NARBERTH RFC U11s 20 pts TENBY RFC U11s 20
Narberth adopted the simpler approach of straight down the middle and soon were 10-nil up.
Then the Tenby captain, Lewis Davis, had a quick team-talk and all of a sudden it was game on as the Seasiders played a much tighter game of rugby.
Lewis Davies, from a tap penalty, penetrated the home defence, Jonathan Miller continued with the onslaught, being manfully supported by our newest player Sam Fletcher. His clearing out skills allowed Mathew Dick to stretch his legs, before releasing Andrew Cooke for Tenby's first try.
After half-time it was more of the same. Nino Rogers took over in the second row and with his darting attacks confused the home side's defence enough to allow Andrew Cooke to blast his way over for our next try.
All this forward work outraged the Seasiders' backs who defied the wet conditions to produce some quick hands and fancy footwork. Lewis Hodgson as scrum-half interacted well with the marshal in the Tenby number 10 jersey, Tom Baker. His strength and well used side-step brought Ross Gray and his natural speed into play. If a gap appeared Ross would burst through.
When such blistering attacks occur, support is paramount and one of our county representatives, Michael Robins, was always there to assist. His work-rate was exceptional and his speed yet again was equally impressive.
All this back play presented the chance Lewis Canton had been waiting for to score a breath-taking try.
Narberth were now definitely on the back-foot and Tenby ensured they remained there with yet another try from our scoring machine, Mr. Andrew Cooke.
However, credit must go to the Narberth number nine who while the rest of his team remained shell-shocked took it under his own control to level the game with two impressive individual tries.
Not a pretty game, but nevertheless a good, hard encounter which proved our team can rough it in any conditions. Well done lads - you did Tenby proud.
TENBY U10s 15 pts.
NARBERTH U10s 20
Tenby travelled to Narberth for their local derby. With the biting wind and wet conditions, it seemed as if Tenby had gone into hibernation with the first throes of winter, and following a series of missed tackles, Narberth breezed in to score first.
After some strong words from coach Mike Evans, Tenby woke up to give Narberth a game, and Greg Lees-Griffiths scored for after a good run from Robert Fairlie. Narberth replied after a break from halfway.
Tenby were now starting to work, with some good runs from Loui Fecci, Curtis Hurlow, Phil Horsley and Daniel Edwards, and some good sniping from Harry Owen. Greg then using his strength ripped the ball and scored a fine try to bring it level at half-time.
The second half started with some fine tackling from Ross Edwards and Daniel Robbins who was also good in the loose. The forwards, Cai Evans, Carwyn Lawrence, Jordan Carter and Ryan O'Neill, battled well, but Narberth still managed to score from a good run down the wing.
From the restart, Jimmy Johns, Ashley Andrews and Ieuan Williams started to feature. The Tenby pressure started to tell and when they were awarded a scrum in the opposition 22, Harry Owen scored in the corner after a good run from the base.
With both sides now battling hard and the game going from end to end, it was all even, but a loose ball saw Narberth score the winning try.
Thanks to referee Mike Evans.
Team: C. Evans, L. Fecci, D. Edwards, G. Lees-Griffiths, R. O'Neill, H. Owen, D. Robbins, C. Hurlow, R. Fairlie, I. Williams, R. Edwards, C. Lawrence, P. Horsley, J. Carter, J. Johns, A. Andrews.
TENBY SWIFTS U15s SWIFTS 34 pts
NARBERTH U15s 12
Tenby Under 15s played their first home game of the season at a very windswept Heywood Lane. Credit to both sides for playing open rugby and running from deep.
Tenby, playing with the wind first half, opened the scoring with a cracking try from a lineout on halfway. Hooker John Walker found his jumper, the ball passed along the backs, with centre Richard Williams looping round and receiving the ball on the Narberth 22 and outstripping the defence to score an unconverted try in the corner.
Next to score for Tenby was open-side flanker Rhys Thomas who pounced on a loose ball to make the score 10-0.
Narberth hit back, with their centre bursting through and converting his try to bring the score to 10-7.
Tenby captain Nick Drewitt encouraged the team to up their game and they responded. Just before half-time, a scrum 10 metres from the Narberth line saw number 8 Grant Rogers, in his debut game, pick up and drive his way over the line, brushing away defenders, to make the score 15-7.
Tenby, now playing against the wind were determined not to let the game slip.
Their next try was the try of the match, Drewitt securing good lineout ball on the Tenby 10-metre line for scrum-half Andrew Lawrence, who was having a cracking game, to feed his backs. Centre Ben Field-Thomas then split the Narberth centres and rounded the fullback to score between the posts. He converted his own try to bring the score to 22-7.
Johnsey Lewis was next to score an opportunist winger's try from a well-worked move to put Tenby 27-7 up.
Narberth, not giving up, came back and scored an unconverted try to make the score 27-12.
Last try of the morning saw Lawrence breaking from the scrum and setting up good ball for his forwards. Prop Arran Sutton, who had a fine game, was held up short of the line, but Lloyd Wilson was on hand to power over and Steve Handicott converted to make the final score 34-12.
Thanks must go to Narberth for making it such a competitive game in difficult conditions; to Gethin Evans for refereeing; families for their support and to Linda for the coffee.
The Swifts would like to welcome their new players, Grant, Andrew, Martin and Tom.
And a big thank-you to Nigel Chapple for his sponsorship.
Squad: Arran Sutton, Jonathan Walker, Martin Bowles, Adam Hughes, Lloyd Wilson, Rhys Thomas, Grant Rogers, Nick Drewitt, Andrew Lawrence, Steve Handicott, Ben Field Thomas, Richard Williams, Barry John, Johnsey Lewis, Gareth Merriman, Richard May, Paul Rossi, Daniel Young, Paul Woods, James Davies, Tom Worral.