TENBY U15s 37 pts CARMARTHEN
Tenby U15s took on their counterparts from Carmarthen Quins in the opening match of the new year. Due to a frosty Heywood Lane pitch, it was decided to switch the match to the school field which was much softer.
Tenby kicked off and got immediately into the game; they were up for this one, determined to reverse the result, having lost away to the Quins in September.
The forwards made storming inroads into the Quins defence, which held firm for some time, but could not prevent Adam Ball from crashing over for a well-worked try.
Flying wing Richard Williams was next to score. With the forwards collecting from the restart, Williams was fed the ball and raced 60 yards for the touchdown, outpacing the Quins' defence for a cracking try.
Fullback Lee Hope was on hand to score the next try, breaching the Quins' defence to put Tenby 15-0 up after 25 minutes.
The Quins' scrum-half broke from a scrum to put them back into the game with a converted try to make it 15-7.
Tenby immediately upped their game, with second row Arron Sutton gathering a loose ball and powering over the line.
Lee Hope then scored his second try of the morning, after some lovely threequarter play.
Again the Quins hit back just before the break to make the half-time score 25-12.
In the second half, Tenby made changes and everybody slotted into their new positions well, with some good interchange play between forwards and backs, on what was a very cold morning.
The forwards were determined not to let the Quins back into the game, with their set play lineouts and scrums going well and producing good ball for their backs to attack.
Winger Johnsie Lewis burst through to score a fine individual try, followed by Lee Hope completing his hat-trick, handing off six players to score in the corner to seal a fine win for Tenby.
Right on time, the Quins scored a converted try to make the final score 37-19, in what was a very entertaining match, played under difficult conditions; a credit to both teams.
Thanks to Linda and Jimmy for the teas and coffees, and for the home support, which is very much appreciated by the Tenby coaches.
Next match for the U15s is home to Furnace this Sunday morning.
Squad: Marvin Thomas, Jonathan Walker, Martin Bowles, Adam Hughes, Arron Sutton, Nick Drewitt, Grant Rogers, Adam Ball (capt.), Ollie Morgan, Steve Handicott, Ben Field-Thomas, Scott Kerrison, Richard Williams, Johnsie Lewis, Lee Hope, Barrie John, Daniel Young, Andrew Lawrence, Robbie Tuttle.
TENBY UTD
RFC U14s 41 pts.
CARMARTHEN QUINS RFC U14s 17
On a bitterly cold day, Tenby U14s met their Carmarthen Quins counterparts. This Tenby side have played very few games this term due to player unavailability.
However, the side turned in a powerful display with some strong individual performances. The scoring was the preserve of the Colley brothers, Dan and Rob, Rob playing up a year. Oliver Morgan also figured in thre try scoring and converted three of the seven tries scored.
Mention must be made of the team effort; several individuals playing out of their normal positions made telling contributions and the 'old hands', particularly the front row of Rob 'Tarw' Clark and Paul Dalline with Jack Lawrence ably supporting, all had storming games and were constantly in the thick of the action.
A very pleasing aspect of the game was the lineout where Ieuan Rowell and Robbie Tuttle 'cleaned out' the opposition, providing a flow of usable possession for the backs.
The pack was outnumbered from the start, as Tenby were only able to field 14, but their strength, determination and skill won the day.
This was never going to be an easy day, as the cold conditions made handling extremely difficult. Yet, Tenby excelled in moving the ball, with David Saunders and Matthew Fleming tackling superbly and used the possession well.
Of the two frozen wingers, Rob Colley picked up a score, but sadly had to depart the field with a leg injury, reducing Tenby even further.
Although short of numbers, the effort was re-doubled and with Jack Bevan and Rob Whitfield to the fore, Tenby increased their momentum.
County trialists James Davies and Paul Brookes showed their usual commitment and endeavour; Paul in particular is becoming a strength with his deceptive turn of speed and ability to spy a gap!
Unfortunately, Paul too picked up a slight knock and needed to leave the field for attention, bringing the Tenby XV down to 12.
The increasing cold and the developing threat of the Quins side saw them snatch a score and a second, which was goaled by their outside-half.
Tenby held on for a deserved victory, although Quins did manage a further try wideout.
There remains a high skill factor in this side and as a team they have the potential to dominate in this age group. However, rugby is a 15-man game and increasingly a larger squad is required to sustain a challenge at any level. Players are needed to maintain the form this team is showing and to develop a pattern of play as a team. Training remains Mondays after school -please come along and enjoy yourselves.
Thanks to Gethin for refereeing so expertly and as always to John H. for his assistance and spiritual guidance! Thanks also to mums and dads for support and for help with transport. Your vital input is very much appreciated.
TENBY SWIFTS U12s 19 pts.
CARDIGAN U12s 0
Tenby Swifts Under 12s showed no signs of post Christmas lethargy when they got their New Year campaign off to a fine start with a 19-0 victory over visitors Cardigan last Sunday.
Severe overnight frost led to an early morning search for a playable surface which consequently delayed the kick-off.
However, from that moment the irrepressible Swifts swung immediately into action with an early try by James Criddle following driving play by the forwards and slick passing along the line by the backs when the ball was recycled. Patrick Roberts converted from in front of the posts.
In those early stages, the message posted was 'Jack's back!' - meaning the storming return of prop Jack Baker following his long lay-off through injury. He led the forward charges and had a cracking return to the fray and one would never have guessed he had missed half the season.
Jack was strongly supported in the forward exchanges by David McDermott who again showed his improved form this season and was unlucky not to score in the corner when he was adjudged to have brushed the corner flag. In the front row, Declan Sharma played his usual in-your-face game and Sam Ferguson was a pillar of strength at loosehead. Yannic Parker proved a lively second rower and showed his usual commitment, while back row forwards Joseff Morris and Patrick Roberts were everywhere in attack and defence.
Half-backs James Canton and Jamie Williams combined well, with Jamie calling the moves to confuse the Cardigan defence. Centres Kiefer Thomson and Toby Smith probed well for gaps and fed their wings to give James Criddle and Chris Heesom the opportunity to show their paces.
James Criddle benefited most with the bias of movement going to the left and he finished well to score his second try in the corner. This time Patrick again converted with an immense kick.
Matthew Davies again showed his competitive edge with some well-timed entries into attack and a rock solid defence.
At half-time the changes were rung and subs Callum Baxter and Rhys Winter came onto the wings. Unfortunately, Rhys suffered a shoulder injury making a brave tackle and it is hoped he recovers quickly.
Forward subs Robert Jones, Oliver Goldwait and Gareth Lawrence showed their worth when brought on, with Oliver showing his versatility by moving onto the wing late on in the game.
Unfortunately, Cardigan could only field 14 players, so some of the Tenby boys didn't get a full run out, but they will in time.
A satisfying win was therefore recorded, but if there was one criticism it must be that overlaps were not used when the situation screamed out for passes to be made.
Nevertheless, a final try was scored towards the end by Toby Smith after some strong pressure on the visitors' line.
The match was refereed by Steve Williams and his fairness (and sun-tan) were commended by all present.
Tenby fielded: Mathew Davies, Chris Heesom, Callum Baxter, Rhys Winter, James Criddle, Toby Smith, Kiefer Thomson, Jamie Williams, James Canton, Robert Jones, Sam Ferguson, Declan Sharma, Jack Baker, Gareth Lawrence, Oliver Goldwait, Daniel McDermott, Yannic Parker, Joseff Morris, Patrick Roberts (capt.).
TENBY UTD. U11s 45 pts.
CARDIGAN RFC U11s 15
It may have been cold and frosty, but this had no reflection on the warm blooded flowing rugby the youngsters provided for the hat and scarf clad crowd.
Tenby were led in style by captain Ross Gray, who from the number nine position took control of the forwards and backs alike. His service from the base of scrums, rucks and loose ball to the back-line was flawless.
The forwards, as per usual, maintained their tough image by ensuring they hit every ruck hard to clear out the opposition and ensure a sound platform for Ross to release the back-line players.
This back-line of Lloyd Thomas, Tom Baker, Lewis Canton, Michael Robins and Daniel Thomas was a joy to watch from a coach's and parent's point of view. They played at speed and with purpose, with excellent passing skills to ensure the ball was thrown out wide at every opportunity.
This approach of letting the ball do all the hard work resulted in a first-half try-fest which saw the Seasiders run in eight touchdowns.
After the break, the visitors found a higher gear and it was their turn to take command on the attacking front. They became tougher up front, which made our forwards have to earn their crust. The boilerhouse crew of Andrew Cooke, Jonathan Miller, Matthew Dick, Alex Thomas, Lewis Davies, Nino Rogers and Lewis Hodgson were all now engaged in a bruising battle which tested their fitness and, at times, bravery.
The visitors ran everything they possibly could that turned our talented attacking back-line into a tightly woven defensive line. This line held fast time and time again, with crunching tackles being deployed from each and every player in the black and red jersey.
However, the visitors were rightly rewarded for their constant pressure in the second-half with three well-worked tries which Tenby could only answer by adding one more of their own.
Nno conversions were taken during this game.
Well done lads, and thank you all for such an entertaining game. A wonderful start to 2003.
Tries: Lloyd Thomas (3), Andrew Cooke, Michael Robins, Ross Gray, Jonathan Miller, Tom Baker and Lewis Davies.