Dunvant Rugby Club

Dunvant went into this game looking for maximum points in the faint hope that if Haverfordwest slipped up in their last two games, Dunvant might snatch the title from them. We quickly went into an early lead with two well struck penalties from winger Adam Williams for 6-0. Just after 20 minutes we lost hooker Alex Griffiths to injury, replaced by Carwyn Williams, just as Tenby started to get their act together with long periods of sustained pressure and stolen lineouts. After a third consecutive scrum on our 5 metre line, Tenby worked the ball out wide for inside centre T.Smith to score in the left hand corner. Outside half T.Lewis was unable to convert but Tenby were in touch at 6-5. From the restart, a great break by Dunvant inside centre Danny Davies took us near the try line, Tenby infringed and Adam Williams stroked home the penalty for 9-5. As half time approached, Dunvant knocked on and from the scrum Tenby’s outside half was successful with a long range drop goal for a half time score of 9-8.
Dunvant started well in the second half and a great break by Adam Williams saw us held up on the try line with some good Tenby defence. Minutes later, outside centre Mitchell Ford made a break which enabled replacement hooker Carwyn Williams to score a try, Adam Williams converted for 16-8. Dunvant mounted another attack and a Tenby clearance kick on the 22 was charged down by Danny Davies who was able to pick up the ball with a clear run in under the posts. Adam converted for a healthy 23-8 lead. Tenby woke up and doggedly fought back. As the game entered the final quarter Tenby chose to take a 5 metre scrum rather than kick at goal, but were deemed to be held up crossing the try line. Another Tenby attack looked as if they would score in the left hand corner but Dunvant’s defence scrambled across to force them into touch. The next tenby attack was however successful when replacement no 17 (A Cocke?) scored in the left hand corner, Lewis missed the conversion so 23-8. On the restart Tenby intercepted a Dunvant pass and replacement 19 C.Henson ran 50 metres to score under the posts, Lewis converted, game on 23-20. With ten minutes of normal time remaining, winger Adam Williams made another break, kicked and chased the ball, outside centre Mitchell Ford also kicked ahead and was able to run in for our third try, Adam converted, 30-20. With a number of stoppages for injuries, the game saw several minutes of added time, and in the 7th minute Tenby replacement 19 C.Henson scored his second try, Tenby’s 4th for a try bonus point, and with the successful conversion by Lewis, a losing bonus point as well.
With the news that Haverfordwest scored a try bonus point in defeating Tumble 17-27, Haverfordwest are promoted as Champions with Dunvant as runners up. It is also likely that Penclawdd will be promoted as one of the best 3rd placed teams in Division 3.
On a final note, this game was well refereed by former World Cup Final referee Huw Watkins, officiating at his least ever rugby match before a well earned retirement. If only all referees were as good as Huw!
Last but not least, please remember to put your vote for “Supporter’s Player of the Year” in the box behind the bar, the players value the Supporters award above all others.

Scorers:
Dunvant: 30
Tries: 16 Carwyn Williams (hooker), 12 Danny Davies, 13 Mitchell Ford
Conversions: 11 Adam Williams (3)
Penalties: 11 Adam Williams (3)
Tenby United:27
Tries: 12 T.Smith, 17 A.Cocke, 19 C.Henson (2)
Conversions: 10 T.Lewis (2)
Drop Goal: 10 T.Lewis

Dunvant Team:
Backs: 15 Morgan Evans, 14 Adam Williams, 13 Mitchell Ford, 12 Danny Davies, 11 Joe Carney Williams, 10 Richard Lewis, 9 Sam Gallagher
Forwards: 1 Darren Goddard, 2 Alex Griffiths, 3 Ryan Shoemark (Capt,), 4 Nathan Vaughan, 5 Jaen Botes, 6 Jon Arnold, 7 Jamie Nicholas, 8 Oscar Savage
Replacements: 16 Carwyn Williams, 17 Toby Davies, 18 Lloyd King, 19 Rob Hegarty

Match Official: Hugh Watkins-his last ever match

Main Match Sponsors:
Dr. Alan Jones-Defy Time
Geoff Wheel-Coors Brewers

Match Hosts:
Micky Pollock-Tilers

Match Ball Sponsors:
Rosemary Morgan-Morgan La Roche Solicitors
Kardomah Restaurant
Nigel Bevan-Crown Windows

Icon Hairdressing Dunvant Man of the Match : 12 Danny Davies

Results for Saturday 14th April:
Swalec League Division 3 West
Dunvant 30 Tenby United 27
Gorseinon 35 Pontarddulais 3
Lampeter 18 Newcastle Emlyn 29
Penclawdd 22 Llandeilo 5
Pontyberem v Cardigan-match postponed
Tumble 17 Haverfordwest 27

Carmarthen Tyres League
Dunvant 33 Bonymaen 41 (11th April)
Bonymaen 50 Ammanford 14

Carmarthen Tyres Cup ¼ Finals:
Mumbles 14 Whitland 69
Llandovery 32 Llangennech 6 (11th April)

WRU Ospreys OE League
South Gower 0 Gowerton 52 (13th April)
Pontarddulais v Bryntawe
Swansea Uplands v Dunvant
Vardre 50 Penclawdd 0