Division Three West A: St Davids 5-31 Cardigan

A classy second half display from Luke Rogers was the catalyst for a bonus point win for Cardigan at St Davids.

Rogers, who has also played for Narberth and Crymych and is currently home over the Christmas period whilst studying away, came on at half time with the score locked at 5-5 and scored a second half hat trick of tries to settle matters.

The first 40 minutes had been a real dogfight but the away side began to pile on pressure on the 30 minute mark as centres Aaron Tomkinson and Rhun Phillips, and no 8 Tom Taylor, all went close with powerful bursts.

They were repelled by some determined Saints defence, with flanker Rhys Price and namesake Morgan at full back outstanding, but eventually the first score came as winger Llion Williams (on as a blood replacement) went over in the corner.

But St Davids came back with 51-year-old No 8 Anthony Davies again carrying tirelessly, and it was a break from winger Luke Brooks which set up a series of attacks, culminating in centre George Raymond picking up a loose ball and finishing powerfully from 25 metres out.

Cardigan kept possession far better after the break though and after Taylor was held up over the line, winger Ceryth Griffiths got their second try as he benefitted from an overlap outside wide.

It remained 10-5 until the final quarter when Rogers jinked through for his first try and Llyr Jones converted, and as the game opened up late on the replacement had his second from a neat dummy and dart from close range.

He completed his treble moments later by rounding off a counter-attack from deep to complete a job well done for Cardigan and leave St Davids player coach Gethin Bateman disappointed.

“We have built some momentum lately and after the first 40 minutes today we felt we had an opportunity to take control and get that first win,” he said.

“But fair play to Cardigan they changed their game plan and ran away with it second half.”

St Davids: Rhys Morgan, Lee Phillips, Louis Murphy, George Raymond, Luke Brooks, Owain Beynon, Fraser Watson, Will Davies, Mikey Matthews, Dan Murphy, Dan Boyes, Gethin Bateman, Hywel Churchill, Rhys Price, Gethin Bateman. Replacements: Gabe York, Jason Davies, Ryan Foot, Alex Richmond, Jack Crimlis.

Cardigan: Llyr Jones, Ceryth Griffiths, Rhun Phillips, Aaron Tomkinson, Gwern Phillips, Iwan John, Danny Bradshaw, William Brice, Ben Cox, Ben Hughes, Sion Phillips, Dyfed Simmons, Ossian Rees, Geraint Williams, Tom Taylor. Replacements: Callum Plowright, Llion Williams, Kester Adams, Oliver Leeming, Luke Rogers.