Championship:
Pooler power on in search of top-flight return
Pontypool 22 - Narberth 10
Pontypool took another big step towards promotion back to the top echelon after this hard-fought tussle at Pontypool Park gave them the double over a gritty Narberth outfit which trailed 12-10 at the interval.
The Otters defended superbly for much of the second period as conditions worsened and were still only a single score behind until the closing seconds when ‘Pooler’ grabbed a fourth try and so claimed a vital bonus point to keep them firmly in third place.
Narberth had lost to Pontypool by 26-18 on the opening day of the season and trailed from the early stages as the home side scored a try by winger Nathan Brooks after good work by their pack before centre Clayton Gullis added the extra points.
Otters bounce back
But the Otters bounced back through the efforts of Dan Jacobs, Marc Jones, Jamie Kaijaks, Lyndon Bateman and skipper Gareth Bateman in setting the platform from which full back Johnny Morgan scored in the left corner and winger Nick Gale did well to convert.
Pontypool, playing into the elements, regained the lead through an unconverted try by prop Joe Popple but they were unable to quell Narberth’s industry and Nick gale kicked a penalty after good work by Alex Jenkins, Lewis Wood, Pat Roberts, plus half backs Jonathan Rogers and James Stephenson.
Pooler started the second half well but good defensive work by the likes of Steve Martin, Ollie Reyland and Jordan Roberts limited them to a single unconverted try by replacement flanker Rob Nash, until replacement prop Jamie Jeune ploughed through for a five pointer in the last attack of the match.
This eighth defeat from 13 starts keeps the Otters still in the top half of a very tough section but with nothing to show in terms of points after so much effort on a horrendous day in terms of weather!
Narberth: Johnny Morgan: Jordan Roberts; Steve Martin; Ollie Reyland; Nick Gale: James Stephenson; Jonathan Rogers: Dan Jacobs; Marc Jones; Jamie Kaijaks: Lyndon Bateman; Alex Jenkins: Lewis Wood; Pat Roberts; Gareth Bateman. Replacements:Ollie Evans; Dan Smith; Callum Tree; Liam Hutchins, Rhys Lane.
PHOTOS:Johnny Morgan - another try for Narberth full back
Nick Gale - kicked five points at a windswept Pontypool Park
PHOTO:
Dai Sweeney - scored a good try for Milford Haven
Swalec Bowl – Round Three:
Depleted Mariners just miss out
Cowbridge 15 - Milford Haven 10
The Mariners were 15-5 adrift after the half time oranges but took charge in terms of territory after the interval as half backs Dan McClelland and Joseph Kiff kicked well for position, but a mixture of dropped passes in the slippery conditions alongside the taking of wrong options, meant that all they had to offer was an unconverted try by new recruit Ryan Whatmore, who was adjudged the Milford Haven man of the match for his all-round performance.
Skipper Sam has to go off injured
The Mariners lost a key player as skipper Sam Dolling went off after half time, but he had joined Whatmore, Luke Ryan, Adam and Nathan Rees, plus key ball-winners Dai Sweeney, Chris Hall and Tom Manning in a sterling effort up front.
It was Sweeney who again grabbed the Mariners’ first-half try and Cowbridge replied with tries by second row Lewys Hopkin and winger Duncan Evans alongside a conversion and penalty from outside half Ben Wright.
Playing any sort of running rugby in the second half became something of a lottery but the Mariners built a platform from the efforts of Dan Jenkins, Jimmy Thomas, Jonathan Coe, Matthew Richards and Dean McSparron in defence so that they could push forward on the attack.
Whatmore managed to squeeze over for an unconverted try but, try as they might, the visitors were unable to turn pressure into further points and Cowbridge were clearly delighted to hear the final whistle with their backs to the wall!
Milford Haven: Dean McSparron: Jonathan Coe; Dan Jenkins; Jimmy Thomas; Matthew Richards: Joseph Kiff; Dan McClelland: Adam Rees; Luke Ryan; Nathan Rees: Chris Hall; Tom Manning: David Sweeney; Ryan Whatmore; Sam Dolling (Capt).Replacements: Darren Lewis; Quinn McGrath; Ryan Mansell; Lee Devonald.
PHOTO:
Sam Dolling - led Milford by example until his injury
Colwyn Bay v Pembroke Dock Harlequins
Match postponed – water-logged pitch
Spare a thought for Pembroke Dock Harlequins, who made the 320-mile round trip to Colwyn Bay with a full complement of players and replacements, only to find that the game was postponed because of the state of the pitch!
Burry Port v Cardigan
Match postponed – water-logged pitch – but at least the Teifisiders didn’t travel!
Swalec Plate Second Round:
Whitland v Cobra and Bedlinog v Crymych – both called off because of waterlogged pitches!
Pembrokeshire KO Cup:
Fishguard & Goodwick v Neyland – postponed until next Saturday (19th December)
St Davids v Aberaeron – Aberaeron unable to raise a team so match awarded to St Davids