Fixture

The eagerly awaited return hosting local rivals Laugharne was played in unseasonably mild and very pleasant conditions, blessed with a watery sun for the big crowd to enjoy the day, although Saints had the worst possible start, almost immediately conceding a soft try under the posts to find themselves seven points in arrears and in a battle right from the off!

The visitors pack dominated the early stages and the home side found it hard to gain any momentum but in one of the rare visits into their opponents 22, outside centre Michael Georgiau crossed for the first Saints score, although an easy conversion was missed.

The continued forward pressure, backed up by good work from the lively Laugharne backs, was rewarded with another try after thirty minutes when their dangerous fly half touched down under the posts to put the visitors in a strong position 14 points to 5 ahead.

Shortly before half time a penalty converted by Saints full back Geraint Jones reduced the arrears, just about keeping the home side in touch, 6 points behind at the break, but struggling to make any real impression on the game.

The second half continued in the same vein but in a game changing moment, five minutes after the restart, a spectacular run from second row Courtney Bowman, starting from half way riding several challenges and outpacing everybody, opened the way for blind side flanker Matthew Owens (pictured) to touch down close to the posts, the successful conversion by Geraint Jones edging the home side in front for the first time.

Confidence and self belief, aided by a tiring Laugharne effort, turned the tide as a result and with the pack building a better platform the home side’s backs started to make chances, resulting in tries for captain Mathew Lewis and outside half Shane Morgan, producing a comfortable lead at 27 points to 14 with the game well into the final stages.

Laugharne were not finished however and in a rousing finale raised their game, to register two tries and reduce the gap to one point, before the final whistle intervened to end a breathtaking memorable local derby, one which will be remembered for some time to come.