Tenby got off to their usual slow start against a very large and well-drilled Llandovery team. However, once the cobwebs had been blown away they played their way back into the game.
Twenty-two nil down after 10 minutes the team fought back and showed their real character playing some very classy rugby. The forwards started to gain good possession through the hard work of David Denton, Huw Evans and Luke Deadman.
A storming run by new recruit Harrison Sharma ripped open the defence and after the ensuing ruck Sam Baker, continuing his excellent mid-week form, moved the ball right with the backs in full flight only to be held up just short of the line, the roving number eight Henry Boot forcing his way over for Tenby's first try.
Tenby were now on song, captain Guto Griffiths leading by example with some silky running and big tackling. Tom Griffiths started to get stuck into the opposition front now enabling Scott Davidson to take a superb strike against the head. all the pressure was from Tenby and soon speedy winger Simon Stanford capped a great performance with a well-worked try.
At fullback Jamie Robbins put in some brave tackling and clever counter attacks.
The centre partnership of Ben Griffiths and Danny Williams was a big success with massive hits and a try each, Ben storming down the touchline to score whilst Danny scored the try of the match.
Substitutions were made and Ewan Lawrence, Jo Lewis, Ryan Lewis, Matthew Lewis and Alex Hamilton all continued to the hard work.
The team can be proud of a good performance against quality opposition.
Match referee Simon Griffiths was ably assisted by water-boy/linesman Phil Baker who recovered well after a nasty fall whilst running off the pitch!
PEMBROKE RFC U11s nil TENBY RFC U11s 33
From the very first whistle Tenby showed the crowd they had not travelled the short distance to be second best.
Captain for the day Jonathan Miller led by pure example and ensured the whole squad played their hearts out. Pembroke gave it their all but fortunately for Tenby were no match for the Seasiders' power up front and extreme speed in the backs.
Ross Grey was nearly there with his first ever try after a well worked move which involved Daniel Gosnold, Alex Thomas and Matthew Dick making the hard yards up front before releasing the back division. Quick hands and thinking by our ever present scrum half Ianto Griffiths released Lloyd Thomas to break several would-be tacklers before off-loading to Joseph Richards who for once was boxed in and unable to exploit his speed.
However, he did have the rugby brain to pass swiftly to Ross on the wing who dived and touched down over the line. Brilliant to watch but unfortunately in flight was deemed to have gone into touch.
Such rugby was repeated time and time again by the Seasiders only being halted by some very brave defensive work by Pembroke. However you can't stop speed!
First try of the day was awarded to Joseph Richards after an excellent team effort released our 'winger with the stinger' to touch down in the corner. This was soon followed by an excellent finish by our scoring machine Lloyd Thomas who, with several Pembroke personnel hanging from his shirt, still managed to dive and with a determined stretch of the arm successfully touch down.
A great first half nearly ended with another score from Tom Baker who had his best ever game in the black and red jersey. From his favoured position of centre he jinked, swerved and crashed his way up field only to be halted by a massive tackle.
After the water break, Tenby returned to the field refreshed and eager. Such determination soon changed into points after a co-ordinated session of forward play, spearheaded by bull dozing runs from power house Lewis Davies, released Lloyd to score his second of the day. Pembroke even at this point continued to attack but were unable to find the line owing to punishing treatment in the tackle department from Lewis Hodgson and Michael Robins who floored all in their way - legally!
Nino Rogers continued with his quick learning curve to the world of junior rugby by braving it up in the boiler house as second row and it took some hard tackles to stop his penetrating runs. Pleasing to see he also managed to keep the ball alive to release Lewis Canton who played a blinder to burst through with speed and power to score a superb individual try.
Finally when you thought it couldn't get any better Andrew Cook took possession of the ball in his own 22 and took on the world and his uncle to crash his way to the line with the best try of the day.
The only message the coaches can add, well done lads, excellent performance.
TENBY U10s 54 pts
PEMBROKE nil
On this bright September morning, a squad of 18 players travelled to Pembroke with an air of optimism following last week's defeat against Haverfordwest.
A hard training session on Thursday night an a pre match pep talk from Mike Evans certainly seemed to do the trick. Within minutes of the kick-off Harry Owen's solo run down the left wing was rewarded by a try, which he duly converted. A further try by Harry followed shortly after and then, following a spell of good handling by the forwards and three quarters alike, Greg Lees-Griffiths flew over the line for the first of his three tries!
Tenby defended well with some big tackles from Sam Turton and Ciaran Broomhead and Luke James, Ryan O'Neill, Leo Moreland and Jimmy John all fought hard to gain valuable possession from the loose.
The second half showed no let up, with Ciaran Broomhead's piecing run through the opposition centres and Robert Fairlie's forceful run down the right wing resulting in a try each.
Pembroke rallied towards the end and a spell of play on Tenby's five-yard line almost saw them on the scoreboard but a spirited defence held them back and in dying minutes Curtis Hurlow was rewarded with the final try of the match. Conversions by H. Owen (3), C. Hurlow (2), G. Lees-Griffiths (1) and A. Broomhead (1). Well done lads and Bethan.
Tenby squad: A. Andrews, C. Broomhead, B. Davies, R. Edwards, C. Evans, R. Fairlie, L. Fecci, P. Horsley, A. Heesom, C. Hurlow, L. James, J. John, C. Lawrence, G. Lees Griffiths, L. Moreland (Captain), R. O'Neill, H. Owen, L. Rees, S. Turton, I. Williams.
TENBY SWIFTS U12 39pts
LLANDOVERY U12 nil
Last Sunday saw the Under 12s back in action, this time on the Greenhill School pitch. A big win was duly sewed up but the game did not quite gel as a spectacle and was something of a curate's egg, good in parts.
Six tries were scored without reply and they were absolute crackers. Chris Heesom playing in the centre showed lightening pace to score twice. James Criddle on the wing did likewise to grab another pair with Toby Smith scoring his customary try and Matthew Davies rounding off the scoring after some fine interpassing. Patrick Roberts converted three.
Jamie Williams made some exciting breaks and unselfishly off-loaded for others to run in the tries. James Canton and Keifer Thomson shared the scrum half berth and the team is lucky to have such talented half backs.
The solid front row of Declan Sharma, Jack Baker and Robert Jones, playing his first game as hooker, enjoyed themselves in the thick of the action as did Sam Ferguson and Gareth Lawrence when they came on in the second half.
Oliver Goldwait and Daniel McDermott played fast and loose in the second row and will come to relish the donkey work when the pitches become heavier as the winter sets in. The back row is developing into a crack unit with Yannic Parker tightening up the blind side with some crunching tackles, Patrick Roberts playing his usual power house game and open-side Joseff Morris using his pace and athleticism to put constant pressure on the opposing backs.
Yet another new player was introduced this week on the wing namely Callum Baxter and he together with other recent recruit Rhys Winter will have enjoyed their outings and will learn as the season progresses.
In this game experiments were made with boys trying out new positions, a luxury that could be afforded against a plucky visiting team that was not perhaps at its strongest. There are a list of lessons to be learned from games like this and they must be before more formidable teams are faced.
So it's on to Llangwm next week where perhaps the man with the whistle, Steve Williams, can catch his breath from the touchline after the last two weeks when he has covered vast distances in the middle.
Tenby fielded: Matthew Davies, James Criddle, Chris Heesom, Toby Smith, Rhys Winter, Callum Baxter, Jamie Williams, Keifer Thomson, James Canton, Declan Sharma, Robert Jones, Jack Baker, Gareth Lawrence, Sam Ferguson, Daniel McDermott, Oliver Goldwait, Yannic Parker, Joseff Morris, Patrick Roberts (capt).