TENBY UTD. RFC U9s 6 tries
PEMBROKE DOCK QUINS U9s 5
Tenby Under 9s, with two defeats and one win so far this season, wanted to reward their coach Myrddin Dennis with a win against an undefeated Quins side.
Despite heroic tackling from Corrie, the Quins scored two quick tries, leaving Tenby all at sea. Then up stepped Harry, who not only lifted the hearts of his team-mates, but scored two individual tries and set up a third for Joe F. to see Tenby in front. More ferocious tackling by Dylan and especially Daniel (Squirt) kept the Quins out until the interval.
Lack of concentration by the home side and quick thinking by the visitors saw them equalise from the whistle. In fact, it was the Quins who re-took the lead thanks to poor organisation of the home defence and some strong running by the visitors.
However, individual runs by Robert and Henry into Quins' territory inspired Mathew, Elliot and Cameron to support and give momentum to a rolling maul game that the Quins found hard to defend against. Any loose ball was quickly pounced on by Joe D. and Daryl who unselfishly linked with their flyers, Harry and Joe F., who scored another three tries between them.
Every Tenby player to a man supported, tackled and covered to protect their line. Quins eventually broke this defence as the final whistle sounded, but Tenby had done enough to secure a six-try to five victory.
Tenby Under 9s showed themselves that when they play as a team they can come from behind and beat bigger opposition.
A special mention to referee Craig O'Neil for allowing the game to flow, making it an enjoyable match for the players and growing number of supporters.
Tenby fielded: Jo Dennis, Daniel Farley, Jo Farrell, Dylan Griffin, Robert Luly, Corrie Morris, Mathew McDermott, Harry Owen, Henry Pritchard, Elliot Randal, Cameron Wood, Daryl Williams.
TENBY SWIFTS U12s 58 pts. PEMBROKE DOCK QUINS 0
On a Heywood Lane pitch that was in superb condition after the weeks of heavy rain, the talented Under 12s ran out with their biggest victory of the season against an uncompromising Pembroke Dock team.
When they chose to play rugby, the Quins showed some useful skills, but the Tenby defence stood firm to stifle all danger. In that department, Matthew Davies had yet another huge game. His tackling is bone-shattering, as we all know, but he has added the skill of then tearing the ball off his opponent and making yards, thus turning defence immediately into attack. He scored a fine try and was involved in creating many of the other 10 that were scored.
Of those, Toby Smith topped the bill with four after some long and elusive runs. Danny McDermott got what is becoming his customary try following a powerful burst of 50 yards. Wing James Criddle danced his way through for another try, side-stepping off both feet, and Chris Heesmon showed his electrifying pace to outstrip the defence to score in the corner.
Joseff Morris played a classic open-side flanker game with his backing up and direct running with the ball in hand. His reward was a try under the posts. He also made a long run to be tackled yards short, but made the ball available for the ever-alert Jamie Williams to follow up and dive over for his richly deserved try.
Patrick Roberts converted four to complete the scoring.
The forwards had their hands full in containing some direct charges from their bigger opponents, but the front row of Declan Sharma, Robert Jones and Sam Ferguson stood firm. Yannic Parker and Danny McDermott were always in the fray and Patrick Roberts led his team with a particularly robust display in attack and defence with no mean distribution skills.
Gareth Lawrence and Oliver Goldwait made lively appearances in the second half to complete a fine forward display with plenty of 'in your face' action.
Scrum-half James Canton was a livewire and out-half Jamie Williams was as committed and direct as ever. Kiefer Thomson, who started in the centre, provided the link and jink role to set the flying wings Tom Griffin and Rhys Winter away, and he later reverted to scrum-half where again he turned in a top game.
This victory for the unbeaten Swifts puts them in fine fettle to face their closest rivals, Whitland, next Sunday at home. Those two teams have drawn in the last few encounters and it looks set to be a fascinating clash in the offing.
Tenby fielded: Matthew Davies, Rhys Winter, Thomas Griffin, Kiefer Thomson, Toby Smith, James Criddle, Chris Heesom, Jamie Williams, James Canton, Sam Ferguson, Gareth Lawrence, Declan Sharma, Robert Jones, Daniel McDermott, Oliver Goldwait, Joseff Morris, Yannic Parker and Patrick Roberts (capt).
TENBY UNDER 15s 32pts. NARBERTH UNDER 15s 5
Following last week's wins against Pembroke Under 15s and the county 15s, the Tenby Under 15s had another busy weekend, with firstly a game against Narberth Under 15s under lights on Friday night.
Luckily the rain abated after early downpours and it was game on.
Tenby always expect a hard physical contest against their local rivals and this was no exception.
Stronger up front, the Tenby forwards had the upper hand which gave them the platform to release their powerful backs.
After five minutes, the ball was recycled on halfway and fed across the threequarters for winger Richard Williams to show his pace and score in the corner to put Tenby five up.
Williams also scored the second five minutes later after some good moves from the backs.
Impressive number eight Grant Rogers added another try before half-time after a powerful burst taking three defenders over the line with him.
This made the half-time score 15-0 to the Tenby side.
The first score of the second half resulted from a lineout on Narberth's 22. From a Tenby throw, the ball was gathered, driven on 15 meters and set up for Rogers to force his way over for a try. Steve Handicott converted to take the score to 22-0.
Tenby never allowed Narberth to settle. Ollie Morgan broke from the scrum, dummying inside and sending Scott Kerrison in under the posts for another touchdown.
Narberth were tenacious and had a good period of play, and it was nice to see their captain, Lloyd Phillips, back after injury, scoring in the corner.
The next and final try had to be the best of the match. Nearly every Tenby player handled the ball through six phases of play, before Morgan went blind and passed to Handicott, who missed two centres to send Williams running in at the corner from 25 meters.
Thanks to Narberth for a good game in front of a large crowd.
Thanks also to the tea ladies, Gethin for refereeing and groundsman Goofy for supplying such a good playing surface.
Squad: Duncan Meacher, Johnathan Walker, Martin Bowles, Adam Hughes, Robbie Tuttle, Nick Drewett, Grant Rogers, Lloyd Wilson, Andrew Lawrence, Steve Handicott, Ben Field Thomas (capt.), Scott Kerrison, Johnsy Lewis, Daniel Colley, Gareth Merriman, Barry John, Daniel Young, Paul Rossi, Paul Woods, Ollie Morgan, Robert Clarke.
TENBY UNDER 15s 38 pts. TRIMSARAN 25
Last Sunday saw Tenby Under 15s entertain their counterparts from Trimsaran on a lovely Sunny morning. Having never played Trim before, the Swifts didn't know what to expect, but were soon to find out.
The opening minutes saw Tenby camped on their opponents line, but the visitors tackled like demons, which saw them clearing the danger and taking the play up field where they gained a penalty to put them 3-0 up.
The Swifts knew they had a hard morning ahead.
Right wing Richard Williams took the initiative, collecting the ball from deep and powered his way through the Trim defence to score between the posts, the try being converted to put Tenby 7-3 ahead.
This was the wake-up call Tenby needed, with a few sharp words from the coaches.
From the restart, the ball was gathered by the forwards and after some lovely inter-play with the backs, the action was taken deep into Trim territory where forward Nick Drewett gathered possession and with great skill powered his way over for another converted try.
Tenby tails were now up, but Trim came storming back and it was the home side's turn to defend, which they did well, clearing their lines, with the ball going into touch off a visiting player.
Lloyd Wilson, who is revelling in his new position as open-side flanker, took a quick throw-in to Steve Handicott and he fed pacy centre Scott Kerrison, who stormed down the field to score a fine try, with Adam Ball converting to bring the half-time score to 19-3.
The second half saw Tenby make a number of changes, making full use of their squad, but they took up where they had left off in the first.
Powerful number eight Grant Rogers picked up from a scrum on halfway and worked the blind side, before outpacing the defence to score a brilliant solo effort in the corner, with Ball again kicking an excellent touchline conversion to bring the score to 26-3.
Tenby boys thought it was game, set and match and eased off, but Trim had other ideas and scored two quick tries to narrow the gap to 26-13.
Tenby then upped their game and their forwards got back on top, which saw second row forward Robbie Tuttle power over for a try with half the Trim pack clinging to him.
Again Trim hit back with a well-worked converted try to make it 31-20.
With five minutes remaining, Adam Ball rallied his troops and when Williams received the ball, some lovely inter-play between the forwards and backs saw him score a great team try which was converted.
Still it was not over, with never-say-die Trim again hitting back to take the finishing score of a very entertaining game to 38-25.
This was a gutsy performance by the Swifts, but they certainly played better on Heywood Lane.
Thanks to Trim for travelling down and giving us a hard game, and the Swifts are looking forward to travelling there for a return match.
Also thanks to their band of supporters, it was much appreciated; Gethin for refereeing and Karen and Eithwen for the after-match refreshments.
Squad: Nick Drewett, Johnathan Walker, Martin Bowles, Robbie Tuttle, Paul Woods, Adam Ball, Grant Rogers, Lloyd Wilson, Ollie Morgan, Steve Handicott, Johnsy Lewis, Ben Field Thomas, Scott Kerrison, Richard Williams, Lee Hope, Barry John, Robbie Clark, Gareth Merriman , Paul Rossi, Duncan Meacher, Daniel Young.
TENBY SWIFTS U10s 50 pts. PEMBROKE DOCK 10
Another fine day greeted the Pembroke Dock side to Tenby and, judging by the size of some of their forwards, the Swifts thought that they were in for a tough time.
However, the old saying 'the bigger they are they the harder they fall' seemed to be in evidence and no sooner had the visitors kicked off, than some big tackles were seen from both Daniel and Rhys (Beef).
A scrum on Pembroke's line shortly ensued and a good rucked ball produced a try by Greg in the opening minutes.
Loui then took the ball from Pembroke's kick off and his pass sent Greg running down the left wing. Good passing to Alex, then to Ross saw the home side running through the middle of the opposition defence and, although they tackled well, the ball was laid back and Rob picked up for an easy try on the right wing.
It was Rob's turn again when he took the ball directly from the kick off and a solo run down the left wing sent him over the opposition try line, only to be called back seconds later, as his nimble feet must have ever so slightly gone into touch.
Tenby continued to gain possession from the lineout thanks to the good handling skills of Cai and from the mauls due to efforts of Daniel, Ryan and Phil, and solo runs from Phil and Greg resulted in them both scoring tries in quick succession.
A lineout on Tenby's 22 line was the stage for a further score when Daniel stole the ball from a Pembroke player and made a solo dash down the middle for his side's fifth try.
It looked as though the half-time whistle would blow without Pembroke Dock opening their account, but in the last minute of the first half, Tenby where penalised for kicking the ball from outside their 22. The visitors where quick to capitalise and a short kick and a pass sent one of their players straight through the middle of the defence for their first try.
The second half saw no let up in Tenby's attack and excellent tackling by Ross, Daniel, Ryan and Harry thwarted the visitors' attacks on a number of occasions. But it did not stop there, for the threequarters continued their assault on Pembroke's try line and a further five tries from Greg (3), Harry and Alex were conceded by Pembroke.
Pembroke did rally and, although the ball was held up over Tenby's try line, a five-yard scrum restarted their attack. A diving tackle from a Tenby player did little to stop an excellent run down the middle, which was rewarded by a second and final try.
Tenby team: Ashley Andrews, Ross Edwards, Daniel Robbins (capt.), Cai Evans, Robert Fairlie, Loui Fecci, Alex Heesom, Philip Horsley, Jimmy John, Carwyn Lawrence, Greg Lees Griffiths, Rhys Lewis, Ryan O'Neill, Harry Owen, Ieuan Williams.