Division Three West B:

St Davids 19-46 Pembroke

THIRD placed Pembroke made sure they kept in touch with the top two with a bonus point win at St Davids.

However, that doesn’t begin to tell the story of an entertaining clash that eventually yielded eleven tries and three yellow cards.

In windy conditions, it was The Scarlets who made the better start as second row Scott Powell crossed from close range – but The Saints struck back immediately when flanker Carl Evans charged down visiting No 10 Ryan Wilkins’ clearance kick, and after a series of phases it was second row Mervyn Griffiths who ploughed over.

Full back Craig Challonder converted before the home side, yet to register a league point this season, went further ahead when outside half Jack Jones broke from inside his own half and linked with Challonder, and his kick ahead was gathered by winger Sam Ellison who sped over for his first senior try.

However, the visitors soon reduced the deficit when Wilkins opted to kick a penalty into the corner, and from the ensuing rolling maul, prop Richard Mason drove over.

And then The Scarlets went back in front when No 8 Sam Smith picked up from a scrum and fed back row partner Dan Colman, and the latter shrugged off several tackles to score.

Powell then broke through the Saints defence to claim his second try and centre James Davies, taking over the kicking duties after Wilkins missed his first three attempts, converted.

There was still time for another Pembroke score as full back Rhys Johns rounded off a frantic first half by finishing off some good handling to make it 27-12 in his side’s favour at half time.

The second half began at the same pace and winger Barry John benefitted from an overlap to cross over in the corner for Pembroke – before a melee saw both sides temporarily reduced to 14 men with Colman and Jones both being shown yellow by referee Julian Thomas.

John then cut through for his second try that Davies converted, before The Saints crossed for their third score when centre Rhys Morgan linked with Ellison, and the latter dived over from close range. Challonder did well to add the touchline conversion.

Pembroke flanker Jordan Gwilliam was then sin binned for protesting a decision but The Saints failed to take advantage of some good set piece positions as they went in search of a bonus point try.

Gwilliam then subsequently returned to the field to score his team’s eighth try after a powerful carry from 15 meters out, and Davies again converted.

The Saints did work a final chance for their fourth try when replacement scrum half Geraint Morris broke clear from inside his own 22, but he narrowly failed to find Ellison with a pass that would have set the winger clear on half way.

That proved the final play of an entertaining clash, and Scarlets coach Geraint Lewis said his side had come through a difficult test.

“We had to make a lot of changes today and it was a tough game for us,” he said.

“Fair play to St Davids they really fronted up and caused us problems. But we dug deep with a young side and we’re happy with a bonus point win.”

Saints coach Matthew Williams also praised his side’s “improved” display: “It was a promising performance from a young squad,” he said.

“We matched them at times and we are showing clear signs of progress.”

St Davids: Craig Challonder, Rhys Evans, David Canning, Rhys Morgan, Sam Ellison, Jack Jones, Lewys James, Dan Murphy, Rhys Owen Price, Rhys Tudor Price (capt), Oli Blakiston, Mervyn Griffiths, Adam Williams, Carl Evans, Dafydd Williams. Replacements: Alex Richmond, Ben Evans, Neil Thomas, Geraint Morris.

Pembroke: Rhys Johns, Barry John, Billy Wood, James Davies, Mark Jones, Ryan Wilkins, James Skeels, Chris Phillips, Max Hayward (capt), Richard Mason, Scott Powell, Will Edwards, Dom Colman, Jordan Gwilliam, Sam Smith. Replacements: Steve Dyde, Jack Goodman, Joe Jackson, Anthony Duggan.

Referee: Julian Thomas.