Local clubs are holding their own (From Western Telegraph)

Local clubs are holding their own

With most clubs taking a rest from league matches because of the Wales versus New Zealand match at The Millennium Stadium, it is perhaps an ideal time to look at the performances of Pembrokeshire clubs playing in Division One, where Whitland and Narberth are flying the county flag with distinction, right down to Division Seven (West) as Crymych, St Davids and Llangwm all battle on with small squads but big hearts.

WHITLAND are currently the best-placed local club as they boast a won eight, lost six record that has put them into sixth place and therefore in the top 15 clubs in Wales. It's a remarkable achievement for The Borderers, who are coached by Mark Waygood, as they have managed to keep a local feel to their side despite importing quality players like Fakataha Mollatika, Anthony Jakeman, Rob Norton and Derek Thomas.

They were unable to play against Tredegar on Friday evening but no-one feels that The Borderers are a walk-over at this very high level.

It is a similar story just down the road at NARBERTH, who started off like bombs to win their first five games but now have a played 14, won seven, after their 60-25 reverse at Bedwas on Saturday morning, a record that earns them a very respectable eleventh place.

The Otters' support is the envy of many clubs in the section and skipper Simon Davies leads a strong squad that includes locals Chris MacDonald, Jamie Bohata, Jason Jennings, Rob Jones, Andrew Bowen and Elgan Vittle, who hails from just up the road at Crymych.

Coach Keith Eaton has always expected his players to give value for money and Narberth can feel pleased to hold their own in this first campaign at this very tough level.

CARDIGAN are looking strong in Division Three as they boast a played seven, won six, record that puts them joint top of Division Three (West) with Felinfoel.

The Cardis lost narrowly to Seven Sisters as their only blip under Stan Liptrot and they have Barry John as an impressive skipper and old war-horses like Eurfyl Davies and Kevin Hurley alongside talented younger players of the calibre of Gavin Morris, Eurig Lloyd, Dylan Rees and Aled Thomas.

HAVERFORDWEST are finding it hard-going in Division Four (West) as coach Gary Price has a young and developing team.

The Blues have just one win in seven outings but are hopeful that with players of the calibre of skipper Matthew Kelly, Steve Williams, Richard Brazell and Andrew Thicker their fortunes will improve as their youngsters gain in experience.

TENBY UNITED have fared a little better, with three wins in seven outings in the same section, but coaches Gareth Thomas and Ken Davies are beginning to instil a little confidence after two successive seasons of relegation.

Neil Truman is back helping out alongside Jonathan Dodd, Neil Powling and Sean Brace behind the scrum, with newcomers Dafydd Lewis, Anthony Griffiths and Nicky Roach all playing well up front.

FISHGUARD AND GOODWICK coach Chris Mitchell still helps out in the front row alongside Evan Davies and Carl Phillips, with players of the quality of New Zealander Miles McDuff, Ray Lerwill, Huw Morris, Rory Hall and Carwyn Thomas supplying the possession for Graham Davies and Huw Evans to set a good back division that also includes Alun Evans and Jonathan Jones in action.

The Seagulls have so far won four and lost three - and 'Mitch' is pleased with the way things are going at The Moors!

There are no fewer than four Pembrokeshire clubs in Division Six (West), with MILFORD HAVEN close to the top of the table with seven good wins and just one defeat on an off-day which had coach Alan McClelland fuming at Llanelli Wanderers.

The Mariners have power up front via Dean Hadley, Simon Jenkins and skipper Gareth Phillips, and no shortage of skill either as Jim Farr, Grant Bennett, Ioan Dolling and Adam Collins catch the eye.

NEYLAND are also playing well under the guiding hand of Mark Hamer as they have four wins and a draw in their eight games, with Mathew Williams, Paul Power and Mark Riley as an influential midfield - and if they can find a little more consistency then they could also finish high up in the table!

PEMBROKE DOCK HARLEQUINS started with a win at Pembroke but then lost three games narrowly before a superb recent run of four victories where they have scored 195 points.

Darren Gibby, Gareth 'Frontera' Lewis and Lee Scourfield have been in scintillating try-scoring form and with Mike and Gareth Scourfield looking class acts up front it is no wonder that coaches Lennie Scourfield and Neil Machin are expecting great things from this Quins' side.

Just a mile up the road, PEMBROKE have just a draw to go with seven losses but there is a good spirit among Ossie Boswell's young charges. Mark Fraser is back to lend a hand behind the scrum and with Vyv Davies, Geraint Lewis and especially Owain Johns as a youthful talent, then it isn't all doom and gloom at Crickmarren.

In Division Seven, CRYMYCH have won five and lost two of their fixtures under coaches Glyndwr Richards and Robin Davies, and will surely feature in the promotional issues as Gareth Bryan, Eurig Lloyd and Matthew Hill for a classy midfield trio.

ST DAVIDS have only managed one win but team manager John James has praised the efforts of his small squad under the leadership of Darren Salmon - and The Saints will win a few games at home, probably upsetting top clubs, as they have done in the past.

LLANGWM have so far lost all their seven matches so far but the fact that they have kept going after losing so many players to other clubs is a tribute to club officials, and especially to coach Steve Lay and team manager Roger Lewis.

Skipper Hamish Nicholls has given his all alongside some young players - and The Wasps are still buzzing despite being at the bottom of the table!