Tenby United 49 pts. Betws 14

 

With league rugby making a pleasant return to Heywood Lane after an 11-week lay-off due to the recent adverse weather, Coastal Cottages sponsored Tenby United faced an in-form Betws side on Saturday.

The visitors had managed to put four successive victories together, including a 29-16 defeat of local side Pembroke Dock Quins at Bierspool, and are handily placed in the league holding down third place in division four west.

With last week's narrow WRU Bowl victory still fresh in their minds, along with the six-try thrashing handed out to Betws when they visited them earlier in the season, Tenby kicked off with the strong wind at their backs and showed their intention to play an attacking game by throwing the ball around despite the adverse conditions.

The early efforts brought two quick penalties for the Seasiders, which centre Jimmy Davies slotted for a 6-0 lead, as Betws resorted to killing the ball to stem the momentum, a ploy easily spotted and picked-up by referee Jason Ludgate.

Attacking at every opportunity, and getting a swift service from the base of the scrum by the returning Will Crockford, who was playing his first game of rugby this season, Tenby ran in two tries, with number eight Sam Smith again getting on the scoreboard, followed by Gavin Brace, who rounded off a move involving backs and forwards to go in under the posts.

With Jimmy Davies adding the extras, the home side were now leading 20-0 and Betws were struggling to live with the pace of the game, and the constant stream of attacking rugby.

The scoring didn't stop there as Will Crockford spotting a gap and celebrated his return to playing with a neat try under the sticks, which was againadded to by Davies to give the Seasiders a healthy 27-0 half-time lead.

Playing against the strong wind had little impact on the Seasiders' intent to play open rugby and they were quickly back into their stride with a sweeping threequarter movement ending with wing Simon Stanford sliding over in the corner for try number four and a vital bonus point.

Despite having the bigger and heavier pack, it was Betws who struggled at the set-piece and being unable to dominate the scrum seemed to upset their usual style of play.

Next it was influential number eight Sam Smith again on the scoreboard as he powered his way over for his second try, converted by Davies, to stretch the lead to 39-0.

The Betws side were obviously struggling to keep Tenby in check, but as the half progressed, they eventually obtained some quality ball and it was the home side's defence which was now being put to the test.

Several sorties were held up short of the Tenby line and from a breakaway move on halfway, where Sam Smith released Simon Stanford, the winger just made it to the corner for his second try - a feat remarkably achieved with his opposite number clinging to him like a rag doll from about the 22 - to stretch to lead out to 44-0.

To their credit, Betws continued to push for a score and their hard work was eventually rewarded as speedy wing Damian Rees went over for a try, converted by outside-half Matthew Williams.

With a score on the board, Betws gained more confidence and started to string some threatening moves together and it was the defensive qualities of the home side which were again severely put to the test, and to their credit they held firm.

From a steal at a breakdown, they then exploded into attack mode, with a sweeping move ending with impressive fullback Dan Colley trotting over for a try, taking Tenby into an unassailable 49-7 lead.

With time running out, it was Betws who got the final score, with wing Rees getting his second try,. skirting the touchline on route, and Williams adding the conversion to give a final score of 49-14 and a thoroughly good win for the home side.

With a combination of injuries, holidays and unavailability accounting for 10 changes from the side that played at Aberaeron the week previous, the playing resources were stretched for this game, but on a positive note, the team that took to the field quickly got their game into full swing and coming off with seven tries scored (and a win bonus point picked-up) must have made up for some of the national disappointment, with Wales losing to the old enemy the night before.

Thanks must also go to Park Leisure UK for sponsoring the game, and the club hopes they enjoyed the day out, and were pleased with the on-the-pitch entertainment.

With a rearranged game away at Hendy tomorrow (Saturday), kicking-off at 2.30, Tenby will hope to keep their successful league campaign on track with a ninth victory and keep the pressure on current league leaders Amman United.

Tenby fielded: Dan Colley, Dan Thomas, Jimmy Davies, Gavin Brace, Simon Stanford, Toby Smith, Will Crockford (Rhys Thomas), John Palmer, Nicky Guymer (capt), Rob Clarke (Scott Payne), Gareth Edwards, Wyndham Williams (Laurens Brits), Luke Dedman, Sam Smith, Ilaisa Torau (Terry John).