A catalogue of missed opportunities saw Tenby United slip to a disappointing home defeat at the hands of Aberystwyth on Saturday. In fact, the damage was done within the first quarter of the game, as the visitors helped themselves to two converted scores that put the Seasiders on the back foot and left them playing catch-up rugby for the remainder of the game. It could all have been so different, however, as the home side began brightly and could easily have crossed for a score themselves in the opening seconds. The marauding Rob James seized on a loose Aber pass to sprint deep into the visiting 22. In close support were skipper Nicky Allen and prop Mark Brace, who made sure that the momentum of the move was maintained. The ball was released to the threes and a two-man overlap was crying out for a pass, but centre Neil Powling seemed to take the wrong option in going for the line himself and was held just short. Another opening was carved almost immediately, but another apparent overlap was ignored and fellow centre Gavin Brace was stopped within inches of the line. Aber made the most of the escape and pressure on their line was relieved by a fine 50-metre touch-finder from stand-off Williams, helped along by the strong wind at their backs. The visitors soon made Tenby pay for not taking their scoring opportunity. Seizing lineout ball from a United throw, the Aber eight set up a succession of concerted drives into the home 22, scrum-half James marshalling his troops well. Their hard work and patience was rewarded when number eight Deri Williams barged over for the opening score of the game. His namesake Craig at outside-half converted to rub salt into the wounds. To their credit, the home pack hit back strongly taking play back into the visitors' half. Fullback Alex Watt showed great strength in sucking in a number of visiting defenders, earning his side a penalty around 30 metres out after Aber were penalised for killing the ball. Powling struck the resulting kick well, but was unlucky to see it strike the wrong side of the upright. The visitors were given an opportunity to stretch the lead themselves after the United threequarters were judged to be offside from a ruck. Williams, however, failed with the penalty attempt from just outside the 22. A further score was not long in coming for Aber, however, and it came from some loose United play. The Seasiders opted to move the ball from deep and were made to pay the price when the ball was intercepted and the simplest of tries resulted for Aber skipper Gareth Roberts. Some United players felt that the ball had been knocked forward into a home shirt and that a knock-on should be awarded, but referee Andrew Miles had no hesitation in awarding the touchdown. Williams again converted to open up a 14-point advantage. Aberystwyth were now using the wind at their backs well, pinning the home side deep in their half. In response, Tenby seemed to be forcing the play too often and making mistakes that cost them possession as a result. As the half wore on, it appeared that Tenby were settling for a 14-point deficit at the turnaround, in the hope that they could use the elements to their benefit in the second period. They were given a fillip, though, when Aber's loose-head was shown the yellow card by Mr. Miles for persistent foot up at the scrum. From a penalty shortly after, scrum-half Will Crockford took a quick tap penalty that set up another scoring opportunity. But to the frustration of the home support, another overlap was squandered. With the half entering its closing seconds, the United eight set up their best drive of the match, taking the Aber pack to within five metres of their line. The ball was spread to Powling, whose chip ahead failed to yield anything. Fortunately, Mr. Miles had already awarded a penalty to United for offside. With the last kick of the half, the penalty sailed over to reduce the deficit to 11 points. The second half could not have started in better fashion for the home side. Having won possession, prop Mark Brace threw a superb dummy and showed a turn of pace to break the visitors' defensive line. Quick ruck ball followed and from a clever grubber kick from Scott McLoughlin, Alex Watt pounced for a much-needed score. Powling pushed the conversion attempt wide. Tenby continued to pressure the Aber line in the minutes that followed, but quite worryingly, the strong wind that had helped the visitors so much before the break appeared to have eased. Visiting scrum-half James also proved to be a thorn in United sides, stifling a number of attacking opportunities with clever defensive play. As the clock ticked down, the United secured a string of opportunities, including scrums, within metres of the Aber line, but each and every one was wasted. This pattern continued throughout the second period as Tenby pressed and pressed, but failed to capitalise on the dominance that they were exerting in virtually every facet of play. In a final throw of the dice, Mike Lewis and Chris Brace replaced Nicky Guymer and Wyndham Williams, respectively. But they had little opportunity to make any impact, Mr. Miles choosing to bring the match to a close dead on 80 minutes, when most home supporters anticipated several minutes of additional time. There were positives for the United from this showing, notably another outstanding athletic performance from lock Chris James and some rampaging runs from his namesake Rob. But as has been the case on too many occasions at Heywood Lane this season, Tenby will be reflecting on a match that they could and almost certainly should have won. The Tenby United side with player sponsors was: Alex Watt (Mulberry Restaurant, Saundersfoot); James Davies (Belvedere Nursing Home); Neil Powling (Andrew Goofy Brace, Garden Contractors and Maintenance); Gavin Brace (Anne and Jeremy Rossiter, Londis Stores, Manorbier); Neil Truman (Belvedere Nursing Home); Scott McLoughlin (Baytree Restaurant, Tenby); Will Crockford (N. D. Toy and Partners Ltd., Independent Financial Advisers and Mortgage Brokers); Mark Brace (Lewis, Lewis and Co. Solicitors); Nicky Guymer (John Boot, of Lydstep); Scott Payne (Mulberry Restaurant, Saundersfoot); Chris James (Clarence Hotel, Tenby); Wyndham Williams (Harry Smith, of Brindley Smith Associates, Utility Auditors); Rob James (Clarence Hotel, Tenby ); Nicky Allen, capt. (Gavin and Dudley Scotcher, Capital Roasters Coffee Company); Harry Bolton (Mike Brace Home Maintenance Service). Match sponsors were Broadfield Caravan Park and BBs Restaurant and the Saundersfoot League of Gentlemen. Match ball sponsors were Mike Rossiter and Sons, while mascots for the day were Ben and Aaron Roberts.
