Tenby's desperate plight at the bottom of division three west of the National League continues to worsen.

Indeed, it would take nothing more than a miracle for the Seasiders to avoid the drop now, as they are currently 11 points adrift of relegation rivals Felinfoel, and have already played two games more.

Felinfoel helped their own bid to climb away from the lower echelons with a fine 22-3 victory against Trimsaran on Saturday, while the United slumped to their 15th defeat in 18 matches, when they travelled to take on mid-table Cardigan.

In fact, the struggling Seasiders have only picked up seven league points in the whole of the season so far, and they never looked like improving on that tally last weekend.

Nevertheless, in what was a proverbial game of two halves against their former Pembrokeshire League rivals, the United did show plenty of character and spirit, particularly in the second period, which they actually 'won', after trailing by 23 points at the interval.

Cardigan made their intentions clear from the outset, taking the game to their visitors and rocking them with an opening half points barrage as the Seasiders took time to settle.

Centre Chris Liptrot and winger Gareth Davies bagged a try apiece for the Teifisiders, while outside-half Aled Thomas added the extras with two successful conversions and also banged over three penalty goals for good measure.

The United never looked likely to recover from this early blitz, but after the turn around they pulled themselves together and began to play more controlled rugby, with some of their more 'experienced' players very much to the fore.

In fact, it was one of those players, flanker Chris Brace, who eventually gained some reward for the United's improved efforts as he crossed for a try following good work by back row colleagues Mike Evans and skipper Nicky Allen and second row Paul Broaders.

Outside-half Neil Powling failed with the conversion attempt, but landed a penalty to complete the United's total, while Thomas replied with another for Cardigan.

Tenby fielded: Dean Bowen, Jamie Candler, Carl Broaders, Gavin Brace, Neil Powling, Rob Davies, Oliver Brace, Simon Morgan, Richard Rossiter, Lee Tucker, Paul Broaders, Dave Thomas, Mike Evans, Chris Brace, Nicky Allen (capt.).