PHOTOS:

Ed Bendall scores his third second-half try

Simon James crashes over at the posts

Ian Griffiths saves Llangwm at a retreating scrum five

Sam Kurtz – hurt after scoring but still able to smile!

 

Feature Match – Division Three (West) B:

 

Seagulls slam gritty Wasps

Fishguard & Goodwick 72 Llangwm 0

Fishguard and Goodwick were good value for their big win over Llangwm but the Wasps deserve every credit for their part in a match where they also came close to scoring on a few occasions but the final pass went adrift.

The Seagulls had already won by 76-14 at Pill Parks and an even bigger win seemed on the Cards as they sped through for early corner tries by hooker Gavin Walsh and winger Gareth Adamson, both concerted from wide out by superb kicks from James Griffiths.

But they tried to over-elaborate and some ‘white-line fever’ caused chances to be wasted – and the Wasps went close through Dan Morgan, Luke and Andrew Brock, plus their man of the match, No 8 Ian Griffiths.

The only other home try came close to the interval as Walsh added his second try shortly after James Griffiths scythed through for what seemed a certain score but was ankle-tapped by Ben Charles.

But with the wind at their back and with Fishguard in control up front, the Wasps had few chances after the interval and tries came at very regular intervals from full back Sam Kurtz, Mark George (2) and flanker Owain Morgans before Ed Bendall came on and added three tries against a tired defence.

Skipper Simon James crashed through at the posts and hooker Walsh completed his hat-trick as Fishguard keep their sights firmly on the section silverware and still hot favourites to edge out current leaders Milford Haven since they have games in hand.

Fishguard & Goodwick:
Sam Kurtz: Gareth Adamson; Ben John; Jone Vatu; David Evans: James Griffiths; Alun George: Jason Davies; Gavin Walsh; Andrew Morrillo: Richard Hunter; Gwilym Evans: Owain Morgans; Mark George; Simon James (Capt). Replacements: Gerwyn Davies; Rhys Lewis; Ryan McVeigh; Rhys Williams; Ed Bendall; Mark James.

Llangwm: Jonathan Brock: Dan Morgan; Ben Charles; Andrew Brock; Ollie Davies: Luke Brock; Rhys Mason: James Griffiths; Josh Davies; Gavin Jones: Ieuan Power; Danny Chesmer: Carwyn Morgan; James Lewis (Capt); Ian Griffiths. Replacements: Josh Hicks; Henry Brant; Simon Preddy; Dai Owen.
Referee: Richard Thomas (Carmarthen)


 

Championship:

Otters stave off basement battlers’ challenge

Narberth 17 - Tondu 10

Narberth claimed their 12^th win of the season in the championship and completed the double over a Tondu side battling to escape from the relegation zone.

The Otters had won 22-17 at Tondu but knew that their opponents were no walk overs as the visitors led 7-0 after a tight first period thanks to a try which was scored by centre Matthew Davies and converted by No 10 Paul Smithson.

Whatever Jonathan Dodd and Sean Gale at the interval it certainly worked as The Otters were awarded a penalty try after 48 minutes – only for Smithson to put Tondu back in front with a penalty.

But the Otters raised the tempo and ran in tries by young prop Ollie Evans, as reward for his excellent performance, and a late score by winger Rhys Davies, who rounded off a good handling move as he sped over in the corner.

It leaves The Otters in a healthy sixth place whilst Tondu linger just outside the bottom two after this 16^th defeat in 19 outings.
 

 

Division One (West):

Preseli Men gain local derby revenge

Crymych 23 - Tenby United 8

Crymych gained ample revenge for a  21-13 defeat at Heywood Lane as they proved too strong up front for Tenby United and secured an eighth victory to leave them only two points adrift of the Seasiders.

The Preseli Men opened the scoring with a penalty from outside half Sam Phillips before winger Tomos Phillips raced over for an unconverted try.

Nico Setaro reduced the deficit for Tenby to leave them just 8-3 behind at half time and he also scored an unconverted second-half try.

But by then Crymych had further tries from scrum half Luke Rogers and full back Gavin Thomas alongside a conversion and penalty by Sam Phillips, as prop Rhys Richards and back row brothers Tom and Joe caught the eye up front and veteran centre Gareth Davies used his experience well in defence.

PHOTO:
Andrew Phillips of Crymych and Nico Setaro of Tenby close to the Crymych tryline
Picture by Susan McKehon

 

Borderers edged out in agonising closing stages

Whitland 17 - Llangennech 18

Whitland came within five minutes of victory against fifth-placed Llangennech at Parc Llyn Ty Gwyn but then conceded a push-over try to No 8 Dan Griffiths which Jamie Herbert converted from wide out to give his team a win by the narrowest of margins.

After a tight opening stage Whitland finally took the lead with a try from talented young fly half Steffan James which he also converted – but Llangennech led 8-7 at the interval thanks to an unconverted try from centre Johnny Griffiths and a penalty by Jamie Herbert.

Herbert also opened the second half scoring with another penalty but the Borderers had a good spell where flanker Rhidian Davies crossed for a try which James converted to go with a penalty that took his side into the final stages with a 17-11 advantage.

But just when it seemed they might hold on the Borderers conceded that late try from close range and Herbert held his nerve to add the vital two points – and all Whitland had to show for a lot of hard work was the consolation of a losing bonus point!
 

Division Two (West):

Blues have to settle for a bonus point

Haverfordwest 13 - Aberystwyth 20

Haverfordwest found it hard going against Aberystwyth in the first half as they played into the wind and found themselves 20-3 behind at the break – but although they had the better of the second half exchanges were unable to break down the resolute Aber defence enough and again had to settle for a bonus point against a side which had already beaten the Blues by 27-16 in Mid Wales.

Aber raced into a 20-0 lead with tries by centre Rhodri Richards and scrum half Gethin Rees, both converted by No 10 Jason Rees, who also landed two good penalty kicks before the Blues finally opened their account just before half time with a try from No 10 Steve Williams.

Home hopes of a come-back were raised with an unconverted try by full back Scott James and with Ryan Banner and Liam Brown playing well up front they added another five-pointer from No 8 John Mason, who was making a welcome return.

But Aber covered well in defence and, try as they might, Haverfordwest were unable to add any more points and remain in tenth spot, just above the bottom two in the table.
 

PHOTO:
Adam Williams rampages forward for Haverfordwest

Cardis clattered by section leaders

Gowerton 80 - Cardigan 12

Cardigan found it hard going as they could only muster 15 players for their match against table-topping Gowerton and paid the inevitable price as the home side ran in 12 tries and outside half Josh Hamer had four of them in a personal haul of 38 points.

The Teifisiders were 33-12 behind at half time, their points coming from Sion and Llyr Jones, who also converted one of them.

But as well as Hamer’s points glut, there were other tries from Gareth King (2), Gareth John (2), Robbie Jones, Richard Thomas, Louis Taylor and Phil Hadley to help Gowerton to their 17^th success in 18 matches, whilst Cardigan remain firmly rooted in the bottom two in the table.
 

Division Three (West) B:

 

Mariners maul Quins at The Obs

Milford Haven 65 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 0

Milford haven maintained their top place in the section table as they overwhelmed a gritty Pembroke Dock Quins’ side which was already 29-0 down at half time and conceded another 36 second half points before the referee ended play a little before time.

Veteran forward Dai Sweeney opened the scoring for The Mariners as reward for his support play and others came from centres Dean Matthews and James Thomas (2) and dynamic No 8 James Passmore. Grant Rogers added two conversions as he took over the kicking duties after regular kicker Leigh Broome had to go off very early with a leg injury.

There was no let-up for the beleaguered Quins in the second half Thomas completed his hat-trick and there was a second tries for Sweeney and Matthews alongside others from Sam Stalbow (2) as Rogers added three more conversions to keep the Mariners in pole position – and pin the Quins firmly at the foot of the table.
 

Neyland v Laugharne
*Match postponed – Laugharne unable to raise a team because of a funeral

 

Scarlet runners too strong for Saints

Pembroke 70 - St Davids 0

St Davids continued their recent roller-coaster ride at Crickmarren as they followed a huge defeat at Fishguard and the excitement of a rare win over St Clears with another heavy loss as Pembroke ran in 12 tries and kept a clean sheet, despite the Saints’ yeoman efforts.

The writing was already on the wall at half time as they were 34-0 down and points continued to pile up for the Scarlets after the oranges.

To be fair to the visitors they never threw in the towel but they had little answer to the Scarlets’ ball-winning capabilities, with second row Will Edwards continuing his recent good form as he ruled the lineout and his support play earned him a hat-trick of tries.

Flanker Dom Colman also claimed a hat-trick and other tries came from centre Bill Wood, flanker Danny Manning and replacement Sion Dalling, making a welcome return after injury.

No 8 Sam Smith also got on the try sheet alongside his brother Toby, playing on permit from Tenby and scoring two tries as Lewis Davis finished with five conversions to help the Scarlets to a high-scoring double since they had already won 46-19 in St Davids.