Championship Division:
Otters show their attacking teeth
Maesteg Quins 5 - Narberth 42
Narberth gained an excellent away victory over 11th placed Maesteg Quins, who are 11th in the table but always a difficult proposition at home, with The Otters 14-5 ahead at half time and then producing another 28 unanswered points afterwards to give them a deserved double since they had already won 31-3 at home.
The Otters showed their attacking teeth early on when a lineout near The Quins’ 22 was recycled and led to the ball going to Ianto Griffiths for the centre to score a try before Nick Gale converted, as he did with his own try as The Quins attacked neat the Otters’ line and he raced the length of the pitch after a canny interception.
The Quins hit back near the interval with an unconverted try by second row Scott Williams but after the oranges The Otters were able to raise the tempo up front and scored a cracking try from their own 22 after a break by Ashley Sutton and continued by Josh Evans before Ben Thomas rounding things off.
Prop Sean James was yellow-carded and Narberth went to uncontested scrums but as they returned to full power they made sure of a bonus point from another long-range effort by dynamic back rower Roy Osborn, who deservedly received the man of the match award for his total involvement, with Gale again adding the extra points.
Lewys Gibby switched from the wing to his regular scrum half berth in the final quarter and again showed what an influence he can be with two late tries and Gale took his haul to 17 points with both conversions to complete a good win for The Otters.
Narberth: Ashley Sutton: Lewys Gibby; Nick Gale; Ianto Griffiths; Josh Evans: Jonathan Rogers; Ben Thomas: Sean Janes; Kyle Hamer; Tom Slater: Rhys Williams; Tom Powell (Capt): Richard Rees; Josh Hamer; Roy Osborn. Replacements: Tom Clarke; George Rossiter; Caine Rees-Jones; Harvey Jones; James Price.
Division One (West):
Crymych claim deserved double
Yr Hendy 19 - Crymych 33
Crymych maintained their superb form this campaign of one draw and all wins from their other games, including a narrow 24-21 success at home to Yr Hendy, who are traditionally strong at home so were bound to pose some problems.
But The Preseli Men were always able to maintain their own battle plan as they led 19-7 at half time and never conceded the lead despite the homesters’ best attempts.
Scrum half Daf Phillips opened Crymych’s account as reward for his support work after a good break by winger Ned Bennett and then hooker Lee Griffiths claimed two tries as their powerful pack showed its excellent control at lineout drives to the line.
Adam Phillips converted two scores and in replay Yr Hendy could only muster a try from Liam Evans, converted by Tyler Payne, followed by unconverted efforts by Tom Havard and Iestyn Jones after the break.
But The Preseli Men remained in control and added two more tries from scrum half Dylan Phillips and centre Gethin Gibby, both converted by Adam Phillips – and this Saturday are looking forward to a home local derby against Whitland at Parc Lloyd Thomas.
Crymych: Adam Phillips: Owain Evans; Tomos Phillips; Gethin Gibby; Ned Bennett: Huw Rees; Dafydd Phillips: Dylan Phillips; Lee Griffiths; Jonathan Clout: Rhys Davies; Matthew Freebury: Llyr Davies; Llyr Evans; Trystan Griffiths. Replacements: Cai Ifans; Kieran O’Shea; Lewis Davies; Carwyn Phillips; Joe Marl. Travelling reserve: Iestyn Wood.
Scarlets suffer another heavy home defeat
Pembroke 0 - Gorseinon 80
It was another difficult day at Crickmarren as Pembroke lost heavily to Gorseinon but continue to do their best in harsh circumstances with so many players unavailable from injury – but with youth players Liam Topp and Charlie Shields playing and another in Owen Turner coming off the bench as a plus, alongside the fact that Lewis Davies made a welcome return to action.
Also worth a mention was the commitment of the home pack, with Jack Smythe playing on permit from Pontyclun as he came home to see his parents, and general defence as they only conceded seven points in the first quarter but then the floodgates opened and Gorseinon ran in 12 tries from scrum half Andrew Hall (3), flanker Mel Southgate (2), second row Jamie Evans (2), prop Sean Evans (2), winger Alan Jenkins (2) and hooker Darren Collins.
Outside half Liam Popham popped over ten conversions but we can only say ‘Keep Battling On’ to The Scarlets at this tough time!
Pembroke: Lewis Davies: Liam Topp; Luke Alderwick; Steve Brown; Charlie Shields: Matthew Lewis; Tom Lewis: Lloyd Davies; Seamus Wiseman (Capt); Evan Phillips: Will Edwards; Dan Gosnald: Jack Smythe; Andrew Evans; Rhodri Walters. Replacements: Johnny Palmer; Dylan Evans; Nathan Mounter
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Disappointed Borderers’ game postponed
Whitland P-P Penclawdd
**Match postponed – Penclawdd unable to raise a team to travel!**
Division Two (West):
Seagulls take the honours in battling local derby
Fishguard & Goodwick 21 - Milford Haven 15
Local derbies between Fishguard & Goodwick and Milford haven are traditionally hard-fought battles and this one was no exception as both teams played with total commitment before The Seagulls ended up winners and with The Mariners pouching a bonus point as they limited their losing margin to only six points.
Posing a potent threat on the left wing for The Seagulls was youth player Dylan Scott and he served early notice of intent with a sharp run up the touchline but was hauled down short by Lee Riley – and then set up the opening score from a similar run before finding outside half James Jenkins inside him to take the scoring pass before James Griffiths converted.
But The Mariners hit back straight away as Fishguard botched the return kick-off and after making it worse by conceding a penalty saw James Williams kick three points for the visitors.
Home skipper Chris Shousha and Rhys Lewis, who played well until he sustained another shoulder injury, helped set up another attack from which Griffiths landed a penalty and another Shousha charge gave replacement Simon James an early touch but the final pass went astray with the line at their mercy.
The Seagulls added their second try after Jenkins caught The Mariners off guard with a tapped penalty that he spread wide and although Sion Colella was held up short the ball was fed to Adam Bowen and the big prop ploughed over from short range.
At this stage The Seagulls were on top but The Mariners showed their battling qualities as Zac France-Miller, Ethan Aldred and Ben Groves combined to take the ball into the Seagulls’ 22 and second row Zac Davies showed his opportunism with a little hack forward and the pace to pounce on it in the corner to leave the interval score at 15-8 to the home side.
The second half was more stop-start as the cross-wind increased and neither side seemed able to adapt to the whistle of referee Peter Mortimer (Pontypridd), who made sure he kept a tight lid on a typical local derby where Milford centre Dan Birch admitted he thought he might receive a red, rather than a yellow card, for a very high tackle on the outstanding Colella!
James Griffiths slotted two more penalties before Zac Davies grabbed his second try late on, converted by Williams, for The Mariners to set up an edgy last few minutes for The Seagulls – but they held on and took the verdict.
Fishguard & Goodwick: Creegan Foot: Thomas George; James Griffiths; Dan Cleary; Dylan Scott. Jake Jenkins; Kai Bailey: Adam Bowen; Liam Wilkes; Iwan McVeigh: Gwilym Evans; Rhys Lewis: Cai Llewellyn; Sion Colella; Chris Shousha (Capt): Replacements: Ryan McVeigh; Simon James; Gavin Walsh; Jack Delaney; Ed Bendall.
Milford Haven: Lee Riley: James Trueman; Dan Jenkins; Dan Birch; Dean McSparron: James Williams: Dan McClelland: Ben Jenkins; Luke Ryan; Iestyn Howells: Zac Davies; Jimmy Buirds: Ben Groves; Ethan Aldred; Zac France-Miller. Replacements: Dylan Evans; Dewi Williams; Ieuan Davies; Steve Trueman; Rhys Nicholas.
Seasiders bounce back with brilliant try spree
Tenby United 51 - Burry Port 0
Tenby United bounced back from the disappointment of a home defeat in their last match to hand out a 51-point hammering to a Burry Port side which had beaten The Seasiders by 25-19 earlier in the campaign.But whatever head coach Jonathan Evans and his fellow coaches said in training it certainly worked because they established a deserved 27-0 lead by half time and passed the half-century mark without conceding a single point.
The Seasiders started well with an unconverted try by flanker Jordan Evans and although Lloyd Thomas missed the conversion he soon added a penalty and then the conversion of a typical try by scrum half Cam Broadhurst as he sniped away on the blind side.
Centre Toby Smith rounded off some quick hands with an unconverted try and before the interval co-centre Luke Waygood claimed his first try for The Seasiders which Thomas goaled.
The Seasiders’ pack went well, with Wes Bonser back at prop after a lengthy break and with Tom Barrass completing the full 80 minutes alongside skipper Luke Dedman and the rest.
A Lloyd Thomas penalty opened the second half scoring and then prop Ceiron Evans, playing on permit from Whitland ploughed through as reward for his commitment, Thomas adding the extra points.
The evergreen Dan Colley joined the fray to score in the corner and Thomas again converted before Cam Broadhurst contributed his second try and harry Rossiter got his name on the points sheet with the conversion.
It was a very good performance by The Seasiders, with forwards’ coach Ossie Boswell pleased with the way his pack had gone – but with an unfortunate moment for ace kicker Lloyd Thomas because one of his successful kicks not only hit the target but broke the windscreen of a nearby car – which happened to be his own vehicle!
Tenby United: Max Brindley: Luke Hartland; Luke Waygood; Toby Smith; Jack Gooding: Lloyd Thomas; Cam Broadhurst: Wes Bower; Dan Allen; Rob Luly: Tom Barrass; Luke Dedman (Capt): Liam Pugh; Jordan Evans; Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Joe Poole; Dan Colley; Jimmy Davies; Harry Rossiter; Jake Henson.
Division Three (West) A:
Cardis claim huge win over Wasps
Cardigan 81 - Llangwm 5
Cardigan maintained their excellent recent form with a crushing ten-try victory over a depleted Llangwm side that deserved every credit for fulfilling the fixture.And after trailing by 56 points at half time The Wasps managed to open the second-half scoring with a try from Jack Roberts, their man of the match for his work alongside Dave Reynolds, who tackled well, and Callum Jenkins, who came on as replacement and gave his usual commitment in the front row.
Llangwm only conceded seven points in a battling first segment of the game but then The Teifisiders cut loose with tries by skipper Llyr Jones, prop Andrew Fletcher, flanker Geraint Williams (2), winger Kieran Greenland, centre Emyr Harries (2), Luke Palmer Davies and Rhodri Parry-Jones.
They added another four tries after the interval as they added others from Palmer-Davies, No 8 Tom Taylor (2) and winger Iwan John, with Llyr Jones ending up with six conversions to complete a high-scoring double after they had previously won at Pill Parks by 69-0.
Cardigan: Tom Griffiths: Kieran Greenland; Emyr Harries; Jac Davies; Iwan John: Llyr Jones; Danny Bradshaw: Andrew Jones; Luke Palmer-Davies; Andrew Fletcher: Luke Jones; Sion Phillips: Rhodri Davies; Geraint Williams; Tom Taylor: Replacements: Will Brice; Jack Foster Lynch; Rhodri Parry-Jones: Ben Rogers; Marcus Castle; Shane Lee; Jack Taylor.
Blues secure victory in runaway first half
Llanybydder 10 - Haverfordwest 52
Haverfordwest must have travelled well to Llanybydder because by half time they were 40 points ahead and playing with freedom as their pack was on top but as the home side benefitted from the growing strength of the wind thereafter The Blues were unable to maintain that attacking flair but in the final analysis were good value for victory.Centre Archie Thomas opened their account with a well-taken try as he took on the kicking duties and added one of five conversions that gave him 15 points in a good all-round display – then Jon Mason, player/coach Matthew John and front-rower Jamie Zambas added three more that he goaled as they raced into a 28-0 lead.
Others came in a purple patch from prop Dan Berry and a brace by pacy winger Scott Candler to set up that impressive interval score-line – but they could only muster one more from outside half Liam Eaton after the interval and Llanybydder showed their fighting spirit with a penalty and converted try of their own.
Ben guides All Blacks to derby double
St Davids 21 – Neyland 26
Neyland held on despite a frantic finish at St Davids as a full blooded Pembrokeshire derby went the way of the Pembrokeshire All Blacks.
In front of a big Easter crowd, it was the visitors in the ascendancy early on as a break from centre Alex Codd set up a close range penalty and No 10 George Evans did the honours - and Neyland were then gifted a chance when the home backline was deemed offside from centre George Raymond’s clearance kick.
Evans kicked the resultant penalty into the corner and a line out drive culminated in No 8 Ben Williams touching down for a five pointer, and further pressure saw the veteran second row pairing of Chris Busby and Mark James both link in midfield - but winger Jasper Endeed was hauled down short of the line.
Then a drive from prop Luke Dawes set up another penalty chance and Evans landed it to make it 11-0, before the tide turned in the final moments of the half.
Home No 10 Aaron Foster kicked a penalty and after away centre Alex Codd was yellow carded, St Davids upped the ante with scrum half Zak Morgan narrowly failing to gather a loose ball with the line at his mercy - before winger Luke Bamford did finish well in the corner for an unconverted try.
Both Evans and Foster exchanged early penalties in the second half and then at 14-11, Neyland seemingly took command as prop Jack Harries took a quick tap penalty and ploughed over for a five pointer out wide - and then the game was seemingly made safe when Jasper Endeen broke down the right wing and slipped a pass inside for Williams to go over again for a try that Evans converted.
At that point Neyland were comfortable but the hosts fought back late on, as replacement Owen swain touched down by the corner flag for an unconverted try. And when another replacement in Bob Froy did the same in injury time, the deficit was down to five points and the away side were forced to hold out in a frenetic finale.
Unfortunately, post-match formalities were halted as sad news filtered through of the death of Gerald Charles, a Neyland stalwart who sadly passed away on Saturday evening. Pembrokeshire Sport offers our condolences to his family and friends at the loss of a top sportsman and a gentleman it was a pleasure to know.
St Davids: Ollie Owen, Luke Bamford, Owen Swain, George Raymond, Harvey Godkin, Aaron Foster, Zak Morgan, Adam Williams, Rhys Price, Ben Evans, James Goldsmith, Aled Davies, Andrew Groves, Nathan Foster, Tommy Reynolds.
Replacements: Ryan John, Dan Murphy, Charlie Lavin, Bob Froy, Owen Lewis.
Neyland: Jake Griffiths, Stu Phillips, Alex Codd, Ben Milward, Jasper Endeen, George Evans, Owen Hamer, Luke Dawes, Alex Swales, Jack Harries, Mark James, Chris Busby, Dan Hart, Owain Evans (capt), Ben Williams.
Replacements: Richard Jones, Sean Geoghegan, Andrew Slark, Iestyn Evans.
Referee: Gareth Daniel.
Donovan hat-trick a feature of Quins’ victory
Tregaron 22 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 39
Tom Donovan has grown in rugby stature as he has gained in experience this season and the Pembroke Dock Harlequins speedster scored a try hat trick from his berth on the wing to help his side gain a solid away win against basement battlers Tregaron.The Quins settled well and were 29-5 ahead at the interval and although Tregaron deserved credit for playing well in the second period it was The Quins who gained a bonus point win as joining Donovan on the try sheet were centre Geraint Powell (2) winger Tom Hagan and centre Sam James, with No 10 Euan McDonald slotting two penalties as he played well alongside Sam Wheeler at half back, with hooker George Belmaine also catching the eye until he went off injured.
Tregaron also picked up a deserved bonus point in defeat as they scored four tries from Dorian Pugh, Gareth Jones, Morgan Evans and Martin Lloyd, with Llion Jones kicking their only conversion.
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Ben Hathaway: Tom Hagan; Geraint Powell; Adam Jones: Tom Donovan: Euan McDonald; Tom Wheeler: Ben Gibby; George Belmaine; Liam Scourfield: Danny Wilkes; Wil Nicot: Jordan Palmer; Jack Brown (Capt). Replacements: Kieran Machin; Adam James.