TENBY RFC U11s 52 pts.
WHITLAND RFC U11s 49
This fixture for the Tenby squad is always one to look forward to as historically it promises everything a good rugby match should display. This game was no exception.
From the very first whistle it was running rugby from the home side which immediately opened up the scoring. This was then mirror-imaged by the visitors who crossed the Tenby line instantaneously to level the scores.
From this moment onwards the lead changed hands ding-dong, with a game pattern similar to that of a game of basketball, i.e. end to end scoring.
My report would normally name the scorers and how each score came about, but with such a flurry of tries and conversions this would require the middle section of this newspaper to cover it correctly.
Therefore, all that can be said is well done to both teams. Each player showed the privileged crowd how talented they are individually and as a squad.
Tenby proved to us coaches that they are moving forward with their understanding that the game is a squad effort, with backs and forwards combining well. The boilerhouse kings all played blinders. When the situation arose, they all worked as a unit and executed their clearing out skills well to provide our scrum-half with quick ball to release the eager backs.
The backs then took the opportunity to spread the ball wide to the flyers to expose the open spaces which resulted in a score frenzy.
Well done lads. It's not often you can watch such a close game and see 101 points notched up. Tenby RFC have a bright future if you lads have anything to do with it.
Thank you to Gareth Thomas who took control as referee - much appreciated.
Team: Andrew Cooke, Daniel Gosnold, Ianto Griffiths (capt.), Lloyd Thomas, Lewis Hodgson, Michael Robins, Lewis Canton, Joseph Richards, Tom Baker, Alex Thomas, Lewis Davies, Daniel Thomas, Jonathan Miller, Ross Grey, Nino Rogers, Sam Fletcher.
Try scorers: Tom Baker, Daniel Gosnold, Lloyd Thomas (2), Ianto Griffiths, Alex Thomas, Lewis Canton, Jonathan Miller.
Conversions: Ianto Griffiths (4), Lloyd Thomas (2).
TENBY U9s 15 pts
WHITLAND U9s 10
It was a long wait for the players and supporters of Tenby U9s while they watched their older team-mates battle it out with the visiting Whitland side. Once play started, it proved a wait worthwhile.
As is now customary with the young Swifts, the visiting side was allowed to score twice unopposed. It is as if this now confident little outfit need the extra challenge of coming from behind. A dangerous ploy!
Harry opened the scoring for Tenby with a galloping run down the flank, his blistering pace carrying him over the try line untouched.
Whitland, now realising this was not going to be a soft match, tightened their defence.
The tackling from both sides was exceptional. Jo F., Harry and Dylan stood out, knocking down their opponents and snuffing out any Whitland attack before it could get started.
Jo D., as last week, was quick to tidy up any loose ball and this time found space to set Daryl on a clear run down the wing. When Daryl put the ball down over the try line even he looked surprised that Whitland could not match his pace.
Two tries to Tenby without Whitland putting a hand on the scorers; the Swifts living up to their name.
The second-half was a more dire encounter, with both sides evenly matched. Dylan and Elliot had their best game this season, springing up all over the pitch in attack and defence.
Henry and Robert made good ground with their charging style of play, supported by Ben and Matthew. Cameron, always looking to peel off the mauls, was hindered by his own team-mates not releasing the ball. Therefore, despite good support, Whitland were able to stall Tenby's mauling game.
Eventually the deadlock was broken with a solo run by Harry which started down the middle, swerving outside and then stepping back inside, leaving the drifting Whitland defence tackling each other, and Harry diving over the line in exhaustion to give Tenby the win.
A low scoring game due to excellent tackling by both sides, but Tenby showed more discipline and grit to protect their line, keeping a clean sheet in the second-half.
The proud faces on the parents watching could not be concealed. They did after all have every reason to be proud of this young pride of Tenby lions.
Tenby U9s fielded: Jo Dennis, Daniel Farley, Jo Farrell, Dylan Griffin, Robert Luly, Mathew McDermott, Harry Owen, Henry Pritchard-Jones, Elliot Randal, Ben Vickery, Daryl Williams, Cameron Wood.
TENBY SWIFTS U12s 7 pts. WHITLAND U12s 15
It had to come some day and last Sunday at Heywood Lane was it! A powerful and skilful visiting Whitland team took the much prized scalp of the unbeaten Swifts in an exciting full-blooded encounter to win this fixture outright for the very first time.
It was clear from the kick-off that the visitors meant business when they launched attack after attack against a Tenby team that didn't seem to want to know for the first 20 minutes. Possession was conceded and tackles were missed by a team who seemed to have left their competitive edge in the changing room!
A try was inevitable and it came midway through the first half from a powerful drive right through the heart of the Tenby forwards.
The only forward to show any response during this period was Danny McDermott with a fine run of 50 yards down field. Others it must be said just stood by and watched and seemed reluctant to commit themselves to rucks or mauls. Tenby could ill-afford passengers against this type of opposition.
The backs fared little better with the meagre possession they got and normally penetrative runners failed to break the green and white wall in a well-drilled visiting back-line.
Tenby conceded another try just before half-time, by which time their own defence was picking up. Neither try was converted.
The second half saw an improvement in the home team, who finally managed to launch some attacks. The ball was moved too slowly, however, and many promising moves came to nought.
However, when flying wing Chris Heesom was finally given some space he showed his electrifying speed to outpace everyone for a fine 60-yard try near the posts. Patrick Roberts converted. So it was 10-7 with it all to play for.
Were Tenby going to get out of jail this time? It looked promising as the forwards picked themselves up and desperate attacks were mounted, only to be held up by the Whitland defence.
In the final minutes, Whitland managed to camp in the Tenby 22 and scramble over for a final try to seal it in their favour.
There was no time left for Tenby to retrieve the situation and the final whistle came with Seasiders still on the attack. Well done to the Swifts for not giving up, but many congratulations to Whitland for their win.
The Tenby dressing room was eerily quiet as the defeat sunk in, but there is no shame in losing to a good team in what was a thrilling game of rugby. Every team has its off day and unfortunately for the Under 12s theirs was in the first half against excellent opponents who were on the top of their game.
Tenby fielded: Matthew Davies, Chris Heesom, Toby Smith, Kiefer Thomson, Tom Griffin, Jamie Williams, James Canton, Sam Ferguson, Declan Sharma, Robert Jones, (rep. Gareth Lawrence), Daniel McDermott, Oliver Goldwait, Yannic Parker, Joseff Morris, Patrick Roberts (capt.).
Reserves: Sean Davies, Callum Baxter, Dominic Landragin, Rhys Winter.