Tenby travelled north for this first round Welsh Cup encounter with Aberystwyth with a side containing nine changes, plus three positional changes from last week's bruising encounter with Trimsaran.

The team found themselves three points down in as many minutes, as Aberystwyth started off at a pace they wanted the game played at.

With the next attack, the lead increased to 10 points, when Dion John failed to minor a ball over the line and the Aber wing following the kick through scored in the corner.

The try was converted by Gareth Roberts, and Tenby were forced to play on the back foot as Aberystwyth continued to force the pace.

Only excellent lineout work by veteran Niffy Brace kept the home side from dominating all facets of play, as with the ball secured cleanly and quickly from numerous throw-ins, the Tenby backs were able to test the home defence.

Aberystwyth more than adequately coped with the sporadic Tenby attacks which although initially managed to break the gain line failed to materialise into anything really threatening, as the home side always got more players to the subsequent phases of play/breakdown and either cleared to touch or launched a counter-attack.

Good tackling by centres Gavin Brace and Harry Bolton forced the home side to switch back inside to the supporting back row players a ploy which started to stretch and test the tiring Tenby defence.

In one rare excursion into the home 22, brought about by an excellent charging run by the industrious Anthony Griffiths, the move stuttered to a halt as the supporting player dropped the pass only to see the home side hoof the ball down field and set-up yet another attacking situation well exploited by the busy Gwion James. From a resulting ruck offence, Roberts slotted over the penalty.

Worse was to follow as from one of the numerous strikes against the head, Aber again threatened the Tenby line, and although the initial charge by number eight Chris Jones was halted short of the line, from the next scrum Jones crashed through some very ineffective tackling to give the home side a well deserved 18-0 lead.

The half-time talk by coach Gareth Thomas revolved around instructions to take players out around the fringes, be braver and stronger around the tackle area. Above all......tackle.

Whatever the players took away from the instructions issued at half-time only they will know - as within minutes of the restart, the Aber number nine caught the ball from a poor 22 drop-out by Neil Powling and waltz through unopposed.

Even if the contest had been a game of touch rugby he would still have scored as not a hand was laid on him as the defence resembled tackle bags in a training session.

Despite fielding a somewhat weakened side representing Tenby, there was no excuse. The conversion by Roberts extended the lead to 25-0.

The next Aber attack saw Darren Rees and Dion John watch the ball bouncing around in the 22 and when they eventually secured possession, the home side smothered the ball and forced a scrum - Aber ball.

Quick delivery from the scrum saw both half-backs attempt to get over the line and only a resolute tackle by Harry Bolton stopped a score. The continued pressure eventually told however when, from an off-side offence Roberts was again successful with the kick.

A combination of minor injuries and tactical changes saw Scott Payne enter the fray and almost immediately Tenby put Aber under pressure.

Another excellent take by Niffy Brace - with superb support from his lifters - gave the Tenby backs a chance to show what they could do, but a delayed pass by Darren Rees to the unmarked Mark Stevens saw the rare opportunity wasted.

Tenby were now playing with some pride and from a take against the head, acting-captain Griffiths scored with several would-be tacklers hanging on, as he crossed close to the posts. The extra two points were added by Neil Powling.

Phil Hughes and Dylan Lawrence had now also taken the field and Hughes first contribution of note was to make 40-meters and put the home side back of the defensive.

From the ensuing ruck, the Aber wing was yellow carded for killing the ball. Despite being down to 14 men, Aber increased their lead with another penalty by Roberts when the scrambling Tenby defence were caught off-side.

Both Dylan Lawrence and Niffy Brace were prominent in several attacks as Tenby attempted to narrow the lead but from a rare excursion into the Tenby 22, the referee awarded a penalty try for what appeared to be a push on a Tenby defender as he was lining-up for a tackle.

With Roberts adding the extra two points, Tenby were now 38-7 down with only minutes left of normal time.

A storming run by Scott Payne and several sorties by Sion Brace stretched the under-worked Aber defence and they were found wanting when a movement involving both backs and forwards ended with the hard-working Gavin Brace cross for the final score.

The strategy of playing a team made-up of numerous second team players employed by Gareth Thomas this early in the season paid dividends on two counts. In terms of resting some key players, there is an immediate and obvious pay-back, time will tell if the new players tried benefited from the opportunity of playing rugby at the first team level.

The rather bold strategy will only prove to be really beneficial however, if Tenby get victories over the next three weeks, as they face an unbeaten Kidwelly side away next week as well as over-turning Aberystwyth when they re-visit Plascrug the following week.

The final league game of the month takes Tenby to unbeaten Gorseinon. A big task.

The players hold the key of delivering the desired results as they attempt to maintain the momentum and unbeaten league record.

Tenby fielded: Darren Rees, Dion John (James Davies), Gavin Brace, Harry Bolton (Sion Brace), Mark Stevens, Neil Powling, Will Crockford (Dylan Lawrence), Mark Brace (Scott Payne), Nicky Guymer (Phillip Hughes), Rob Thomas, Gene Hocking, Gavin Nicholas, Justin Richards (John Hallett), Chris Brace, Anthony Griffiths.