TENBY UNITED 17 pts
HAVERFORDWEST 9
After the disappointment of an early exit from the Principality Cup the previous week, Tenby United returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 17-9 victory over Haverfordwest in National League division four (west) at Heywood Lane.
Although the two sides have met occasionally in Knock Out cup games and friendlies over the years, this was the first league clash between the two sides since 1990. However, it still had that old familiar air of a grafting 'local derby' about it.
In almost perfect conditions, both sides tried to keep the ball in hand, and play open attacking rugby, but, with referee Mr. Huw Rees, of Aberystwyth relying heavily on his whistle, the stop-start nature of the game hampered both sides and denied them any real opportunity to maintain any continuing.
Blues number eight Andrew Thicker relished the cut and thrust against his former Seasiders teammates, combining with fellow back row men Richard Purcell and Lewis Wood to attack the gain line from the base, and allow half-back pairing of Steve Williams and Matthew Kelly to dictate.
However, Tenby were equally to the challenge with a strong midfield defence led by Neil Truman and Gavin Brace and a spirited pack.
Back after injury skipper Richard Rossiter was tireless in the loose and brought stability to the lines out, where Gene Hocking, Nicky Allen and Justin Richards competed tirelessly.
Mark Badham and Scott Payne tidied up around the fringes while Allen, Anthony Griffiths, Nick Roch and scrum half Oliver Brace combined well to make inroads, Brace being particularly effective in closing down his opposite number Kelly.
Tenby made their intentions clear from the outset, with quick phase ball allowing their to release their threes at will, but the Blues rose to the challenge.
Neil Powling failed with an opportunity to open the scoring with a penalty - even after being brought forward an extra 10 metres following some dissent in the Haverfordwest ranks, but Blues pivot Williams had more success, stroking over a three pointer at the other end to give the visitors the lead.
Although he was just short with a long range effort, another penalty from Williams increased the advantage before a succession of quick tap penalties pushed Tenby back into Haverfordwest territory.
Kicking into the wind Powling found touch just metres out from the Knowling Mead corner.
A scrum saw the Seasiders move the ball open before recycling back on the blind side to send wing Jonathan Dodd over for an unconverted try.
Williams was frustrated to see a penalty within his range reversed by Mr. Rees following some back chat from his colleagues as Haverfordwest tried to up the tempo.
Capitalising on unforced Tenby errors and mistakes, they always looked dangerous when their threes had the ball in hand, but the United defended like tigers - although they were fortunate to see some slipshod handling in the Blues back line.
Powling brought the fair sized crowd to their feet with a diagonal break from lineout ball just outside the visitors' half to power the Seasiders back into Blues territory but Tenby were unable to recycle at the breakdown.
Rossiter was injured during the resulting ruck, being forced to leave the field to be replaced by Dafydd Lewis.
Wing Kim Harland raised hopes with a kick and chase from a scrum but he was just beaten to the ball by Blues backmarker Bruce Evans to leave the score at 5-6 in the visitors favour at the break.
After the oranges, Tenby were good value with some attacking rugby based on solid scrummaging and second phase, but they were again hampered by the stop start nature of the game.
Sion Brace looked as impressive as always running the ball from deep to put pressure on the Blues while Harland and Dodds were equally quick to take the game to the visitors.
A blindside break from Harland from line out ball saw Griffiths maintain the momentum at the breakdown to force Haverfordwest into conceding a penalty with a quick tap seeing Richards barge his way through for a try.
Powling converted but missed with a long range penalty to increase the advantage directly from the restart.
Another penalty from Williams reduced the deficit as play swung to and fro going into the final quarter.
Under the cosh in their own 22, Thicker took matters in hand to lead a Blues breakout, with fast recycling at the breakdown posing a threat as the visitors created an overlap.
But the Blues handling let them down, with the ball spilling free in midfield for the ever alert Harland to hack on and win the kick and chase to claim a deserved try.
The conversion was missed by Powling.
It proved to be the killer blow for, while they threw caution to the wind in the closing stages Haverfordwest were unable to break through the resilient Tenby defence - even though the United were reduced to 14 men following the yellow carding of Badham and also lost the services of Allen, who was forced to take a back seat to allow front row specialist Gareth Noot to take the field.
The match was sponsored by Lloyd Evans, while the ball sponsors were Heywoods, of Saundersfoot; N. D. Toy and Partners; Mike and Jocelyn Fry; Nigel Edwards; Lewis-Wright Builders, Saundersfoot; New Inn, Amroth; Mike Evans, Buccaneer Inn; Phillys Sandwich Bar, Saundersfoot; Airport 2000 and Nicky Rees, Plumber.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Tenby are away to Gorseinon.
Tenby United fielded: Sion Brace, Kim Harland, Gavin Brace, Neil Truman, Jonathan Dodd, Neil Powling, Oliver Brace, Scott Payne, Richard Rossiter (Capt.), Mark Badham, Gene Hocking, Justin Richards, Nicky Allen, Anthony Griffiths, Nick Roch.