The old adage of bad news comes in threes was well and truly kicked into touch on Saturday when Chevron Texaco sponsored Tenby United narrowly defeated high-flying Cardigan in a classic six- pointer on their own ground. With the Youth team having to cry-off on Friday, due to a partially waterlogged pitch at the Clicketts, and the Seconds having to agree to postpone their game against Crymych following a 9.30 telephone call on Saturday morning advising that the intended visitors could not raise a team, the journey up to Cardigan could have been viewed as the third piece of bad news, with a defeat against an in-form home side, on a winning run of seven games, very much a possibility. The hat-trick of bad news, however, was averted by a splendid team effort, as Tenby matched the home side in terms of grit and determination in a sometimes turbulent encounter and secured a win they thoroughly deserved. Tenby kicked-off and a good chase from Alex Jenkins sent the unfortunate Cardigan ball-catcher into orbit and got his team off to just the start they wanted. With the pressure maintained, Tenby forced a rushed kick from the Cardigan number seven, which resulted in the first lineout of the match, and from clean ball, Tom Lewis put Tenby deep into the home side's 22. A series of quick passes ended with a neat ball to Mark Heywood in the centre, and using his weight to full advantage, he crashed through the stretched Cardigan defence to gain some vital ground. With a penalty awarded to Tenby for holding onto the ball just short of the halfway line, Tom Lewis decided to take a shot at goal, but unfortunately the ball sailed wide. The stout Cardigan defence had stood firm during this initial burst and it was now their turn to attack and test the Tenby defence, with a potential try- scoring pass being intercepted by Wyndham Williams, which took the pressure off. An early injury to Nicky Guymer saw him being replaced by Mike Lewis. The superb defensive wall was maintained by Tenby as the home side attempted to gain every advantage, but turnover ball saw Jimmy Davies clear the threat of a Cardigan try with an excellent run down the wing. Now it was Tenby who were back in the driving seat and, with a penalty awarded, it allowed Tom Lewis to slot the ball into touch near the corner. The resulting lineout led to some strong driving from both teams, but it was Cardigan who stole the ball and cleared. A series of clearing kicks ended with winger Jimmy Davies and centre Mark Heywood hassling the Cardigan fullback, who knocked on, giving Tenby yet another opportunity from an attacking scrum, but an offence by Johnny Lane saw the burly second row invited to spend 10 minutes in the bin and the chance was lost. With a combination of pressure and anxiety, a Tenby ball was untidily dealt with, but luckily flanker Emyr Hughes reacted well and recovered the situation. Some messy play saw a penalty awarded against Tenby for holding, but a poor kick from the Cardigan outside-half kept Tenby in an attacking situation. For a change, it was Tenby who were benefiting from a high penalty count against the home side and Tom Lewis either pushed Cardigan deep into their own half or attempted a long-range shot at goal. With sustained pressure being applied by both teams, tempers flared and a few flying fists saw the Cardigan number 10 join Johnny Lane in the bin. Back up to the full complement of players, Tenby exploited the advantage of playing against a 14- man team, with first Sam Smith putting in one of his trademark bustling runs, to be quickly followed by thrusts from Davies and Powling. One of the moves ended with wing Gavin Brace just being stopped by an outstanding Cardigan defensive tackle. The half-time whistle was blown and it was time for words of encouragement from coach Kenny Davies. Cardigan applied the pressure straight from the off by taking play deep into the Tenby half, but a huge clearance from Tom Lewis was turned into an excellent kick, with Jimmy Davies eagerly chasing the ball down and causing a hurried clearance. Johnny Lane left the field for the second time, this time with a shoulder injury, with Richard Rossiter taking his place. G A good catch and driving at the lineout from the reliable Alex Jenkins, supported by his fellow forwards, took Tenby back into the Cardigan half and back into attacking mode and the pressure yielded a handsome dividend, with a penalty from Tom Lewis putting Tenby into the lead. The pressure was maintained, with a good bout of passing between centre Arthur M-M and fullback Neil Powling gaining some much-needed ground. Tenby, however, were soon brought back to earth with a bump when a penalty attempt by Cardigan fell just short of the crossbar. New father Harry Bolton replaced hard-working flanker Wyndham Williams. His introduction coincided with a second bout of fisticuffs, which saw the fiery flanker sin-binned, which must break some sort of record for shortest time on the pitch, and with prop Ben Cray being taken to hospital with a gash on the head, Williams, who thought his day had finished, returned to the fray to play in the front row. A poor lineout from Cardigan gave Tenby a good opportunity to get into their half, which proved a temporary lapse in the pressure as they fought their way back and for the final 10 minutes tried everything they knew to rescue the game. To the relief of the Tenby team, management and supporters, referee Miles blew for time and the joy on the faces of all present clearly showed what this victory meant. Tenby fielded: Neil Powling, Gavin Brace (capt.), Mark Heywood, Arthur M-M, Jimmy Davies, Tom Lewis, Rhys Thomas, Ben Cray, Nicky Guymer (Mike Lewis), Geoff Martin, Johnny Lane (Richard Rossiter), Alex Jenkins, Emyr Hughes, Sam Smith, Wyndham Williams (Harry Bolton). Other weekend results in division four west: Crymych 14 Hendy 14; Llandeilo 25 Pembroke 23; Milford 7 Neyland 17; Morriston 32 Burry Port 23; Llanybydder 52 New Dock Stars 10.