Mighty Mariners start well (From Western Telegraph)

Mighty Mariners start well

Morriston 10 Milford Haven 23

Milford Haven made a cracking start to their new campaign under coach Alan McClelland as they travelled to Morriston and gained a fully merited win over a side coached by Paul Moriarty and with former Welsh international Bleddyn Taylor in control on the pitch.

But they had little answer to the power of a big Milford pack which had power aplenty from Scott Walters, Gareth Phillips and Jamie Parr in the front row, key ball winners in Carl Allen and Mark Wonnacott, plus a feisty back row of Julian Walker, Roy and Dean Hadley.

John Morgan was as sharp as ever at scrum half and Jim Farr was able to use Adam Collins and Ioan Dolling to call up the genuine pace of Craig Eva, Grant Bennett and Matthew Reynolds wide out.

Farr gave the Mariners a good start with two penalties and then initiated the move which allowed skipper Gareth Phillips to pound over for a quality try after Adam Collins had burst through the middle.

Outside half Tim Jones landed a penalty for Morriston but after the break a typical piece of quick thinking by Morgan set up Milford's superb second try.

The scrum half took a tap penalty near his own line, raced to the 22 and then released the speedster Bennett on a 70-metre run for a try which Farr converted.

Ioan Dolling finally killed off home hopes as he cleverly chipped ahead and regathered without a hand being laid upon him - and although Morriston scored a late try from centre Matthew Smith, which Jones converted, the Mariners were home and dry, and already anticipating a tough local derby against Neyland in their next match!

Milford Haven: Craig Eva, Grant Bennett; Adam Collins; Ioan Dolling; Matthew Reynolds: Jim Farr; John Morgan: Scott Walters; Gareth Phillips; Jamie Parr: Mark Wonnacott; Carl Allen: Dean Hadley; Julian Walker; Roy Hadley. Replacements: Jack Kinnersley; Darren Lewis; Craig Thomas; Matthew Trueman.