BIRCHGROVE 32 pts
TENBY UNITED 33
Although perhaps not out of the woods yet, Tenby United boosted their confidence on Saturday with their first away win for two seasons.
A last minute penalty by prolific outside half Neil Powling saw the Seasiders pocket a vital three points to lift them off the foot of National League division three (west) and bolster their morale for the remainder of the campaign, particularly as opponents Birchgrove are notoriously difficult to defeat at home.
The United played as a cohesive unit throughout, refusing to throw in the towel despite trailing by 20 points to 10 at the break, and their determination and tenacity delighted the large group of Seasiders supporters - many of whom likened Tenby's dramatic last gasp win to Wales' famous one point victory over the Old Enemy England!
Birchgrove took an early lead through a Peter Edwards penalty before Powling put the visitors ahead by running in an interception try from just outside his own half which he also converted.
The homesters hit back with a tries from Denzil Bateman and Alan Wilson, both of which Edwards converted.
Edwards and Powling then swapped penalties to make it 20-10 at the interval.
During the break the United replaced Oliver Brace with Nicky Rees and Lee Tucker with Chris Brace, with Richard Rossiter switching from open side to his more familiar number two berth.
Never the shrinking violet, Brace was soon in action cajoling and motivating the pack alongside hard working skipper Nicky Allen and Tenby put the Birchgrove eight under pressure in the third quarter.
Two penalties from Powling kept the Seasiders in touch but the homesters responded with a try from Jamie Lowe.
Mercurial scrum half Neil Duffy picked up a second interception try, again converted by Powling following good work by Paul Broaders, Peter James and Justin Richards which narrowed the margin, but a try from Mark Peterson, converted by Edwards saw Birchgrove pull away again.
Marshalling his forces well at pivot, Powling then took matters in hand, sending powerful centre Gavin Brace on a run to touchdown under the posts and pouching the conversion to bring Tenby to within two points with time running out.
The United pack again gained good field position going into the close and, when Birchgrove infringed at the breakdown, Powling gratefully accepted the chance to boost his personal tally to 23 points and snatch an historic win.
Tomorrow Tenby welcome British Steel to Heywood Lane.
Tenby United fielded: Jonathan Dodd, Rob Garland, Dean Bowen, Gavin Brace, Oliver Brace, Neil Powling, Neil Duffy, Gareth Noot, Lee Tucker, Mark Badham, Peter James, Paul Broaders, Nicky Allen (capt.), Richard Rossiter, Justin Richards.