Championship Division:

 

Battling Otters denied a point by late try

 

Narberth 17 – Pontypool 29

 
Narberth battled bravely against high-flying Pontypool and scored the first two tries against ‘Poole’ after four league games where they conceded only 18 points from the opposing kickers.
 
The Otters still trailed 24-17 with the referee looking at his watch but looked to have the deserved consolation of a bonus point but then Pooler won quick ball at a ruck and scrum half Owain Leonard sped right and supplied winger Amosa Nove with a scoring pass to not only seal victory but deny Narberth their point!
 
Narberth also gifted Pontypool seven points early in the first half when centre Kieran Meek intercepted a floated midfield pass, drew the last man and put winger Pat Lewis in for a soft try converted by No 10 Matthew Jarvis.
 

Otters show resilience

 
But The Otters showed their resilience with a speedy response that brought about an excellent score as hooker Rhodri Owens popped up in broken play and combined with Aled Rees and Joe Hutchings before Ashley Sutton completed the attack and Nick Gale put over a quality conversion.
 
Midway through the half, though, Pooler regained the imitative from a lineout drive and hooker Darren Hughes was impelled over the whitewash for Jarvis to convert from wide out before a Nick Gale penalty from 32 metres reduced the deficit.
 
But the visitors grabbed their third try just before the oranges when persistent pressure paid off and skipper Scott Matthews took the final pass and fell over the line to give his team a 19-10 interval lead.
 

Pooler pressure pays off

 
Pooler started the second half with sustained pressure but the Narberth defence was outstandingly defiant against their opponents’ forward-orientated approach – but then Narberth broke out but lost vital possession to Pooler, who swept upfield via full back Geraint Walsh, winger Nove and Jarvis before replacement prop Ethan Davies brushed off two would-be tacklers to grab a bonus-point try.
 
The Otters battled hard to reduce the deficit but lacked penetration, until they scored a try out of nothing as Gale fielded a clearance attempt and launched a high ball from which teenage scrum half George McDonald, now playing on the left wing, put in a crushing tackle and No 10 Jonathan Thomas ran 25 metres for a try converted by Gale.
 
Trailing 17-24, there was still a chance of levelling matters and with the prospect of at least a bonus point but then came that late, late Pontypool score that ruined those hopes and The Otters had nothing to show points-wise for their part in an entertaining tussle.
 
Narberth: Nick Gale: Ashley Sutton; Jordan Roberts; Joe Hutchings; Aled Rees: Jonathan Rogers; George McDonald: Bradley Davies; Rhodri Owens; Tom Slater: Tom Powell; Alex Jenkins: Tom Curry; Richie Rees (Capt); Steffan Phillips. Replacements: Dan Smith; Lewis Davies; Rhys Williams; Rhys Lane; Ianto Griffiths.
 
 


 

Division One (West):

 

Borders bag six tries in excellent win 

 
 

Whitland 38 - Penclawdd 10

 
Hooker Marc Jones led the way for Whitland as his two early tries set-up a bonus point win over Penclawdd, writes Fraser Watson.
 
Playing into the wind in the first half, Jones went over twice from close range as The Borderers led 14-5 at the break, and despite a game that stagnated for large parts the home side eventually ran in six tries to secure their first win of 2022.

After being declared fit at the 11th hour following a foot injury, Nico Setaro took on a different role at scrum half with Josh Thomas out injured, and he set up the first try by opting to take a quick tap penalty in front of the posts and flicking a pass to skipper Jones to crash over from close range before No 10 Geraint Jones converted.

Whitland continued to threaten as winger Ollie Hughes consistently made breaks from deep, but a golden chance was wasted when he broke clear down the right and passed inside to Setaro - only for the No 9 to then scupper his return ball back with away full back Cameron Clayfield stranded.
 
Soon after though a close-range lineout drive led to another close-range penalty, and Setaro again went quickly before a series of forward carries culminated with Jones going over - and namesake Geraint added the extras.
 
However, the hosts were guilty of switching off straight afterwards, and from the restart No 8 James Thomas deflected the ball into touch and from the pressure that followed, away scrum half Marcus Brown continued the theme of quick penalties by taking one himself and diving over. Winger Alex Hughes rattled the post with the conversion.
 

Borderers too strong in second half

 
However, by half time the 'Donks' had lost two prop-forwards and a second half collapse looked inevitable - and any thoughts of a fightback were negated just after the break when Whitland centre Gino Setaro broke free and fed Tristan Rees out wide - and the winger popped a pass inside for back-rower Thomas to score.
 
Jones was wide with the conversion but was bang on target moments later when his cross-kick was fielded by No 13 Dylan Richards, who drew two defenders before exquisitely flicking to Hughes to touch down.

The fly half duly added the extras and did the same after the fifth try came, as Setaro's cleverly delayed pass sent namesake Gino over.
 
The returning Scott Newton created the sixth try, his clever chip ahead causing panic in the Penclawdd defence and gifting Setaro the chance to dive across the line from a yard out.
To the visitors’ credit, they did rally late on and after home flanker James Lewis was yellow carded, replacement James Snell picked up from a ruck to score.
 
It proved academic though, and for Whitland coaches Gareth Bennett, Dai Ebsworth, and Matt Jess it was a case of 'job done' at the final whistle.
 
"The biggest thing for me was the response at half time," Jess told Pembrokeshire Sport.
"We were trying to do the right things but maybe not playing the right areas. But a huge response in the second half, we kept hold of the ball, kept hold of position.
 
"At times Penclawdd caused us problems but we managed to overcome those and get the bonus point which was really pleasing."
 
Whitland: Jonathan Thomas, Tristan Rees, Dylan Richards, Gino Setaro, Ollie Hughes, Geraint Jones, Nico Setaro, Tom Finucane, Marc Jones (capt), Tomos Evans, Benji Kirk, Dan Bennett, Callum Evans, James Lewis, James Thomas. Replacements: Iwan Lewis, Ceiron Evans, Raff Williams, Danny Evans, Scott Newton.
 
 

Scarlets lose from last move of the match

 

Pembroke 15 - Yr Hendy 19

 
Pembroke came within a minute of securing their first success of the league season against Yr Hendy, whose victory keeps them in third place in the table and keeps The Scarlets with seven defeats from as many starts.
 
They also lost popular prop Johnny Palmer, who was taken to hospital with a badly-cut eye but had players like Luke Hartland and Alex Thomas back in action – and they took the early lead with a penalty by full back Lewis Davies, who also scored a converted try before the break, so The Scarlets were 12-10 adrift thanks to Yr Hendy tries from Iwan Badham and Shaun Williams, alongside a Joshua Davies conversion.
 
But the Pembroke pack played really well as a unit and they again took the lead with a cracking try by Fraser James – and at 15-12 they almost increased their advantage from a superb break by outstanding outside half Lewys Gibby but he was just caught by the cover defence.
 
And then disaster struck for The Scarlets as good work by Ben Bachup set up the platform for Gareth Thomas to grab the winning score and Joshua Davies added the extras, to the delight of the visitors and dismay of a Pembroke team and supporters who must soon be tasting success if they continue to play like this!
 
Pembroke: Lewis Davies: Barry Alderman-John; Fraser James; Geraint Powell; Steve Brown: Lewys Gibby; Tom Lewis: Lloyd Davies; Seamus Wiseman; Johnny Palmer: Will Edwards; Billy Kinnear: Evan Sheldon; Matthew Price; Sam Smith. Replacements: Shane Gwyther; Scott Powell; Rhodri Walters; Alex Thomas; Luke Hartland.
 
 

Preseli Men miss out in final seconds

 

Crymych 27 - Newcastle Emlyn 28

 
Crymych conceded a last-second penalty as they led 25-24 over old rivals Newcastle Emlyn and had to settle for a bonus point when their fightback from a 10-25 deficit seemed to have brought its own reward.
 
Emlyn’s narrow win means they stay in second place, after five straight wins whilst Crymych are now fifth after three wins from six matches.
 
The Preseli Men also had hooker Carwyn Rees injured and taken to hospital.
 
Crymych: Osian Hill: Tomos Lewis; Tomos Phillips; Ilan Phillips; Gethin Gibby: Gavin Jones; Daf Phillips: Steff Harries; Carwyn Rees; Ifan James: Matthew Freebury; Llyr Davies: Osian Davies; Dafydd Gibby; Carwyn Phillips (Capt). Replacements: Jonathan Phillips; Jason Nicholls; Rhys Richards; Andrew Phillips; Huw Rees.
 
 

Division Two (West):

 

Two wins on the bounce for delighted Seasiders

 

Tenby United 19 - Pontyberem 17

 
Tenby followed up their excellent win in their last match away to Tycroes with this narrow win at Heywood Lane against a gritty Pontyberem outfit who played better than their lowly league position would suggest.
 
For The Seasiders it means a move up to eighth place, which will please their hardy band of supporters but head coach Jonathan Evans told PembrokeshireSport that his team had played well in passages they still need to be more consistent but that it will come with experience – and a few more wins like this.
 
Pontyberem served early notice of their intent with a score after ten minutes when they launched an attack from near their own 22 and quick hands sent scrum half Dan Bridgewater on a 60-metre run to the posts for Dom Sauro to convert.
 
But The Seasiders drew level after a good period of pressure and from a close-range scrum Matthew Morgan’s cleverly-weighted pass allowed in-form centre Dan Colley to judge his angle perfectly and score a try which Lloyd Thomas duly converted.
 
Thomas kicked Tenby into the lead with a penalty but Sauro levelled matters and then helped put Bridgewater over for his second long-range try before adding the extra points.
 
Lloyd Thomas hauled The Seasiders back to 13-17 at half time, where coach Evans gave his team a timely reminder of the need to cut out basic errors.
 
His words were certainly heeded because although they were unable to add any further tries Tenby made sure that they stopped Pontyberem from adding to the score as Will Swales, Jake Roberts and Jack Brown, playing at No 8, Dan Colley organised the defence well alongside Gwion Jones, playing against the team where he was brought up.
 
Lloyd Coles slotted penalties in the 60^th and 71^st minutes to give The Seasiders the lead and although they had a last-ditch scare when Pontyberem were awarded a penalty 50 metres out the kick went wide and Tenby United were mightily relieved!
 
Tenby United: Joe Owen: Jordan Asparassa; Yannic Parker; Dan Colley; Gwion Jones: Lloyd Thomas; Matthew Morgan: Ethan Morgan; Dan Allen; Rob Luly: Luke Dedman (Capt); Mike Davis: Jake Roberts; Will Swales; Jack Brown. Replacements: Frankie Boyd; Tom Barrass; Ryan Jeremius; Cam Broadhurst; Jack Tucker.
 
 

Match postponed

 

Kidwelly P - Milford Haven P

 
*Match called off because of Covid in the Kidwelly camp.
 
Milford Haven: Jamie Lewis: Lee Riley; Dan Jenkins; Dan Birch; James Williams: Steve Martin; Dan McClelland: Ben Jenkins: Luke Ryan; Jimmy Buirds: Dewi Williams; Brandon Cooper: Kyle Hamer; Ben Groves; Zac France-Miller. Replacements: Scott Buirds; Zac Davies; James Trueman; Jay Goodall; Adam Rees.
 
 

Match postponed as Seagulls’ bus breaks down

 

Mumbles v Fishguard & Goodwick

 
The bus broke down at Penblewin and there was no time thereafter to reach mumbles!

Fishguard & Goodwick: Robbie Jones: Luke Marshall; Rhys Evans; Sion Rowlands; Creegan Foot: James Griffiths; Max Jones: Will Delaney; Liam Wilkes; Adam Bowen: Gwilym Evans; Richie Hunter: Gavin Walsh; Griff Williams; Chris Shousha (Capt). Replacements: Joe Dunn; Iwan McVeigh; Sion Colella; Ryan Foot.
 
 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Cracking win for attacking All Blacks

 

Cardigan 12 - Neyland 23

Neyland played really well at Cardigan to claim their third win of the season and move up to sixth place in the table, whilst The Teifisiders are fifth after losing their second match in six games.
 
The young All Blacks’ side is growing in confidence and a measure of how much they have improved can be gauged from the fact that they had such a strong ‘bench’ to help out in the final quarter of the game.
 
The first half was evenly-matched and both defences held firm until The All Blacks struck after 37 minutes when Josh Hicks initiated a move maintained by Paul Busby and Gavin Campbell before Jordan Allen-Wright crossed for a cracking unconverted try.
 
The visitors increased their advantage early in the second period as Hicks was again the initiator and winger Henry McBeth the finisher before George Evans converted.
 
But Cardigan showed their ability when centre Aaron Tomkinson rounded off a good move and Emyr Harries slotted the conversion –although George Evans landed a penalty for Neyland and his namesake Owen claimed a deserved score after good work by Luke Griffiths-Dawes, Ben James and talented young scrum half Owen Hamer were involved.
 
Back came The Teifisiders with a close-range try from tight-head prop Nathan Bowen but their hopes of a comeback were nullified by a strong Neyland defensive blanket – and a George Evans’ penalty set the seal on an accomplished squad effort and an excellent away win.
 
Cardigan: Alun Jenkins: Carwyn Vaughan; Aaron Tomkinson; Emyr Harries; Hedd James: Tomos Griffiths; Llyr Jones: Nathan Bowen; Ben Cox; Andrew Fletcher: Sion Phillips; Dyfed Symmons: Rhodri Parry Jones; Rhodri Davies; Tom Taylor (Capt). Replacements: William Brice; Luke Palmer Davies; Dean Harries; Owain Rees; Mark Foley.
Neyland: Patrick Bellerby: Henry McBeth; George Williams; Charlie Dearden: Matt Coles; George Evans; Owen Hamer: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Gavin Campbell; Ben James: Iestyn Evans; Paul Busby: Josh Hicks; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Chris Busby; Mark James; Steve Roberts; Simon Phillips; Jordan Allen-Wright.
 



 

Blues maintain their long winning streak

 

Llanybydder 10 - Haverfordwest 25

 
After their excellent Welsh bowl victory over Tylorstown the previous week, Haverfordwest returned to league action with a sixth win on the trot at Llanybydder; never an easy place to pick up away wins but The Blues led 12-10 at half time and added a further 13 points thereafter whilst preventing the home side from scoring again.
 
Strong-running centre Josh Thomas continued his good form with the opening try after a powerful run but Tregaron reduced the deficit with a Llyr Tobias penalty.
 
Then Haverfordwest added a second try when Lee Summons, Thomas and Lewis Tingay were involved before winger Jack Blockwell took the final pass and raced to the posts before No 10 Jake Morgan converted.
 
But still Tregaron refused to submit and they added seven points before half time as centre Llyr James scored a try which No 10 Tobias converted.
 
Haverfordwest’s pack has provided an excellent platform for their backs and again they dominated in the second half so that persistent pressure saw Morgan land two more penalties – and then another period of pressure saw skipper Matthew Phillips pop up in broken play before jinking his way to the posts so that player/coach Matthew John, on to enjoy a late run-out, landed the easy conversion to seal success.
 
Haverfordwest: Johnny White: Scott Candler; Lee Davies; Josh Thomas; Jack Evans: Jake Morgan; Lee Summons: Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas; Tom Carrington: Karl Busch; Jack Clancy: Will Blackburn; Matty Phillips (Capt); Lewis Tingay. Replacements: Terry Lovell; Rhydian Walters; Archie Thomas; Matthew John; Danny Morgan.





 


 

Quins come out on top at Bierspool

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 26 - Tregaron 19

 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins won their second match of their league programme as they outlasted Tregaron at Bierspool to make sure that the Mid Wales’ side made the long journey still seeking their first success but with their third bonus point from five starts.
 
The Quins led 7-5 at half time as flanker Danny Wilkes claimed his first try for the club, which was converted by young outside half Euan McDonald before Tregaron rallied to score an unconverted try by flanker Dewi Jones.
 
The Quins added a smashing second score soon after the restart when a terrific run by winger Jamie Topp saw full back Thomas Wheeler to score a quality try that McDonald converted.
Then prop Ben Gibby showed good awareness to score an unconverted try from a tapped penalty prop Geraint Jones ploughed over for a Tregaron try which No 10 Rhydian Jones goaled.
 
It seemed as if the Quins had made the game safe when replacement Sam ‘Rasher’ Jones intercepted and crossed at the posts for McDonald to add the extras but Tregaron did well to have the final word from the last move of the match as veteran prop Dorian Pugh crossed the whitewash as reward for all his efforts and Rhydian Jones’ conversion made sure that Tregaron had a point to show for their efforts.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Thomas Wheeler: Josh Brown; Aaron Cookson; Jake Griffiths; Jamie Topp: Euan McDonald; Gethin Bradney: Dan McCloud; Rhys Roberts; Jack Davies: Ben Gibby; Sam James: Barry Wilkes; Liam Scourfield; Harry Owen. Replacements: Sam ‘Rasher’ James; Mark Van Rhyn; Carl Cookson; Marin Culley; Jayden Webber; Liam Smith.



 
 

St Davids struggle in the ‘Battle of the Saints’

 

St Davids 5 - St Clears 57

St Davids found it hard going against an experienced St Clears’ side that is second in the table but after being 35-0 adrift at half time and only managing one try after the oranges, player/coach Gethin Bateman was quick to sing the praises for his young charges for the way that they consistently turn out and never give anything less than 100%.
 
And make no bones about it, St Clears are a talented side that are strong up front and relentless with ball in hand – and had five converted tries in the first period and another four afterwards as they ran the ball at will.
 
Their scorers were centre Jac Howells (2), second row Geraint Harries, centres Shane Morgan and Llifon Davies, winger Aled Evans and full back Liam Price, plus replacement centre and winger Jake Philpin and Dominic Davies., with conversions from outside half Dan Griffiths (5) and Philpin.
 
St Davids only try came from a lineout 10 metres out and a concerted drive saw prop Dan Murphy powered over the lime.
 
Coach Bateman was again impressed by the ball-carrying of centre George Raymond, Ben Evans and skipper Rhys Price up front – and the defensive qualities of Morgan Davies in his first-ever game at full back.
 
 

Llangwm well beaten on the very long road

 

Lampeter 62 - Llangwm 0

 
*No details available