Fixture

The first real test of the new set up at St Clears this season, away to Laugharne in the needle local derby, took place at Wooford Park on Saturday in excellent conditions with perfect weather and a big crowd eagerly awaiting what promised to be the usual highly competitive contest.

A nervous start by the home side produced two early penalties for the visitors and from the trusty boot of full back Geraint Jones six points were on the board within minutes. There was nothing to choose between the two sides for the remainder of the half, although the home side reduced the arrears with a penalty, but just before the interval, pressure from Saints set up a push over try from number 8 Carwyn Davies. The conversion from Geraint, followed almost immediately with another penalty on the stroke of half time, produced a 10 points to 3 scoreline in favour of the visitors, at the break.

The pattern of play continued in the second half with very little quarter given or expected by either side and very little to choose between them, The visitors increased the pressure on the home side, however, with another try for Carwyn Davies, converted by Jones, to produce a scoreline of 23 points to 3. Far from killing the game, this only served to spur Laugharne on to redouble their efforts and immediately on the restart they reduced the arrears with a converted penalty try, an incident which resulted in a yellow card for Carwyn Davies.

By employing a more open expansive style with less tactical kicking the home side looked more dangerous on the break, with the visitors defence under increasing pressure. With ten minutes remaining, however, Saints outside centre, Jake Iles, (pictured tracking Alan Proctor in possession) capped off some excellent flowing rugby to score under the posts and with a successful conversion, the lead was restored to 28 points to 10.

Again Laugharne refused to concede and within minutes, outside half Williams scored under the posts for a try, duly converted, which reduced the arrears to eleven points. Still the home side pushed for another score to try and salvage a losing bonus point and with the visitors down to 14 when Will Davies was yellow carded it was with some relief when the final whistle arrived to end this breathtaking encounter, which featured some excellent, end to end rugby and a memorable, unforgettable victory for the visitors.