Laugharne 44 pts Pembroke Dock Quins 15 pts

Bierspool, Pembroke Dock has in recent years has been an unhappy hunting ground for Laugharne, coming 2nd best for ten years or so.This time there was a certain optimism in the Laugharne camp, although it did take some time in coming. Laugharne kicked off down the slope hoping to re-dress the balance but in the drizzly conditions the ball was slippery which did initially play havoc with close quarter play for both sides. Added to this was the untimely loss of prop Robert Jones who was unavailable due to family commitments and the promotion of lock and skipper Phil Brown to the murky world of the front row. This change did have an adverse effect on the Laugharne pack with the `Quins` sensing that this was the one avenue to target.

However with just 5mins gone, Laugharne took an early lead with a penalty struck by wing Alistair Chambers after good approach work by fly half Ross Harries.

To their credit the `Quins` played good territorial rugby for a good 20mins, keeping Laugharne pinned in their own half and in the 28th min they were finally rewarded with a penalty for their efforts. Upped stepped No.8 Garweth Scourfield to comfortably level the scores.

From the restart the `Quins` failed to gather the ball resulting in a penalty, but on this one occasion Chambers was off target. However from the 2nd restart Laugharne took the ball forward with fullback Simon Davies prominent and when the ball was slowly released from the ruck, flyhalf Harries dropped a neat goal.to increase Laugharne`s lead.

On the stroke of half time Laugharne took the initiative from a solid scrum in midfield. Scrum half Adam Davies made a darting run from the released ball by No.8 Kevin Pearce and breaking despairing tackles on his way, he found his half back partner Harries on his outside to receive the pass and score with a spectacular try half way out. Chambers added the the conversion to give Laugharne a healthy 13pts - 3 pts lead at half time.

The `Quins` restarted the 2nd half but Laugharne were now feeling the game was `there for the taking`. The ball reached wing Chambers who cleverly kicked along the touchline. From the ensuing lineout the ball went loose which was gratefully picked up by skipper Brown. Unselfishhy, he released scrum half Davies who then fed Harries to put centre Nick Thomas in for the crucial score. Chambers made no mistake with the conversion to extend Laugharne`s lead.

Laugharne went further into the ascendency with a smart move from a scrum in midfield. Laugharne won the ball and with decoy runners the ball was moved to the left with flyhalf Harries orchestrating events. With a neat scissors with full back Davies the ball was carried into the `Quins` 22 and as he was confronted by the last line of defence he drew his man to put the ever present Chris McIlwrick at flanker in for `the killer blow` at the posts. Chambers made no mistake with the easy conversion.

20mins into the 2nd half, Laugharne increased their lead. From a loose pass from the scrum, flyhalf Harries picked up the ball and with a show of the ball and a neat dummy, he was through the gap and racing 50m to the posts after the cover defence had been breached. Chambers added the simple conversion.

Chambers then added his 2nd penalty with a `Quins` player deemed offside at the ruck under his own posts.

 Eventually, the `Quins` did get a try after being camped on the Laugharne line for some time with No.8 Scourfield claiming the unconverted try. Laugharne hit back almost immediately, when they were awarded a penalty inside the `Quins` half. `Quick as a flash` livewire scrum half Davies had tapped the ball and was racing the 25m or so to the posts. Again, this effort was converted by Chambers to close the Laugharne account for the afternoon.

The final and consolation try went to `Quins` centre Stuart Hay which to loud cheers was converted by prop Richard McIntyre.

Laugharne can now look positively to their next game against Lampeter at Wooford field K.o.. 2-30pm on Saturday Oct 20th                    

Alun Jenkins  Team Manager Laugharne R.F.C.