Tenby Utd 43 pts.

Fishguard and Goodwick 16

Tenby United put aside their six week lay-off from action with a convincing WRU SWALEC Bowl victory over Pembrokeshire rivals Fishguard and Goodwick.

The Coastal Cottages sponsored Seasiders threw off any rustiness with a thrilling seven try display, their first run out since the home league victory over Llanybydder back on November 20.

A good Bank Holiday Monday crowd was treated to a bruising encounter, reminiscent of Pembrokeshire League encounters of years gone by, the Division Five visitors proving to be worthy adversaries in the tight exchanges. However, the United always had a little too much pace and accuracy behind and ran out worthy winners.

As you would expect, the opening exchanges were frenetic and the visitors opened the scoring with a 40-metre penalty from stand off James Griffiths that just about crept over the cross bar.

This stirred the United pack into action, some great work from lock forward Gareth Edwards setting up a fine position in the Seagulls' 22 and earning a penalty. The home side opted for the chip to the corner, but some brave defence from the visitors kept the home eight at bay.

Their relief was short lived though as the United crossed for the first of a number of superb tries. Good sniping work from scrum half Richard Rossiter set-up a fine position and quickly recycled ball saw stand off Toby Smith release brother Sam who bustled his way close to the Fishguard line before a superb offload put skipper in close to the uprights. Jimmy Davies made the conversion a formality.

The home side's second score followed just minutes later, Gavin Brace linking-up superbly in midfield with Arthur MM to breach the first line of defence. Open side Jason Ronowitz was in close support and although the initial move was halted, the ensuing line out was perfectly executed and the home eight drove lock Gareth Edwards over the whitewash for an unconverted score.

The visitors continued to compete well in the tight exchanges, particularly at scrum time and earned a second penalty shot for outside half Griffiths. He gratefully accepted, reducing the home lead to six points with a quarter-of-an-hour gone.

The United always seemed capable of going up a gear and extending their lead and it was all-action flanker Ronowitz on hand again to set up the next score. Taking the ball at the tail of a lineout just outside the visitors' 22, he showed good pace to make 15 metres, before quick ball allowed Gavin Brace to run a fine angle back towards the upright. This opened up space on the right and some quick hands saw right wing Dai Meyrick go over wide on the right.

Second row Edwards was another forward always in the thick of the action and he was soon rewarded with his second touchdown of the afternoon. Dai Meyrick ran another superb angle, a feature of the United's play all afternoon, before feeding back rower Llaisa Torau. The blind side found lock Wyndham Williams on his shoulder and he linked-up well with his partner in the boiler house, Edwards for the try. Davies converted to extend the lead to 24-6.

The visitors kept chipping away at the home advantage and with 25 minutes gone, Griffiths added his third penalty of the afternoon after the United were penalised for hands in the ruck.

Not to be outdone by lock forward Edwards, Meyrick crossed for his second try of the afternoon as the half neared its end. Some good work in midfield from the Smith brothers set up the opportunity, but the winger still had a lot to do. He showed good strength to brush off two tacklers before crashing over in the left corner for a fine score.

The interval could not have come at a better time for the visitors and they seemed to benefit from their break as they started the second period the better as the United started to make changes.

But the next scoring opportunity fell to the Seasiders as Sam Smith and Gavin Brace combined to get to within five metres of the line, but some brave defence from the Seagulls held the home side out and earned them a penalty to clear their lines.

The sixth try for the homeside came just over 10 minutes into the second period and once again stemmed from some excellent work by Meyrick. This time, full back Dan Colley benefited, showing great pace to stroll in under the posts. Davies made light work of the conversion to make it 36-9.

The United saved the best for last though, as their seventh and final try of the afternoon showed the Seasiders at their very best. Some excellent running angles and crisp handling from both forwards and three quarters culminated with Ronowitz crossing for an extremely well-deserved score. Davies converted once again to make it 43-9.

As both sides made further changes, the game began to fragment and this allowed the visitors to cross for a try that that their forward effort merited. After some good approach work, hooker Gavin Walsh bustled over under the posts that cheered the travelling supporters. Griffiths converted to reduce the deficit to 43-16.

With the match now well and truly over as a contest, tempers began to fray and after a brawl involving both packs, replacement Fishguard tight head Romeo Collella saw red after flooring United skipper Guymer. The game threatened to boil over again as the match neared its end, referee Jonathan Hardy from Tumble happy to bring the game to its conclusion.

The Seasiders' reward for a job well done is a last 32 clash away to Aberaeron who they have already beaten convincingly this term. This was an excellent run out for the United, who will be disappointed that their league clash with fellow promotion chasers Amman United tomorrow (Saturday) has been postponed due to the Carmarthenshire club fulfilling their own WRU Bowl fixture.

They return to league action on January 15, when they travel to third place Cardigan who they edged out 16-7 at Heywood Lane back in September.

United fielded: Dan Colley; Jimmy Davies; Arthur MM; Gavin Brace; Dai Meyrick; Toby Smith; Richard Rossiter; Rob Clarke; Nicky Guymer (capt.); Lewis Davies; Wyndham Williams; Gareth Edwards; Llaisa Torau; Jason Ronowitz; Sam Smith; Replacements - Dan Thomas; Lee Tucker; Rob Tuttle; Luke Dedman; Buck.