Bishop Cup: Llangwm 0-38 Haverfordwest 

HAVERFORDWEST retained the Bishop Cup at a mud-strewn Pill Parks and importantly pouched a vital five league points with the game doubling up as a Division Three West A fixture.

The Blues won 38-3 in the previous tussle in Haverfordwest and it seemed as if they would take the verdict here by an identical tally - but it later emerged that referee Martyn Jones (Carmarthen) had over-ruled Luke Hayman’s penalty attempt right on half time despite one touch judge signalling it was good.

In the end it mattered little as The Blues ran in three tries in each half, four of them converted by outside half Mikey Jones, who was also adjudged man of the match by the referee for the way that he controlled play.

In the first quarter there were errors aplenty as The Blues tried to use their forward power but were met by stout resistance from the home pack.

But Haverfordwest always held that edge and they took the lead after 26 minutes from a move that half backs Elgan Roberts and No 10 Jones practised pre-match, with the latter’s diagonal kick finding winger Unaia Balekinesiga, who outjumped his opponent and powered his way to the line.

Another Jones’ kick set up Haverfordwest’s second score from a low diagonal grubber to the same corner for centre Jack Evans - and then a penalty kick to the opposite corner allowed hooker Lewis Tingay (called in before the start because Matt Clayton was injured pre-match), to cross the whitewash with Jones adding the extra points.

Llangwm also had their half chances mind, as centres Yale Grice and Joe Lewis posed a threat alongside full back Luke Hayman, but when The Wasps had a chance in front of the posts they elected for a scrum - before a second penalty gave them a similar chance which Hayman seemed to kick but was denied.

The Blues started the second period with a bang as a cleverly flipped pass by outstanding No 8 Ashley George allowed centre Jake Evans to sidestep his way to the posts for an easy Jones’ conversion.

As the away pack got well on top in the final stages there were further tries by Clancy, one from a splendid 45 metre charge to the line, and the other from closer range, to set the seal on a deserved Blues’ victory.

Afterwards Llangwm chairman Michael John presented the Bishop Cup to Haverfordwest captain Matty Phillips and the man of the match award, traditionally provided by Gelly James’ family, was presented to Jones by Gelly's niece Lauren Fair.

Llangwm: Luke Hayman: Dan Morgan; Yale Grice; Joe Lewin; Ewan Griffiths: George Evans; Dan Thomas: Ieuan Power; Gethin Thomas (capt); Michael Cockburn: Dave Reynolds; John O’Boyle: James Lewis; Rhys Thomas; Ian Griffiths. Replacements: Gavin Jones; Steve Rees; Matthew Lewis; Ollie Davies; Rhys Mason.

Haverfordwest: Rhys Baker: Unaia Balekinesiga; Jack Evans; Jake Evans; Johnny White: Mikey Jones; Elna Roberts: Jamie Zambas; Lewis Tingay; Tom Carrington: Paul Thomas; Jack Clancy: Gareth John; Matty Phillips (Capt); Ashley George. Replacements: Geraint Sargeant; Rhys Watkins; Lee Summons, Will Blackburn; Liam Brown; Rhydian Walters.