Laugharne continued their winning run with a workmanlike performance in this rearranged and evening match at Amman United. Laugharne kicked off with the advantage of the slight slope, although Amman did have the advantage of the following breeze. Within minutes, it was evident that the Laugharne front row of props Robert Jones and Endaf Howells together with hooker Mark Jones had the upper hand with locks Chris Thomas and skipper Phil Brown giving the necessary `oomph` from the 2nd row This set up the platform for No.8 John Bowen and flankers Chris McIlwrick and Kevin Pearce to control matters at the back of the scrum as they picked up and drove into the heart of the Amman defence.

 In the 15th mimute,Laugharne opened the scoring. From a scrum on half way, scrum half Adam Davies fed his half back partner Ross Harries who then popped a short pass to centre Deian Thomas running from deep. Thomas cut through Amman`s first line of defence before being stopped deep in the Amman 22. From the ensuing ruck, Amman were penalised for killing the ball. Laugharne refused the shot at goal and with their pack in the ascendency decided to take the scrum. After a series of energy sapping engagements, No.8 Bowen picked up from the forward moving scrum to drive himself over for the try near to the Amman posts. Wing Geraint Beynon made no mistake with the easy conversion attempt to give Laugharne a deserved lead.

 Despite the Laugharne forwards being very much in control, their backs were unable to exploit the ball due to some very negative and niggly play from Amman who conceded penalty after penalty and soon had one of their players `in the bin`. However in the 25th min they reduced the deficit with a well struck penalty by scrum half J. Foster from the 22m line for a Laugharne player handling the ball on the ground. However in the 28th min Beynon restored the 7pt lead with a penalty in the Amman 22 for one of their players killing the ball and in the 35th min he re-applied the dose for an Amman player killing the ball under his own posts.Laugharne went into half time with a healthy 13pts - 3pts lead.

Amman restarted the 2nd half and tried their hardest to use their dangerman Jamie Davies on the wing. But the Laugharne forwards, with terrier Davies at scrum half snapping at their heels had other ideas by controlling the ball for long periods. However in one lapse of concentration from Laugharne the ball eventually reached Davies who with perfect balance and an electrifying change of pace beat the cover defence on the outside to score half way out. Foster made no mistake with the conversion attempt.

 This set back galvanised Laugharne who held their discipline and did not get drawn into some cynical play from Amman. In the 16th minute of the 2nd half Beynon restored Laugharne`s lead with the assistance of some back chat at the referee from an Amman player. The ref then penalised the player twice by awarding first 10 m and then another 10m and brought the penalty for killing the ball into Beynon`s kicking range. He duly obliged to take Laugharne to a 16pts - 10pts lead.

 Laugharne then went into overdrive by opening up from deep with good interplay from flyhalf Harries, fullback Shaun Lynch and wing Beynon who carried the ball deep into the corner of Amman`s try line. From the ruck, Laugharne spun the ball quickly to the left with the ball reaching centre Nick Thomas who unselfishly passed to flanker Pearce who crashed over for an unconverted try.

 Laugharne were still not finished with No.Bowen controlling the ball at the base of the scrum. Scrum half Davies passed to flyhalf Harries who with a lateral run, dummy, show and go, he then straightened up his run to break clear to score at the posts. Beynon added the extra points to take Laugharne to 28pts. Amman did get a consolation score with wing Davies exploiting the little space he had to outpace the Laugharne defence to score. Foster added the conversion kick to bring Amman to within 11points of Laugharne.

However for Amman, it was too little too late with the clock ticking down to full time. The match was bad tempered from the start and Amman were still not finished as they instigated a nasty mass brawl right at the end which resulted in a player from each side being sent off. As far as Laugharne were concerned it was mission accomplished because to win at Amman United does not happen often.

 

Next week Laugharne are away to Lampeter k.o 2-30pm Coach to leaveGrist Square at 12-15pm

 

Alun Jenkins  Team Manager Laugharne R.F.C