Division One West: Pembroke 12-32 Penclawdd

There were signs of improvement from Pembroke in their defeat against Penclawdd but ultimately it was a seventh straight league loss for the Scarlets.

They do have games in hand on most sides above them but now face two huge clashes in the next two weeks against teams in the bottom four – first a trip to Llanelli Wanderers and then a home game with Gowerton.

They started well but No 10 Kyren Gray, deputising with Toby Smith unavailable, was wide with a penalty and then centre James Davies was also off target with an attempt.

Penclawdd then took an 8-0 lead through a try from second row Will Guaneri and an Iwan Jones penalty, although the Scarlets responded with an unconverted try from No 8 Alex Thomas following a close range scrum and a strong burst by centre Tom Harding-Jones.

The home side shot themselves in the foot before half time though as an intercepted pop pass from second row Dom Colman led to a try for Penclawdd prop Luke Snell before a loose ball in midfield saw Guaneri add his second. Twice Jones converted to make it 22-5 at half time.

Another Harding-Jones run led to Pembroke points after the break as he was high tackled in the corner, meaning a penalty try, but Snell went over again for Penclawdd and Jones added the extras as well as a penalty.

Scarlets forwards coach Kyle Davies was upbeat about the improvements though, with young hooker Shane Gwyther again standing out and the likes of Toby Smith and Dan Colley set to return next week.

“It was a lot better than the game in Whitland,” he said.

“We’ve had a long injury list but hopefully have boys starting to come back now.”

Pembroke: Luke Hartland, Shaun Dalling, Tom Harding-Jones, Lewis Davies, Geraint Powell, Kyren Gray,, Iori Roberts, Lloyd Davies, Shane Gwyther, Johnny Palmer, Dom Colman, Scott Powell (capt), Will Edwards, Alex Thomas, Rhodri Walters. Replacements: Jack Smythe, Barry Alderman-John, Seamus Wiseman.