On Saturday, Tenby Youth, sponsored by PRL Plant Hire, travelled to play a strong Cardigan Youth XV in the semi-final of the NatWest Pembrokeshire Youth Cup. Having lost narrowly in the two previous games, 5-3 and 16-5, Tenby knew they were in for a tough encounter as they took the field on a glorious day for rugby. The home side contained 13 players who will exceed the age limit for next year's Youth league and cup competition, so the younger Tenby XV were aware that the opposition would present a somewhat harder challenge than that normally encountered in the league, but with a cup final place up for grabs, they were intent on putting-up a stern and improved performance. The game, however, got off to one of those starts that every travelling team dreads, with Cardigan scoring a converted try right from the kick-off, and all of this before the visitors had got time to size- up the opposition. Tenby were then put to the sword as Cardigan attempted to build on this dream start and put the game beyond the reach of the visitors. The visiting defence, however, held firm, with tackles flying in, but it came as no surprise when Cardigan extended their lead to 12-0, with the home side's winger just squeezing in at the corner. Tenby's first scoring chance came via the boot of the usually reliable Adam Ball, who, despite striking the ball well from 40 metres out, saw the attempt ricochet off the upright and 'die' as a cruel low bounce avoided both Steve Handicott and Grant Rogers as they followed-up eager for the touchdown. Not to be outdone, Cardigan brought the half to a close with another unconverted try and a comfortable 17-0 lead. Playing with the slope in their favour, Tenby had hoped to capitalise on the advantage (as Cardigan had done in the first half), but local knowledge and a very well organised defence kept all their attacking efforts in check and frustrated any attempts that were made to reduce the lead. Despite all the efforts, spear-headed by Grant Rogers, Sion Jenkins and Ross Mckenzie, Cardigan were able to keep a clean sheet and, with Tenby chasing the game, it came as no surprise when the home side cashed in, scoring two quick tries that killed the game off, with the lead pushed out to 27 -0. With time running out, Cardigan increased their lead with another unconverted try, their sixth, and, to their credit, Tenby were rewarded for all their efforts (in the second half in particular) when, from a driving maul, young Tom Griffiths, playing only his second game for the team, went over to close out the scores on 32-5. John Handicott was full of praise for his defeated team, as he was for the victorious home side. "We played as well as we were allowed by a very well organised and disciplined Cardigan XV who were just too good for us on the day." he said. "I was proud of my boys as they battled right through to the end and never gave-up." With their season all but finished, Tenby can now concentrate all their efforts and training on the semi-final of the Griffiths Cup, with the game against Neyland lined-up for Tuesday, May 2, kick- off 7.30 pm, at Heywood Lane. Squad: M. Cockburn, Paul Woods, N. Griffiths, Henry Boot, R. Tuttle, Alex Jenkins (capt.), Adam Ball, Nick Drewett, Rhys Thomas, Steve Handicott, Ross Mckenzie, Grant Rogers, Dave Otton, Sion Jenkins, Dan Colley, Tom Griffiths, Jamie Robins.