Fishguard beaten 17-12 by Burry Port in Division Two West

The frustration continues for Fishguard as for the third time in as many games, late pressure ultimately came to nothing as they were beaten by Burry Port at The Moors.

The Seagulls were 17-5 down midway through the second half before a try from full back Robbie Jones set up a frantic finish, but were unable to convert a series of late chances amidst some brave defence from the visitors.

The Llanelli side arrived on the back of a big win over Loughor and duly started confidently, taking the lead when centre Tom Bowen’s smart offload set up a try for second row Micaiah Jones. Full back Gareth Rees converted.

And the away side were soon on the front foot again, with winger Luke Rudall chipping ahead only to be denied by covering Fishguard full back Jones.

Rudall threatened further with a jinking run into the 22, but an outstanding bit of play from home skipper Chris Shousha seemed to galvanise his side, the flanker stripping the winger of possession before charging 30 metres upfield on a powerful run.

And midway through the half, The Seagulls got a foothold but twice they opted to kick close range penalties to the corner – and twice they were thwarted by turnovers after coming up short of the line.

Another chance came when centre Sion Rowlands burst through in midfield and off loaded to Zac France-Miller, but the Burry Port cover prevailed – and home No 8 Simon James hacked a loose ball towards the posts only for Rees, classy at full back throughout for the visitors, to race back and clear his lines.

Burry Port however, were attacking from deep and with intensity, and could have crossed again themselves in a prolonged spell of pressure which saw No 8 Dylan Evans hauled down just short, before crossing in midfield ended the danger.

But in the final minutes of the half, it was Fishguard in the ascendancy as James combined with No 9 Andrew Williams and although he was held up over the line - from the scrum that followed The Seagulls struck.

James again attacked from the base and from the subsequent ruck, Shousha powered over in the corner, before No 10 Alun George struck the woodwork with the conversion.

And yet the pendulum swung again after the break as the away pack, despite losing former Whitland player Jones to injury, ominously powered forward at a scrum to force a penalty – and Rees made no mistake from 25 metres.

The advantage increased further when hooker Iwan Roberts’ powerful burst laid the platform for prop and player-coach Gareth Gravell to pick up and dive over. Rees again converting.

Moments later the latter was denied by a corner flag tackle from opposite number Thomas and at that point, the home side were struggling to stay in the contest.

But in the final quarter they rallied, and although George was off target with a penalty the deficit was reduced when Shousha, now at No 8, picked up from a scrum on half way and surged down the blind side before popping the scoring pass for Jones. George’s simple conversion reduced the deficit to 12-17.

The visitors did respond but botched a close range lineout chance - and Rees pulled a penalty attempt wide after Fishguard were reduced to 14 men, flanker Luke Freebury seeing yellow for a trip on Rudall.

However, the final minutes were one way traffic and although George was again wide with a penalty, next time around he opted for the corner and the outside half judged his kick perfectly to put his side five metres from the line.

Second row Ben John took clean ball in the lineout that followed but the forward drive was repelled, as was the next chance when Rowlands powered within 10 metres only to be penalised for holding on.

Still the pressure came and Luke Freebury went close after a quickly taken tap penalty, but after a series of forward drives, it was replacement centre Adam Webb who bravely jackled to win The Blacks a crucial penalty.

And deep into time added on, from one last frantic Fishguard attack, it was away No 8 Evans who did the same at the breakdown - and the relief amongst away supporters and players at the final whistle was evident.

For The Seagulls however, it means they open the season with three straight defeats, and another losing bonus point would have felt like scant consolation after again coming so close late on.

Post-match reaction:

Peter Evans (Fishguard team manager)

“We panicked under pressure and it cost us.

“I think they played the referee better than us and we seemed to go to sleep early in the second half, but how we didn’t get over the line at the end I’ll never know.

“Three games in a row have now finished like that for us but we will soon turn the corner.”

Ceirion Thomas (Burry Port assistant coach):

“The effort and determination of the boys was unbelievable.

“I think we blew some chances and could have had more first half tries. But Fishguard finished strongly and we were tiring, but the desire in defence at the end there was so pleasing. We could easily have folded and let them in.

“It’s always tough coming to places when you’re new to the Division so we’re delighted with the win.”

Man of the match: Chris Shousha.

He finished on the losing side, but the stand out player was Shousha.

The Fishguard skipper covered every blade of grass and was at the heart of his side’s best work in defence and attack. He scored one try and created another, but the moment that best summarised his display came midway through the first half – winning a turnover in his own 22 and promptly switching defence into attack with a strong 30 metre run.

The Seagulls are more than capable of climbing the table, but Shousha’s form and fitness is going to be critical to them.

Fraser’s final word:

As the scorelines show, Fishguard are not far away.

There seems little wrong with their physicality or commitment and they finished strongly despite some punishing spells of defending. Displays from the likes of youngsters Robbie Jones, Osian Lewis, and Sion Rowlands, as well as Liam Wilkes and Adam Bowen up front, can only bode well for the future.

But currently, they seem to be lacking a clinical edge and the ‘know how’ to win tight games. There was no shortage of breaks or attacking platforms, but they weren’t converted into points.

Coaches Nathan Jenkins and Simon James won’t be panicking, and four bonus points this far is hardly a disastrous return. But another loss at Tumble next week, and the pressure will ramp up.

Burry Port meanwhile, will be a dangerous side this season. They have some experienced heads up front and while he went off injured today, young second row Micaiah Jones looks a great signing from Whitland.

The class of full back Gareth Rees was evident throughout and although they will need to defend leads with more composure –  twice failing to clear their lines late on today and also giving away needless penalties for dissent – their defence at the death was superb.

And with ball in hand, they can play.

Fishguard and Goodwick: Robbie Jones, Ed Bendall, Thomas George, Sion Rowlands, Osian Lewis, Alun George, Andrew Williams, Zac France-Miller, Liam Wilkes, Adam Bowen, Ben John, Gwilym Evans, Chris Shousha, Luke Freebury, Simon James. Replacements: Dan Evans, Gerywn Davies, William Delaney, Scott Riches, Tomas Ilasau.

Burry Port: Gareth Rees, Owen Thomas, Tom Bowen, Steff Powell, Luke Rudall, Rhydian Jenkins, Ben Williams, Declan Jordan, Iwan Roberts, Gareth Gravell, Micaiah Jones, Oliver Dunleavy, Dylan Evans. Replacements: Jack Rees, Adam Webb, Ashley Phillips, Daniel Dawkins, Duane Evans.