Aberaeron 0.

Milford Haven 3.

A last-minute penalty by outside half Leigh Broome was just enough to secure a win for Milford Haven at a rain-swept Aberaeron and maintain the Mariners’ successful start to the campaign.

Coach Alan McClelland had targeted this long trip to Mid Wales as a possible banana skin for his young team and he was proved right as both teams refused to budge an inch and defences were on top almost throughout the game. But then with the referee looking at his watch the Mariners’ pack made one last concerted effort and when Aberaeron transgressed at the ensuing ruck the raised arm of the referee signified a chance for the visitors. Up stepped Broome and from 26 metres he calmly sent the ball between the posts for the only score of the match and a fifth consecutive league win for the Mariners.

Coach McClelland said: “Aberaeron really made sure we couldn’t play our normal running game and we still need to be able to impose ourselves a little more – and work at our ball retention in poor conditions. But I am pleased that the boys stuck at it to win.”

The Milford tight five had a good game, with Craig Smith taking a handful of strikes against the head as James Passmore and Jamie Parr were strong in the scrums. Gareth Fawcett and skipper Carl Allen won good lineout ball and Mark Wonnacott linked well with scrum half Aaron Sprowell, whilst Ian Rusinek marshalled the defensive cordon well and Milford Haven kept top spot in the table as their reward.

Milford Haven: Ian Rusinek, Dave Allen; Rhys Holmes, Ben Johnson, Craig Thomas, Lee Broome, Aaron Sprowell, Jamie Parr, Craig Smith, James Passmore, Carl Allen (Captain), Gareth Fawcett, Roy Hadley, Dai Sweeney, Mark Wonnacott. Replacements: Dean Matthews, Wayne Sprowell, Mike Cockburn, Phil Evans.