Tenby United 35 pts.

Pontyberem 27

After the mid-week Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup demolition of St. David's, it was back to league business for Coastal Cottages sponsored Tenby United 1st XV on Saturday as they welcomed Pontyberem to Heywood Lane, hoping to get back to winning ways in Division Three West.

And the Seasiders certainly did just that, running in four tries and earning a well-deserved bonus point.

As the visitors kicked off, the ball went deep into Tenby territory and, after a slight handling error by the home side, they were awarded the scrum. Despite enormous Tenby pressure at the scrum, Pontyberem were able to pop the ball out from number eight and their winger nipped in for a try in the corner, which was converted, to put them seven-nil up after just two minutes of play.

This early setback didn't seem to phase the improving Tenby side, who have come so close to victory in their last two league games, coming away with a one-point defeat and a draw, and the determination to win was written all over their faces.

As Tenby restarted, their pack put massive pressure on the visitors, with number seven Luke Dedman leading the charge, with Geoffrey 'TayBarn' Martin and skipper Guymer right on his heels, followed by the rest of the Tenby pack, who put in some huge tackles to keep the visitors in their own half.

Good work at the breakdown by Guymer, who led from the front for the whole 80 minutes, forced a turnover and number eight Justin Richards went on the charge and hit deep into Pontyberem territory, before going to ground and recycling the ball for scrum-half Jason Scarfe to release Lloyd Thomas and the threequarters, who, through some slick passing, got the ball to centre Dan Colley, who was brought down on the visitors' 22.

Good support play, however, by centre partner Dai Meyrick ensured Scarfe was able to get the ball away quickly and out to the backs, only for it to be dislodged just short of the line, giving the visitors the put-in at the scrum.

The Seasiders, however, dominated this scrum, and indeed many more throughout the game, by turning the scrum over through excellent scrummaging from all eight forwards and they walked the it forward until Justin Richards was able to burst off the back and smash his way over for the try, which Jimmy Davies converted to level the scores.

The visitors managed to reply six minutes later with a penalty through an offside at the breakdown.

All the pressure was coming from the Seasiders, though, with backs and forwards all causing the visitors problems, with Dedman in particular impressing throughout in attack, defence and as ever at the lineout, winning a few of the opponents' throw-ins during the game.

It was this United pressure which forced Pontyberem to crack and concede a penalty right on the halfway line, which skipper Guymer knew was in range for Davies's boot and he was happy to step up and thump it over to the roar of the home support, bringing the scores level again.

It was kick for kick over the next 25 minutes, with Pontyberem answering Davies's penalty with one of their own, edging them in front again, and then excellent work at a ruck by Richards and Guymer forced another United penalty, which Davies slotted over at the half-hour mark, taking the score to 13-10 in Tenby's favour, until the score was levelled again four minutes later with another successful Pont kick.

Tenby were beginning to dominate at the scrum and were putting big pressure on the visiting lineout through Dedman and Mosese Makasini, keeping a steady flow of ball for the backs to play with and looking dangerous on a few occasions, with fullback Sion Brace coming into the line and running creative angles, along with speedster Stanford, and Davies also causing problems behind and finding gaps in the opponents' defence, while second row Wyndham Williams was everywhere as always in attack and defence.

The key to Tenby winning quality ball was the speed and efficiency of Guymer, Williams, Dedman, Richards and Makasini at the breakdown, securing possession for Scarfe to use.

And this proved effective on 38 minutes when a quick turnover on the halfway line by Williams, Dedman and Guymer, allowed Scarfe to release Jonny Palmer on one of his many trademark runs and he linked with Dedman, who passed to the ever-present Martin.

The ball eventually got to Richards, who drew in the defender and unleashed flying winger Stanford, who cantered in for a well-finished try, albeit right out on the touchline.

This was no problem for thunderboots Davies and he slammed over the conversion, closing an entertaining first half with the score 18 points to 13 in the Seasiders' favour.

Half-time saw just the one change in the Tenby line-up, with Stanford making way for James Criddle to take the field.

A few words from the coaches and skipper Guymer, a segment of orange courtesy as always of Mo Crockford, and it was back into action.

Lloyd Thomas started the second half with a kick deep into the visitors' half, and with Mo's oranges refuelling the home side, they put the pressure straight on the catcher and were rewarded with another turnover, courtesy of Guymer and co.

Palmer added the yards with a pick and drive, before Scarfe set Thomas's backs running via a Makasini burst.

The ball got to flanker Dedman, who went bullocking down the touchline, passing off to Brace, who got it away to the quick winger Criddle, who was just edged out in the corner after a well-worked effort by the Seasiders.

It wasn't long before the Tenby pressure turned into points, though, and they came through a Richards burst putting the visiting defence on the back foot.

He got the ball to number 10 Thomas, who produced a Phil Bennett-style dummy, making two defenders fall over, before eventually passing to Scarfe, who with the strength of 10 bears squeezed his way through two defenders, before being brought down 10 yards out.

Reliable props Martin and Palmer were right there to secure the ball and after relentless pressure from the Tenby pack, plus scrum-half Scarfe adding his weight, it was his skipper and co worker Guymer who picked up off the back-foot and bulldozed his way through the remaining defenders to score a well-worked try that was to be the turning point of the game.

Davies added the extras, increasing the Seasiders' lead to 25-13.

Tenby began to dominate the game and could see that the elusive league win was in their sights and indeed a bonus point was looking likely and the Seasiders were going to do everything to ensure that all the hard work put in on the training field was going to pay off.

It was this determination and resiliance which created the game's next score, with the Seasiders' pack capitalising on some sloppy Pontyberem passing. Prop Palmer dislodged the ball for flanker Pat Elliot, who also jumped well at the lineout throughout the game, to pass to big-hitting second row Makasini, who went on a run, smashing through the defence and reaching halfway, where he managed to get the ball off to Dedman, who put his head back and ran through no less than six defenders to go in for a superb solo finish from 40 yards out, with Jimmy the Boot adding the conversion.

Following his successful conversion and a personal haul of 12 points, Davies made way for Thomas 'Turbo' Lewis, who was home from the fishing grounds of the North Sea just for the weekend, to take to the field.

And with Tenby now leading 32-13, they made some further changes to bring on fresh legs to keep hold of the game and make sure the visitors didn't get a losing bonus point themselves.

Well played veteran Justin Richards made way for the talented Dylan Grifin 20 minutes into the second half and seconds later Makasini came off for Ben Cray due to an ankle injury.

Cray was straight into the action, putting in the yards with ball in hand and the usual solid tackles in defence.

Although the Seasiders continued to remain on top, the visitors did manage two more converted tries to bring the scoreline that much closer in a game that the hard-working and ever-improving Tenby United had dominated.

Tenby ran out winners by 35 points to 27 in the first of a three-game stint at home.

Tomorrow (Saturday) they entertain old rivals Dunvant at Heywood Lane, at 2.30 pm, and will look to make it two wins on the trot in Division Three West.

The people of Tenby are asked to come out in their droves to support the boys at the game and also next week when they are again at home to Gorseinon.

Tenby fielded: Sion Brace, Jimmy Davies (Thomas Lewis), Dai Meyrick, Dan Colley, Simon Stanford (James Criddle), Lloyd Thomas, Jason Scarfe, Justin Richards (Dylan Grifin), Luke Dedman, Patrick Elliot, Mosese Makasini (Ben Cray), Wyndham Williams, Jonny Palmer, Nicky Guymer (captain), Geoffrey Martin.