Match Reports
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Carmarthen Athletic 16 Bridgend Athletic 19
For this cup match both teams made several changes to the sides that had played the previous week in a One West fixture. On that occasion the Red and Blacks won by 29 points to 8 and though there were alterations to that winning side, they would have been confident of moving into the third round of the Swalec Cup.
However, the visitors played with such commitment that they disrupted the home team at every phase of the game. Having learnt from last week’s match, they did not commit too many players to the breakdown and thus were able to stifle the Red and Black’s midfield threat. The back row of Matt Hillman, Stuart Edbrooke and Darren Apsee were outstanding throughout, nullifying the home team with their first up tackles.
The visitors cause was cemented with an early try from winger James Olds, after good inter passing down the right side. The Red and Blacks responded with a charging run from prop Carwyn Edwards but the final pass could not be taken.
On fifteen minutes the home side suffered a further set back when captain Henry Boot was forced to leave the field with a facial injury.
Five minutes later, slack Athletic defending allowed the visitors to run in for a second try. Awarded a penalty within their 22 a quick tap caught the home defence off guard, and with supporting runners aplenty the visitors sweeped up field for hooker Stuart Nation to score an excellent try. Outside half Steve Lewis added the two point conversion.
This lead galvanised Bridgend’s efforts and belief whilst the Red and Blacks were becoming a shadow of the team that won so well a week ago.
Seven minutes before half time a Scott Maynard penalty reduced the visitors advantage, after they were penalised at the breakdown..
With a lack of cohesion the home team were having difficulty breaking down a resolute Bridgend defence. Too often attackers were cutting back inside into the grateful arms of Bridgend tacklers.
On forty four minutes another penalty from scrum half Maynard made the score 6-12. From the ensuing kick off, the home team’s lack of concentration resulted in the visitors regaining the ball and two passes later replacement flanker Calum McCleod ran in for Bridgend’s third try. Steve Lewis’s conversion gave his side a 19-6 advantage.
Finally on sixty five minutes the Red and Blacks manufactured a try. Stretching the visitors defence, an inside pass finally created the space for centre Viv Jenkins to break through, his pass found Luke Marshall who then gave the scoring pass to lock Michael Thomas to dive over in the corner for an unconverted try.
Seven minutes before full time, the home team increased the pressure on Bridgend when they scored a second try. Driving from an attacking line out lock Michael Thomas crashed over for another unconverted try.
The visitors were determined to hold onto their marginal lead and saw out the dying minutes in control of possession.
A disappointing cup exit for the Red and Blacks who now return to league action on the 11th. February when they travel to Llangennech. Kick off is 2.30pm.
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Carmarthen Athletic 29 Bridgend Athletic 8
A try, three minutes before the final whistle gave the Red and Blacks a bonus point win against visiting Bridgend Athletic. After two successive defeats albeit against the top two teams in the league, it was good for the Athletic to get back to winning ways. Particularly pleasing was the level of performance particularly by the pack who created a “go forward” platform for their backs.
Outstanding in midfield was centre Viv Jenkins who time and time again broke the visitors first line defence. Up front there were a number of excellent performances, and catching the eye was young number eight Joel James who worked tirelessly in attack and defence throughout the match.
Territorially it was the Bridgend Athletic who dominated the first fifteen minutes ,however, they lacked the cutting edge to break through a well organised home defence. A twelfth minute penalty by outside half Tom Cole put the visitors in front after the Red and Blacks failed to roll away in the tackle.
The home team gradually worked their way into the game using the driving line out as an impressive attacking tool. Full back Mike Sauro then levelled the scores with a well struck 30 metre penalty. With quick ball being served by scrum half Rhys Lane, centre Jenkins was beginning to make an impact on the visitors defence
On the half hour the Athletic were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, turning their backs, the visitors were caught napping as a quick tap was taken. The ball was moved left for debutant winger Owen Herbert to score wide out. A superb conversion kick by Mike Sauro, gave his team a seven point lead.
Then with five minutes remaining in the half the home team increased their advantage with a well worked second try. Receiving a kick seventy metres out, winger Owen Herbert weaved his way through the Bridgend Athletic defence, then gave a pass to the supporting Jason Smith, the centre then gave an overhead pass to Mike Sauro to score an excellent try. The Athletic full back kicked the conversion which gave a 17-3 score line.
At the start of the second half the Red and Blacks continued on the front foot, creating scoring chances but too often failing with the supporting pass. Ten minutes into the half the home team extended their lead. Thirty five metres out, the Athletic attacked the narrow right channel, captain Henry Boot then gave a well timed pass to Luke Marshall, the right winger brushed aside three defensive tackles to score a fine individual try.
Despite dominating the rest of the second half the Athletic failed to capitalise on numerous line breaks. With the game petering out, two late tries, one for each side completed the game’s points.
After building the phases, the Red and Blacks created the overlap. On receiving the ball, centre Jason Smith stepped inside to score his side’s crucial fourth try. Mike Sauro’s conversion gave a 29-3 lead.
On the final whistle the visitors scored a consolation try when an inside pass to Tom Goodwin gave him the space to crash over for an unconverted try.
A vital home win for the Athletic, who now move up to fifth place in One West.
Next Saturday the two teams meet again, this time in the Swalec Cup. Kick off at Athletic Park is at 2.30pm.
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Carmarthen Athletic 17 Narberth 25
Three second half tries gave Narberth a well deserved victory against an Athletic side lacking in the precision of recent weeks. This seventh successive league win keeps the Otters at the top of One West.
At the set piece both teams were fairly comfortable on their own ball however at the contact area the visitors dominated, creating quick ball for their backs whilst slowing the Athletic possession. As the game progressed the Red and Black’s defence became stretched and tackles were too often missed.
Another foundation to winning is a kicking strategy and in this department the home team were found wanting. Two of Narberth’s three tries came from poor clearance kicks from the home side. On the other hand former Athletic outside half Stuart Morris was an influential playmaker for the Otters, varying his kicking throughout.
The first twenty minutes of the match it was the Athletic who dominated, putting their opponents under enormous pressure and scoring ten points without reply.
On the ten minute mark, Red and Blacks centre Rhys Lewis made a cutting break forty metres out then passed to his supporting centre Lewis Chance to race in under the posts for a Mike Sauro converted try.
Eight minutes later a Narberth offside was punished with a well struck Mike Sauro penalty.
The visitors gradually hauled themselves back into the game and their increasing territorial dominance was rewarded with two Stuart Morris penalties.
Although leading at half time the Athletic knew that Narberth were beginning to gain control of the match. It was now vital, if the home team were to win that they scored next and put the pressure back on the Otters.
Within two minutes of the half the visitors had taken the lead. Finding space out wide, the ball was moved down the left channel and from the ensuing ruck, lock Chris James bulldozed over for an unconverted try.
Narberth now commanded the movement of the game; their phase play, team shape and organisation superior to their hosts.
Two tries in the space of six minutes cemented the win for the visitors. The Athletic were guilty of inaccurate kicking and missed tackles to give Narberth the space and time to finish off two counter attacks. Both tries came from experienced scrum half Adrian Killa. Stuart Morris’s two conversions gave the Otters a 25-10 lead.
To give credit to the home side they did regain their composure, to score a late penalty try. Driving from a line out to their opponents line, an illegal infringement by a defender denied prop Tom Sloane the try. Referee Alan Jenkins duly awarded the penalty try which was converted by Mike Sauro.
A disappointing performance from the Athletic who were well beaten by a well drilled Narberth team.
Next Saturday the Red and Blacks have an opportunity to gain league points when they entertain lowly placed Bridgend Athletic. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
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Tata Steel 21 Carmarthen Athletic 20
In this One West fixture, Tata Steel grabbed an injury time converted try to seal a one point win over a resilient Athletic team. The Saints remain in second place in the league whilst the bonus point loss moved the Red and Blacks up to fifth position.
Tata Steel‘s win was the result of a very good set piece, effective use of their big ball carriers and a better kicking game. The Red and Blacks will be disappointed with the manner of the defeat, having defended so well for long periods of the second half and to lose the game in the final two minutes will be tough to take. The Athletic however will take enormous positives going into next week’s home match against top of the table Narberth.
As early as the fourth minute the first try was scored and it was the visitors who took a seven point lead. From a Tata turnover the Red and Blacks kept the ball’ going through the phases probing for an opening. Flanker Luke Owen made the initial break before left winger Luke Marshall rounded off the excellent build up, by racing under the posts. Outside half Dai Lakin duly kicked the conversion.
On the twenty minute mark a good break by winger Marshall resulted in a penalty for the Athletic when the home team were penalised for offside. Dai Lakin slotted the penalty to extend his side’s advantage to ten points.
In a matter of minutes Tata Steel opened up the Athletic defence. A missed tackle allowed outside half Diggy Bird to run through but the resulting off load could not be gathered. Centre Jason Howells then made a scything run and when he was tackled close to the line, Red and Blacks hooker Gethin Robinson was sin binned for “failing to roll away”.
From the resultant scrum the home pack drove towards the Athletic line for number eight Ben Davies to gather and crash over for an unconverted try.
Three minutes before the break Tata reduced the deficit when Diggy Bird kicked a 20 metre penalty after Athletic discretion at the breakdown.
Knowing their opponents had use of the wind in the second half, a two point lead seemed an insufficient advantage for the visitors. However on the stroke of half time the Red and Blacks added a seven pointer to their tally through an excellent piece of individual skill from centre Viv Jenkins. Coming on an angled run the centre broke the first line of defenders before cutting back inside beating the covering scrum half and then the full back to score near to the posts. Full back Mike Sauro’s conversion gave a much needed 17-8 lead to the visitors at half time.
The Saints had an early opportunity in the second half but Diggy Bird’s penalty kick went wide. All the play for the first fifteen minutes was set deep in the Athletic half but the home side could not break through a stubborn Red and Blacks defence.
On the hour, the visitors were rewarded with a penalty after excellent build up play. Driving forty metres from a defensive line out the visitors then patiently kept the ball going through numerous phases before winning a penalty. Mike Sauro’s penalty made the score 20-11.
With ten minutes to go Diggy Bird landed his third penalty after the Athletic were penalised for not staying on their feet at the breakdown.
Then in the final two minutes an attacking Tata Steel scrum saw the ball go loose for flanker Rhys Tucker to collect and dive over for a crucial score. Diggy Bird’s conversion gave his team the lead and ultimately the win.
A really tough encounter between two evenly matched teams in a game that could have gone either way.
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Waunarlwydd 7 Carmarthen Athletic 34
An excellent first half performance by the Red and Blacks laid the foundation for this bonus point win against Waunarlwydd. Against the elements in the first half the Athletic kept the ball in hand and were patient in their phase play. Two tries in the opening ten minutes put the visitors firmly on the front foot. The first of these came from a delicate chip ahead from centre Rhys Lane, winger Luke Marshall winning the race to the touch down for an unconverted try.
The Red and Blacks front row of Tom Sloane, Gethin Robinson and Steff Jones applied huge pressure on their opposing numbers and from this solid platform the visitors were able to freely advance over the gain line.
From a set scrum 40 metres out, number eight Gareth Bennett ran at the outside half channel, quick ball ensued from the ruck and an accurate long pass from scrum half Scott Maynard gave centre Viv Jenkins the opportunity to attack the space. Jenkins surged on and found support on either shoulder and the centre’s inside pass to Pan Rashesha gave the winger an easy run in to score his team’s second try. Scum half Scott Maynard added the two point conversion.
Home outside half Jonn Davies began to find his kicking range and with the wind to assist, Waunarlwydd were getting themselves back in the game. From an attacking line out a well rehearsed move at the front of the line gave hooker Matt Wedlake an unchallenged run in, to score in the corner. Jonny Davies’s excellent conversion reduced the deficit to five points.
The Red and Blacks then gave themselves an opportunity to extend their advantage with a series of set scrums close to the Waunarlwydd line. Gareth Bennett pick up and drive was supported by his back row colleagues, and the number eight crashed over to make the score 17-7 to the visitors.
Then just before the half time whistle the Athletic scored a decisive fourth try. A turn over in the Red and Black 22 gave Rhys Lane the space to break out and 40 metres later the centre kicked ahead forcing the home side to concede a 5 metre scrum. On the third drive to the line prop Tom Sloane found the momentum to go over. Maynard’s conversion gave a half time score of 24-7 to the visitors.
As the weather conditions deteriorated so did the overall play. With driving rain both sides found handling very difficult. In Jonny Davies and full back Andrew Rees-Spowart, Waunarlwydd had two elusive attacking players and throughout the second half the home team set up several sweeping movements but the Athletic defence held firm.
Scott Maynard then kicked a 35 metre penalty after Waun were caught offside. With time nearly over, Scott Maynard added another seven points to his match tally when, following a number of attacking phases by his team, he exploited poor defending to race in from ten metres. The conversion was the last points of the game, the Red and Blacks running out deserved winners 34-7.
The next match for the Athletic is in the Welsh Cup at Whitland on the 10th. December. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
Last Saturday the Carmarthen Athletic Druids beat Carmarthen Quins fifteen points to nine in the Carmarthenshire Tyre Services League.
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Carmarthen Athletic 19 Llanharan 17
For all but the last ten minutes, Llanharan dominated this One West fixture, out muscling their opponents at all phases of the game. From the visitors point of view, this was a match that they should have won, but can only blame themselves, as a lack of precision in their attacks failed to create enough try scoring opportunities.
The Athletic made several changes to the team that had beaten UWIC last Saturday. Right from the kick off it was the visitors who got on the front foot using their big ball carriers to pound the Athletic tackle line. The Black and Blues began to get the upper hand at the scrum, props Tom Piper and James Greenfield dominating their Red and Black counterparts. The home team were encamped in their own half for all of the first half , Llanharan not resting up on their pressure. An early penalty by scrum half Chris Williams was the only score of a half lacking in any attacking enterprise. With all their possession too often Llanharan kicked for position rather than keep the ball in hand and they were to pay a heavy price for this lack of venture.
To give credit to the Athletic they played that half without the ball for large periods and had to tackle and tackle against a powerful Llanharan side.
It seemed increasingly likely that if the Dairymen were to score it would come from an Athletic error. Five minutes into the second half Athletic’s replacement full back failed to gather a Llanharan kick and from the resultant breakdown the ball was moved down the narrow side and simple passing gave flanker Scott Malone the necessary space to cross over for the first try of the match. Chris Williams added the conversion points.
Seven minutes later Athletic lost the ball against the head at a scrum, this gave Llanharan the opportunity to attack down the middle, flanker Mathew Strong running in from 30 metres to score under the posts for a converted try. With a seventeen point lead everyone expected the visitors to now push on and punish the home side even further.
With ten minutes remaining the Red and Blacks made a number of replacements this included a positional change with Rhys Lane moving to the ten position and Scott Maynard moving to scrum half.
There were warning signs for the visitors with the Athletic backs now beginning to look dangerous, centre Viv Jenkins and Rhys Lane both making excellent breaks. Llanharan then conceded a penalty close to their line and quick thinking play by Scott Maynard saw the scrum half dive over for an Athletic try which he himself converted.
With four minutes remaining The Red and Blacks struck again this time number eight Gareth Bennett scoring wide out after excellent build up play by the home team.
Athletic knew that if they could retain possession from the kick off they had a real chance of snatching a late win. As if scripted, the home side gathered the ball then went wide, full back Dai Lakin made the initial break and when the ball was moved to the right centre Viv Jenkins made a half break and managed to off load to Rhys Lane who darted over for a very good team try. Scott Maynard’s successful conversion gave his team a two point lead.
Llanharan could not muster another attack and so it was the Red and Blacks who ended the game with the win.
Next Saturday the Athletic visit Waunarlwydd, kick off is at 2.30pm.
At home on the same day the Druids entertain Carmarthen Quins in the Carmarthenshire Tyre Services League.
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Carmarthen Athletic 26 UWIC 20
A strong first half performance by the Red and Blacks paved the way for a hard fought but deserved victory against visitors UWIC. The Athletic made several changes from the side that was narrowly beaten at Whitland last Saturday, whilst UWIC kept faith with their players, by naming an unchanged team that had comprehensively beaten Cambridge University on Wednesday night.
In the opening exchanges home outside half Stuart Morris and UWIC number ten Rhys Roberts used accurate kicking to give their sides an attacking platform. After fifteen minutes poor tackling by the visitors defence paved the way for the first Athletic try. Awarded an attacking scrum, the ball was delivered to Stuart Morris who stepped two opponents to run in under the posts. The Athletic ten then added the further two point kick.
To the disappointment of UWIC coach Chris Davey, the counter attacking of the Athletic back three of Pan Rashesha, Neil Davies and Rhys Thomas, was causing significant defensive problems for his team. Eight minutes after the first score the Red and Blacks added another. From a set scrum full back Thomas attacked down the narrow side creating the overlap and with quick hands centre Viv Jenkins crashed over by the corner flag. Morris’s conversion gave the home team a fourteen point lead.
UWIC responded by applying huge pressure on the Athletic line. At this point home centre Jenkins was yellow carded for hands in a ruck. From the ensuing penalty Rhys Roberts duly kicked the three points.
From a poor clearance kick Athletic full back Thomas attacked down the short side, the supporting number eight Sam Smith then broke through a UWIC tackle and he was able to
feed winger Pan Rashesha whose angled run broke the remnants of the UWIC cover to score midway out. Stuart Morris’s successful conversion gave his team an eighteen point advantage.
On the stroke of half time the Athletic lost their second player to the sin bin, this time for a shoulder charge on an opponent.
The beginning of the second half saw the Red and Blacks remain on the offensive. When a loose UWIC pass went to ground it was calmly gathered by Stuart Morris and then fine inter-passing from flanker Richard Smart and centre Paul Davies gave Viv Jenkins an easy run in to the line for an unconverted try.
To the credit to the visitors they fought their way back into the game, firstly with a try through prop Joe Tomlinson and then a length of the field move involving wing Owen Jenkins and full back Dan Bibby resulted in the latter scoring under the posts. Both UWIC tries were converted to give a score line of 26-17 to the home team.
With five minutes remaining replacement outside half Rhydian Morris then kicked a penalty for the students leaving the final outcome in doubt. However the Red and Blacks were able to nullify any further UWIC attacks and with the final whistle sounding the home team ran out evetual winners.
An excellent game played by both teams who were intent on playing an open style of rugby.
Next Saturday the Athletic are home to Llanharan, kick off is at 2.30pm.
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Whitland 10 Carmarthen Athletic 5
Last Saturday at Whitland it was the home team who gained the upper hand in a tough derby encounter against the Athletic. , simply because they made better use of wind advantage in the first half whilst the Athletic on the other hand cleared poorly.
With wind advantage in the first half, Borderers outside half Jonny Thomas’s precision kicking made it difficult for the visitors to get out of their half. Too often when clearing their line, the Red and Blacks use of the high kick, only presented possession back to their opponents. In the eighth minute of the game a poor clearance by the Athletic was gathered by Whitland who then attacked on the narrow side When quick ball resulted from the ensuing ruck, a deft chip by Jonny Thomas took a slight deflection off an Athletic player and then bounced kindly for left winger Will Davies to collect and race under the posts. Full back Scott Newton added the two point conversion.
In addition, the visitors were finding it increasingly difficult to cope with the variety of box kicks from the boot of Andrew Jenkins. With consistent accuracy, scrum half Jenkins applied enormous pressure on the Athletic back three and on occasions forcing the turnover.
After twenty minutes the Athletic were penalised at the ruck for playing the ball whilst off their feet. Scott Newton’s successful 40 metre penalty gave his side a ten point advantage.
The Red and Blacks driving play from the line out began to set up good attacking positions and with hooker Gethin Robinson charging at the Whitland defensive line, the visitors were beginning to look threatening. Towards the end of the half good hands by the Athletic backs resulted in an excellent run from makeshift full back Rhys Lane which nearly resulted in a try.
At the half time whistle the Whitland coaches would be wondering if the ten point lead would be enough to secure the win.
Now with the elements in their favour the Red and Blacks turned the pressure on the home team. Good build up created an overlap but the covering Borderers number eight, Ryan Michael saved a certain try with an excellent tackle on flanker Joel James.
The home side then lost flanker Tom Dinan to the sin bin as the visitors efforts intensified. Despite gaining territorial advantage the visitors were finding it difficult to break through a stubborn Borderers defence.
On the hour mark the Red and Blacks finally got on the score board. When Whitland counter attacked the ball was turned over at the breakdown, the Athletic then went wide, centre Stuart Morris made a half break and then found winger Pan Rashesha in support, who finished off the move using pace and power to score at the corner for an unconverted try.
To the credit of the home side the final fifteen minutes saw them in resurgent mood, their offloading splitting the Athletic defensive line. The visitors were also finding it difficult to regain territory and with too many penalties being conceded the Borderers were able to finish the game camped inside their opponents 22.
Next Saturday the Red and Blacks are home to UWIC kick off at Athletic Park is 2.30pm.
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Carmarthen Athletic 25 Bonymaen 3
In atrocious playing conditions, the home team managed to seal a bonus point win against a battling Bonymaen side. With two successive wins, the Athletic have now moved up to fifth position in One West.
The first score of a understandable scrappy first fifteen minutes came from the boot of Bonymaen outside half Paul Warlow. Caught infringing at the breakdown, the home side conceded the three points with a well struck penalty. Five minutes later the Red and Blacks were given an opportunity to draw level however Mark Sauro’s penalty sailed wide. With an accurate line out, the Athletic were able to drive into the visitor’s defence and with conditions deteriorating this was beginning to become an important weapon for the home side. The home scrummage was now in the ascendancy, the front row of Tom Sloane, Steff Jones and Gethin Robinson dominating their opponents.
Five minutes before half time Mark Sauro’s 35 metre penalty levelled the scores after Bonymaen were penalised at the scrum. Then just before the interval the Athletic scored their first try of the game. With Bonymaen in possession the Athletic charged down a kick, number 8 Gareth Bennett then kicked the loose ball 50 metres up field into the visitor’s goal line. Of the four players in pursuit of the static ball it was Athletic winger Pan Rashesha who won the race to touch down for an opportunistic try. The conversion narrowly failed and with the half time whistle sounding the home team led 8-3.
The Athletic’s superior set piece play meant that the visitors were to spend the majority of the second half entrenched in their own half. The Bonymaen task was made even more difficult when an accurate cross kick by centre Stuart Morris was gathered by right winger Luke Marshall who then popped the ball up to flanker Luke Owen to run in under the posts. Athletic outside half Dai Lakin then added the simple two point conversion.
The Red and Blacks then added a third try. Driving from an attacking line out, Gareth Bennett was able to crash over for a well taken unconverted try. The fourth and bonus point try came with seven minutes left of play. Once again an attacking line out gave the home forwards the ideal platform to drive towards the Bonymaen line. On this occasion resilient defence meant that the home team had to remain patient, going through the phases until they had found a weakness. Replacement flanker Richard Smart chose the right moment to attack the line and dive over for an unconverted try.
The Athletic coaches will be pleased with the display particularly at set piece and Bonymaen must given full credit for their defensive display under constant pressure.
The Red and Blacks face an away fixture at Whitland next Saturday, kick off is 2.30pm.
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Ammanford 19 Carmarthen Athletic 26
With three successive losses the Read and Blacks travelled to Ammanford in desperate need of league points. It was the home team who started well, a Tomos Marks penalty giving his side an early lead. The Athletic then started to put multiple phases together and were rewarded with three points when full back Mark Sauro kicked a penalty after the home team’s backs were caught offside.
The visitors continued to apply pressure on their opponents but were finding it difficult to break down the Ammanford defence. On the half hour mark the home resistance weakened when following a scrum on halfway, number eight Sam Smith burst through tackles on the narrow side before feeding a try scoring pass to left wing Luke Marshall.
Poor Athletic concentration at the breakdown allowed outside half Marks to kick his second penalty of the game. Then five minutes before the half time break, Athletic’s impressive scrum half Rhys Lane scored an opportunistic try. Pouncing on poor Ammanford control at a scrum, Lane showed great footballing skills to gather and score midway out.
Within two minutes the home team notched up ten unanswered points. A penalty from full back Carwyn Richards reduced Athletic’s lead to just four points and immediately after a missed tackle in midfield allowed Ammanford the space for flanker Mathew Bartlett to crash over for a converted try.
With the half time score at 16-13 to Ammanford, the visitors were bitterly disappointed that they did not convert territorial advantage into more points.
Ten minutes into the second half, the Athletic drew level when Mark Sauro kicked an impressive 45 metre penalty. With the wind in their favour, outside half Stuart Morris continually pinned Ammanford down in their half. However when Ammanford built up a series of attacking phases the visitors were penalised at the breakdown, Carwyn Richards kicking the penalty to regain his team’s lead.
The decisive match winning score came fifteen minutes from time. Two successive cross kicks from outside half Morris were both collected by his own side, the second cross kick gave flanker Luke Owen the time and space to score his team’s third try. Mark Sauro converted to give a 23-19 score line.
Then with time running out an excellent Mark Sauro penalty extended the gap to seven points.
This was a much needed win for the Red and Blacks and with a home match against lowly Bonymaen next Saturday, the team will be hoping to improve their league position. Kick off is 2.30pm at Athletic Park.
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Carmarthen Athletic 25 Tata Steel (PT) 5
Last Saturday, the Athletic produced their best performance by defeating previously unbeaten Tata Steel. The visitors only points of the game came in the fifth minute of the first half, through a Danny Hockin unconverted try. With early territory, Tata, following a line out, drove towards the Athletic line and their second row had the simple task of crashing over.
Both sides were making handling errors but that was understandable due to the poor weather conditions. Visitor’s outside half Pete Smith’s territorial kicking continued to peg back the home team but good work, especially from full back Marc Sauro prevented further Tata scores.
Once, when Sauro counter attacked, the Tata defence was breached but at the critical moment the wrong option was taken. With five minutes left of the half, a Tata forward offence at a ruck was punished with an excellent 35 metre penalty kick from the Athletic full back.
At the beginning of the second half ,an attacking move involving scrum half Rhys Lane and centre Rhys Lewis nearly produced their team’s first try.
The home team began to mount increasing pressure on their opponents and this resulted in Tata losing one of their flankers to the sin bin. Then eight minutes into the half, the Athletic side took the lead after the visitors were penalised for bringing down a maul. Marc Sauro was successful with the difficult penalty kick to give his team a one point advantage.
Two minutes later a poor clearance was collected by Red and Black’s prop Tom Sloane and with good support from flanker Gareth Bennett, the Athletic drove on behind the Tata defence. When the ball was recycled outside half Stuart Morris’s visionary cross kick gave winger Neil Davies the opportunity to outpace the covering defenders to touch down near the corner flag. A superb conversion by Sauro made the score 13-5.
With a dominant line out, a solid scrum and improved tactical kick and chase game the home team were now in the ascendancy.
On the hour mark, the Red and Blacks scored their second try. Winning an attacking line out, the ball was moved into midfield where a burst by outside half Morris set up the ruck. The ball was then moved quickly back to the narrow side where No. 8 Sam Smith displayed strength and power to surge over for a fine score. The conversion extended the Athletic lead to fifteen points.
With ten minutes remaining Athletic aggression at the breakdown forced a turn over , centre Rhys Lewis then made the initial break and quick hands gave winger Daniel Gravelle the space to race over for the final score of the game.
This was an encouraging display by the home side particularly in the second half and should put them in a positive frame of mind ready for the difficult away game at Narberth next Saturday.
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Tondu 19 Carmarthen Athletic 25
If ever there was a game of two halves, then this was it. The Athletic at one stage led by twenty five points, however they nearly construed to lose the match.
From being comfortable in possession, unruffled in defence and grabbing every opportunity to score the Red and Blacks for the last half hour became a disorganised team unable to deal with mounting Tondu attacks.
Centre Stuart Morris’s early try after gathering from a high kick set the tone for an excellent first half performance. Having already converted the first try, outside half David Lakin then landed a long penalty kick to put the visitors ten points up.
Although Tondu were able to go through multiple phases the moment they went wide they were guilty of poor ball retention. The visitors defence remained well organised and resolute.
When awarded a penalty, scrum half Rhys Lane’s quick tap and burst put him behind the opposition defence, he then had the time to execute a well- timed pass to centre Rhys Lewis, who ran in for a converted try.
Five minutes before the interval a great offload in midfield by No. 8 Sam Smith put hooker Osian Lloyd into the gap, then perfect passing gave winger Neil Davies a clear run in for his team’s third try.
At the beginning of the second half, the Athletic remained on the offensive and only a forward pass denied them their fourth try. Outside half David Lakin then increased the margin with his second penalty of the match.
The Red and Blacks then sent on four replacement forwards, a decision that was the catalyst for a Tondu revival. A loose kick by the visitors was taken by full back Dean Thomas, who then made an incisive run deep into Athletic territory, with winger Darren Thomas in support, Tondu were able to notch their first try of the afternoon.
With fifteen minutes remaining, outside half Paul Smithson ghosted through a lacklustre Athletic defence to score Tondu’s second try. Flanker Ross Megraw’s strong running was causing significant problems for an ever stretched Athletic defence. From such a run, Megraw passed to wing Thomas who in turn fed his full back Dean Thomas to score an excellent Tondu try. The successful conversion narrowed the visitors lead to just six points.
With the final play of the game, Tondu managed to create an overlap but a very good tackle by Daniel Gravell saved his team from possible defeat.
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Carmarthen Athletic 18 Waunarlwydd 23
Both teams came into this One West fixture on the back of opening league wins. The home side made a number of changes from the starting line-up that had beaten Llanharan the previous Saturday.
Within five minutes of the start, the Athletic led through a Stuart Morris penalty after Waunarlwydd were penalized at the ruck. Ten minutes later the visitors were level through outside half Jonny Davies’s well struck penalty.
Waunarlwydd then counter attacked down the short- side and only timely intervention by Athletic full back Neil Davies prevented a certain score.
Gathering momentum the home team forced a turn- over deep in their opponents half, when the ball went wide a timely inside pass put winger Daniel Gravell into space to burst over for the try under the posts. Debutant scrum half, Scott Maynard slotted over the conversion.
The visitors soon responded when at a scrum, the Athletic tight head was penalised for slipping his binding. The ever influential Jonny Davies added the three points.
The Red and Blacks then manufactured an excellent second try. After a strong run from a scrum on the halfway line, Number 8, Sam Smith found support from Richard Smart, the flanker then passed onto Stuart Morris who in turn fed centre Rhys Lewis with a long pass. Lewis then outpaced the covering defence to score in the corner for an unconverted try.
On the stroke of half time, Waunarlwydd outside half Davies successfully landed his third penalty to reduce the deficit to six points.
The Athletic were given an uphill battle at the start of the second half, as they were reduced to fourteen players, when a red card was shown for retaliatory conduct. With a player short and the visitors increasing the pressure, the home team conceded the lead when Waunarlwydd right winger Lee Evans was given the space and time to score his team’s first try. Jonny Davies’s excellent conversion gave Waun a 16-15 advantage.
On their first foray into the visitors 22, The Red and Blacks were awarded a penalty after Waunarlwydd backs were caught offside. Scott Maynard’s kick restored his team’s lead.
With outside half Davies orchestrating play, the home team‘s defence was exploited down the narrow side giving winger Andrew Rees-Spowart a clear run for the line for a converted try.
Although the Athletic began to retain possession and spread the ball to the wings the visitors defence held strong. With the final whistle sounding it was Waunarlwydd who ran out deserved winners 23-18.
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Llanharan 15 Carmarthen Athletic 17
Last Saturday the Red and Blacks snatched a late but deserved win against a resilient Llanharan side. The winning score came with just three minutes of game time remaining, winger Daniel Gravell scoring his team’s second try. Outside half Stuart Morris, under pressure, calmly kicked the vital conversion to give his side the lead and ultimately the away win.
Playing their first ever One West fixture, having moved over from One East, Llanharan were expected to be difficult opponents for the travelling Carmarthen team. However it was the visitors who started well, bringing intensity to every facet of play. With a dominant scrum and an aggressive approach to the breakdown, the Red and Blacks in that first quarter placed early pressure on the home team.
Centre Rhys Lewis and outside half Stuart Morris both made incisive breaks but on both occasions, the try scoring opportunities were spurned.
From an attacking lineout, the Athletic forwards effective pick and drive play gave prop Carwyn Edwards the momentum to crash over for a converted try.
Within five minutes the visitors lead was reduced when Llanharan scum half Chris Williams landed a 35 metre penalty. Unfortunately the Red and Blacks suffered a blow when they lost hooker Gethin Robinson with a head injury. Llanharan then began a period of territorial dominance but the Athletic were well organised in defence, so nullifying their opponents attacking play.
With five minutes left of the half, the excellent Chris Williams then kicked a second penalty for his side, following an Athletic infringement at a ruck.
With a 7-6 advantage, the Red and Blacks would have been pleased with a fine first half performance but disappointed that they failed to capitalise on their line breaks.
At the start of the second half, another injury was to disrupt the visitors, captain Henry Boot needing to leave the field with a knee problem. The visitors rallied to extend their lead through a Stuart Morris penalty.
Although comfortable in defence the visitors were guilty of indiscipline at the breakdown. Reliable goal kicker Chris Williams successfully kicking three penalties, to give Llanharan a 15-10 lead going into the last six minutes.
When Llanharan conceded a penalty the visitors were able to gain a foothold in the opposition 22. Patient build up, committing defenders to the breakdown gave the Athletic the necessary space and overlap for Gravell to scamper over for the crucial score.
The home team had little time to respond to this late score and the Red and Blacks ran out winners in a tightly fought game.
The Athletic coaches will be pleased with the team’s performance .
Athletic Team: Neil Davies, Daniel Gravell, Rhys Lewis, Toby Smith, Panashad Rushesha, Stuart Morris, Rhys Lane, Tom Sloane, Gethin Robinson (rep. Steff Jones), Carwyn Edwards (rep. Mark Davies), Henry Boot (rep.Tom Blyth), Steve Morse, Gareth Bennett, Luke Owen (rep. Richard Sparks), Sam Smith.
