Division Three West A:
St Davids 17-12 Llangwm
THERE were big celebrations at St Davids RFC this afternoon as for the first time since December 5th, 2015 - The Saints registered a National League win.
The home side prevailed 17-12 in a predictably tough clash with Llangwm that went down to the wire, and ironically, it was this exact score against the same side when they last tasted a league victory 21 months ago.
The Saints played against the elements in the first half but started strongly as a break from prop Will Davies set up a sustained period of pressure that The Wasps did well to withstand.
But the visitors soon came into game, and outside half Steve Inward missed a chance to put them ahead when he pushed a 35 metre penalty attempt wide in the swirling wind.
Llangwm second row Josh Hicks was held up over the line after a powerful run, and at the other end, St Davids back row players Carl Evans and Aled Harries were denied in similar fashion as both sides defended fiercely.
But half an hour in, it was The Saints who broke the deadlock from a close range scrum, as No 8 Harries slipped the scoring pass to impressive scrum half Zak Morgan, who sniped under the posts.
Centre Dafydd Williams converted.
But six minutes later the visitors were level, as centre Gavin Jenkins picked up a loose ball and weaved his way under the posts from 22 meters out – full back Joseph Kiff adding the extras.
It stayed that way until the break, but early in the second half The Saints got back in the ascendancy with another heavy period of pressure, which culminated with Llangwm replacement Aled Morgan being sin binned by referee Alun Jones for killing the ball.
From the resultant penalty Williams kicked the simple points to put his side 10-7 up, and then with 15 minutes left came the decisive moment.
Just as The Wasps were beginning to press as scrum half Luke Hayman started speeding up the play with a series of quickly taken penalties, home centre Anton Matthews intercepted a pass in midfield, and rounded off a notable individual display with a 50 metre dash to the line.
Williams converted to make it 17-7, but then it was Llangwm second row Hicks who set up a grandstand finish, getting the try his strong running deserved by charging over from a quickly taken tap penalty.
But The Saints used the strong wind to their advantage in the closing minutes by pinning the away side back, and one last ditch effort from The Wasps from deep in their own 22 ended when centre Jenkins was bundled into touch on half way.
It meant the final whistle and huge relief for The Saints, with the delight of head coach Matthew Williams evident at the end.
St Davids: Rhys Morgan, Luke Brooks, Anton Matthews, Dafydd Williams, Norman Price, Gabe York, Zak Morgan, Will Davies, Noel Lyons, Dan Murphy, Rhys Tudor Price (captain), Gethin Bateman, Carl Evans, Aled Harries.
Replacements: Eirian Harries, Ben Evans, Rhys Owen Price, Fraser Watson, Steve Regan.
Llangwm: Joseph Kiff, Daniel Morgan, Gavin Jenkins, Lewis Murphy, Jack Griffiths, Steve Inward, Luke Hayman, David Reynolds, Dai Owen, Gavin Jones, Jason Mock, Josh Hicks, James Lewis, Carwyn Morgan, Ian Griffiths.
Replacements: Spencer Rourke, Aled Morgan, Tom Meehan, Sam Harris, Dan Chesmar.
Referee: Alun Jones.
WRU League scores involving Pembrokeshire sides today:
Championship:
Cardiff Met 32-15 Narberth
Division One West:
Crymych 3-15 Aberystwyth
Kidwelly 28-14 Tenby United
Division Two West:
Fishguard 21-28 Carmarthen Athletic
Whitland 31-10 St Clears
Division Three West A:
Aberaeron 7-18 Haverfordwest
Neyland 8-15 Milford Haven
Pembroke Dock Quins 14-41 Pembroke
St Davids 17-12 Llangwm
Tregaron 18-33 Cardigan
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