Division Three West A:

Haverfordwest 21-7 St Davids 

It was tight at Merlins Bridge as Haverfordwest fought back from a rocky start to overcome a St Davids side that continues to improve as the season draws on.

The Saints dominated the opening quarter and after outside half Matty Mcleod was off target with two penalty attempts, eventually took the lead after a series of lineout drives led to an overlap out wide that saw full back Rhys Morgan crash over. Mcleod converted.

But The Blues soon got a foothold and were back level when a super inside pass from No 10 Liam Manwaring set up flanker Dan John to score, and full back Ollie Hughes levelled matters with the extras.

The St Davids pack continued to be in the ascendancy at the set piece but it was the home side who proved more clinical, and they then took the lead in style when Manwaring’s long floated pass put centre Dane Pindare in space in wide, and he in turn set up full back Rhys Baker to dive over in the corner. Hughes added the extras brilliantly from the touchline.

And despite having David O’Leary yellow carded, Bruce Evans’ team thought they had a third try before half time, but Pindare’s scoring pass to lively winger Josh Atherton was judged forward.

The Blues did strike early in the second half when the impressive Hughes cut over out wide for a try he again converted – before crucially, The Saints were unable to convert a heavy spell of pressure into points as the Haverfordwest defence stood firm against a series of close range scrums and lineouts.

And then Evans’ men nearly secured a bonus point try when from another St Davids attack, Pindare intercepted a pass in his own 22 and sped towards the line only to be denied by a superb cover tackle from Saints flanker and standout player Gabe York.