Otters run Saracens ragged

8:10am Thursday 20th November 2008

Narberth 45.

Newport Saracens 12.

Narberth played some typically entertaining running rugby as they comfortably took on Newport Saracens in the Swalec Welsh Cup, turning a 19-12 interval lead into a deserved 45-12 scoreline at the finish.

The Saracens are bottom of Division One (East) but took an early lead with a penalty from full back Simon Shinner, the only time the Otters trailed throughout an entertaining tussle.

Visiting No 15 Shinner landed four penalties but the Saracens rarely looked likely to break the home defence and Narberth replied with an opening try by Neil Davies, after good work by Nick Jones and Richard Davies. They added a penalty try after Saracens’ prop Tom Piper had been yellow carded and scrum half Andrew Davies was impeded as he was certain to score from a push-over attempt, followed by an excellent try from winger Johnny Morgan to round off some quick hands, the first two converted by Aled Davies.

Narberth full back Matthew Davies opened the second half scoring with an unconverted try after following up his own neat chip ahead, and Morgan claimed his second as inter-passing gave him the chance to speed in at the posts. Replacement centre Steve Martin also got on the try count and Matthew Davies crossed for a late second try, with Aled Davies converting the final three tries to give the Otters’ supporters real value for money and a fully merited victory.

Cwmafon 6.

Whitland 24.

Whitland made their expected progress in the competition at the hands of a Cwmafon side which is currently tenth in Division Two (West) and beat Llangefni (away) in the previous round.

Borderers’ full back Lee Glanville opened their account with an unconverted try after great work by outside half Carwyn Jones and winger Gareth Morris. Home kicker Neil Gadd slotted penalties either side of a good try from Whitland No. 9 Gareth Davies, set up by prop Richard Smith.

Carwyn Jones converted to put Whitland in by six points at half time as he and opposite number Gadd also missed two penalty chances apiece.

Randall Williams, Jack Mason, Mark Jones and Rhun Morgan all played well up front for Whitland after the interval to make sure that they contained Cwmafon’s attacking plans and further tries from hooker Mark Jones and winger Gareth Morris, the first converted by Carwyn Jones, ensured that the Borderers, name was in the draw for round four.

Cardigan 7.

Llantrisant 14.

Llantrisant are currently top of Division Two (East) after an unbeaten start to the campaign but knew they had been in a real cup-tie as Cardigan battled hard throughout a tough encounter and were in with a real chance up until the closing stages.

The visitors led 11-0 at half time thanks to a try right on the interval by winger Kevin Owen and two penalties in the 12th and 36th minutes from scrum half Ian Worgan – but Cardigan had gone close when outside half Iestyn Crompton made a terrific break, only to slip just short of the line and lose possession.

Cardigan fought back within six minutes of the start of the second period with a good try by Arwyn Wilson after another Iestyn Crompton break and some useful tidying up from winger Robert Davies. Iestyn Crompton converted and the Teifisiders were still in with a chance as Mike Diggle and Crompton tried hard to keep the momentum going and there was no shortage of effort from Nigel Kurish, Dylan Richards and Gonzalo Lucena up front.

They pushed Llantrisant all the way until deep into injury time, when Worgan added a third penalty to seal success.

Milford Haven 9.

Llangennech 42.

Milford Haven were soundly beaten by visiting Llangennech from division one west.

Inevitably, they found the visitors too strong and streetwise as they trailed 22-9 at the interval and conceded another three tries afterwards, but coach Alan McClelland was full of praise for the way his team stuck to their task.

Leigh Broome landed three penalties for Milford and there was some yeoman defensive work from Ian Rusinek, Martin and Dean Matthews, Rhys Holmes and Adam Richards. But two tries by Rhys Lane, plus other scores from Ashley Bonfield, Mark Bowen, Mark Fisher, Aled Roberts and Neil Davies made sure that Llangennech always looked likely to make progress. Roberts also kicked a penalty and two conversions as Ben Johnson and Aaron Sprowell caught the eye for Milford Haven and there was effort aplenty from Scott Walters, Jamie Parr, and Mark Wonnacott up-front.

Crymych 22.

Birchgrove 3.

A try by former Llanelli and Wales prop John Davies set Crymych on their way as they out-lasted a gritty Birchgrove side to earn a solid win.

Davies, who has opted for at least one final season at Parc Lloyd Thomas to end a glittering career and he powered over for the first try after north Walian winger Noam Davey had made the initial thrust and found Davies at his shoulder for a 20 metre run to the line. Crymych scrum half Huw Rees had landed an early penalty which was cancelled out by opposite number Lee Mainwaring, with Rees adding the extra points to Davies’s try to put Crymych 10-3 ahead at the break.

Noam Davey opened the second half scoring for Crymych as he sliced through from near the half way line and whenever Birchgrove, who are currently bottom of Division Four (South-East), tried to counter-attack they found a tight defence centred around Eurig Davies, Nick Bevan, Carwyn Phillips and the kicking of Gareth Davies. Rees again converted before Osian Griffiths claimed what turned out to be the final score of the match.

Blackwood versus Pembroke Dock Harlequins.

Match cancelled – Quins unable to raise a team to travel.

Swalec Cup Plate Competition results were as follows: Neyland 11 Fishguard and Goodwick 6 Pembroke 20 Tenby United 0 Haverfordwest v St Davids Cup tie cancelled because St Davids couldn’t raise a team.