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Laugharne 14pts Haverfordwest 12pts Sept 1st 2007 This match could be classed as ` Close encounter of the third kind` with Laugharne having pipped H`West in the final two games of last season and repeating the same in this the 1st game of the new. In ideal conditions underfoot, flyhalf Simon Davies kicked off for Laugharne against a stiff swirling breeze. The initial exchanges by both teams was to prove an indication of how the game would be played and the intensity and desire of both sides to win.
However first blood went to Laugharne when in the 6th minute centre Nick Thomas back from a long lay off picked up a loose pass in midfield just outside the H`West 22. He caught the H`West defence off guard as he straightened up and hared to the line to cross at the left hand side of the H`West posts. Full back Alistair Chambers made no mistake with the easy conversion attempt.
With this score the Laugharne pack ably led by skipper Phil Brown in his 2nd season as captain went into the ascendancy against the bigger and heavier H`West eight. The front row trio of `the Jones boys`, props Robert and Lyndon together with hooker Martyn were more than a match for the opposite front row giving them a torrid afternoon. It was also pleasing to see the welcome return of flankers Sam Palmer and Robin Hussellbee back in the side, and Hussellbee was to give a `man of the match` performance with his tireless tackling, chasing, supporting and winning the ball. His contribution together with that of No.8 Kevin Pearce was to prove invaluable with the H`West backs looking extremely dangerous when they had the ball, but the midfield of centres Nick and Deiane Thomas together with flyhalf Davies did more than their fair share of tackling.
Midway through the 1st half Laugharne went on to increase their lead with a neat blindside kick by scrum half Shaun Lynch off the side of a scrum just outside the H`West 22. Wing Steve Hartland was up in support to put pressure on the H`West fullback and tackle him in possession. With the ball squirming out from the tackle, No.8 Pearce was first man up to collect the ball and dive over for Laugharne`s 2nd try to the right of the H`West posts. Once again Chambers made no mistake with the conversion to give Laugharne a healthy 1st half lead.
H`West played their part in an absorbing contest which did become heated on several occasions, but the Laugharne pack were having none of it with skipper Phil Brown `in the engine room` leading by example and supporting young lock Chris Thomas who seems to be improving with every game. Palmer was also proving to more than a handful in that department.
H`west kicked off to restart the 2nd half and after the half time pep talk played with urgency and greater commitment, but once again Laugharne to a man were proving to be extremely difficult to break down. With more ball to play with H`West started to put width on the ball from all parts of the pitch in an effort to break the stranglehold on them. Wing Geraint Beynon and fullback Chambers did so much as the last line of defence in thwarting attack after attack. Eventually after so much pressure, H`West finally got the score they deserved with wing R.Neil rounding the Laugharne defence to score an unconverted try. This score galvanised H`West as they set about to catch and make up the deficit but to their credit Laugharne were proving to be awkward customers. On full time H`West were awarded their 2nd try where from a powerful driving maul, flanker D.Bowen was to claim the score giving flyhalf S.Williams an easy conversion to bring the scores tantalisingly close to 14 – 12 in Laugharne`s favour. However the drama was not over with the referee indicating to both sides that there was 5mins of injury time to play. However when Laugharne did manage to secure the ball they did the sensible of driving low and forward, holding on to the ball and denying H`West possession much to their frustration. To the delight of the large Laugharne support and relief to the Laugharne XV, scrum half Lynch chipped to touch with the referee calling fulltime.
Next week Laugharne are away to Newcastle Emlyn k.o 2-30pm, coach to leave Grist Square at 12-15pm
Written By: Alun Jenkins Team Manager Laugharne R.F.C.
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