LOCAL RUGBY LLANDYBIE DELIGHT AT FINE HOME WIN
LLANDYBIE were cock-a-hoop after ending 2018 with a memorable 23-17 home victory over Three West B title challengers Amman United.
Centre Keri Davies, winger Rhydian Jones and centre Nathaniel Butler got their tries. It was a fifth win of the season for mid-table Llandybie, who have been a bit up and down far this season.
They lost their first four league games before roaring back with four wins on the bounce. A narrow 6-5 defeat at Betws followed before putting one over on the Amman last Saturday.
The defeat for Amman was another blow and made it back-toback league defeats, having also gone down at Nantgaredig earlier in December.
“It’s our best result of the season without any shadow of a doubt,” said delighted Llandybie club official Stuart Griffith.
“They have been doing very well this season and I think they came down expecting to win, but our defence was fantastic.
“That last 20 minutes they really battered our line but, in fairness, we held out and took our opportunities.
“We had a few boys missing so were a bit short and to win was a major plus for us. We were absolutely delighted.”
Next up for sixth-placed Llandybie is the short trip to Llandeilo, who sit just one place and two points above them in the table.
Llandeilo ran out 14-13 winners in the reverse fixture back in September and Llandybie will be looking to avenge that defeat.
Griffith added: “It’s the big one on Saturday now. It’s always one to look forward to for the players on both sides as a lot of them attended the same secondary school.
“We want to keep a good run going now for the rest of the season.”
Griffith also picked out backrower Eirian Williams for his excellent performances on the field for Llandybie this season.
The defeat for Amman, meanwhile, leaves them 10 points behind leaders Nantgaredig, who themselves won 36-18 against Lampeter Town.
Trimsaran, in second, are seven points back after they won 17-12 at Cefneithin, while Llandeilo warmed up for their clash against Llandybie with a 23-3 win at nearneighbours Llangadog.
Dan Thomas scored twice for Llandeilo, with Steff Barnes also going over. Owain Roberts added a conversion and two penalties.
Bynea ran out 27-13 winners at New Dock Stars.
The big top-of-the-table clash in One West went the way of Felinfoel, who strengthened their grip on top spot when they won 29-16 at Llangennech. The match was marred by an injury to Llangennech’s Shaun Edwards.
Felinfoel now lead Gowerton, who did not play, by 10 points, while Llan are now 14 points off the summit with a game in hand.
Tries from wing Laurence Hedlam, outside centre Gethin Gibby, hooker Aled Harries and fly-half Gareth Davies inspired Crymych to a 30-10 home win over Aberystwyth. Davies also booted two conversions and two penalties.
Kidwelly edged a tight contest at Llanelli Wanderers 8-6, while Two West leaders Penclawdd beat Mumbles 29-15 thanks to tries from Jonathan Hughes, Rob James, Rhys Eaton, Stephen Bennett and Chris Davies
Dan Guarneri kicked two conversions to round off an eighth win of the season for Penclawdd, who are eight points above Pontyberem.
Fly-half Mike Sauro was at the double as Pontyberem thumped valley rivals Tumble 45-5, while they also have a game in hand. Mike Jenkins, Bryn Griffiths, Aled Rees, Dafydd Jones and captain Wayne Willims also crossed the whitewash.
St Clears won 11-5 at Carmarthen Athletic thanks to a Will Davies try and two penalties from the boot of Jamie Davies. It also avenged their 22-0 home defeat by the Athletic earlier in the season.
Meanwhile, a last-minute penalty from Toby Smith sent Pembroke to a 15-13 home victory over Fishguard and Richard Evans booted three penalties for Tycroes in a 9-9 home draw with Pontarddulais.
The other game in Two West resulted in a 13-10 home win for Loughor over Burry Port.
Milford Haven won 7-3 at Haverfordwest to make it eight wins out of eight and move to the top of Three West A. Dan Birch scored the only try of the match.
James Lewis, Jonathan Lloyd, Rhys Mason and Lewis Murphy all dotted down for Llangwm in a 2720 win at St Davids. Luke Hayman was on kicking duty.
Aberaeron beat Cardigan 8-3, while Pembroke Dock Quins triumphed 13-10 over Neyland and there was a 28-11 win for Llanybydder at Tregaron.