Saints stun section stars

St Davids teams have never been real respectors of reputations and at a cold Fishguard Road ground they caused one of the biggest upsets of the season as they beat a Pontardawe side readily tipped for promotion and with seven wins from eight league outings before they met the Saints.

Leading the way were wingers Darren Salmon and Rob Miles, who shared the points, but they would be first to admit that this victory was reward for an all-round team effort.

Salmon scorched over for two tries from all of 30 metres and Miles added a conversion and three penalties, with Salmon unluckily denied a hat-trick because referee Wilson penalised him for a double movement near the Ponty line when Salmon was perfectly entitled to get up and carry on his move because he wasnt held.

Also catching the eye in defence were full back Osian Rees and scrum half Brian Phillips while the back row of Matt Devonald, Steve Rees and especially skipper Eddie Bolger tackled superbly throughout against big opposition who werent intent on taking any prisoners in the rucks.

Big Jack Dudley and Mike Lamb gave everything and Gareth Charles experience as hooker was a telling factor because the former Narberth No 2 covered well and encouraged cool heads when they were necessary.

Gethin Bateman won quality lineout ball and it was from this regular source of possession that the Saints took the lead as early as the fourth minute, when Phil Lamb, Nathan Jenkins and Jamie Pateman set up the chance and a cheeky flicked ball through his legs by Charles allowed Salmon a run on the left.

The big winger still had plenty to do but easily brushed off his marker Damian Evans and full back Kevin Williams to score a try that gave the Saints just the stimulus that they wanted.

Rob Miles missed the conversion but made amends with an eighth-minute penalty to put the Saints as many points ahead.

Pontardawe have only lost to neighbours Alltwen in their previous matches and they showed why with two tries in as many minutes as centres Gerald Jones and Damian Ayres made the space for left-winger Leighton Jiffy Smith to scorch away twice, the first try having an element of doubt because the visiting touch-judge had raised his flag - but it was through excitement at his teams try!

Fly half Lee Morgan missed both conversion and St Davids stormed back to earn a penalty which Rob Miles slotted.

Then came that disallowed try for Salmon but justice was soon done as the winger, who had swapped wings to cover Smiths dashes, was fed from a blind-side scrum by skipper Bolger and smashed through the last lines of tackling to score a try which Miles converted - and at 18-10 ahead at the break the Saints knew they had to defend stoutly against the wind after the break.

And that is just what they did, with Osian Rees organising his backs and the pack unflinchingly taking some bangs on the floor to turn over Ponty possession.

There was also some brilliant tackling as Mike Lamb and Charles were heavily involved, Darren Salmon cut down Smith in full flight at the far corner flag to save a try and the back row somehow kept Pontardawe out before the persistent pressure saw Ponty score a penalty in the 16th minute from fly half Morgan after big No 8 Craig Jones and scrum half John Morvai had been held up short.

But the Saints refused to buckle as centres Jamie Pateman and Nathan Jenkins bottled up the middle and they broke one spell of intense pressure when Osian Rees harried his opposite number and almost put Salmon away again but he was caught on half way.

But Rob Miles gave them some breathing space with a well-struck penalty into the wind - and Brian Phillips outrageous dummy and side-step almost earned another try but he was felled by Phil Garnett in the Ponty 22.

The last ten minutes saw the visitors desperately trying to snatch the game out of the fire and they ran two penalties before scoring a 79th minute try by No 8 Craig Jones, who was formerly with Ystradgynlais.

The conversion attempt by Morgan hit the post so with three points the difference Pontardawe still needed a try to win.

Another late handling movement was repelled by Jack Dudleys men before the welcome final whistle arrived to give the Saints a memorable win - and team manager John James was so delighted that he decided he would break the habit of a lifetime by staying out late for a drink with his young charges!