Blues stuggle away (From Western Telegraph)

Blues stuggle away

Mumbles 61 Haverfordwest 12

Haverfordwest found it hard going in their rearranged fixture at Mumbles as their relative lack of experience told, especially in the second half.

The Blues lost a key ball winner in Matthew Lewis after only five minutes and although they were only 14-7 down with a minute of the first period to go they conceded a vital try in the 41st minute - and the floodgates really opened after Andrew Thicker also left the pitch and Mumbles finished up with nine tries, eight of them converted by former Tenby outside half Justin Price.

Scrum half James Richards and No 8 Alan James gave Mumbles the early initiative with tries converted by Price - but with Simon Lepetit doing well up front alongside Lewis Woods, Richard Brazell and Thicker, the Blues fought back with a good try created by Matthew Kelly and Steve Williams that put full back Jamie Candler in for a try which Williams converted.

But centre Rob Jones sliced through for Mumbles third try right on half time, with Price converting, as the pivot did on five occasions after the break when Mumbles added further tries by Richards, James and Jones, plus others by fly half Rhys Davies and flanker John Rowbottom (2).

Haverfordwest managed a second try when winger Paul Mason showed what a good finisher he is after play had switched right and then back left, quick hands by Wayne Davies and Jamie Pearce setting him free.

Williams missed the conversion and there was a late cameo from team manager Jeff Clout before the Blues finished up well beaten by a more experienced side.

Haverfordwest: Jamie Candler: Neil Morgans; Wayne Davies; Jamie Pearce; Paul Mason: Steve Williams; Matthew Kelly: Simon Lepetit; Gareth Green; Tim Phillips: Gareth Thomas; Mark Lewis: Lewis Woods; Richard Brazell; Andrew Thicker. Replacements (all used): John Hallett; Dai Vaughan; Jeff Clout.