Power plus for All Blacks (From Western Telegraph)

Power plus for All Blacks

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 7 Neyland 13

A try by powerful scrum half Paul Power in the last quarter ensured a Neyland victory in their local derby against Pembroke Dock Harlequins, who led 7-5 at the break but were unable to add further points afterwards despite 100% effort by the entire team.

Power took matters into his own hands after veteran full back Nicky Greggain had landed a penalty to give the All Blacks a one-point advantage - picking up a loose ball on the Quins ten-metre line and speeding up the touchline, avoiding several attempts at the tackle and crashing over for a superb solo effort that showed how much Power now lends to the Neyland battle plan.

Equally busy in the Neyland cause was Colin Picton, especially with Mathew Williams unable to play, and it was Picton who gave his side an early lead from a quickly taken tap-penalty that caught the Quins defence napping as the strong back row man crashed over.

But the Quins struck back almost immediately when talented fly half Roy Davies rounded off a period of pressure with a well-taken try that was converted by flanker Gareth Scourfield.

The second half was as tight as the first, with Chris Busby leading the All Blacks by example and the Quins refusing to lie down as Darren Gibby, Mark Bradney and Gareth Lewis were strong at the back and the back row of Neil Harris (until he went off with concussion), Gareth and Mike Scourfield covered well.

But Greggain nudged Neyland in front with a penalty after some good driving by Mark Smith, Ben Lloyd and Steve Evans, playing at flanker instead of centre - and Powers electric touchline sprint did the rest.

No-one was more delighted with the win than Neylands diminutive prop/hooker Peter Davies, who had read the Quins programme where it was light-heartedly suggested by editor Dave Street (himself a former hooker) that Daviess presence would weaken the All Blacks scrum.

Quins coach Lennie Scourfield was understandably disappointed by a home defeat but remains up-beat about his sides chances of avoiding relegation.

They now have nine games left and as Scourfield said, if they can play with this type of vigour throughout then who knows what could still happen at Bierspool.

Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Martin McNally (Gareth Clarke): Nigel Edwards; Darren Gibby; Mark Bradney; Gareth Lewis: Roy Davies; Steve Davies: Richard McIntyre; Ian Osborne; Brendan ODriscoll (Phil Hughes): Colin Burton; Anthony Lay: Gareth Scourfield; Neil Harris (Lance Tallett); Mike Scourfield.

Neyland: Nicky Greggain: Delme Bateman; Martin Tamilia; Lee Perkins; Jason Riley: Mark Riley; Paul Power: Martyn Dawes; Peter Davies; Mark Smith: Chris Busby; Ben Lloyd: Adrian Riley; Steve Evans; Colin Picton. Replacements: James Picton (blood for Dawes); Tony Busby (not used).