WRU Merit League: Haverfordwest Ladies 10-69 Deri Diamonds

Future Wales star Paige Randall ran riot as Haverfordwest Ladies were well beaten by Deri Diamonds on Sunday.

The Lady Blues had not played together for six weeks and could only amass 13 players against a well-drilled unbeaten Deri squad.

Randall was one of 14 uncapped players to be named in Rowland Phillips’ autumn international squad, and her class was clear to see.

The flying outside-half ran in four of her side’s 11 tries, kicked 7 conversions and put in several try-saving tackles.

Despite going down to just 11 players through injury, Haverfordwest battled hard for 80 minutes and were rewarded with a try either side of the break courtesy of experienced scrum-half Emma Summons and Army centre Amber Starr-Palmer.

Captain Ali Hopson Griffiths led from the front and was named forward of the match, while Awen Prysor proved as elusive as ever to the Deri defenders.

Rhian Swift also impressed on the wing, putting in tackle after tackle on girls twice her size.

But the biggest cheer from the home crowd was reserved for retired forward Emma Evans who dusted off her boots to pack down in the front row.

There was also a welcome return for former blue Evelyn Coleman who permitted from Whitland to boost help boost numbers.

Haverfordwest’s next game is away to Lampeter on Sunday, the team they beat 80-0 in the season opener.

Training is at 7pm on Thursdays and new players are desperately needed to keep the team going.

There was a minute of silence for Nelson player Brooke Morris ahead of kick off, following her death last week. Both sides played against her last season.

Haverfordwest: Emma Evans, Hayley May Thomas, Katy Lewis, Evelyn Coleman, Emily Carrington, Delyth Foster, Ali Hopson-Griffiths (capt) Emma Summons, Emily Banner, Awen Prysor, Amber Starr-Palmer, Ceri Coleman-Phillips, Rhian Swift