Division Three West A:

Milford Haven 17-7 Haverfordwest

Milford Haven’s long wait for a win over Haverfordwest is over after The Mariners scored two second half tries to cap a powerful display and see off The Blues at The Obs this afternoon.

Leading 3-0 at half time due to a solitary penalty from Dan McClelland the home side, who adapted their game to the heavy pitch conditions far better than their visitors, took control after the break through a penalty try and a score from centre Jamie Lewis.

Haverfordwest did strike late on as centre Elgan Roberts went under the posts, but it mattered little as Alan McClelland’s side ended a losing run going back more than 20 years.

In truth, the opening 40 minutes made turgid viewing with neither side managing to impose themselves on a water-soaked surface, although The Blues were left to rue not capitalising on a ragged opening from The Mariners.

McClelland’s mishit clearance kick was gathered by away full back Ollie Hughes who promptly linked with outside half Liam Manwaring, but with an overlap out wide, the chance went begging when he spread play to Roberts, whose final pass to winger Steve Thomas went to ground.

But from the defensive lineout that followed, again Milford failed to clear their lines and The Blues fashioned three close range penalties – the last of which saw skipper Gareth Owen opt for three points, only for Manwaring to push his penalty attempt wide.

Milford responded when McClelland took a quick penalty on half way and sped into the 22, only for his forwards to be penalised at the subsequent ruck.

Yet seconds later, it was the visitors who transgressed at the breakdown, and it was the No 9 who put the home side in front as he made no mistake from 35 metres out.

That settled The Mariners and prop Mike Cockburn was prominent in the ball carrying stakes as they looked to take The Blues on up front, but it yielded little in the way of pressure as unforced errors cost them frequently in the opposition half.

Haverfordwest meanwhile, looked to go wide at every opportunity, but their play lacked accuracy at key times and the interval score of 3-0 was a fair reflection of the spectacle.

But straight after the break, Bruce Evans’ side did put some slick play together as a run around move in midfield put Hughes away down the right wing, and although he was hauled down by the cover defence, The Mariners were penalised for coming in the side of the ruck.

Manwaring kicked the penalty in the corner, but again the ball went to deck in midfield and it nearly resulted in a Milford try as winger Craig Thomas hacked away upfield, but his final kick ahead was too heavy and went over the dead ball line.

Home outside half Lee Riley then also wastefully kicked an attacking penalty dead as he looked to set up a close range lineout – but as the half wore on, Alan McClelland’s men took command.

The home side’s power up front began to pay dividends as No 8 Mark Wonnacott picked up from a close range scrum and was stopped inches short, while second row Dai Sweeny failed to gather a pop pass when he seemed set to charge over.

The Mariners were also held up over the line, but soon a fashioned a five metre scrum, from which they pushed towards the line and referee Adrian Lewis soon went under the posts to signal a penalty try after deciding The Blues had illegally halted the charge.

Milford also chose to empty a strong bench as Dewi Williams, David Round, Leigh Broome, Ryan Mansell and Jonathan Fawcett all entered the fray – and it was the latter whose powerful run up the left wing created the second try.

He bounced off two tackles as he surged towards the 22, and The Mariners moved the ball quickly to the right hand side where Lewis sped over in the corner. McClelland converted brilliantly from the touchline.

That score effectively sealed the verdict, and it was replacement No 10 Broome who continued to keep the visitors pinned back with some raking kicks to the corner.

But to the credit of The Blues they didn’t give up as scrum half Lee Summons did his best to pick up the pace with a series of quick tap penalties – one of which led to a yellow card for Mansell for not retreating 10 yards.

Milford lost another forward when Archie Smithies was also sin-binned, and from the final play of the game, The Blues crossed when a lovely flicked pass from Mainwaring in midfield created the gap for Roberts to go over.

The No 10 converted, but it came too late to effect matters as Milford maintained second place in Division Three West A, although Pembroke’s 49-20 win over Cardigan means time is running out of they are to have any chance of catching The Scarlets.

Prior to the game, a minute's silence was held in memory of Philipa 'Pop's Joseph, a long time supporter of Milford Haven RFC who sadly died last week. Western Telegraph Sport sends full condolences to her family and friends.

Milford Haven: Jimmy Thomas, Matthew Reynolds, Craig Thomas, Jamie Lewis, Dan Jenkins, Craig Thomas, Lee Riley, Dan McClelland, Mike Cockburn, Luke Ryan, Adam Rees (capt), Chris Hall, Dai Sweeny, Ben Groves, Archie Smithies, Mark Wonnacott.

Replacements: David Round, Dewi Williams, Leigh Broome, Jonathan Fawcett, Ryan Mansell.

Haverfordwest: Ollie Hughes, Rhys Baker, Elgan Roberts, Gareth Owen (capt), Steve Thomas, Liam Manwaring, Lee Summons, Ben Llewellyn, Jamie Zambass, Tom Carrington, Gareth Phillips, Karl Busch, Dan John, Morgan Layton, Kyle Williams.

Replacements: Cole Barry, Will Davies, Josh Atherton, Adam Williams, Gareth Richards.

Referee: Adrian Lewis (Llanelli).