Frosty weather wrecked the Pembrokeshire programme of rugby as only two games survived the weather – with further disruption likely to be caused by the fact that the planned Welsh Rugby Union Cup games will have to be played in seven days, rather than the proposed league matches!

 

Division Two (West):

 




 

Magnificent Mariners battle to vital victory

 

Milford Haven 15 - Lampeter Town 13

 
Milford United produced one of their best performances for a long time as they showed total commitment, energy and solid skill levels in quite awful conditions to win through against a well-drilled Lampeter Town which led 8-3 at half time after showing why they are placed third in the table and looked likely to pouch a sixth win in nine outings.
 
But they were already facing a few worries because the Mariners’ pack held a clear advantage in the set-pieces and not only tackled like demons but played together with a fire inspired by skipper Zac Davies, Ben Jenkins; Zac France-Miller (playing on permit from Whitland for his former club) and Jimmy Buirds, who earned the man of the match tag for featuring in almost every Milford drive but grabbed both tries as he proved unstoppable anywhere near Lampeter’s line.
 

Super pack power – and a good Mariners’ start

 
But the rest of the pack was superb as well and to be fair it wasn’t a performance based solely on pack power though because their backs tackled well throughout and weren’t afraid to keep the Lampeter defence on its toes through their midfield trio of James Williams, Efan Morgan and Jamie Lewis.
 
Half backs Dan McClelland and Ollie Rothero tried hard to utilise their hard-won possession and wide out there was solid defence from Garin Gardner and James Truman, who opened the scoring with a second-minute penalty and slotted the vital wide-angled penalty that saw The Mariners to their third victory.
 
After their good start Milford were set on the back foot as scrum half Daniel Thomas linked well with an experienced back row of Gareth Morgan Isaac, Ifan John Davies and No 8 Brynmor Jones and the home team conceded penalties aplenty but refused to give way with some super smuggling of the ball in their own 22 until Lampeter eventually spread play right and winger Daniel Morgans raced through on the corner, making the conversion attempt by Osaian Jones far too difficult.
 
But Jones eventually drilled a three-pointer over from a penalty and it took Lampeter in front at the interval, although The Mariners might have scored in a pressure period when good work in the top right corner came to nought and Truman missed a penalty he would normally have expected to land.





 

Unseen work really pays off

 
The second half saw the wind drop slightly as the Milford forwards really applied himself and drew level with first of Buirds’ tries which Trueman was unable to convert.
 
The unseen work undertaken by Ben Jenkins, Luke Ryan and the ubiquitous Buirds, allied to the ball-winning skills of Brandon Cooper, Ben Groves, Ieuan Davies and Dylan Morgan was vital – but on a Lampeter incursion into The Mariners’ 22 they regained the initiative with an unconverted try by Osian Jones.
 
It might have allowed Lampeter to go on a points’ rampage but not on this occasion and the hardy home supporters who braved the elements were delighted with Buirds’ second try – and even more thrilled when Trueman pinged over the difficult conversion to give his side a two-point lead!
 
Even then there was more of the play left but visiting No 10 Osian Jones was off-target with a 40-metre penalty – and it was appropriate that the home forwards won a great midfield  turnover a few minutes later, were awarded a penalty which was dispatched into touch and The Mariners were good value for victory!
 
Milford Haven: James Williams: Chris Trueman; Dan Jenkins; Ethan Morgan; Garin Gardner: Ollie Rothero; Dan McClelland: Ben Jenkins; Luke Ryan; Jimmy Buirds: Brandon Cooper; Zac Davies (Capt): Ieuan Davies; Ben Groves; Zac France-Miller, Replacements: Dave Sweeny; Dylan Morgan; Jay Goodall; Lee Riley.
 
Lampeter: Llyr Jones: Jac Williams; Dafydd Jones; Gethin Davies; Daniel Morgans: Osian Jones; Daniel Thomas: Ryan Kelachandra; Aled Jacob; Morgan Lewis: Carwyn Rosser; Guto Jones: Gareth Morgan Isaac; Ifan John Davies; Brynmor Jones:  Replacements: Morgan James; Nathan Mackie; Meirion Lloyd; Cadfan Jones; Ryan Doughty.






 
 

WRU Division Two Cup - Third Round:

 

Seasiders bow out against gritty Uplands

 

Swansea Uplands 22 - Tenby United 14

 
Tenby United made a disappointing exit from the WRU Division Two Cup as they lost to a gritty Swansea Uplands side which is currently sixth in the Division Two West Central section having won four of their six matches.
 
The Seasiders are unbeaten in Division Two but as coach Jonathan Evans told us, backed up by his assistant Andy Barlow,
“We were below par today after a slow start and in chasing the game we compounded the problem by conceding more points – two tries coming from attempted clearance kicks which went astray.
“We had more than our fair share of chances whilst The Uplands came into our 22 about six times and went away with four tries so we have to give them every credit and wish them will in the next round of the competition.”
 

‘Slow start’ rocks back The Seasiders

 
A ‘Slow Start’ got Tenby off on the wrong foot that saw The Uplands go 10-0 ahead through early tries from winger Richard Evans and centre Rhodri Irvine but after 20 minutes of midfield play it seemed as if The Seasiders were back in contention as they scored what was a memorable try for No 8 Dan Colley because in doing so he passed 300 points for the club before Harry Rossiter provided the icing on his cake with the conversion.
 
But just when it looked as if The Seasiders would go in just three points adrift at the interval The Uplands grabbed their third try as a weak goal-line drop set up a home attack from which winger Kieran Morris gained the touch down for outside half Dan Bennett to convert with the last kick of the half and restore that early ten-point advantage.
 

Uplands build a winning lead

 
Uplands added a fourth try through replacement winger Alex Margetts, this time not converted and although The Seasiders deserve credit for battling away their only other score came in time added on as some good handling allowed Dan Colley to score his seventh try in the last two games.
 
Prop Rob Luly received the ‘Man of the Match’ award for his genuine graft in the front row and The Seasiders know that they will have to lift the tempo considerable next Saturday when they travel to St Clears for what is very match a top of the table clash in Division Two (West).
 
Tenby United: Luke Hartland: Brad Cramb; Jack Gooding; Luke Waygood, Cam Broadhurst:  Harry Rossiter; Tom Lewis: Ethan Morgan; Dan Allen; Rob Luly: Tom Barrass; Luke Dedman (Capt): Mike Davis; Jack Brown; Dan Colley. Replacements: Joe Poole; Jack Broadhurst; Liam Pugh; Will Swales; Geraint Powell.