Division six west

St Davids 18

Mynydd y Garreg 12

ST DAVIDS received a welcome boost to their season as they fought off the strong challenge of Mynydd y Garreg to collect an excellent home win where Craig Challonder was the man of the match with 13 points from a try, conversion and two penalties.

Challonder slotted a penalty as the only score of a scrappy first period, played in mist that shrouded the ground, after the visitors arrive late because of a puncture. The Saints were able to utilise the vast experience of Richard Lewis, Mike Lamb, Gethin Bateman and Darren Davies in their squad as a boost to their fortunes.

Mynydd had their chances but full back Phil Jones missed two penalties and some good cover by the Saints back row held them out as Fraser Watson and Geraint Morris marshalled the home back division.

Challonder added a second penalty after the oranges and then the Saints scored a cracking try initiated by Morris in his own 22 before Fraser Watson broke and linked again with Morris, who put Challonder in at the posts for a welcome seven points.

Then Watson rounded off a good handling move before Mynydd fought back hard and replacement hooker Paul Bunnion powered over for two tries, one converted by Jones to set up a grandstand finish.

The Saints were under pressure but tackled like demons and only excellent and whole-hearted defence kept Mynydd out so that the Saints were able to celebrate their first win in this section.

Both teams observed a minute's silence before the match as a mark of respect to former Saints player Jim Morris, and the match was well refereed by Dan Devine.