Division Three West A: Pembroke Dock Harlequins 3-39 Milford Haven
A new era for both sides got underway at Bierspool today as Milford Haven kicked off their expected title challenge with a bonus point win against Pembroke Dock Harlequins.
It meant a satisfactory start for new Milford head coach Nathan ‘Gully’ Williams and assistant Steve Martin – but there were positives also for Neil Machin and Ian Osbourne, themselves newly installed at the Quins, as their young side competed well for 40 minutes before being overran in the second half.
Indeed, both teams came out intent on playing fast paced which made for a frantic first half, and Milford full back Jo Kiff revelled in the space as he frequently opted to run from deep.
The Mariners broke the deadlock with a neat run around out move off a scrum which sent centre Dan Birch under the posts, and Dan McClelland added the extras.
Back came the Quins though and outside half Rhys Bradney landed three points, but the visitors crossed again when some slick interplay was rounded off by Dan Jenkins.
That made it 12-3 and after home No 8 Stef Halwood and Milford hooker Luke Ryan both saw yellow following a skirmish – Bradney was given another shot at goal but pulled his 40 metre effort wide.
Still the Quins were bang in the contest at the break, after fronting up defensively late in the half when a powerful Ben Groves break and set up some prolonged Milford pressure.
But Williams opted to use a strong bench in the second half and it paid dividends as his side ran in 22 points without reply.
Again, a run around move in midfield yielded a try when No 10 Efan Morgan evaded several tackles on his way to the line, and veteran No 8 Mark Wonnacott made the bonus point safe as he picked up from a 5-metre scrum and dived over.
The came a moment of real concern as Kiff appeared to take a hefty blow to the head and after a lengthy delay, was taken off the field by ambulance as a precaution. Thankfully, Telegraph Sport can report he has not suffered any serious injury and will recover fully.
It meant both sides having to go again after play was stopped for more than 20 minutes, but when things re-started away second row Brandon Cooper went over from 22 metres out, before the same player went over again to make it 32-3.
And with the Quins tiring, it was Morgan who rounded things off with his second try that James Trueman converted, completing a job well done for Williams and co.
Nathan Williams: “It was a good performance.
“We still have a lot of aspects to work on but you expect that at this stage of the season.
“It’s Haverfordwest next week and yes it’s a big game – but they’re all big games so we will approach it like any other, wanting to win.”
Neil Machin: “We are trying to play a new style and will take some time.
“But we have a young side and two 18-year-olds on the field today which was encouraging.
“Milford are a good, organised team but we played well ourselves at times and put he effort in. It will come.”
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Adam Cookson, Ben Gibby, Jake Griffiths, Thomas Doyle, Matthew Lawrence, Rhys Bradney, Elliot Lewis, Jack Davies, George Belmaine, Rob Hearne, Liam Scourfield, Martin Cully, Alex Pearce, Jordan Palmer, Stef Halwood. Replacements: Ellis Williams, Sean Willington, Aran Treweeks, Gary Burns, Rhys Marchant.
Milford Haven: Joseph Kiff, Craig Thomas, Dan Jenkins, Dan Birch, James Trueman, Efan Morgan, Dan McClelland, Darren Lewis, Luke Ryan, Adam Rees, Brandon Cooper, Chris Hall, Ben Groves, Ryan Mansell, Mark Wonnacott. Replacements: Mike Cockburn, Dewi Williams, Tristan McSparron, Dai Sweeny, Steve Martin.
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