Bowman, making his front-row debut,  centre Owyn Griffiths, who always posed a threat, outside half Jonathan Thomas and second row Iestyn Comey, involved in defence and attack.
 
It was  Bowman and Comey who claimed the home team’s tries, both converted by No 10 Thomas, whilst The Mariners’ second half points came from a Dewi Willam’ try, converted by full back James Trueman alongside a penalty.
 
There was also a nice post-match meeting-up of former Fishguard players as Matthew Driver was on the bench for Whitland and Robbie Jones played well in the centre for Milford Haven. They didn’t have much contact on the pitch but certainly shared a few pints afterwards – and memories of when they played at The Moors, and were coached by Robbie’s dad , ‘J.J. Jones!
 
Whitland: Jack Flanagan: Deian Davies; Will Hughes; Dom Davies; Owyn Griffiths: Johnny Thomas; Rhys Nicholas: Trystan Bowen; Marc Jones; Johnny Phillips: Iestyn Comey; Courtney Bowman: Njabulo Madondo; Dan Bennett; Zac France-Miller. Replacements: Charlie Watson; Ceirion Evans; Gavin Smith; Alan Proctor; Matt Driver.
 
Milford Haven: James Trueman:  Danny Goodridge; Robbie Jones; Dan Jenkins; Dean McSparron: Steve Martin; Dan McClelland: Luke Ryan (Capt); Charlie Dai Sweeney: Jay Goodall; Zac Davies: Ryan Williams; Ieuan Davies; Jack Morgan. Replacements: Dewi Williams; Chris Hall; Andrew Sinton; Lee Riley.
 
 
 

Seagulls struggle against undefeated Lampeter

 

Lampeter 29 - Fishguard & Goodwick 0

 
Fishguard and Goodwick must have suffered from a bout of  temperamental travel sickness as they made the journey to play a Lampeter side which had won all its previous three league matches and were on top throughout as they opened up a 21-0 lead by half time – and although The Seagulls played a little better after the oranges were still unable to break their points duck as Lampeter added a further eight points to inflict a second loss in six matches for Fishguard..
 
Ben John made a welcome return to the second row alongside Griff Williams and the back row of Jac Delaney, Bryn Thomas and skipper Sion Colella battled hard in adversity there were few chances for Max  and Mark Jones to put their stamp on play as dropped passes and taking wrong options took its toll.
 
Lampeter also pouched a bonus point for their tries by flanker Dafydd Lewis, No 8 Ryan Jones and a penalty try in the first period, all converted by outside half Osian Jones.
 
They secured that bonus point when full back Ieuan Rees sped over for their fourth try and although Osian Joes missed that conversion he added a penalty on a disappointing day for coach Nathan Jenkins and his subdued troops.
 
Fishguard & Goodwick:  Dan Evans: Dom Sinnott; Rhys Evans; Mike Jenkins; Will James: Mark Jones; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Ryan McVeigh: Griff Williams; Ben John: Bryn Thomas; Sion Colella (Capt); Jac Delaney. Replacements: Iwan McVeigh; Cai Llewellyn; Ben Bone; Will Nicholas; Steffan Morris.
 
 

Division Three (West):

 

Blues hold on in frantic finish

 

Llandeilo 26 - Haverfordwest 28

 
At half time in Cae William, Haverfordwest were good value for a 21-5 lead over Llandeilo but somehow The Blues conspired to take their foot off the gas and the home side found some more fuel,  and after conceding two late scores managed to hold on to a two-point lead and a precious bonus-point in their third win of the season.
 
After a fairly even first 13 minutes The Blues opened their account with a close-to-the-line try from busy hooker Jamie Zambas, which Owain Roberts converted – but almost their first real attack Llandeilo grabbed an unconverted try.
 
Back came The Blues with some terrific work by their pack which laid the platform so that tries came from Scott Candler, Owain Roberts (after good work from Iestyn Arnold and Jake Evans) converted again by Roberts to give that reassuring interval scoreline.
 
Llandeilo managed a second score before Roberts landed a penalty – ant was a good job that he did because Llandeilo finished like trains as they grabbed two converted tries to earn two bonus points. Their try scorers were Harri Morgan, Jac Doel, Daniel Thomas and Owen Smith, with three conversions by No 10 Steff Roberts – and it was a good job Haverfordwest held out, otherwise it might have been the home side which celebrated a second win in six matches!
 
Haverfordwest: Owain Roberts: Guy Barrons; Jack Evans; Iestyn Arnold; Scott Candler: Matty Phillips; Ioan Hawkridge-Jones: Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas; Terry Lovell: Teifion Owen; Karl Busch (Capt): Dylan Williamson; Mike Griffiths; Jon Mason. Replacements: Iestyn Bevan; Andrew Edwards; Gabriel Thicker;  Tom Carrington; Ioan Kelso-Jones. Travelling reserve: Johnny White.
 
 


 
 

Shaun steers the Cardis to victory

 
 

Llangadog 17 - Cardigan 23

 
Ace goal kicker Shaun Leonard was once again the toast of his Cardigan colleagues and supporters as he landed three penalties and converted both their tries to earn them victory over Llangadog, although it was nip and tuck as the opposition led 11-10 at half time and there was never a huge gap thereafter.
 
Home centre Caradog  Andriewski claimed their try along with two penalties from outside half  Ceri Williams, whilst The Teifisiders responded with a penalty from Leonard and a try from veteran No 8 Colin Davies, in the thick of things as usual, which Leonard converted before adding another penalty very early in the second half.
 
Leonard was again on target with another three points and the conversion of an excellent try from centre Kieran Greenland to put The Cardis in a strong position at 23-10 but then Llangadog clawed their way back via No 10 Williams, who added two more penalties to take his team to within a converted try of success – but skipper Marcus Castle and his team stayed focussed and claimed the win as reward for some good overall play as Kieran Hurley, Jackson Tucker Lynch and Will Brice led the hard work of the entire Teifisiders’ pack.
 
 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: John Lumb; Marcus Castle (Capt); Kieran Greenland; Jack Taylor: Jac Davies; Llyr Jones: Will Brice; Luke Palmer-Davies; Ben Hughes: Dan Jones; Dean Harries: Kieran Hurley; Jackson Tucker Lynch; Colin Davies. Replacements:  Rhodri Parry-Jones; Andrew Jones; Sion Phillips; Aaron Evans; Iwan John.
 
 

Division Four (West) A:

 

Wasps sting second-placed Quins

 

Llangwm 23 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 21

 
Llangwm claimed their first win of the season as they caused a bit of a surprise against opponents sitting nicely in second place, with three wins from four matches.
 
The Wasps served notice of intent as they battled really hard in the first half to lead 9-7 thanks to three penalties by centre George James against a try by The Quins No 8 Harry Owen, which skipper Ben Hathaway converted.
 
As fortunes ebbed and flowed in front of a large, partisan crowd, Danny Wilkes’ try, converted by Hathaway, put The Quins back in front – but a try by George Evans, which he also converted swung the game the other way for a short while.
 
Then a Morgan Rogers’ try, converted by Hathaway restored the lead for The Quins but straight from the kick-off they knocked on, conceded a penalty and replacement hooker Gethin Thomas was a popular Wasps’ scorer, and his try was converted by talented young Llangwm No 10 Harry Makepeace to earn his team the spoils in a proper local derby that showed there is still spirit when local teams meet, rather than having to travel distances and cost their clubs a small fortune in bus hire!
 
Llangwm: Breig Matthews: Ollie Gerson; Josh Griffiths; George James; Matty Lewis: Harry Makepeace; Rhys Power: Joe Newton; Gavin Jones; James Morgan: Ashley James; Jason Mock: Morgan Rees; Jordan Cornick; Aaron Williams. Replacements: Callum Jenkins; Gethin Thomas; Rhys Manwaring; Mikey Phillips; Jack Roberts.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway (Capt): Tom Wheeler; Craig Barnett; Jack Price; Ryan Neilson: Morgan Rogers; Ollie Lewis: Alfie Ball; Johnny Nicot; Dan McLeod: Lewis Scourfield; Rhys Doyle: Liam Scourfield; Danny Wilkes; Harry Owen. Replacements:  Rhys Davies; Rhys Spencer; Ryan Gammer; Dave Bradney; Owain Turner.
 
 

Foster fires Saints to success at Ddol Wiber

 

Dreigiau Emlyn 7 - St Davids 12

 
St Davids made the long journey to Newcastle Emlyn to take on The Dreigiau and were delighted to return with a hard-fought success in a low-scoring tussle where there was no scoring for over 60 minutes before The Saints pouched two tries and then had to withstand a late home onslaught after they had scored seven points with three minutes to go.
 
That first hour of play showed how little there was to separate the teams as Emlyn sought a third success from five starts and The Saints looked for a second win in only their third league outing.
 
Leading the way for St Davids was dynamic flanker and skipper Nathan Foster, with his vice-captain George Raymond and the front row of Ethan Griffiths, Adam Williams and Ben Evans working hard all afternoon – with Griffiths grabbing a rare try and replacement prop  Dan Murphy adding the other to go with a Bob Froy conversion.
 
At that stage a Saints’ victory seemed assured but the homesters set the cat amongst the pigeons with a late try from Celt Davies, converted by Llew Morgan, before Jack Dudley’s boys stopped him biting his nails to the quick and the final whistle went.
 
St Davids: Rhys Meredith-Bowen: Morgan Griffiths; Harvey Lavin; Will Savage; Bob Froy: Owain Swain; Zac Morgan: Ethan Griffiths; Adam Williams; Ben Evans:  Iestyn Owen; James Goldsmith: Aaron Foster; Nathan Foster (Capt); George Raymond. Replacements: Joe Nash; Dan Murphy; Owain Morris; Michael Gurney; Morgan Davies. Travelling reserve: Rhys Price.
 
 
 

Scarlets celebrate a deserved first victory

 

Llanybydder 24 Pembroke 31

 
After four successive defeats, Pembroke enjoyed the sweet taste of success in an absorbing clash as Llanybydder battled hard in  this absorbing clash where The Scarlets led 24-12 at the break; Llan clawed their way back level but Gary Price’s men had the final word with a late seven points that earned them a maximum five pints whilst the homesters had the consolation of two bonus points as reward for their never-say die spirit.
 
For The Scarlets it was doubly pleasing because they had to play without Lewis Davies (replaced by Tom Lewis)  and Ethan Brown (Kieran Cookson played well as his replacement) - as well as losing promising hooker Dan Davies in the second minute and try scorer Robin Badham after 20 minutes so that veterans Jamie Brayford and Sam Smith had to play for longer spells than they expected.
 
Joining Badham on The Scarlets’ try sheet were Jack Oliver, Fraser James, Dai Rogers and Will Edwards, three of them converted by another youngster in Josh Greenwood. Skipper Lloyd Davies led by example, as usual, with the whole Pembroke side putting in an honest shift to travel home with this win.
 
Llan responded with a try quartet from Arwel Williams, Ifan Mason-Evans, Griff Morgans and Mathew Rollings, who added two conversions.
 
Pembroke: Zach Evans: Darcy Langston; Fraser James; Jack Nicholas; Barry Alderman-John: Tom Lewis; Josh Greenwood:  Seamus Wiseman; Dan Davies; Lloyd Davies (Capt): Ethan Brown; Will Edwards: David Rogers; Jack Oliver; Robin Badham. Replacements: Sam Smith; Jamie Brayford.