Division 3 west round up
Aberaeron 17 Laugharne 5
The title race was blown wide open after previously unbeaten Milford Haven were defeated at Parc OJ by Llanybydder and this win could now open the title door for Aberaeron.
The Seagulls who were well worth their 17-5 success over Laugharne are now just nine points behind the Mariners but crucially have a game in hand and a bonus point win would really put the heat on the leaders. To add further spice on the race for promotion Aberaeron host their title rivals on April 13th and this fixture could well decide the destiny of the division 3 west silverware.
There were perfect conditions at Parc Drefach for this important encounter between two teams aiming for the summit and a win for Aberaeron was paramount to maintaining momentum both for the league and forthcoming WRU Bowl cup quarter final.
The hosts could not have wished for better start as they took the lead after the opening skirmish as a break from full back by Morgan Llewelyn eventually found brother Dafydd who outpaced the defence to cross near the posts, making the conversion by the reliable boot of Rhodri Jenkins a formality.
The Seagulls were encamped for the majority of the half in the visitor’s half but failed to turn this pressure into points although a second try eventually followed when a break by man of the match Ollie Sawyer saw the ball reach Owen Williams and he beat his opponent to cross near the posts and Jenkins was once again successful with the conversion.
Laugharne regrouped and hit back with some strong running from the likes of Ritchie Waters, Rhys Thomas and Dan Harries and crossed for a try through Lee Thomas but it was to be their only score as they failed to benefit from other half chances as Aberaeron defended resiliently.
The second half developed into a battle of attrition with neither side exerting supremacy despite the efforts of Gethin Jenkins at second row and strong running Aaron Lewis and a single Jenkins penalty was to be the only score of the forty minutes.
Tregaron 38 St Davids 17
There was a welcome win for Tregaron who defeated bottom side St Davids following an excellent second half performance.
The Saints though were well in this game on the hour mark as they were only four points behind at 21-17 but they were unable to make the best use of the elements and they were blown away in the latter stages. For Tregaron there were tries for burly prop Dorian Pugh who bagged a brace, No 8 Steve Roberts, flanker Dai Thomas, centre Ieuan Wyn Rees and winger Llyr Ebenezer and fly half Huw Bonner slotted over four conversions. Number eight George Raymond, flanker Andrew Groves and prop Dan Murphy crossed for the visitors.
Division 3 west B
Lampeter 20 Llangadog 10
Lampeter bounced back after three very unlucky defeats on the trot to defeat Llangadog by 20-10 at North Road for what was only their fifth win of the season.
Next up for them is a trip to Llandybie on Saturday 2nd March
Pics by Nick Hermann.
