TENBY SWIFTS U10s 45 pts CARDIGAN U10s 10 pts

After a short lay-off over Easter, the Under 10s got back into action at Heywood Lane last Sunday to defeat a useful Cardigan side by 45 points to 10.

The Under 10s needed this match to sharpen their skills before their big day next Sunday at Rodney Parade, Newport, where they take on the cream of Wales in the Under 10s National Rugby Finals.

They did not waste the opportunity of match practice and on a glorious spring morning entertained the crowd to some sparkling rugby. Their inter-passing was a delight, their tackling deadly and they played with a joie de vivre in the sunshine following one of the wettest winters in history, let alone in their emerging careers.

Tries were scored by Kiefer Thomson (2), Matthew Davies, Joe Kidney, Toby Smith, Joseff Morris and Patrick Roberts, with Patrick converting five by way of the drop-goal method that will be a requirement in the national tournament.

Jack Baker captained the team for this match and together with fellow forwards Yannick Parker, Robert Jones, Daniel McDermott and Oliver Goldwait, won plenty of good ball for the backs to shine. James Canton was lively on the wing, putting in some fine runs and tackling bravely.

The team now looks forward to Sunday's National Finals where the top 16 Under 10s teams from the whole of Wales will compete for the champions title. The tournament will consist of four groups of four teams playing each other in the pool matches, with the winners of each pool going through to the quarters, semis and final on a knockout basis.

It's going to be a marvellous experience for the players, coaches and parents who will be travelling up to Newport on Sunday, with the coach leaving the Parade at 7 am. Early to bed on Saturday will be the order of the day for everybody.

The 14-man squad to travel will be: Jamie Williams, Patrick Roberts, Keifer Thomson, Joseff Morris, Jack Baker, Yannick Parker, Tony Smith, Joe Kidney, James Canton, James Criddle, Matthew Davies, Robert Jones, Oliver Goldwait and Daniel McDermott.

Those boys who won their way through to the finals are pictured above with their coaches Steve Williams and Tim Roberts.

TENBY UTD RFC U9s CARDIGAN U9s

After the Easter break of chocolate, sweets and goodies, the squad were buzzing with eagerness to burn off their excess calories. Captain for the day, Henry Lawrence, played his best attacking game to date. His ever-present dummy and junk always beat the opposition, which eventually led to Henry gaining a top-drawer try.

The pitch allowed the fast trackers to exploit their pace and skill. Lloyd Thomas showed the crowd he, too, will follow his uncle one day on a Lions Tour, with three marvellous tries, all scored by speed of foot and strength of character.

These runs inspired Ianto Griffiths, who is without doubt our most natural runner, to release his chains and score two classic tries of his own.

Cardigan were gallant in defence from the first to the last whistle, but were unable to match Tenby's strength and speed.

The boilerhouse trio of Daniel Gosnold, Denny Paxton and Andrew Cooke all worked hard and in tune, which allowed Michael Robins to spin off on several of his confused runs which yet again paid dividends with a cracking try. Such strength from one so small!

However, it was not all attack, attack, attack. Tenby had to produce several tackles to keep the determined Cardigan at bay. These hits came from all in the black and red jerseys, but bravery awards must go to Lewis Hodgson, Lucia Evans, Robert Fairley and Lewis Canton, whose monster tackles would have made Scott Gibbs turn yellow and run away.

But it can't be said enough, it was the passing of the ball and the attacking runs which won this game for Tenby. Joseph Richards, a definite future star on the wing, lit his fuse several times and sped over for two tries. Andrew Cooke, the cream of the flanker division, kept the hopes up for the forwards with one of his typical steal and score efforts, closely followed by an excellent run by Alex Harley who fended off several would-be tacklers to hit the score zone.

Tries galore. Passes galore. Tackles galore. Final score 11 tries to 1 to Tenby.

Well done to one and all. The effort you put in brought enjoyment to all who watched and produced a hunger pain in you all... so much so you all had double helpings of chips at the clubhouse.

PS. well done to the ref, who ever you were. Marvellous man!