FISHGUARD U14s 7 pts TENBY U14s 20
Ollie Morgan kicked off into the wind, the ball was gathered by Fishguard prop Paul Young, and Ollie made a tackle which unfortunately resulted in him having to leave the field with an injured leg. This meant a quick reshuffle, with Dan Colley coming on into the centre and Ben Field-Thomas moving to outside-half.
To the boys' credit, they raised their game and attacked at pace. Following some lovely handling, centre Lloyd Wilson went over for the first Tenby try, which went unconverted.
Tenby were now on top of their game, and some hard forward work from Arron Sutton, Duncan Meacher, John Walker, Adam Hughes and Joe Smith enabled Johnsie Lewis to crash over to put them 10-0 up a half-time.
Fishguard kicked off the seconding half, with Tenby now having the wind behind them. Ben Field-Thomas put a lovely kick into the corner, and from the resulting lineout the ball went loose and Tenby hooker John Walker was on hand to nip in, gather and pounce over the line to put Tenby 15-0 up.
Fishguard then threw everything into their game, but the Tenby defence was outstanding, Rhys Thomas, Ben Field-Thomas, Johnsie Lewis, Richard Williams, Daniel Colley, Barrie John and fullback Gareth Merriman all playing their part.
However, from a resulting penalty, Fishguard edged over the line for a converted try.
At 15-7 with 10 minutes to go, it was game on. Captain Adam Ball rallied his troups for a big effort. Leading by example, with back row colleagues Lloyd Wilson and Robbie Tuttle also to the fore, they drove into the Fishguard defence; the ball was recycled to Ben Field-Thomas, who put in another lovely chip for Robbie Tuttle to chase and win the race for the touchdown to put Tenby 20-7 up with just four minutes remaining.
Changes were made, with James Dick, James Davies and Paul Brooks coming on and settling straight into the side.
Tenby finished on the attack and gained a well earned victory. They now meet Pembroke Under 14s on Sunday, May 5, on finals day.
The Tenby coaches would like to thank all those who helped with transport, and for their support, and Fishgaurd for their hospitality. The boys can be proud of their achievement, good luck for the final.
Squad: Arron Sutton, John Walker, Duncan Meacher, Adam Hughes, Joe Smith, Robbie Tuttle, Johnsie Lewis, Adam Ball (capt.), Rhys Thomas, Ollie Morgan, Barrie John, Ben Field-Thomas, Lloyd Wilson, Richard Williams, Gareth Merriman, James Davies, James Dick, Dan Colley, Paul Brooks.
TENBY U13s 40 pts
CRYMYCH U13s 12
Wednesday evening, April 17, saw Tenby U13s entertain Crymych U13s at Heywood Lane in th semi-finals of the Pembrokeshire Cup. This was a game the Tenby boys had been working hard in training for and eagerly awaiting, as at this stage last year, they were narrowly defeated by Haverfordwest.
After heavy rain during the day, the pitch was soft underfoot and made for a slippery ball.
Tenby kicked off and attacked from the start. However, the Crymych defence held firm.
After five minutes, Tenby hooker Rob Colley regained the ball from a Tenby lineout on the 10-metre line, broke through and made it all the way to the line for a cracking opening try. Ollie Morgan added the conversion.
Next on the score-sheet was brother Dan, playing in the centre, who scored an excellent try in the corner. Ollie kicked a fine touchline conversion to put Tenby 14-0 up.
Tenby were on top of the game. Robbie Tuttle was next to touch down, breaking through half-a-dozen tackles to crash over the line, with Ollie adding the two points.
From lovely driving play, Rob Colley gathered the ball, and scored his second try of the evening.
Just before the interval, Crymych scored a well-worked try to make the score 26-5 at the break.
Crymych kicked off for the second period and to their credit they took the game to the Seasiders. However, after a scrum in the Tenby half, Sam Foster fed his threequarters for wing Jack Bevan to receive the ball just inside his own half and, displaying devastating speed, outpaced the Crymych defence to score the try of the match, which was converted by Ollie.
Crymych replied with a converted try, to make the score 33-12.
Tenby showed some lovely open play, with the front row of Jack Lawrence, Rob Colley and Rob Clarke playing well as a unit, as were second rows Paul Brooks and James Dick, with James having his best game to date for the Swifts.
The back row of James Davies, Rob Tuttle and Iwan Rowell were everywhere, with Bobby Briers, Jack Bevan, Mathew Fleming and David Saunders all having sound games, both in attack and defence.
The last try of the game came from a forward drive, the ball being recycled for James Davies to feed Dan Colley who weaved his way over the line.
Ollie kicked the conversion to round off an excellent all-round game.
This was a great performance and the boys can be proud of their achievement. They will now meet Pembroke U13s in the final on May 5.
The Tenby coaches would like to thank all their supporters, the ladies for the refreshments, and the subs who came on, namely Luke Dedman, Henry Boot, Josh Bevan and Ashley Murdoch. Well done boys, good luck for the final.
Squad: Jack Lawrence, Rob Colley, Rob Clarke, Paul Brooks, James Dick, Iwan Rowell, James Davies, Robbie Tuttle, Sam Foster, Ollie Morgan, Jack Bevan, Dan Colley (capt.), Bobby Briers, Mathew Fleming, David Saunders, Josh Bevan, Ashley Murdoch, Luke Dedman and Henry Boot.
TENBY SWIFTS U11s 49 pts PEMBROKE 7
Tenby secured their place in the Cup Final after a convincing win against an improved Pembroke side at Pembroke last Sunday. They will now face Whitland, the only team in the area that have tested them -what a final it looks like being!
Seven tries were scored against Pembroke, all of which were converted, but the match was not the one-way traffic of the previous encounter for a number of reasons.
Firstly, Pembroke had improved out of all recognition and their big forwards made some powerful runs through the heart of the Tenby defence.
Secondly, there were missed tackles on the opposition, with the boys not heeding the lessons of tackling around the legs and instead being brushed aside by going high.
Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, too many penalties were conceded for technical offences. In fact, the penalty count read 19 against Tenby and two against Pembroke. The whistle seemed to be constantly, interrupting the flow of play.
Similarly, 18 scrums were awarded to Pembroke, with only one to Tenby.
In any event, despite the fragmented play, a good win was recorded, with captain Patrick Roberts leading the scoring with two tries and potting seven conversions. Toby Smith scored another brace and Jamie Williams, Keifer Thomson and Matthew Davies grabbed one apiece.
James Canton was unlucky not to ground the ball when bundled into touch on the line and Daniel McDermott broke away once, only to stray over the touchline.
Yannic Parker, Oliver Goldwait and Joseff Morris were mobile in the loose and Robert Jones and Jack Baker were combative in the tight. Jack also showed his all-round skill with a fine clearance kick to touch from his own line under pressure.
The final is to be played at Haverfordwest on Sunday, May 5, against arch rivals Whitland, who disposed of Narberth. Tenby and Whitland at this level have had some ding dong encounters, with the honours even. So it is all set for the showdown and then a well deserved rest, not only for players but also the loyal parents/ supporters and coaches.
Tenby fielded: Patrick Roberts (capt.), Oliver Goldwait, Robert Jones, Yannic Parker, Joseff Morris, Jack Baker, Keifer Thomson, Jamie Williams, Toby Smith, Mathew Davies, James Canton and Daniel McDermott.
WHITLAND U9s 4 tries
TENBY UTD U9s 0
Whitland was the venue for Tenby Under 9s latest game and what a good advert for Under 9s rugby it proved to be.
To the older spectator, it was very reminiscent of the battles of years gone by, full of grit and determination.
The Red and Blacks took the game to the home side during the opening minutes, with Cairan Broomhead, Curtis Hurlow and Harry Owen all making strong, powerful runs.
However, Whitland's defence was rock solid and as the match progressed they began to take control, scoring two tries in quick succession midway through the half.
It was Tenby's turn to defend, with Daniel Robins and Luke James putting in two good tackles to prevent further Whitland scores.
Jimmy John, assisted by Alex Heesom, almost found a way in at the corner, but was bundled into touch just short of the line.
In the second half the Green and Whites produced a display which was almost faultless. Their alignment, quick support play, ability to create the overlap and strong tackling confirmed why they are the county's leading Under 9s.
But it was not all plain sailing and Tenby made them work very hard for their second half scores. The text-book tackling of Broomhead and Owen was superb and they were well supported by Ryan O'Neill, Sam Turton and Cai Evans.
Phil Horsley, Loui Fecci and Rob Fairlie all had good runs, but just couldn't penetrate the Borderers' defensive line.
Thanks to the parents for the transport to Whitland and to Chris for the light refreshments.
Tenby: C. Evans, L. Fecci, J. John, L. James, R. O'Neill, C. Hurlow, A. Heesom, P. Horsley, S. Turton, H. Owen, R. Fairlie, C. Broomhead, D. Robins.