The playing surface was in ideal condition just that the strong blustery wind across the field created handling havoc for both sides. From the outset, Laugharne set out their stall with talismen, prop Robert Jones, No.8 Gareth Clifford and flanker Barry John leading by example. The match also heralded the return of 'old head' Simon Davies to flyhalf and he and scrum half Gethin Jones kicked astutely to the corners to keep Betws on the back foot. Due to the strength of the wind the contest became a catalogue of errors but in the 20th minute, flyhalf Davies settled Laugharne nerves with a penalty from the Betws 10m line which should have been back a further 10m but for a bit of Betws backchat which helped. In the 24th minute Betws got themselves on the scoreboard with flyhalf O. Higgins kicking a penalty for Laugharne straying offside in their own 22. In the 29th minute after a rare foray into the Laugharne 22 Betws scored the first try of the match. From a catch and drive at the 5m lineout prop D.George was driven over for the unconverted try.
Despite this setback Laugharne kept their composure and in the 38th minute after some forward probing by Clifford, John and flanker Lyndon Jones, the platform was set up for centre Anthony John to take his opportunity, brush off a high tackle and score under the Betws posts. Flyhalf Davies converted to take Laugharne back into the lead. However this lead was shortlived as on the stroke of half time, flyhalf Higgins kicked his 2nd penalty to give Betws an 11pts - 10pts advantage.
At the restart, the Laugharne XV were `out of the blocks` first and within the first 2 minutes Davies restored Laugharne`s lead with a penalty for Betws straying offside. The Laugharne pack was now in the ascendency with the fledgling partnership of young locks Luke Battison and Gary Jones coming to the fore. Battison took some excellent lineout ball and Jones added the raw muscle in the scrums and loose play. Skipper Martyn Jones and prop Andrew Phillips added their beef and had Betws reeling with the intensity of Laugharne`s forward play. In the 6th minute of the half Laugharne were awarded a penalty in the Betws half which was quickly taken by scrum half Jones. Jones set the ball up for flanker John who made telling inroads into the Betws 22. In support was lock Jones who crashed over for an unconverted try.
This was the start of a `purple patch` for Laugharne with fullback Ben Quick making good progress and supported by flanker sub Robin Hussellbee they set the ball up for playmaker Davies. Davies did have some work to do but with a typical `show and go` he powered over for yet another unconverted try. But such was the strength and gustiness of the wind, kicking at goal was somewhat of a lottery. Fullback Quick was next on the scoreboard with the all important bonus point try where the game was begining to open up and he had the pace and determination to back himself and cross wide out. In the 25th minute of the half, lock Jones completed his brace of tries with a barnstorming run from the Betws 22 and he left a trail of twisted, hurt bodies as he hurtled to the Betws line like a wayward exocet missile! This score brought the biggest cheer of the day from the fanatical Laugharne supporters. Not to be outdone, in the 27th minute flyhalf Davies completed his brace of tries after further sterling work by his forwards. Again this score was unconverted and
in the 30th minute popular prop Phillips finished off the Laugharne scoring showing a good turn of speed to squeeze in at the corner flag for the final unconverted try.
In the final few minutes Betws gave themselves some respectability with tries by No.8 G.Davies and wing R. Williams, both converted by flyhalf Higgins, but crucially the Laugharne defence held out sufficiently well with wing Gareth `daisy` Davies making the best try saving tackle of the match to deny them a losing bonus point.
Collectively, it was the win that Laugharne craved for and deserved and the whole team, forwards and backs played their part. From these early beginnings, hopefully the commitment to training will continue to improve and that the mind set can be nurtured so that players can believe in themselves, play rugby free of criticism, enjoy the camaraderie of each others` company and give the club the support it deserves.

Next week, Laugharne travel to Llanybydder with renewed optimism, K.O 2-30pm

Alun Jenkins Laugharne R.F.C.