Youth 5 pts.

Tenby United

Youth 17

Tenby Hog Roast and Surf-Suburban sponsored Tenby United Youth travelled to Pembroke on Saturday for their fourth league fixture of the season. Having won all three of their previous games comfortably, they were confident, but at the same time had huge respect for their opponents and knew that this would be the stiffest test so far.

With the pitch at Crickmarren in absolutely brilliant condition, the large crowd was expecting an entertaining game and after Pembroke had won the toss, Tenby got the game in motion.

Right from the off, it was obvious that the young Scarlets were well up for this encounter and that they were certainly going to make a game of it and make sure the Seasiders had to work hard for everything.

After a closely contested first 10 minutes, Pembroke were starting to get the bit between their teeth and looked the more likely to score first. However, Tenby were fielding the ever-reliable Bonser brothers, Ashley, playing at centre, with Wesley at hooker, and along with skipper Will Holmes and fullback Matthew Davies putting in some fierce tackles, they managed to keep the home side out and weathered some ealy storms.

Nevertheless, after Tenby fullback Davies cleared his lines, Pembroke won quick ball at the lineout and managed to stretch the United's defence a little too far and scored an unconverted try in the corner 15 minutes in.

This didn't seem to worry Tenby as they caught the restart and prop Robert Luly, who had committed to not letting the boys down by choosing to play the game first rather than be at a family wedding, took the ball on a trademark charge and went through three would-be tacklers before popping it to nippy scrum-half Joe 'Merv' Dennis, who saw a gap and went for it.

He went to ground and a ruck was formed, but when the ball was cleared, Joe was left lying motionless, having been knocked out.

Urgent medical attention was required and concern grew as, when coming round, he complained of severe neck pains.

Remaining still, he continued to receive attention while an ambulance was called, along with the Wales Air Ambulance, as it was initially thought that the injury was a serious one.

Happily, though, after they had immobilised Joe and got him strapped to the stretcher, it was decided to take him by road to Withybush Hospital, where he underwent a precautionary examination before being released later in the day.

And so, after a 45-minute break and with their team-mate in good hands and off to hospital, Tenby found themselves back in action, with Teague Galvin replacing Joe.

As play got underway again, Tenby started to move the heavier Pembroke pack around the pitch and, playing some better rugby, they were now getting more possession through hard tackling and good organisation by captain Will Holmes, which enabled the ball to be moved out to their dangerous backline.

When the ball found its way into touch via the boot of Robins, Martin Phillips managed to steal the Pembroke throw at the lineout and possession was moved quickly from the turnover to Pat Elliot, who went over for a try which was converted by Robins, to take Tenby into a 7-5 half-time lead.

Skipper Holmes, who was having an excellent game and leading from the front as always, spoke to the team at the interval and as the second half kicked-off, Tenby looked like a totally different team, as they at last started to produce the rugby which had seen them win all three of their previous encounters.

Good runs from Milea Williams and Ben Prestwich set up solid ball and, with the help of props Jack Butler and Rob Luly, possession was spread along the threequarters where centre partners Bonser and Greg Caine made good yards and drew in the home defence, creating space out wide to link with Holmes. He drew in the final defenders for Elliot Randel to link with Luke Hicks, before handing on to reliable fullback Matt Davies, who cantered in for the score in the corner, finishing off a play that had seen the ball pass through almost every pair of hands.

With Tenby soaking up the pressure of the talented Pembroke side, the rest of the game went much the same way, with both teams playing some good rugby and both sides using their benches well, with Tenby bringing on Leo Moreland, Morgan Roberts, Loui Fecci and Morgan Thomas, who all made valuable contributons.

With the clock ticking down and both teams giving it their all, there was to be only one more score, with the try coming from a move much the same as before, with everyone up front working hard to secure and recycle quality ball for the backs and sending it through the hands of Ash Bonser, now at outside-half, Luke Hicks, Fecci, Davies and finally to Greg Caine, who ran in the try, which went unconverted.

Straight after the game, prop Luly was ushered off to Lamphey Court to attend the second half of the wedding that he'd sacrificed for his team-mates. However, his wife-to-be wasn't so happy to see him turn up so late, even though he'd kept his suit mud-free under his Tenby United kit! We are pleased to say, though, that Rob's wedding did go ahead, despite his late arrival, and he is now happily married. They chose to go to Whitland on their honeymoon for the week as Rob wanted to make sure he is available for tomorrow's game against the young Borderers!

Congratulations must also go to Tenby captain Will Holmes on being asked to attend the Llanelli Scarlets Academy. He certainly deserves it and it shows that boys will be noticed and pushed as far as they can go using the community rugby and regional systems.

Thanks also go to regular youth forward Dylan Grifin, who now that he is 18, was able to bench for the United 1st XV in last Saturday's Division Three West clash with Tumble.

Tenby Youth travel to Whitland tomorrow (Saturday) for what could be a league deciding fixture, even this early in the season. The bus will leave South Parade at 12.15 pm prompt.

Tenby Youth XV train every Wednesday evening at Heywood Lane, starting at 6.30 pm. All players old and new welcome.