LAUGHARNE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

On a dank afternoon Betws kicked off but it was Laugharne who had the better of the early exchanges with their smaller pack giving their opposing unit a bit of a run around and things looked more promising when in the 5th minute with flanker Kevin Pearce rounding off a fine move started by scrum half Gethin Jones on the Betws 10m line, carried on by No.8 Gareth Clifford before releasing Pearce to cross half way out from the posts. Full back Ross Michael added the conversion and Laugharne probably thought that they would get something out of the match. Unfortuately, the match degenerated into a dour spectacle and a lot of unnecesasary niggle was rearing it`s ugly head. Both sides were equally guilty of indiscipline and the bigger Betws pack began to dominate particularly in the scrummages and breakdown situations. They were finally rewarded in the 24th minute with wing N.Jones going over in the corner after the Laugharne defence was stretched. Flyhalf O.Higgins added the conversion to bring the scores level. In the 30th minute Betws went into the lead when a scrum in the Laugharne 22 was turned and No.N.Lewis picked up and scampered over for an unconverted try. In the mean time flanker Pearce added his name to the Laugharne injury list which also heralded the return of Sam Palmer as a replacement to the pack. For the remainder of the half, Laugharne defended as if their lives depended on it and stopped Betws on a number of occasions with line beckoning. Holding out to half time was a psychological boost for Laugharne but their indiscipline in the 2nd half was to cost them.
Laugharne restarted the 2nd half with flyhalf Jon Owen making a welcome return after injury, but Betws worked their way into the Laugharne 22 assisted by the referee who added two lots of 10m for backchat. Inexplicably, flyhalf Higgins missed this sitter and in a similar situation a few minutes later missed another. However in the 20th minute he made amends by slotting over a penalty for a dubious high tackle offence. The referee was beginning to lose control and some of his decisions were mystifying and controversial.Laugharne were now reduced to 13 men for a short period and from a short tap penalty near to the Laugharne posts prop G.Jones powered over for a try taking full advantage of Laugharnes` short comings. Higgins added the conversion and Betws were home and dry. Laugharne used their complement of two subs but further frustration followed with wing Chris Coley suffering an agonising shoulder fracture and dislocation and hooker Brian Thornton leaving the field with a nasty eye injury. In the dying minutes flyhalf Higgins found himself in acres of space and he backed himself to reach the Laugharne line which he did and then added the conversion for good measure. Despite the floodlights being on the referee finally blew his whistle on a dark afternoon which had started so promising for Laugharne. They now need to lick their wounds and prepare properly and train for the visit of Llanybydder next week.

Laugharne entertain Llanybydder on Saturday 14th January at 2-30pm.

Alun Jenkins Laugharne R.F.C.