Mariners make experience pays (From Western Telegraph)

Mariners make experience pays

Floodlit friendly rugby: Milford Haven 29 Haverfordwest 5 Milford Haven and Haverfordwest used the Friday night floodlit friendly to give a run-out to a blend of first and second team players, with the Mariners ending up worthy winners of an entertaining tussle.

The rain which had blanketed the Observatory Field all day relented during the match and both sides played some good quality rugby in the conditions, with the Mariners' greater experience where it counted paying off as they ran in five tries to one by the Blues.

The solo Haverfordwest score was claimed by burly second row Karl Potter as they trailed 12-5 at the break and it is rumoured that big Karl was still talking about it into the early hours!

Ian Rusinek had opened the scoring for Milford with a clever little chip over the top which looked likely to go dead in the wind but it hit the post and the home fly half gathered to score a try which he also converted.

Busy flanker Dean Aldred added the Mariners' second try after winger Chris Goffin had been held up short but managed to off-load well. Aldred crossed as reward for his intelligent support play.

Haverfordwest lost influential No 10 Mike Humphries but they had good performances from Simon Hughes, James Morris and Rob Scale, with Danny Maddocks and Dai Miners doing well up front.

Aldred's co-flanker Matthew Doncaster grabbed try No 3 early in the second period and other late tries by Wayne Sprowell and veteran back row man Scott Walters gave Milford a good win.

But Haverfordwest were able to give some useful experience to several players and both teams would agree that it was a more than useful work-out on an international weekend.

And finally, a word for referee Steve Jones, the Haverfordwest Hon Sec, who doubled up with the whistle. He took charge on an awful night where at least the rain stopped during the game and showed a very sensible approach which meant that the match was thoroughly enjoyed by all the players on both sides. Well done, Steve!

lHaverfordwest's successful 1970-71 rugby team are holding a reunion at the Merlins Bridge clubhouse this coming Saturday, to coincide with the Blues' home fixture against Penclawdd.

Last Sunday's Pembrokeshire KO Cup clash between Crymych and Haverfordwest was cancelled due to a frozen pitch.

Milford Haven: Nathan Young: Rob Sweeney; Dean Matthews; Matthew Reynolds; Chris Goffin; Ian Rusinek; David Allen: Liam McCaffrey; Mark Lewis; Phil Mayhew: Matthew Reynolds; Carl Allen: Gavin Hitchcock; Dean Aldred; Matthew Doncaster. Replacements: Wayne Sprowell; Scott Walters.

Haverfordwest: Simon Hughes: James Griffiths; James Morris; Rob Scale; John Culley; Mike Humphries; Gareth Dean: David Vaughan; Dai Owen; Simon Lepetit: Karl Potter; Chris Brock: Mark Busch; Danny Maddocks; Dai Miners. Replacements: Anthony Thomas; Jeff Collins; John Cole; Ian Davies.