PHOTO:
Haverfordwest go on the attack against newly crowned Division Three West champions Gorseinon at Merlins Bridge
Championship:
Otters battle to deserved double
Llanharan 17 - Narberth 22
Narberth completed a double over Llanharan as they followed up their comfortable 34-8 home success with this harder-fought tussle against a team whose form belied their tenth place in the table.
Cody Rees kicked the home side into an early three-point lead but the Otters responded with a good corner try from skipper Steve Martin which Nick Gale did well to convert – and then in-form flanker Nick Worrall added the second score, this time unconverted, for the visitors.
But back came Llanharan with a try by flanker Rory Martin-Smith, converted by Rees, to cut the deficit to two points at half time and the home side took the lead for the first time when centre Morgan Williams raced through for a try and his namesake Tyler added the extra points.
It stung the Otters into the need for a rise in tempo and fly half Ianto Griffiths played an influential role as he kicked a penalty and then added a try which he converted to give his side victory.
Division One (West):
Preseli Men prevent late Builth fight-back
Crymych 17 - Builth Wells 14
Crymych defied a second-half come-back by Builth Wells to claim a good home win against a team who had beaten them 14-3 earlier in the campaign.
The Preseli Men had first use of the elements and led 12-0 at half time, thanks to well-worked tries by veteran centre Elgan Vittle and scrum half Rhys Davies, who also landed one conversion.
The home pack played well to set up the platform for a third try, this time from left winger Guto Griffiths, and although Builth battled bravely back with tries from prop Luke Murray and flanker Ben Pugh, both converted by Josh Leonard, it was Crymych who were able to celebrate their sixth league win of the season so far.
Division Three (West):
Seasiders have to settle for a play-off place
Tenby United 39 - Llandeilo 3
Tenby United produced an excellent all-round performance to comfortably beat Llandeilo for the second time in successive Saturdays but had to settle for second place in the table since Gorseinon edged through to the silverware on the same number of points as the Seasiders but having won more matches.The Seasiders were 10-3 ahead at half time thanks to unconverted tries from winger Dai Meyrick and full back Damien Miller as Celfyn Davies landed a penalty for Llandeilo.
Tenby then secured the bonus point that kept the pressure on Gorseinon as winger Jack Guerreiro scored two tries in the first five minutes of the second half, one converted by Jonathan Rogers.
The Seasiders stayed well on top through further tries by Toby Smith and a second from outstanding full back Miller, both converted by Rogers to go with a well-struck penalty – and now they have to raise their standard even further for the play-offs, which they are capable of winning on recent form.
Blues miss out in second half
Haverfordwest 11 - Gorseinon 34
Craig Barnett had slotted two penalties for the Blues to one by Sam Evans in the first period as the large contingent of Gorseinon supporters, which included Wales’ world-class full back Leigh Halfpenny, a former Gorseinon junior player, looked concerned.
The Blues also had an interesting duo involved as Steve Barnett (51) came on for the least ten minutes to play alongside son Craig and Mark Busch (46) was on the bench to also help out a depleted Haverfordwest squad.
But Gorseinon moved up a couple of gears after the oranges and tries came at regular intervals through Nicky Southgate (2), Andrew Steel, Tim O’Kell and Sam Evans, who also added three conversions as Messrs Halfpenny and Co were able to celebrate their first title in almost 60 years.
Wyndham Williams bursts through a gap for the Blues
Division Four (West):
Seagulls stand up well to section leaders
Gowerton 24 - Fishguard & Goodwick 5
Fishguard and Goodwick had already lost 24-8 at home against section front-runners Gowerton so knew the task before them – but although the Seagulls conceded the double they battled hard and earned praise from co-coach Randall Williams for the way that they stuck to their task.The visiting pack played well in atrocious conditions caused by heavy periods of rain but Gowerton’s greater experience paid off as they registered tries by Ryan Thomas (2), Liam Hedges and a penalty try, plus two conversions by Josh Hayman.
The Seagulls only response in terms of points came from an unconverted try by Craig Griffiths as Gowerton are now assured of the silverware, barring a disaster of Pompeii proportions!
Mariners’ hopes of a high-note finish are spoilt by Aber
Milford Haven 7 - Aberaeron 17
Milford Haven’s hopes of finishing the season on a high note were spoilt by an Aberaeron side who are just two places above them in the table but completed the double after 31-5 home win over the Mariners earlier in the season.
But Aber led 10-7 at half time as scrum half Dylan Williams sniped over the line from close range.
Milford had their chances in the second half, where the weather deteriorated, but their opting for a scrum five in favour of a penalty kick came to naught and after Aber cleared the danger they scored an all-important third try, again by Gethin Thomas, which Rhodri Jenkins converted to sink the Mariners’ hopes.
Aberaeron secure quality lineout ball against the Mariners
Division Five (West):
Sam stars in Scarlets’ deserved double
Llangadog 17 - Pembroke 28
Pembroke scored four tries to claim a bonus point win at Llangadog as reward for another excellent all-round performance in which No 8 Sam Smith was man of the match for his two tries and general contribution to the Scarlets’ success.
Fortunes ebbed and flowed as Pembroke established an early 14-0 lead through tries by winger James Skeels and full back Lewis Davies, who also landed both conversions, before Llangadog reduced the interval deficit to only two points thanks to a try brace for Eifion Jones and a Dafydd Jenkins’ conversion.
Jenkins then sped through for an unconverted try to give the homesters the lead but then Smith intervened to plough his way through for two typically barn-storming tries that Lewis Davies again goaled to help give them the double over a team just one slot below them in the section table.
Quins secure welcome win over Wasps
Pembroke Dock Harlequins 33 - Llangwm 15
Pembroke Dock Harlequins secured a welcome win over near neighbours Llangwm in an entertaining match at Bierspool where eight tries were scored, five of them to the Black & Whites.
The Quins led 14-0 at half time thanks to good tries from Chris Harries and a penalty try, both converted by the Quins skipper Barry Parsons.
The Wasps responded soon after the break with a good try by No 8 Ashley Jack, only for the Quins to take control again thanks to further tries by second row Mike Davies, converted by Parsons, and then Joe Powell from a Liam Smith kick ahead.
Parsons then contributed a converted try to his team’s cause before Llangwm showed their undeniable spirit with two late consolation tries by Gavin Jones and Aled Morgan, to finish off a match enjoyed by both hardy sets of supporters.
Patrick powers All Blacks to big win
Neyland 43 - Penygroes 0
Three tries from young centre/outside half Patrick Bellerby helped Neyland gain an excellent win over basement side Penygroes, who arrived with only 15 players and had uncontested scrums throughout.
They paid the inevitable price against a Neyland side which has been growing in confidence in the second half of the season – and were good value for a 15-0 interval lead.
Joining Bellerby on the scoresheet was pocket-battleship centre Adam Collins, with two tries alongside others from prop Jack Kinnersley and outside half Adam Cawley, who also chipped in with a conversion.
Other extra points came from Bellerby and replacement Mark Riley (2) as Neyland duly completed their sixth win of the season against a Penygroes side only able to win two matches all campaign.