TENBY U13s 52
ABERYSTWYTH 0
Last Sunday morning saw Tenby Swifts U13s take on their counterparts from Aberystwyth. After a week of wet weather, the day proved a dry one, allowing Tenby to play a running game and using speed behind a very mobile pack.
This they did to great effect after just three minutes when the ball was recycled by the forwards and David Jones fed a lovely pass out to the backs, where Matt Fleming came into the line and outstripped the Aber defence to score a cracking try under the posts. Ollie Morgan added the conversion.
Tenby's tails were up, and this score was quickly followed by forward surge. Flanker Rob Tuttle took the ball at pace and burst 30 yards to the line.
Ollie slotted the conversion and was also next to score when, from a scrum on the 10-metre line, Sam Foster fed his outside-half, who weaved and side-stepped his way through for a superb try, which he again converted himself.
The backs were now having a field day, with the wingers seeing plenty of the ball.
Next on the score-sheet was young Josh Bevan, playing up a year, who took a pass from brother Jack to race 40 yards for an excellent try, to bring the first half to a close at 26-0.
From the restart, the home side applied strong pressure in their opponents' half.
Next to score was centre Bobby Briers, followed by scrum-half Sam Foster, who broke from a scrum 20 yards out and outpaced the defence to cross in the corner.
Ollie Morgan converted both, one with an excellent kick from the touchline.
Tenby were now attacking from all angles.
Wing Dave Jones bagged the next try, racing in from 30 yards, with Ollie adding the conversion, and the last try came from the forwards who were now in rampant mood, Rob Turtle claiming his second touchdown in the corner.
Ollie Morgan again converted from the touchline to round off a fine display with the boot.
This was a cracking game to watch and a display which the Swifts can be proud. Thanks to Gethin Evans for refereeing and the parents for their support.
Squad: James Davies, Rob Clark, Paul Brooks, Stephen Paxton, Robbie Tuttle, Dan Colley (capt), Ollie Morgan, Bobby Briers, Jack Bevan, Josh Bevan, Dave Jones, Matthew Fleming, Ben Messenger, Luke Dedman, James Dick, Jack Lawrence, Sam Foster.
TENBY SWIFTS U11s 33 pts
ABERYSTWYTH U11s 0
The unbeaten Under 11s turned in another good display to score five tries, four of which were converted, and kept a clean sheet against Aberystwyth last Sunday at Heywood Lane.
Any thoughts Tenby may have had to rattle up some early scores were put on hold by a useful Aber outfit who had other ideas. In fact, there was deadlock for a long period in the first-half, with Tenby having their hands full to contain some big runners in the Aberystwyth pack.
Tenby, led by prop forward Robert Jones, soon learnt that it was no use trying to tackle heavier opponents around their shoulders, but had to get in low.
The pack provided some good ball, but there was no way through until Toby Smith spliced the defence open to race away for yet another hat-trick of tries. This high scoring centre seems to be able to create openings out of nothing.
Kiefer Thomson and James Criddle, making welcome returns to the side, made valuable contributions without getting on the scoresheet. Matthew Davies was his usual irrepressible self and tested the visitors constantly. Oliver Goldwait also showed some nice touches in the second-half.
Joseff Morris and Yannic Parker made their direct approach count and were rewarded with a try apiece for their efforts. Jack Baker and captain Robert Jones made inroads into their opponents' territory and with Daniel McDermott made some forceful runs.
Once again Patrick Roberts was immaculate with the boot, converting all four attempts to achieve a 100 per cent record. He also provided a robust contribution with his powerful running.
Another successful outing for the Under 11s who continue to entertain their loyal band of supporters. We now look forward to the hopefully drier grounds ahead and the cup competitions to come.
Tenby fielded: Robert Jones (capt.), Yannic Parker, Joseff Morris, Jack Baker, Daniel McDermott, Patrick Roberts, Kiefer Thomson, Toby Smith, Matthew Davies, James Criddle and Oliver Goldwait.
TENBY U10s 28
ABERYSTWYTH U10s 10
Tenby played host to the furthest travelling team this year in the form of Aberystwyth. The conditions were cold and bleak, but the rugby was as per usual top-drawer.
Daniel Gosnold held his head up high as captain for the Seasiders and played excellent up front with his renowned bull-like charges up field.
The forwards seemed to click well with fantastic support play. Henry Lawrence had an excellent game in the boilerhouse, regaining the ball for the hungry backs every time it was engulfed in a ruck or maul situation. He was powerfully supported by Denny Paxton, who must have had the best attacking game of his career, and Andrew Cooke, who yet again caused mayhem for the visitors' defenders by breaking tackle after tackle to gain the hard yards.
Ianto Griffiths ensured he was on the scene every time the ball went to ground to produce accurate scrum-half passes to his back line. One such pass released the fastest man on the park, Joseph Richards, to burn off some steam and score in the corner, which was gracefully converted by Ianto.
This score seemed to bring the forwards for Tenby even tighter together with some very impressive ball handling in maul situations which eventually released Lewis Davies on the roll who used all his power and strength to find the line for Tenby's second try, again converted perfectly by Ianto.
During the half-time break, young Mathew Dick donned the Tenby shirt for the first time in his career and showed the visitors he, too, was a force to be reckoned with. He found a channel to jink through which caused mayhem in the Aber defence and allowed Andrew Cooke to score a clever blind-side try, which Ianto yet again added to with an excellent conversion.
The backs then decided it was time they showed their forwards what they were made of. They created several classy runs from interpassing phases of play to pin the visitors back in their own 22. Lloyd Thomas, as per usual, exploited his vast skills and commitment with several bursting runs and always managed to keep the ball available for the likes of Daniel Thomas to take charge and continue the onslaught.
The game was not all one-sided, however. During the second half Aber turned the screw on the Tenby squad and maintained several passages of exciting play which were turned into points with two very powerful forward tries.
In the last two minutes Tenby found top gear, with the likes of Michael Robins and Tom Baker finding the strength and skills to dissect the Aber defence which resulted in the visitors having to place the ball down over their own line to concede a scrum-five. This allowed Ianto Griffiths to utilise his scrum-half skills to the full by throwing a dummy pass, quick side-step and bang, a gorgeous try.
The score was now adding up, but Aber gave it their all to the final whistle. The ball was quickly found to be in the hands of their centre who picked up momentum and broke several Tenby tackles to find himself steaming unopposed towards the Tenby try line. Then out of the blue, up popped Lewis Hodgson and in great fullback tradition put his life on the line with a thunderous try-stopping tackle.
This was only the second game since Christmas owing to the poor weather. Well done lads. It was a pleasure to watch such sportsmanship and rugby skills. Keep it coming.
PS. Marvellous referee - such skill!
TENBY VIKINGS
The Under 9s travelled to Pembroke on Sunday. Due to the weather conditions, the boys have had a few games cancelled lately.
The break and all the training paid off. Nifty Harry Owen had yet another great game, scoring three smashing tries. By half-time the team was determined to get another win under their belt. The second-half started with an explosive run from Rob Furlie to make the score four tries to two.
Curtis Hurlow made some brilliant runs, which paid off in the end to add another try to the scoreboard.