It’s ‘Back to the Future’ at Heywood Lane

Tenby United Present XV 38 pts. Tenby United Past XV 26

Boxing Day at Heywood Lane saw the second annual festive fixture between a Tenby United Present XV and a Tenby United Past XV in aid of the 'Gareth Scotcher Trust Fund'. The Tenby Old Boys took to the field sporting their own brand new kit sponsored by Matthew Evans, of Coastal Cottages, Pembrokeshire, and it was not only the kit that was impressive, but the starting line-up itself contained many ex-players who played regularly for the club just one division below the top flight of Welsh rugby in the early '90s (that's the 1990s!). Dean Hadley, Mike Evans, Johnnie Richards, Ross Llewellyn, Neil Truman, Gavin Scotcher, Ben Childs, Steve Hartland and Chris Hughes, to name but a few, all lined up against Tenby's current 1st XV. A moment's silence was observed by players and supporters alike for popular Tenby character Denzil Griffiths, who sadly passed away during the year, and as a fitting tribute his family provided a trophy to be contested between the two teams on the day and in years to come. With the formalities completed, it was time for the action to start and all the pre-match build-up and 'fighting talk' to end, as match official, Eirion Edwards, of Crymych, got the match underway. Immediately the Old Boys set out their stall to play hard attacking rugby, which saw their forwards dominate much of the early exchanges in the tight, allowing their backs, marshalled delightfully as ever by the stylish Ben Childs at fly-half, to attack the Present XV backline. Excellent work in defence by current players Mark Heywood, Gavin Brace, Neil Powling and Tom Lewis ensured that the Old Boys were unable to break through. With the Present's pack now starting to gain parity up front, the ball was fed out to the threequarter line, for Gavin Brace and Tom Lewis to skip through some poor tackling and set off downfield for the opening score of the match, which was also converted. This score was soon extended in similar fashion, giving the Present XV an early and deserved 12-0 lead. These two quick scores rallied the Old Boys and their pack went on all-out attack, with this period of play seeing some fierce tackling and even more fierce rucking going on. This hard work paid off as they managed to work the ball deep into the Present XV half and the pack drove over out wide for an unconverted score. In response, the Present XV quickly worked the ball down field after some good work up front by the likes of Sam Smith, Wyndham Williams, Nicky Allen and guest player Chris 'Cone' James, before the ball was once again fed out wide for the pacey backs to inflict more damage on the Old Boys' defence, which saw the Present team extend their lead to 26-5. Before half-time, the Old Boys managed to close the gap to 26-12 after a fine display of handling in their backline. After the change around, both sides made numerous and regular changes, the Present XV wanting to conserve their boys for the upcoming league game on Saturday and the Past XV wanting to rest some weary legs! This saw the likes of Gethin Evans, Ginger Beynon, Gerald and Peter Brace, Matthew Evans, Steven Butler, Paul Morris and Steven Vickery join in the 'fun' against some of the Present 2nd team players, such as Craig Hamilton, Nick Griffiths, Justin Richards, Neil Duffy, Delwyn Brace, Anthony Griffiths and Luke Lawrence. Despite these changes, both sides continued to battle hard up front for possession and both sets of backs looked to run the ball and provide the large crowd with some entertaining fast-paced rugby. At one scrum during this period there seemed to be four men in the front row for the Old Boys, as young Present XV prop Jeff Martin was heard to say to Gethin Evans: "I see you brought your carer with you!" Gethin responded to this comment by grinding poor young Jeff into the ground at the ensuing scrum, just to show the young whipper-snapper that there was life in the old dog yet - "not bad for an 87-year-old, eh Jeff!?" With both teams now making changes on a regular basis, it was no surprise that the game opened up a little, with both adding two more tries apiece, the last for the Present XV being converted by prop Craig Hamilton from a very tricky and awkward position directly in front of the posts! This left the final score at 38-26 in favour of the Present XV. After the match, the crowd stayed to see Gavin Brace (Present XV captain) presented with the Denzil Griffiths Memorial Trophy by his son, Darren, while the man-of-the-match trophy, sponsored by the Scotcher family, was presented to Old Boy, Ben Childs, by Dudley Scotcher. The crowd of 600 or so that turned out to watch and support this entertaining and worthwhile event, left with smiles on their faces and chatting over the many incidents within the match, with many of them continuing to enjoy the day - and evening - at the Tenby United clubhouse. The organisers of the match, Chris Brace and Craig Hamilton, would like to thank all those who turned out to support the teams and donate their money so generously, despite the bitter cold on Boxing Day - your support was much appreciated by both sets of players. They would also like to thank Matthew Evans, of Coastal Cottages, Pembrokeshire, for his more than generous sponsorship of the match. Thanks go also to the following for their generous help and support for this event: Tenby Utd RFC, Eirion Edwards (match official), Fran and Mike (physios), Tenby Observer, Radio Pembrokeshire, D. Fecci & Sons, Kook-a-Ba Restaurant, of Saundersfoot, Heywood's Butchers, of Saundersfoot, Robert Thomas, of Tenby Leisure Centre, and the numerous other local businesses who displayed posters. It is hoped that when all monies are collected and counted, that the event will have raised in excess of £1,200.