On a beautiful sunny day, Dunvant supporters were warmly welcomed to the impressive newly built clubhouse at the Dôl Wiber grounds. However, the gloss was soon taken off by the gatemen charging an outrageous £4.00 entry fee to all with no concessions other than children, with strong protests being rebuffed as a Committee decision- no wonder they can afford a superb clubhouse!!
Newcastle Emlyn kicked off, playing down the slope towards a huge dead ball area larger than the 22! They were awarded an immediate penalty which outside half, much travelled, Leighton McKenna was successful from 45 metres. From the restart Dunvant won an immediate penalty but left wing Adam Williams was wide. With 10 minutes played, McKenna missed another penalty attempt from the 10 metre line, and again missed an identical shot on 20 minutes. Newcastle Emlyn’s first try came on 23 minutes scored by Captain & No 8 Alex Williams, and was converted by McKenna for a 10-0 lead. 2 minutes later they were awarded another penalty, with the hostile natives baying for yellow and red cards at every penalty whistle. McKenna scored for 13-0. and on 33 minutes he missed another kick from the 10 metre line. Dunvant were being penned into their own half for long periods and on a rare foray into enemy territory were awarded a penalty, advanced a further 10 metres by the referee for backchat, and Adam Williams scored our first points for 13-3. With 2 minutes of added time played, Dunvant blindside flanker Jonathan Arnold was yellow carded, and as play went on for 8 minutes added time, Newcastle Emlyn scored a second try in the right hand corner by full back Mathew Evans ( a huge knock on unseen!), McKenna was unsuccessful with the conversion, and the referee blew for half time with Newcastle Emlyn leading 18-3.
With Dunvant hoping the slope advantage would help in the second half, an immediate penalty kick at goal was missed by Adam Williams, and as play restarted Newcastle Emlyn replacement Haydn Baldwin stunned Dunvant by making a strong run up hill , bypassing some poor tackles and scored in the left hand corner. McKenna missed the conversion but Newcastle Emlyn had a healthy 20 point lead. Fortunately, Dunvant responded and on 46 minutes scrum half Sanm Gallagher made a great break down the right wing for Dunvant’s first try which Adam Williams converted for 23-10. On 49 minutes, Newcastle Emlyn inside centre Gethin Davies was yellow carded and from the penalty kick Adam Williams took the score to 23-13. Unfortunately, 3 minutes later Dunvant prop Darren Goddard was also yellow carded. With 62 minutes played, Adam Williams gathered the ball in Dunvant’s half, made a great break down the left wing and then from the half way line played a superb kick and chase to the long deadball area to pounce on the ball for our second try.It was certainly the try of the match, if not our try of the season. Adam also converted for 23-20 and a minute later secured another penalty kick to draw the scores level at 23-23. With 67 minutes played, Dunvant took the lead when the forwards attacked the try line near the posts and No 8 Jaen Botes grounded the ball, with Adam Williams converting for a 23-30 lead. Newcastle Emlyn were spurred back into action by their vocal supporters and on 77 minutes prop Dai Jones scrambled over, from what appeared to be an offside position and a double movement, but the try stood , McKenna converted and the scores were level at 30-30. Amazingly, the referee then played 14 minutes of added time for a match total of 102 minutes???. Both sets of supporters were screaming for a score and a final whistle and were much relieved when the final whistle was eventually blown. All in all, a draw was a fair result for both teams. Dunvant remain in second and now face third placed Llandeilo at Broadacre next Saturday.

Scores:
Newcastle Emlyn 30:
Tries: 8 Alex Williams, 15 Mathew Evans, 23 Haydn Baldwin, 1 Dai Jones
Conversions:10 Leighton McKenna (2)
Penalties: 10 Leighton McKenna (2)
Dunvant 30
Tries: 9 Sam Gallagher, 11 Adam Williams, 8 Jaen Botes
Conversions: 11 Adam Williams (3)
Penalties: 11 Adam Williams (3)

Dunvant Team:
Backs: 15 Mitchell Ford, 14 Nick Charlier, 13 Sam Crowley, 12 Greg Davies, 11 Adam Williams, 10 Simon Daniel, 9 Sam Gallagher
Forwards: 1 Darren Goddard, 2 Alex Griffiths, 3 Ryan Shoemark (Capt.), 4 Nathan Vaughan, 5 Jamie Nicholas, 6 Jonathan Arnold, 7 Danny Davies, 8 Jaen Botes
Replacements: 16 Gareth Williams, 17 Carwyn Williams, 18 Lloyd King, 19 James Richards

Match Official: Andrew Davies

Results for Saturday 24th March:

Swalec League Division 3 West:
Cardigan 23 Penclawdd 13
Haverfordwest 22 Gorseinon 25
Llandeilo 13 Tenby United 10
Newcastle Emlyn 30 Dunvant 30
Pontarddulais 29 Pontyberem 3
Tumble 48 Lampeter 7

Carmarthen Tyres League:-results awaited
Carmarthen Quins v Carmarthen Druids
Llandovery v Ammanford
Llangennech v Whitland
Morriston v Mumbles
Narberth v Bonymaen
Waunarlwydd v Dunvant

Ospreys OE Youth League
Vardre 8 Gowerton 23