Division Three West A: Haverfordwest 32-9 Llanybydder

Haverfordwest coach Steve Barnett was delighted with his team’s excellent win, not least because they earned a bonus point for scoring five tries in difficult conditions and avenged a double loss in Llanybydder as they were edged out 25-24 in the WRU Bowl and were easily beaten 19-0 with a disappointing defeat in the league.

The Blues trailed 8-9 at the interval but had laid the platform for victory with some terrific defensive work into the teeth of a cruel win – so that Llanybydder were unable to break the defensive web organised by half backs Liam Eaton and skipper Mikey Jones, ably assisted by Rhys Baker, Jack and Jake Evans.

But it was The Blues’ pack which conceded few penalties to limit Llanybydder to just nine points by No 10 Llyr Tobias. Tom Carrington, Jamie Zambas and young Jonathan Clout, ably assisted by powerhouse members Jack Clancy and Karl Busch, laid the foundations in the set-pieces and in the loose alongside Gareth John, skipper Matty Phillips and especially No 8 Ashley George.

Tobias had given his side an early lead but a terrific break upfield from centre Jack Evans allowed full back Rhys Baker to get up in support and claim a try – and although Mikey Jones was unable to convert he soon found the target with a well-struck penalty.

Tobias managed two further penalties but the hardy band of freezing Blues’ supporters generally agreed it had been a good performance by their team.

And so it proved after the oranges, despite Llanybydder having to opt for uncontested scrums, because after ten minutes setting the stage a powerful burst through the middle by winger Steve Thomas, who had enjoyed a ten-minute break on the naughty step, allowed skipper Matty Phillips to pounce for a corner try which Jones somehow managed to convert.

Thomas was also involved again when No 8 Ashley George pounced for a corner try but Jones’ conversion from almost the same sport rapped the near post.

Llanybydder showed they weren’t ready to lie down and spent ten minutes in Blues’ territory, despite having influential No 8 and captain Ricky Davies being yellow-carded- but with replacements of the calibre of Terry Lovell and big Rhydian Watkins also joining the fray The Blues eventually fought out of defence and George added his second score in the same corner – and Jones missed from the identical spot again!

With a bonus point assured it was appropriate that Jack Evans should slice through for the final score as the icing on the cake, the young centre carving a gap and slicing through it for Jones to add the extra points to bring a smile to Steve Barnett’s face, the Blues’ head coach telling us: “Both teams deserved credit for trying to play attacking rugby and Llanybydder deserve an extra mention for making such a long journey and playing their part.

“I was also pleased at the patience we showed in the second half to claim that extra point for a very solid team performance”

Haverfordwest: Rhys Baker: Jamie Barnett; Jack Evans; Jake Evans; Stephen Thomas: Mikey Jones; Liam Eaton: Jonathan Clout; Jamie Zambas; Tom Carrington: Jack Clancy, Karl Busch: Gareth John; Matty Phillips (Capt); Ashley George. Replacements: Terry Lovell; Rhydian Watkins; Geraint Sargeant; Archie Thomas; Lewis Tingay.

Llanybydder: Carwyn Evans: Jordan Jones; Llyr James; Rhys Morris; Ross Holder: Llyr Tobias; Jac Thomas: Rhys Rowlands; Steffan Bonsall; Tomos Adams: Josh Jones; John Evans: Tom Evans; Aled Evans; Ricky Davies (Capt). Replacements: Dylan Davies; Ben Roach; Stephen Rees.

Referee: Martyn Jones (St Clears/Carmarthen).