Flanker David Round crosses four times as Milford Haven see off St Davids at The Obs in Pembrokeshire Knockout Cup

Milford Haven 77
St Davids 0

FLANKER David Round crossed four times as The Mariners opened their season with a comfortable KO Cup win over St Davids at The Obs on Friday night.

Round, who returned to the club last season, scored twice in each half, with Alan McClelland’s side crossing 13 times in all.

The Saints were resolute in the opening 10 minutes, defending doggedly before Round opened the scoring from close range.

The Mariners then withstood a spell of pressure, that ended when winger Craig ‘Yoda’ Thomas intercepted a pass in his own 22 and sped all the way to the line.

No 8 Ben Groves and outside half Efan Morgan then both finished off some slick offloading with tries, and Round added his second from a 10 metre penalty.

Centre Dan Jenkins sliced through for the sixth try, and winger Jamie Lewis converted for a 32-0 half time score.

Jenkins did the same early in the second half, and then it was Lewis who scored the try of the game, going under the posts after a weaving 50 metre run.

Lewis added another before Round powered over two more times - and late on outside half Morgan made an outside break for his second score, and scrum half Dan McClelland sniped over.

Lewis added five more second half conversions.

“We played well considering it was first game of the season,” said new club captain Adam Rees.

“There were a few new faces in the team and nice to see a few older ones back as well.”

McClelland added he was pleased with his side’s first proper run out, and the manner in which the youngsters played.

Milford are home to Tenby United in the last eight, with that tie to be played by November 30.

On Thursday, The Mariners host Fishguard in a pre-season friendly, 7pm kick off.

Milford Haven: Jimmy Thomas, Jamie Lewis, Dan Jenkins, Matthew Reynolds, Craig Thomas, Efan Morgan, Dan McClelland, Adam Rees, Luke Ryan, Charlie Briggs, Brandon Cooper, Dai Sweeny, Mike Cockburn, David Round, Ben Groves. Replacements: Dean McSparron, Gareth Cheshire, Darren Lewis, Jake Barrett, Luke Gratton.