WRU Bowl Competition:
Brilliant Blues bowl battling Tylorstown over
Haverfordwest 34 - Tylorstown 5
The game started with a bang as Tylorstown showed their ability to run the ball from the first move of the game as winger Owen Jenkins scythed through from deep but was hauled down – and at the other end Blues’ player/coach Matthew John combined with Craig Barnett to give Scott Candler a chance in the corner but he was bundled into touch.
Blues’ pack shows its strength
But The Blues’ pack exerted its influence from the first scrum to dominate that area and allow halves Lee Summons and Jake Morgan to exert an influence – and they took the lead when a series of scrums when outstanding No 8 Lewis Tingay was driven over the whitewash.
Then Haverfordwest scored the try of the match as a quick break by Summons allowed Tingay and winger Jack Evans to continue the move and second row Karl Busch brushed off a couple of would-be tacklers on a 40 metre dash to the line that would have done justice to any centre!
No 10 Morgan added the conversion and after a bout of defence in which skipper Matty Phillips led the way as Will Blackburn, Jamie Zambas, Terry Lovell, Tom Carrington and Jack Clancy featured – and The Blues swept back upfield via Josh Thomas and the inspirational Matthew John, it was Scott Candler who scored their third try.
Morgan missed the conversion but added a simple penalty to make it 20-0 but Tylorstown served notice of intent as No 8 Adam Phillips was driven over in the left corner.
Blues defend superbly – and then strike again
They also attacked almost non-stop for a while after the interval, but the home defence stood defiant – and made the game safe when Carrington carried really well and skipper Phillips was at his shoulder and supplied the scoring pass for Josh Thomas, who had judged his angle perfectly, powered to the posts for Morgan to add the extra points.
Then The Blues supplied a final score for their enthusiastic supporters to cheer as centre Thomas unselfishly gave a scoring pass for Carrington whose efforts were rewarded with try that Morgan converted – and Haverfordwest made it into the draw where they will play Fairwater, from the Cardiff area, in the next round at home with a date to be announced.
Haverfordwest: Craig Barnett: Scott Candler; Matthew John; Josh Thomas; Jack Evans: Jake Evans; Lee Summons: Terry Lovell; Jamie Zambass; Tom Carrington: Karl Busch; Jack Clancy: Will Blackburn; Matty Phillips (Capt); Lewis Tingay. Replacements: Ieuan Bevan; Rhys Watkins; Jon Mason; Dan Berry; Johnny White; Archie Thomas; Lewis Davies.
Championship Division:
Otters just shaded out in a tough tussle
Bargoed 10 - Narberth 3
Narberth lost their second game of the campaign against table-topping Bargoed but pushed the home side all the way before losing to the only try of a cracking match where a Bargoed spokesman told us afterwards they knew they were in for a challenge and were just glad to keep their 100% record over seven games so far.Bargoed had taken the lead with a penalty by Matthew Lewis which was cancelled out by a good kick from Otter full back Nick Gale.
These proved to be the only scores of the first half thanks to outstanding defence from both teams but Bargoed made a strong start to the second period as flanker Ronnie Kines scored a try from a concerted lineout drive, converted by Lewis.
Narberth had a couple of chances as they sought an equalising score, with winger Aled Rees claiming a corner try but the referee turned down Otter claims for the score right on the touchline.
It meant that The Otters had to settle for a bonus point, something that few clubs have done on this ground – and their hardy band of supporters were treated to a little cameo from Dan Smith – his 297th for the club!
Narberth: Nick Gale: Ashley Sutton; Jordan Richards; Joe Hutchings; Aled Rees: Ianto Griffiths: Rhys Lane: Brad Davies; Rhodri Owens; Tom Slater: Rhys Williams; Alex Jenkins: Tom Curry; Richard Rees (Capt); Steff Phillips. Replacements: Jonathan Rogers; Dan Smith; Ifan James; Josh Hamer; George McDonald.
Division One (West):
Preseli Men power to terrific away win
Felinfoel 14 - Crymych 29
Crymych produced one of their best performances of the season as they travelled to third-placed Felinfoel and came away with a deserved win that earned them a bonus point and took away the opposition’s 100% record.The Preseli Men got on top in the first half to lead 19-0 and made sure that the expected fightback was met with stout resistance and earned praise from a Felinfoel spokesman for their commitment, team-work and high skill levels.
Skipper Carwyn Phillips, who formed an outstanding back row with Osian Davies and Dafydd Gibby, took part in the interplay that led to full back Osian Hill giving them a five-point lead – and then Osian Davies added a second, converted by Hill, after Rhys Richards and Steff Harries, Matthew Freebury and Llyr Davies had been earlier involved.
Half backs Ifan Davies and Dafydd Phillips made sure that their pack was going forward and there was always a threat wide out from Eilir George and Gavin Thomas as centres Tomos and Ilan Phillips looked to create space, so it came as no surprise when excellent hooker Carwyn Rees was driven over and Hill again converted.
Felinfoel did threaten with a try by flanker Curtis Morris, converted by No 10 Trystan Davies, but a try from second row Matthew Freebury and a second try from Hill, which started in the Crymych 22 and a ball hacked on by Ifan Davies found the full back lurking with intent.
The home side added a second try as No 8 Ryan Evans crossed and Davies converted but Crymych were good value for their third victory in five outings and a move into third place in the section table.
Crymych: Osian Hill: Gavin Thomas; Tomos Phillips; Ilan Phillips; Eilir George: Ifan Davies; Daf Phillips: Steff Harries; Carwyn Rees; Rhys Richards: Matthew Freebury; Llyr Davies: Osian Davies; Daf Gibby; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Jonathan Phillips; James Nicholas; Rhydian Howells; Huw Rees; Gethin Gibby.
Division Two (West):
Mariners miss out at The Obs
Milford Haven 17 - Burry Port 24
Milford Haven suffered the disappointment of defeat at home to Burry Port but gained the consolation of a deserved bonus point against the only team in the section still with an undefeated record.The Mariners had made a good start as a sustained forward effort saw scrum half Dan McClelland gain a try as reward for his efforts, adding the conversion as a bonus.
But then Burry Port showed their attacking capabilities with tries from Richard Parker, Tom Rees, Dylan and Josh Evans earning them a bonus point, with two of them converted by Steff Powell.
Milford battled back with tries either side of half time by winger James Williams and then No 8 Zac France-Miller as Steve Martin, Dan Birch, Dan Jenkins and Lee Riley all looked threatening but organised defence from Burry Port kept them out to record yet another victory.
Milford Haven: Jamie Lewis: James Williams; Dan Birch; Dan Jenkins; Lee Riley: Steve Martin; Dan McClelland: Ben Jenkins; Luke Ryan; Jimmy Buirds: Chris Hall; Jay Goodall: Dewi Williams (Capt); Kyle Hamer; Zac France-Miller. Replacements: James Trueman; Brandon Cooper; Dylan Evans; Ben Groves; Adam Rees.
Division Three (West):
Neyland battle to exciting victory
Neyland 20 - Aberaeron 17
Neyland battled really hard in this their first match in five weeks and edged home in a nerve-jangling finish where they were defending a narrow three-point lead and were being pinned in the top right corner but battling hard to keep their line intact.It looked as if they were bound to crack under persistent pressure but a Tudur Jenkins pass almost on the line went astray for Aberaeron and they failed to turn penalties into points from a series of drives.
But then it looked as if Aberaeron would snatch a draw with yet another penalty that was well within outside half Rhydian Jenkins’ range but he pushed it wide of the far post and a good crowd was able to celebrate the underdogs’ victory!
Aberaeron made the better start
Aberaeron had certainly had the better of the opening quarter and were rewarded with a try by scrum half Gareth Jones which Jenkins converted along with a penalty – but they missed other chances as George Williams, Alex Codd, Charlie Dearden defended well and half backs George Smith and Oliver Rothero tried hard to stop the visitors’ counter-attacks.
Both sides lost a player in a touchline brawl but gradually The All Blacks clawed their way back as Ben Williams, Iestyn Evans, Luke Griffiths-Dawes and especially Chris Busby, called in to help out at almost 46 and playing the entire match with his usual vigour, gradually earned possession from which Henry McBeth and Jordan All-Wright started to pose a threat alongside No 15 Williams.
Fortunes ebb and flow
Neyland scored a cracking try as No 10 Rothero, still playing with a maturity beyond his current playing of youth rugby, spotted a gap and established the platform from which Iestyn Evans crossed as reward for his industry and Rothero converted – and added a penalty soon after half time to bring his team level.
But they soon conceded a score when Aberaeron ran the ball up the slope and full back Morgan Llewellyn showed his predatory skills with a try converted by Jenkins.
It might have been the start of the end for Neyland but they kept going and after McBeth had twice gone close in the left corner, one almost certain score blocked by a last-ditch Llewellyn tackle.
But from the ensuing lineout, play was quickly moved to the posts and No 8 Ben Williams ploughed over at the post and Rothero notched the simple conversion – and then put his team ahead for the first time with an excellent long-range effort.
Neyland hold on in a nerve-jangling finish
And then Aberaeron sought desperately for the match-winning score but every Neyland player deserves credit for a mammoth defensive effort that kept the visitors out – and when Aberaeron settled for a three-pointer that would give them a draw the usually-reliable kicking of No 10 Jenkins failed and The All Blacks were victorious!
Lovely words from ‘Evs’
Neyland’s assistant coach Steve Evans said afterwards:
“I was really pleased by our performance today after we had battled back from being 0-10 and 10-17 behind because we showed terrific heart and a will to win that was credit to all involved from the club.
“I spoke to them beforehand about why this game was so important and they showed their character – and we all would like to dedicate our win to head coach Graham Richards to show how much we think of him after he recently lost his wife Elizabeth – and our hearts go out to him and his family at this awful time.”
Neyland: George Williams: Henry McBeth; Alex Codd; Charlie Dearden; Jordan Allen-Wright: Oliver Rothero; George Evans: Ben James; Alex Swales; Luke Griffiths-Dawes: Chris Busby; Mark James: Owen Evans; Iestyn Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: David Walters; Lewis Hallett; Harrison Grice; Iestyn Nash; Ben Millward.
Aberaeron: Morgan Llewellyn: Bedwyr Davies; Dyfrig Dafis; Steffan Jones; Steffan ‘Da’ Jones: Rhodri Jenkins; Gareth Jones: Owain Wozencroft; Ryan Williams; Arron Polinski: Gethin Hughes; Jones: Gethin Dafis; Osian Davies; Tudur Jenkins. Replacements: Rhys Jones; Osian Davies; Hefin Williams; Lewis Tomlins; Jason Freeman.
Laugharne win with ease
Laugharne 46 - St Davids 7
St Davids battled hard against a strong Laugharne side but were unable to match their opponents’ ability to spread play wide, recycle and attack again to run in eight tries against The Saints’ solitary score.They were already 17-0 behind at the break and could only muster a try by young scrum half Harvey Godkin after a strong scrum surge, converted by replacement Aaron Foster – and player/coach Gethin Bateman told us,
“We never gave up trying as a team, with skipper Rhys Price leading by example alongside No 10/centre Scott Brown, prop Ben Evans and back rower Aled Davies, who effected four good turn-overs, but we were never able to stop their backs moving the ball at pace.”
Laugharne coach Gary Price was quick to praise St Davids determination to keep plugging away but said, “I was pleased with our attacking play from solid platforms and our tries from No 8 Carl Smith (2), centre Tom Davies (2), wing Steff Davies, No 10 Owain Thomas and full back Matt Tait (2), were no more than we deserved.”
Tait also landed two conversions and Steff Davies one to round off a good day for Laugharne, whilst St Davies deserve every credit for just keeping going in punishing matches like this.