Haverfordwest beat Pembroke Dock in Three West A

The clash between Haverfordwest and top-placed Pembroke Dock Harlequins was always going to be a big one at Pembroke Road and that is the way it turned out as both sides conspired to produce a contest that was a credit to the Division with a lot of skill and physical commitment

And it was the Blues who gained a bonus point win as whatever coach Steve Barnett said after their defeat at Llanybydder the previous Saturday certainly worked - with both sides in attack mode from the first whistle– and The Blues established a 14-point lead in the first quarter.

Blues get a flier:

Their dominance in the linesout certainly worked as from a set-piece experienced No 10 Mikey Jones kicked diagonally into space and centre Gareth Owens took a kind bounce, fed winger and youth team captain Jack Evans, and he flicked an inside pass to centre Craig Barnett who outstripped the Quins’ cover and added the extra points himself.

Haverfordwest soon doubled their lead after winger Unaia Balekinasiga served notice of his power with one run and from a second charge set up a period of pressure from with No 8 Ashley George ploughed over the line –and Barnett obliged with the tricky conversion.

Quins come back into it:

It says much for the Quins’ durability that they quickly fought back, as they reclaimed eight points from a penalty from New Zealand No 10 Tyler Castle and a corner try by winger Jordan Asparassa.

Barnett made it 17-8 with a penalty but two more kicks on target by Castle on either side of half time made it 17-14 to The Blues, who suddenly found themselves trailing for the first time when classy centre Jack Price scored and Castle added the extra points.

Haverfordwest finish the stronger:

Jamie Zambas looked as if he had put Haverfordwest back in front but was recalled for a double movement – but The Blues finished better with a try by replacement prop Tom Carrington and a penalty try after referee Harwood lost patience at a series of disrupted scrums. Matthew Clayton rounded off The Blues scoring with an unconverted try.

Coach Barnett said afterwards: “It was a cracking game and credit to The Quins for the way they battled.

"We were delighted as coaches with our squad performed to today and it shows our capabilities if we all train hard and show that sort of commitment on the pitch.”

Haverfordwest: Rhys Baker, Jack Evans, Craig Barnett, Gareth Owens, Unaia Balekinasiga, Mike Jones, Elgan Roberts, Jonathan Clout, Jamie Zambass, Terry Lovell, Gareth Phillips, Jack Clancy, Karl Busch, Jake Evans, Ashley George. Replacements: Tom Carrington, Matthew Clayton, Steve Thomas, Ashley George, Geraint Sergeant.

Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Luca Trimarco, Jordan Asparassa, Jack Price, Kieran Machin, Gethin Bradney, Tyler Castle, Jake Davies, J Davies, Carl Williams, David Mosely, Mark Van Rhun, Ollie Parsons, Jordan Palmer, Harry Owen, Hywel Baker. Replacements: Martin Culley, Ben Gibby, Carl Scott, Nick Drewett, Ieuan Jenkins, Daniel Manning, Josh Brown.

Referee: Steve Harwood (Morriston).