National League – Division One (West):

 

Injuries cost Preseli Men dear

 

Llanelli Wanderers 15 - Crymych 3

 
Crymych travelled to Llanelli Wanderers with high hopes of a fourth win of the season against a Wanderers side who had only won once from four starts but found themselves 7-3 down at the interval and the loss of key players through injury hampered any hopes of a come-back in an equally tight second half.
 
They lost skipper Carwyn Phillips in that first period and fellow back rower Osian Davies was taken to Morriston Hospital for treatment by first-aider Adrian Howells. The final starting back row man Dafydd Gibby went off injured after the interval and was joined by outside half Ifan Davies, who had landed Crymych’s only points.
 
The Wanderers had tries by Ellis Evans and Ben Chiffi, one converted by Lewis Jones to go with a second-half penalty to set up a welcome win, and a move to eighth place in the table as their reward.
 
Crymych: Osian Hill: Gavin Thomas; Tomos Phillips; Gethin Gibby; Eilir George: Ifan Davies; Dafydd Phillips: Jason Nicholas; Tomos Davies; Rhys Roberts: Matthew Freebury; Llyr Davies: Osian Davies; Dafydd Gibby; Carwyn Phillips (capt).
Replacements: Jonathan Phillips; Aled Griffiths; Rhys Davies; Huw Rees; Rhodri George.
 
 

Scarlets disappoint in second half

 

Penclawdd 24 - Pembroke 7

 
At half time Pembroke looked to be in with a real chance of a first win of the season at Penclawdd, who were also looking to open their account as they stood in bottom spot, with The Scarlets level at 7-apiece but with second use of the elements.
 
But it was The Cocklemen who stayed the course better to add three more tries and gain a welcome bonus point whilst defeat leaves The Scarlets holding up the table.
 
Tight-head prop Liam Davey gave Penclawdd the lead with a try converted by winger Alex Hughes but The Scarlets drew level after Lewys Gibby had made a good break and was quickly back on his feet to take the scoring pass before full back Lewis Davies added the extra points.
 
But then they failed to build on that success and Penclawdd regained the initiative with a try claimed by loose-head prop Joshua Lynn and from there it was comfortable for the home side as centre Morgan Brown sped through for two tries, one converted by No 10 Iwan Jones, as reward for an outstanding performance alongside No 8 Jonathan Hughes.
 
Pembroke: Lewis Davies: Luke Hartland; Evan Sheldon; Geraint Powell; Steve Brown: Lewys Gibby; Tom Lewis: Seamus Wiseman; Shane Gwyther; Lloyd Davies: Will Edwards; Josh Hicks: Alex Thomas; Rhodri Walters; Jonathan Cornick. Replacements: Scott Powell; Matthew Price; Luke Alderwick; Matthew Lewis.
 
 

National League Division Two (West):

 

Seasiders get bogged down against table-topping Nant

 

Nantgaredig 21 - Tenby United 12

 
After two successive wins Tenby United were hoping to make it three in a row at section leaders Nantgaredig but although they played well overall finally fell to a Nant side that were 14-7 in front at the oranges and fended off a strong Tenby challenge in the second period.
 
The Seasiders started well and were on top for the first quarter but were unable to turn periods of pressure into points and after conceding a couple of penalties in strong attacks they found themselves trailing as home centre Rob Schiavone cut through for a try which outside half Meirion Davies converted.
 
But The Seasiders were quick to recover and with Taran Richards, Jack Broadhurst, Tom Barrass and skipper Luke Dedman all featuring in a strong platform it was flanker Will Swales who scored a try as reward for looking back to his best form, converted by outside half Lloyd Thomas.
 
It looked as if The Seasiders might go in front right on the break as Matthew Morgan, Lloyd Thomas and Dan Colley attacked but the ball was lost and Nant went up the other end to grab a try out of nothing from full back Lee Williams, again converted by No 10 Davies.
 
With the inevitably heavy conditions making it ever-more difficult to play constructive rugby The Seasiders still managed to reduce the deficit as scrum half Morgan and Cam Broadhurst, on a replacement flanker, set up the chance, following good work by 18 year old prop George Rossiter and hooker Gethin Lewis it was prop Ethan Morgan who ploughed over near the touchline for an unconverted try.
 
There was still time for Tenby to take the lead against the table-toppers but they looked likely to pick up at least a deserved bonus point but they conceded a third try when they were reduced to 14 men and winger Richard Evans scored a try – and Meirion Davies added the extra points to deny The Seasiders even the consolation of a losing bonus point after so much effort!
 
Tenby United: Gwion Jones: Jack Gooding; Yannic Parker; Dan Colley; Adam Quill: Lloyd Thomas; Matthew Morgan: George Rossiter; Gethin Lewis; Ethan Morgan: Luke Dedman (Capt); Tom Barrass: Taran Richards; Will Scales; Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Frankie Boyd; Cam Broadhurst; Joe Owen; Harvey Johns; Martin Phillips.


 


 

National League – Division Three (West) A:

 

Cardis win on Pill Parks’ mud

 

Llangwm 6 - Cardigan 12

 
Cardigan eased through to victory against Llangwm on a Pill Parks pitch that was badly churned up by the end of a hard-fought tussle where both teams deserve every credit for contesting the 80 minutes and so did The Wasps’ ground staff for getting the game played.
 
And an epic battle ensued where both teams ploughed through the mud, with prop Ieuan Power leading the home back with his ability to drive forward allied to some immense tackling, as Gethin Thomas, Gavin Jones and Dave Reynolds also got through a lot of effort alongside Power, Phil Llewellyn and Andrew Millard in the scrummaging.
 
The Wasps also had the experience of flanker Lewis Woods, plus centre Mike Jones, full back Matthew Davies and winger Jack Roberts in defence – whilst Andrew Fletcher was immense for Cardigan alongside Luke Palmer-Davies, Ben Cox and skipper Tom Taylor.
 
The Teifisiders took the lead with a try by outside half Llyr Jones, which he also converted before Llangwm scrum half Luke Hayman slotted a penalty as he worked with Jacob Lay but Cardigan added their second try when livewire flanker Kester Robertson-Evans benefitted from a charge down to cross for his five points.
 
Hayman did add a second penalty, no mean feat in the conditions – and this gave The Wasps a deserved bonus point as Cardigan made the journey back through the Preseli Hills with their fifth win from seven starts.
 
Llangwm: Matthew Davies: Rhys Baker; Lewis Murphy; Mike Jones; Jack Roberts: Jacob Lay; Luke Hayman: Ieuan Power; Phil Llewellyn; Andrew Millard: Gavin Jones; David Reynolds: James Griffiths; Gethin Thomas; Lewis Woods. Replacements: Ian Griffiths; Dan Morgan; Dan Woodford; Finley Elrick; Dai Lewis.
 
Cardigan: Alun Jenkins: Carwyn Vaughan; Aaron Tomkinson; Kevin Greenland; Hedd James: Llyr Jones; Callum James: Ben Cox; Luke Palmer-Davies; Andrew Fletcher: Dyfed Simmonds; Dean Harries: Kester Robertson-Adams; Sion Hughes; Tom Taylor (Capt). Replacements: Nathan Bowen; Rhodri Davies; Gruff Lloyd; Iwan Jenkins; Geraint Tilley.





 



 

Saints in lead as ref abandons match

 

Neyland 5 - St Davids 12

 
The match between Neyland and St Davids was abandoned by the referee after 57 minutes, making the final scoreline of 12-5 in The Saints’ favour almost certainly being declared void by the WRU.
 
It was a great pity because the match was poised for a win by either side as The Saints were good value for their interval lead after a very good first quarter but The All Blacks were on top in the second period as winger Matthew Coles, George Williams and especially Paul Busby had gone very close, when some comment allegedly made by a Neyland player after several earlier warnings, caused the official to walk off the field and abandon the game.
 

Saints start really well

 
St Davids had looked in good form in the opening exchanges as their forwards won good possession and St Davids half backs Dylan Walsh and Aaron Foster moved the ball at pace and George Raymond and Gavin Jenkins threatened in midfield – but the home defence held out despite the efforts of back rowers Kieron James, Aled Davies and especially Rhys Price.

But The Saints finally went ahead when prop Dan Murphy ploughed over the line – and worse followed for Neyland as second row Mark James was red-carded for alleged foul and abusive language, despite Neyland protestations that he wasn’t the guilty party.
 

Mcbeth shows his paces out wide

 
Centre Charlie Dearden was yellow-carded but then Neyland regrouped and scored a sensational try as full back Patrick Bellerby ran out of his 22 and quick hands in midfield saw winger Henry Mcbeth dance and side-step his way up the touchline on a 70-metre run that would have graced any game.
 
St Davids responded with a second try, this time in similar circumstances, after home scrum half Owen Hamer had been yellow-carded, when Aaron Foster scored a try which Morgan Davies did well to convert into the wind.
 

Sorry end to a rugby match

 
But the rest of the match was short-lived as the referee took exception to the comments made, not only from the players but those on the touchline too – and it was a sorry end to what could have been a fascinating tussle between two well-matched teams.
 
 Neyland: Patrick Bellerby: Henry Mcbeth; Jordan Allen-Wright; Charlie Dearden; Matthew Coles: George Evans; Owen Hamer: Ben James; Alex Swales: Luke Griffiths-Dawes:  Paul Busby; Mark James: Iestyn Evans; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Adam Collins; Ben Millward; Craig Power; Chris Busby.
 
St Davids:  Harvey Godkin: Morgan Davies; Gavin Jenkins; George Raymond; Gaz Mathias: Aaron Foster; Dylan Walsh: Ben Evans; Tom Clarke; Dan Murphy: Gethin Bateman; Gerwyn Lewis: Kieron James; Rhys Price; Aled Davies. Replacements: Lee Phillips; Rhys Meredith-Barrett; Gabe York.