Fishguard recorded their fourth league win of the Division 2 west campaign with an emphatic 62-0 success on Saturday (Jan 10) over visitors to ‘The Moors’ Whitland, whom they had beaten in the reverse fixture three months ago, 37-20, writes Jonathan Twigg.
The victory march which keeps the Seagulls unbeaten record in 2026 intact, was led by man of the match Rhys Lewis, the number 8 chronicled two tries alongside a hattrick from winger Dom Sinnott and a brace of tries from second row Cai Llewellyn and outside half Jake Jenkins, who also landed 12 points with his trusted right boot.
The victory moves Fishguard 11 points clear of the relegation places, Whitland finding themselves in the second relegation berth with the Green Machine points coming from two victories over bottom placed Bettws, meaning next weekend’s tussle against Penclawdd at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn is of high importance, the visitors sitting 2 points and one place above Whitland, whom they defeated 20-12 in mid October.
Fishguard set their stall out early on a day which was perfect for rugby with no wind or rain, the hard working forwards seamlessly linking with their back division where scrum half Max Jones was provided with an abundance of quality ball from which to dictate play, his half back partner Jenkins astute with his kicking from hand and vision alongside game knowledge to know when to run or release his outside backs.
The quality of the ball provided came in no small way from a marauding Lewis alongside his back row colleagues of Bryn Thomas and Jack Richards, Lewis man of the match accolade enhanced as he tackled throughout the game until he was withdrawn to a standing ovation after 70 minutes, whilst also making high meterage in the game with ball in hand, one such foray into Whitland territory saw Jenkins on his shoulder to touch down after 5 minutes, referee Wayne Davies of Llanelli applying all his experience from his role as an international assistant referee, TMO for URC games and experience of controlling Premiership games, to allow an advantage from a no arms tackle. Jenkins landed the first of his 6 conversions, the second of which came after Lewis touched down on 20 minutes, Fishguard full back Dan Evans secure under the high ball and then showing a turn of speed to set his side on an offensive pathway for Lewis score, which he repeated with a quarter of an hour of the half remaining, Jenkins missing the conversion which he did from a Sinnott touchdown minutes before the half time whistle was sounded, with the Seagulls 24-0 to the good.
Whitland showed endeavour with ball in hand, player coach Gareth Davies in the thick of the action despite the unceasing pressure, the scrum half kicking with purpose from hand, being also a smooth runner when space opened up for him, where he was ably supported by the efforts of flankers Matt Driver and Benji Kirk, where number 8 Jack Tucker also showed purpose in both his offensive and defensive duties.
Props Shane Clarke and Ceirion Evans enjoyed their tussle with their opposite numbers, the home sides Wil Delaney and Ryan McVeigh also featuring outside their scrum duties making valuable meterage with ball in hand, hooker Liam Wilkes having a near faultless game with his strikes in the scrum and delivery at the line outs giving his boiler house colleagues precision ball by which to set the game tempo for Jones and Jenkins, the latter allowing centres Dylan James and Dan Clearly opportunities to break the first phase defence, winger Dec Thomas utilising the green grass afforded to him in which to run which he made excellent use of, safe in his approach that either full back Evans or his back row colleagues would be on hand to support.
Whitland were well organised defensively despite conceding 10 tries, truly a testament to how well the Fishguard XV played, Ashton Oriordan mooring some outstanding tackles as the last line of defence, wingers Tom Hughes and Sion Griffiths given little opportunity to run with ball in hand but like Jones and Oriordan, they tackled with purpose all game. Whitland’s two centres Lucas Dance and Osian Thomas were constantly available to support pivot Ollie Brooks and his half back partner Davies, both of whom had moments that showed if they received good quality ball, they had the skills and coolness, to use it wisely.
Visiting hooker Jonny Phillips was equal to his opposite number at the coalface leading his pack well in the set piece, combining with unerring accuracy to key jumpers Trystan Bowen and Aaron Thompson, testament to the work of Lewis, Thomas and Richards that Fishguard supressed the visitors attacks, often within a phase of open play.
Second row Llewellyn touched down for his sides fifth try early in the second period converted by Jenkins, James following suit from a length of the field fifteen man passage of play started from full back Evans from in front of his own tryline three minutes later, Sinnott then touching down to make it 41-0 before the game entered its final quarter. A feature of the Seagulls play was also how they defined their attack dimensions using interchanges from the training paddock whilst also refining their running angles and body position to ensure their attacking options often filtered through five or six phases, which would have pleased coach Nathan Jenkins.
Man of the match Lewis had stood out all game, being the go to outlet as he had the freedom of the park which he accepted with relish, the bearded forward setting Jenkins up for his second converted try before Sinnott ran in his hattrick and Llewellyn crashed over for the games final score and his second try which ensures they take their unbeaten start to 2026 when Loughor are the visitors to North Pembrokeshire. The camaraderie and sportsmanship which exists in the game was epitomised as both teams gave a resounding acknowledgment of their opposition efforts before they left the battlefield, local Senedd Member Sam Kurtz showing his commitment to his home town club, providing social media updates which dovetailed with the role of groundsman, as he plundered around the Moor collecting corner flags and post protectors whilst he former playing colleagues reaped the applause from the large number of spectators present.
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