National League - Division Three (West) A:
Laugharne 20 - Haverfordwest 13
Mikey Ryan was the toast of his Laugharne colleagues as the powerful prop grabbed the two tries against Haverfordwest that takes them to within sight of the silverware as they now face two matches in a week against Pembroke Dock Harlequins in the knowledge that expected victories will see them home - and promotion to Division Two (West) next season.
Defeat for The Blues, their second against Laugharne in a couple of weeks, means that they will stay in the new Division Three (West) but with the chance that their nearest away match could now be in Cardigan!
Game management a key issue in this match
And this match was similar to the first in the sense that Haverfordwest had their chances but a mixture of organised defence by Laugharne, and the taking of wrong options at key times by The Blues, might just have cost Haverfordwest a greater chance of winning.
One former Blues’ player highlighted several incidents where he felt their game management might have been better, like the moments before half time when they trailed 13-14 and were awarded a kickable penalty but opted for an attacking kick to the corner which wasn’t directed as well as it might - and Laugharne were superb in defence so that they carried a narrow, but psychological lead into the interval.
Mikey makes a real impact for Laugharne
The visitors, whose pack is held in high regard across the division, took the early lead with a penalty from full back Owen Roberts but Laugharne showed they were capable of matching them as their back row of Iwan Lewis, Rhodri Rees and Mikey Williams caught the eye and Mikey Ryan finished off a great forward effort from a tap and go with the touch-down before player/coach Nico Setaro added the extra points.
Roberts reduced the deficit with his second penalty but Laugharne added a second Ryan try after scrum half Adam Davies was very busy as Richie Waters, Dorian Harris, Tomas Rees and Tom Lloyd set the platform; the last-named coming in as a late replacement for the injured Carl Smith and playing his heart out.
Setaro added the conversion but The Blues had the final word in the first half after Jonathan Mason, Jack Clancy and their powerful front row, which was on top in the scrums, set up a series of phases before skipper Karl Busch plunged over and Roberts converted.
Setaro sets the seal on a home victory
With just a single point between two very good teams there was an air of expectation both camps but again The Blues were unable to break down the home defence, in which Liam Price joined Lennon Reynolds in bottling up the middle and Tyler Reynolds and Tom Jameson were strong wide out.
Haverfordwest had a spell of dominance but with Nico Setaro directing operations it was weathered by Laugharne before Setaro added two penalties to take his points tally for the season to an amazing 316 points.
Both teams had other half chances but Laugharne were good value for victory and every credit goes to them for the way that they have managed to catch up on their huge fixture back-log after they featured for so long in the WRU Divisional Cup.
The Blues will be desperately disappointed because they had their sights firmly set on promotion but now wait to take on Neyland (away) in their final fixture, waiting for a huge favour from The Quins – but knowing that Laugharne will avoid any complacency and are now adds-on favourites to be crowned section champions as their reward!
Laugharne: Lennon Reynolds: Tyler Reynolds; Owain Thomas; Liam Price; Tom Jameson: Nico Setaro; Adam Davies: Mikey Ryan; Richie Waters; Dorian Harris: Tom Lloyd; Tomos Rees: Iwan Lewis; Rhodri Rees; Mikey Williams. Replacements: Tom Waters; Marc Jones; Lewis Jones; Tom Davies; Carwyn Jones.
Haverfordwest: Owain Roberts: Scott Candler; Jack Evans; Iestyn Arnold; Matthew John: Liam Eaton; Ioan Hawkridge Jones: Dan Berry; Jamie Zambas; Terry Lovell: Karl Busch; Jack Clancy: Mikey Griffiths; Matty Phillips; Jonathan Mason. Replacements: Ieuan Edwards, Paul Dungey; Dylan Williamson; Lewis Tingay; Jake Evans; Rhydian Watkins.
