Seagulls slip up (From Western Telegraph)

Seagulls slip up

Rugby - Division Four (West): Laugharne 27 Fishguard & Goodwick 7 Laugharne completed the double over Fishguard as they followed their earlier 22-14 success at The Moors with this comfortable win as they outscored the Seagulls by five tries to one.

But Fishguard coach Chris Mitchell was upbeat about his side's performance.

Although they were without influential brothers Evans and Graham Davies respectively in the No 2 and 9 shirts, they were able to give outings to twin brothers Mark and Matthew George at flanker and replacement winger.

A third 19 year-old, Gareth Owen made his debut at scrum half and received the Seagulls' man of the match tag from coach Mitchell.

But the key player for Laugharne was winger Mark Stephenson, who opened the scoring after only three minutes.

Sean Lynch and Mark's brother Carl spread play wide for him to outpace the cover, adding a second try later alongside fellow winger Jamie Goodyear, playing on dual registration and looking very sharp.

The home side were 10-7 ahead at the interval as Simon James scored his second try in as many matches for the Seagulls after quick ruck ball had allowed outside half Gerwyn Hughes to dab the ball forward and flanker James showed his handling skills in the mire as he scooped it up and sped to the line for Hughes to convert.

The brotherly theme was continued as Rob Jones skippered Laugharne from the prop berth with his brother Lyndon joining hooker Alan Phillips in a lively front row - and with Lyndon being driven over from close range for another Laugharne try.

Ray Lerwell, Huw Morris, Nathan Jenkins and Gerwyn Davies battled hard up front for Fishguard and centres Jonathan Jones and Steve Jenkins tackled well, but flanker Kevin Pearce also crashed over for a Laugharne try and full back Simon Davies notched a single conversion to round off the scoring.

Laugharne had good performances from experienced No 8 Alan Mason and Robin Husselby to set the seal on an 11th win in 14 outings and keep them in contention behind Amman United at the top of the section table.

Laugharne: Simon Davies: Jamie Goodyear; Nick Thomas; Lee Harry; Mark Stephenson: Carl Stephenson; Sean Lynch: Lyndon Jones; Andrew Phillips; Rob Jones: Phil Brown; Sam Palmer: Robin Husselby; Kevin Pearce; Alan Mason.

Fishguard & Goodwick: Dan Harries: Ben Wilcox (Matthew George); Steve Jenkins; Jonathan Jones; Adi Lewis: Gerwyn Hughes; Gareth Mason: Gerwyn Davies; Ray Lerwell; Karl Phillips: Nathan Jenkins (Chris Mitchell); Andrew Morrillo: Huw Morris; Simon James; Mark George (Gwilym Evans).