Tenby United 48 pts.

Betws 15

A mix of South Seas flair and Pembrokeshire power saw the Coastal Cottages sponsored Tenby United cruise to a comfortable victory against mid-table rivals Betws on Saturday.

In a rearranged league fixture, the visitors arrived at Heywood Lane with a bare 15 players and unable to field a full front row, leading to uncontested scrums from the start. This lack of personnel was to cost them dearly as they were put to the sword in the second period.

The United began with good intent, winger Dan Colley looking sharp in the early exchanges, but the home side squandered some early opportunities, cutting back into traffic when the wider option may have been the more sensible one.

The opening points came from the boot of Tom Lewis, playing in the unaccustomed role of centre to allow Toby Smith top play at stand-off. The Betws eight were penalised for holding on at the breakdown and Lewis slotted a simple goal to gain a 3-0 lead with 10 minutes gone.

From the restart, Wyndham Williams claimed possession and after good recycling work from the home pack, the ball was spread left on the Seasiders' 10 metres line to the pacy Colley. After making good ground, he chipped through and then hacked on further. He was joined in the race for the line by fullback Dai Meyrick, but open-side flanker Rob James was in good support and deservedly claimed the touchdown out wide. The score went unconverted.

The United had very much the better of the first quarter and would have been disappointed that they only had one try to show for their endeavours as the visitors struggled to get any real foothold in opposition territory. Only some brave defence from the Camarthenshire side prevented more first half scores for the Seasiders.

Lewis had a further opportunity to extend the home side's lead after Betws were guilty of killing the ball on the floor. The centre's attempt had the legs from 45 metres out, but slipped to the left of the uprights.

A second try was not long in coming, though, and came following good work down the right flank by winger Simon Stanford. The youngster was tackled high, but rather than look for the three points, the United took the quick tap and after a long pass to centre Lewis, lock forward Fastino Otterbach plunged over on the left for another unconverted score.

As the half entered its final quarter, Betws finally managed to gain some possession in the Tenby half. Trying to run from their own 22, centre Gavin Brace attempted a quick flick on, but only succeeded in putting his opposite number Mark Thomas in under the posts. The conversion was a formality for fullback Matthew Rees, bringing the visitors back within a converted score.

Tenby will have been disappointed that from their first real attack, the Camarthenshire outfit crossed the whitewash. But the home side responded well, a series of tight drives from the pack setting up a position deep in the visitors' 22. Gareth Edwards, Tom Lewis and Toby Smith all tried to barge over the line, but the Betws defence held firm.

A concerted bout of home pressure followed, but some poor execution meant that the Seasiders did not increase their lead.

On the stroke of half-time, the visitors brought themselves right back into the game. Fullback Dai Meyrick kicked ahead poorly from deep in his own territory and the home side contrived to make a succession of errors that finally allowed fullback Rees to gallop down the left to score. His conversion attempt struck the left post, giving the home side the narrowest of leads at the interval.

After the break, Josh Ratu came on in place of Stanford and the home side seemed completely transformed after a talking to from the United coaching team. Sam Smith, who had been unusually quiet in the first half, set things in motion with a typical charge, before linking well with locks Edwards and Otterbach.

The United forwards continued the momentum with some fine phase play, but just when the try seemed on, centre Lewis lost the ball in contact within sight of the posts and the visitors cleared.

Tenby kept the pressure on and stand-off Smith, who distributed the ball beautifully all afternoon, linked with Ratu, forcing the visitors to concede a penalty for offside in midfield. The United opted for the scrum and Smith picked up at the base, brushing off four would-be tacklers to crash over for a score that Lewis converted.

The pattern of the first half looked as if it would be repeated, however, as the Seasiders immediately conceded a penalty of their own and fullback Rees gratefully drew the visitors back within five points with a fine kick from 40 metres out.

Replacement Ratu made a great impression having come onto the field and a fine midfield tackle by the winger saw the ball fall free for Rob James to hack through. The open-side seemed only to have to gather the ball to score, but he fumbled it with the line at his mercy.

By this point, the visitors were down to 13 players and gaps were starting to appear for the United. A fine angled run from Dai Meyrick seemed to put the fullback through, but some last-ditch defence saw him knock-on over the line.

The relief was short-lived, though; a superb show and go from Lewis, followed by a deft chip ahead almost led to a score, but the Betws cover was there to minor the ball safely and give the Seasiders the five-yard scrum. It was the sort of situation that Sam Smith thrives on and, after picking up from the base, the burly number eight crashed over. Lewis easily added the extras.

From the restart, Smith was in the thick of it again, a powerful burst breaking through the visitors' defences. The home pack was in good support and after some quick recycling, Josh Ratu was freed to speed away to the posts to put the United 34-15 in front.

By this time, visiting heads were starting to drop and the United were eager to run any ball. A quick tap penalty saw Toby Smith link well with Lewis, Sam Smith and Colley, before Rob James was on hand to claim his second score of the afternoon.

The final try saw Ratu once again show his lightning pace to outstrip what was now a very tired visiting defence.

This was a welcome return to league action for the United and a good bonus point victory after a none too clinical first half showing.

The match sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Farrow and family, while the match ball sponsors were The Evergreen Inn, Tenby and Tony Upham.

Tenby fielded: Dai Meyrick, Dan Colley, Gavin Brace, Tom Lewis, Simon Stanford, Toby Smith, Rhys Thomas, Robbie Clarke, Nicky Guymer, Wyndham Williams, Gareth Edwards, Fastino Otterbach, Timoci Kanmahotoya, Rob James, Sam Smith. Replacements - Puku, Josh Ratu, Ben Cray, Pat Dravywa.