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Fishguard ran in seven tries as they overcame visitors Whitland 45 – 14 on their home paddock, ‘The Moor’ on Saturday (Feb 15), which lifted them to third place in Division 2 West.

Defences were to the fore in the early exchanges on a pitch which was heavy underfoot and would have a bearing on players who picked up muscle injuries as the game progressed, both sets of ‘impact players’ used from the bench. The home forwards took direction from half back wizards, Dan Evans and Jake Jenkins as they kept the ball in hand to rumble down the pitch, outside half Jenkins kicking astutely, when necessary, hooker Liam Wilkes a magnet with ball in hand, for his team mates to follow.

The opening score came after six minutes as Jenkins fed the ball along his back line and winger Rhys Evans scored out wide for full back Mark Jones to majestically curl in his left footed conversion. With momentum on their side Fishguard controlled the play, Whitland’s tackle count rising, led by back row incumbents Rhys Nichoas, Gavin Smith and Iestyn Corney , full back Oli Bujega stopping Jones as he flowed into the twenty-two, the lead doubled early into the games second quarter when Jones off loaded a short pass to create space for centre Mike Jenkins to touchdown under the posts, Jones converting his second, of five successful attempts during the game.

The home side scored again before the half hour mark, through strong running centre Kial Keane, his side leading 19-0 at the break, Wilkes scoring his second of the game early in the second half to extend the lead to 26-0. The Borders, smarting from the direction the game had taken, opened up their attacking play and Gareth Davies drew his man and perfectly timed his pass for fellow centre Will Hughes to touch down, replacement outside half Jonny Thomas converting. Speedster Morgan Lewis on the right wing touched down for a second score shortly after to make the game 26-14, the next score crucial to the final result as the game for the next ten minutes was evenly contested.

Fishguard regained their composure and with it control of the ball, scrum half Evans a leading light, further tries coming from full back Jones, veteran replacement Gavin Walsh and Keane, for a final score of 45-14. A large crowd in attendance for the annual ‘Sponsors Day’, alongside many travelling away fans, warmly applauded the forty-four players involved in the game after referee Richard Cunniffe (Bonymaen) ended proceedings.

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