MILFORD HAVEN 13 PONTARDDULAIS 7 Milford Haven again showed what a talented young squad coach Alan McClelland has at his disposal after beating a very experienced Pontarddulais side on Saturday.
He used the experience of centre Ioan Dolling, outside half Jim Farr and replacement Dean Hadley, but the rest of the Mariners' squad has an average age of around 19. Aaron Sprowell again caught the eye at scrum half alongside brother Wayne in the centre, as did the youthful back row of Dave Sweeney, Ben Johnston and David Round.
Pontarddulais were in the top six in the section table, but Milford Haven could well have added a lot more points had they not lost the ball over the line on at least four occasions, and Dolling had the ball kicked away by a Pontarddulais player after he had grounded it over the line.
Jim Farr gave the Mariners an early three-point lead with a penalty and after Dean Hadley replaced injured youngster Paul Young in the second row he was driven over the line for an unconverted try by Jack Kinnersley, Carl Allen, James Passmore, Craig Smith and the rest of the Milford pack.
They opened up a 13-0 interval lead when number nine Aaron Sprowell rounded off another excellent display, sniping over for an unconverted try.
The Bont tried to use their big pack to grind down Milford resistance but it didn't work as the Mariners switched play wide at every opportunity and tackled well in defence.
It meant the Mariners were able to keep their line intact until deep into injury time when Gethin Williams managed to score a try for the visitors, converted by Gary Williams.
But it was too little, too late as the young Mariners took another major step forward in their steep learning curve.
Milford Haven: Leigh Broome, Dan Morgan, Ioan Dolling, Wayne Sprowell, Jamie Roberts, Jim Farr, Aaron Sprowell, Jack Kinnersley, Craig Smith, James Passmore, Carl Allen, Paul Young, Dai Sweeney, Ben Johnson, David Round. Replacements: Gareth Fawcett, Dean Hadley, Ian Proctor.
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