For the majority of teams in Pembrokeshire, the West Wales Intermediate Cup provides a welcome distraction to the relentless grind of the season-long league programme. This is especially true if a team is granted an away fixture in the draw; it's a chance for a rare away trip, a chance for the team to bond and a chance to test yourself against unfamiliar teams.

Narberth were one such team that travelled away from home in the competition, as they were drawn against Hafod Rangers, a team that plays in the second tier of the Swansea League. Any hopes of a team bonding session on the way home were tarnished somewhat by the result mind you as the Bluebirds went down 4-0.

Carew had a good away trip, too, according to manager Barry Evans, despite witnessing his team go down 3-0 away at Glyneath Town, although he believes the experience will place his young side in good stead for their derby clash against Saundersfoot on Saturday.

"They were the better side and deserved the win. They were a lot tougher than us and more physical, but the boys did well and we're confident of doing well in the Senior Cup this weekend.

"We were much better in the second half, but their defence was so strong we didn't have that many chances to be honest."

Carew conceded twice in the first half, before a pep talk boosted them ahead of the final 45 minutes, although push forward as they did, there was little room to manoeuvre as the home side's defence held firm.

Kilgetty fared slightly better in their game at home against Bryncoch, although like Narberth, Norman James's team will not be progressing any further in this year's competition after going down 3-2.

Had the home side not squandered chances and allowed their concentration to slip as the game drew to a close, the result would have been so much better.

A goal by Andrew Sims gave them a 1-0 interval lead and then a Rhys Henson strike extended the score in the second half. Despite being the dominant side, the Kingsmoor team fluffed some chances and the visitors capitalised on Kilgetty's frustration by scoring three goals in the final quarter of the game, much to the annoyance of manager James.

"We threw it away. We had enough chances to win at a canter, but didn't take them.

"One of our supporters commented that they had three chances all game and scored from every one of them, while we had loads and only scored twice. It's very frustrating."

In league action, Saundersfoot Sports got the big win manager Andrew Spencer has been predicting all season with a 7-1 demolition of Camrose.

The Sports may have been playing away from home, yet the unfamiliar surroundings did little to dampen their class on the day with all goals scored in the first half.

Geoff Marsh scored a hat-trick, alongside a brace apiece for Ross Gray and Carl Wainwright, with the first three goals coming in the first 10 minutes.

If the first half pleased Spencer, the second half had the opposite effect.

"We didn't come out. It's so frustrating. For the first time this season we clicked, but we could be so much better if we played for the full 90 minutes."

Neither St. Clears' firsts or their counterparts at Pendine were in action over the weekend, although Narberth seconds took the field in Division Three, drawing 3-3 with Pennar Robins' second team.

The Bluebirds were dominant in the first half, despite going into the break 2-1 down.

The Robins took the lead via a penalty, before Ryan Williams equalised, prior to the visitors scoring once more before the oranges.

Williams pulled one back in the second half, despite Ben Hughes being red carded for a second bookable offence, before player manager Mark O'Sullivan scored to draw the sides level with 10 minutes to go.

"They were a very physical side and I thought we did very well against them," said O'Sullivan.

"We had five 16-year-olds playing, so for them to perform against a team like that deserves a huge amount of credit.

"We've had some bad results recently, so it's nice to pick up some points. We did well to battle back."

Tenby Seconds got back to winning ways with a 12-1 win away at Hubberston, while Lawrenny went down 4-1 at home against Hakin Seconds. In truth the home side were never in it as they trailed 2-0 at the break and 4-0 midway through the second, with Tom Lewis scoring a consolation near the end.

"In truth we were never in it," said John Beff. "We were undone by our own mistakes. I've got no complaints with the result."

Manorbier United went down to their sixth defeat of the season, which keeps them rooted to the foot of the table as they lost 2-1 at home to Solva Seconds. In a close game, Matthew Jones gave the home team a glimmer of hope, yet they just missed out on a share of the spoils.

In Division Four, a Tom Richards goal wasn't enough to prevent Carew Seconds going down 3-1 at home against their Camrose counterparts, while a Jamie Morgan goal was the only highlight for Saundersfoot Sports' Seconds as they lost 5-1 at home against Johnston reserves.

Meanwhile, in Division Five, St. Clears' second team went down 4-1 away at Letterston. Simon Bancroft scored yet again for the visitors, but his strike was never going to be enough as the Saints were always one step behind the home side.

Finally, Lawrenny Seconds went down to an agonising 7-5 defeat away at West Dragons. In a topsy turvy game, Gavin James scored twice for the visitors as Lance Osborn, Codie Clewes and Sam Mills scored the others.

=