PHOTOS:
Adam Collins breaks clear
Collins looked delighted with his try
Joe Powell off on another superb run
Mark Riley chases down Andrew Price
Feature Match:
All Blacks too strong for gritty Quins
Pembroke Dock Harlequins 12 - Neyland 32
Pembroke Dock Harlequins produced a much grittier performance than of late but were still unable to hold off the challenge of an experienced Neyland side which had big players where it counted.
The Quins were boosted by the inclusion of Joe Powell, on permit from Crymych, and he looked a class act but the All Blacks were led by Chris Busby and Andrew Slark up front, with Adam Collins grabbing two tries despite fast approaching 40 and co-centre Patrick Bellerby also scoring a try and posing a threat whenever he had the ball.
The Quins had by far the better of the opening quarter as Powell was joined by Mark van Rhun, Joe Roberts, Steffan Miller, Joe Roberts and Josh White in a series of drives – and the Quins determination to run three eminently kickable penalties finally came off as Van Rhun ploughed through in the corner and Dan Brookes’ left-foot conversion sailed over.
Bellerby and Collins intervene
But Bellerby showed his class as hauled the All Blacks level with a mazy run from half way to the posts, with Mark Riley adding the simple extra points.
Then Collins claimed the try of the match after Delme Bateman had created space with a long midfield pass and Collins utilised the space to exchange passes with Craig Grice and speed to the line to give the visitors a 12-7 interval advantage.
Mark Riley opened the second half scoring with an early penalty and although Dean Wilcox added a second score for the Quins it was Neyland who completed the double, having won 51-12 at home, with further tries from Slark, Collins and prop Richard Smith, one converted by Riley.
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Paul Jonker: Dan Brookes; Ryan Neilson; Dan Goodridge; Martin Culley: Andrew Price; Nathan George: Dai Moseley; Steffan Miller; Joe Roberts: Josh White; Mark van Rhun: Peter Roach; Steff Hallwood; Joe Powell. Replacement: Dean Wilcox.
Neyland: Delme Bateman: Craig Grice; Patrick Bellerby; Adam Collins; Richard Smith: Jonathan Lloyd; Mark Riley: Richard Jones; Craig Power: Richard Banner: Mark James; Chris Busby (Capt): Andrew Slark; Gareth Lawlor; Steve Hamer. Replacements: Gareth Bevans; Samuela Katicai; Alex Swales; Jack Kinnersley; Callum Tree.
Referee: Kevin Foley (Swansea)
Championship:
Otters off!
Llanharan P Narberth P
*Match postponed - ground unfit for play
Division One (West):
Seasiders storm back in second half
Tenby United 23 - Newcastle Emlyn 18
Tenby United produced a splendid second half display to claw their way back from an 18-5 deficit against second-placed Newcastle Emlyn to show their true capabilities – and avenge a 34-10 defeat in Ddol Wiber earlier in the season.
Emlyn made an excellent start as full back Sion Leonard landed an early penalty and added a second after winger Dan Davies had sped over for an unconverted try.
Seasiders’ scrum half Jonathan Rogers reduced the deficit with a good try as he dummied his way through but Emlyn had the final word of the half when winger Llyr Jones claimed a try which Jones converted.
Tenby regrouped at half time under the guidance of coaches Gareth Thomas and Sean Brace, with an early Rogers’ penalty and try by Jordan Asparassa – and drew level when outstanding second row Rob Weston scored a try to draw level and Rogers’ conversion put the Seasiders in front for the first time.
There was still time for another Rogers’ penalty to confirm his man of the match status – but this was an excellent all-round effort from the entire Tenby United squad!
Jonathan Rogers dives in the corner for a try for Tenby
Picture by Susan McKehon
Borderers bag deserved bonus point
Loughor 26 - Whitland 19
Whitland took on Loughor in search of a league double after beating their opponents at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn by 18-9 but despite taking an early lead from talented teenage outside half Steffan James they were always in arrears and did well to grab a bonus point in the final analysis.
James early three-pointer was quickly cancelled out by a similar effort from Peter Smiriglia and then flanker Kevin Hill sped over for an unconverted try before second row Aled Davies ploughed through for Loughor’s second try and Smiriglia converted to go with a penalty right on the interval to give his side an 18-3 lead.
Whitland started the second half well with a James’ penalty and a try by scrum half Dafydd Evans which James initiated near half way but Smiriglia slotted a penalty and lock Davies grabbed his second score.
James added two more penalties to give the Borderers a deserved point and had team manager Kristian Richards praising what he saw as a very mature performance from a youngster!
Preseli Men beaten by bad weather!
Amman United P Crymych P
*Match postponed – ground unfit for play!
Division Two (West):
Candler hat-trick inspires Blues
Llandeilo 19 - Haverfordwest 41
Three tries by Scott Candler helped Haverfordwest to a 19-16 interval lead against Llandeilo in their vital basement battle and although the home side drew level at 19-all shortly after the interval the Blues simply raised the tempo and were rewarded with three more tries and a welcome bonus point.
Haverfordwest had beaten Llandeilo 49-0 at home but there looked little likelihood of a similar result as the Blues were soon 10-0 down as full back Owen Roberts kicked a penalty and converted his own try.
The Blues then shook off their travel sleepiness as quick hands put Candler in from 40 metres and Steve Williams converted. Candler also popped up to finish off other good moves in the 18th and 39th minutes, the second goaled by veteran No 10 Williams but Llandeilo fought back with a late penalty and drop goal from the ubiquitous Roberts.
Roberts notched another penalty for Llandeilo soon after the restart but then the Blues found another gear as centre Morgan Griffiths cut through and Williams converted as well as kicking a penalty.
With Adam Clark playing an influential role, prop Ashley Mathias supported well for a try and centre Griffiths grabbed his second of the match, converted by Williams to give the Blues their fourth win of the season.
Scott Candler - superb hat trick helps Haverfordwest win
Wanderers win with ease
Cardigan 3 - Llanelli Wanderers 41
Cardigan found it hard going against second-placed Llanelli Wanderers and could have few complaints about the final verdict as they now linger deep in the relegation mire.
All they had to show for their efforts was a penalty y Iestyn Crompton in the first half but the Wanderers always looked in control and kept in touch with Gowerton at the top as a result.
Full back Rhydian Morgan joined the line to good effect as he scored two tries, as did winger Steffan Rees and fly half Jonathan George, who also kicked three conversions.
Strong-running centre Richard de Fillipo also got his name on the scoresheet with a try and the Wanderers were full value for a much more convincing 31-23 success they had enjoyed against the Teifisiders at home.
Division Three (West):
Seagulls secure bonus-point success
Aberaeron 3 - Fishguard & Goodwick 34
Aber were 12-3 adrift at half time as scrum half Sion Evans landed a penalty but the Seagulls had already exerted a tweezer grip which ensured a vital bonus point as they chase down Milford Haven at the top of the table.
Winger Sam Kurtz opened the scoring with an unconverted try and skipper Simon James added the second Seagulls' score, converted by Griffiths.
With the wind at their backs, the visitors spread play wide for winger Sam Kurtz to score his second try, and with a bonus point assured when winger Ed Bendall sped over the line and Griffiths added the extras.
Flanker Mark George also powered through from close range and centre Ben John rounded of the scoring to provide a rare smile from coach Huw Evans and manager James Morgans, but who both are hard to please and thought the final margin might have been even wider!
Sam Kurtz - two good tries for Fishguard winger
Powerful Scarlets too strong for Laugharne
Laugharne 14 - Pembroke 42
Laugharne did manage a second try, this time by winger Tom Thomas but by then the Scarlets were out of sight as second row Will Edwards caught the eye with an amazing work load that included winning lineout ball, working tirelessly in the scrums and popping up everywhere with his support play helping as a link before the Scarlets had a typical barn-storming try by Sam Smith.
The best try of the match came when winger Barry John rounded off a move initiated in Pembroke’s own 22 and Dom Colman added a typical try which Davies converted to reward one of Pembroke’s best displays of the season.
Will Edwards - outstanding for Pembroke in win at Laugharne
Pembrokeshire Saints celebrate victory
St Davids 14 - St Clears 12
St Davids celebrated in true style on Saturday evening after they had gained only their second win of the season as they beaten Carmarthenshire’s version of the Saints, and in doing so overtook Pembroke Dock Quins at the foot of the table.
Small wonder then that coach Jack Dudley was delighted afterwards, particularly with the work rate of his front row of Ben Evans, Neil Thomas and Dan Murphy, assisted by John Riley and skipper Rhys ‘Loshin’ Price, Scott Riches, Carl Evans and Gethin Bateman in the ball-winning stakes.
St Davids played into the wind in the first half and trailed during the time Ben Evans was sin-binned as St Clears scored a try by Ryan Thomas which the scrum half also converted – and Jack Jones reduced the margin to a single point at half time as the gritty No 10 landed two penalties.
Experienced centre Ceri Jones added an unconverted try for St Clears to put them 12-6 in front but Jack Jones grabbed a try from St Davids soon afterwards.
Jones was unable to convert but more than made amends in the 78th minute when his pack won a penalty and he coolly slotted the ball between the sticks and over the bar for a match-winning three points.