Division Three (West) A:

 

Blues edge through by the skin of their teeth

 

Haverfordwest 22 - Laugharne 20

 
Haverfordwest maintained their 100% record and leap-frogged opponents Laugharne into top spot, but although they had a massive dominance in the set-scrums managed to concede 14 early points, concede so many penalties it was crazy and still give Laugharne a chance to snatch the game from the final kick of a match where The Blues’ fans were biting their fingernails down to the quick!
 
The pattern for penalties was set in both halves as Haverfordwest conceded a heap of them, as they did against Fairwater in their previous match, and from one early raised arm of the referee canny scrum half Adam Davies spotted space out wide and his superb diagonal kick bounced beautifully into the arms of centre Tom Davies for a Laugharne try converted by winger Tom Jameson.
 
The Blues were put under unnecessary pressure from taking of wrong options up front and then No 10 Mikey Jones gifted Laugharne another seven points as he dummied a clearance attempt, then tried to kick clear and opposite number Owen Thomas charged down and gratefully accepted the rebound for Jameson to add the simple extras.
 

Blues open their account after five minutes at one set scrum

 
By this time The Blues’ scrum dominance was evident and in an extraordinary incident clawed their way back from the fourth collapsed scrum close to Laugharne’s line in succession, the first two seeing the referee warn Laugharne after they had been walked back by Haverfordwest’s controlled power.
 
Then he issued a yellow card for the third, leaving home supporters wondering where the penalty try was on each occasion – and it came at the fourth attempt, after five minutes, to jeers from a relieved home crowd.
 
But still Haverfordwest lost vital ground on a number of penalties and Jameson landed a penalty to make the interval scoreline 17-7 to a gritty Laugharne side which refused to submit in all but scrummaging but putting the home side under pressure in rucks and mauls as Carl Evans, Carwyn Evans and Ritchie Waters led by example.

John jolts Laugharne with his pace – and Zambas drives The Blues in front

 
The second half was just as stop-start as Haverfordwest again conceded three penalties in the opening five minutes but managed to reduce the deficit with a cracking try by player/coach Matthew John, who showed what his backs had to offer as he sliced through from the 22 and full back Jake Morgan converted.
 
They took the lead for the first time from a controlled lineout drive in the Laugharne 22 and hooker Jamie Zambas was driven over by Terry Lovell, Tom Carrington and the rest of their pack – but Jake Morgan was unlucky with his conversion as his conversion hit the near post.
 

Thomas snap drop goal nudges Laugharne ahead before Jones snatches the verdict

 
Johnny White went close in the corner for Haverfordwest after twice being recalled earlier on for penalty offences conceded up front, and once again Laugharne kicked their way back up-field and Owen Thomas dropped an excellent goal to nudge the visitors back in front.
 
Haverfordwest responded with a super counter from near their own line involving Matthew John and Jake Morgan that covered 60 metres – but the final pass with Scott Candler in the clear, was high and wide of his outstretched arms!


 

Still more late drama before the result is settled

 
But it looked as if the result was settled when Jack Clancy stole lineout ball and from the ensuing series of desperate drives Mikey Jones called on all his experience to slot the vital winning score.
 
Even then the drama wasn’t over, however, because when Haverfordwest won a penalty on their own 40-metre line they somehow elected for a scrum instead of booting it into the corner and taking a lineout, but they failed to capitalise on their previous superiority, conceded a penalty and Laugharne found themselves with one last chance of a 40-metre winner.
 
The kick was entrusted to centre James Stephenson, a classy player with great experience but on this occasion he sliced the ball wide and Haverfordwest fans and players heaved a collective sigh of relief whilst Laugharne’s only consolation was a bonus point.
 
Haverfordwest: Jake Morgan: Scott Candler; Matthew John; Jack Codd; Johnny White: Mikey Jones; Lee Summons:  Terry Lovell; Jamie Zambas; Tom Carrington: Karl Busch; Jack Clancy: Isaac Hathaway; Archie Thomas; Jonathan Mason. Replacements: Dan Berry; Adam Williams; Gareth John; Lewis Tingay; Liam Eaton; Ieuan Bevan.
 
Laugharne: Jack Flanagan: Tom Jameson; Tom Davies; James Stephenson; Steve John: Owain Thomas; Adam Davies; Rhys Thomas; Ritchie Waters; Carwyn Morris: Tom Lloyd; Tomos Rees: Rhys Evans; Carwyn Jones; Carl Smith. Replacements: Aled Thomas; Tom Thomas; Mike Williams; Paul Beddis.
 



 

Championship Division:

 

Otters dedicate victory to Dan

 

Trebanos 8 - Narberth 27

 
Narberth completed the double over Trebanos and there was further cause for celebration as Dan Smith came on to celebrate an amazing 300^th appearance for The Otters; a record that is unlikely to be beaten and a tribute to his amazing ability to stay fit, one short spell apart, for 15 seasons.
 
Two tries by Nick Gale and another from Joss Davies, all converted by Jonathan Rogers, saw The Otters take a 21-0 lead and from then on they were in control, although unable to grab a bonus point as Trebanos claimed the only try in the second period from Harry Williams.
 
Gale, who had suffered a leg injury the previous week was called in at short notice to replace Ianto Griffiths and in other late changes Gino Setaro played wing instead of  Jordan Roberts and Rhys Williams played alongside Tom Powell in the second row and was chosen as man of the match for his work-rate and ball-carrying skills.
 

Gale dashes 80 metres despite a still leg

 
So Gale’s first try was all the more praiseworthy because he intercepted the ball in his own 22 and managed the 80 metres to the line without mishap – and his second came from a clever chip by Rogers from a scrum and centre Jake Jenkins combined with Rhys Williams over in the corner.
 
The Otters’ third try came after loads of pressure in the Trebanos 22 and when the home side allowed the ball to go to ground Davies did well to kick ahead and win the touch-down.

As well as his three conversions Rogers also slotted a penalty after Rhys Harries had kicked three points for Trebanos so that the interval score stood at 24-3 to Narberth.
 
The second half saw Narberth have further half chances but they could only muster a second penalty by Rogers, who played well in partnership with George McDonald, whilst Tom Powell, Tom Curry, Tom Slater and the rest of the pack played well throughout.
 
Trebanos managed their single try but rarely looked likely to make a comeback and after the disappointment of defeat the previous Saturday they stay in a creditable sixth spot – but know they face a far tougher task as they travel to second-placed Bedwas next Saturday.
 
 
Narberth: Nick Gale: Joss Davies; Jake Jenkins; Rheon James; Gino Setaro: Jonathan Rogers; George McDonald: Ifan James; Rhodri Owens; Tom Slater: Tom Powell; Rhys Williams: Tom Curry; Richard Rees (Capt); Steffan Phillips. Replacements:  Dan Smith; Lewis Davies; Josh Hamer; Rhys Lane;