Division Three West A:

Pembroke 49-20 Cardigan

PEMBROKE edge ever closer towards the Division Three West A title after four tries from No 8 Sam Smith helped them bounce back from their National Bowl semi final defeat with another clinical display against Cardigan.

Milford Haven’s failure to take a bonus point in their win over Haverfordwest means The Scarlets are now two points clear of The Mariners but with two games in hand, ahead of another crucial home clash with Laugharne at Crickmarren on Saturday.

And yet in the opening 40 minutes, they were pushed all the way by The Teifisiders, despite taking a 12-0 lead as winger Barry John latched onto an inside pass from scrum half Tom Lewis to score, before Smith charged over for a try that Sean Dalling converted.

But Cardigan full back John Lumb brought his side back into it with a penalty, before adding the extras to his own try after intercepting a loose pass in midfield.

Just before the break however, it was Smith who crossed again after from a charged down clearance to give Geraint Lewis’ men a 17-10 half time lead.

And after half time the home side hit top gear, as Jim Brace grabbed the bonus point try before John sped over for his second, while Smith continued to cause havoc as he added two further tries to his tally with powerful runs.

The depth of the home squad was evident as they emptied the bench and Ryan Wilkins and Cyle Weatherall both came on to score, with Dalling adding one more conversion – although to the credit of Cardigan they refused to cave in and grabbed two more tries themselves via Lumb again and No 8 Sion Harries.

The Scarlets now have back to back critical matches with that game against The Cockleman followed by Haverfordwest away, while Cardigan next play on April 21st at Milford Haven.