Last Sunday, Tenby U16s (sponsored by N. D. Toy and Partners) travelled to Trimsaran for the first round of the WRU Inter District Cup. Hopes were high in the Tenby camp following a fine win against Newcastle Emlyn earlier in the week. However, from previous encounters with Trimsaran, the players were aware of the task ahead.

In perfect conditions, Trimsaran kicked off. Tenby immediately went on the attack, their big forwards making inroads into Trimsaran's defence, with Marvin Thomas leading by example. However, Trimsaran certainly new how to defend.

First points went to the Seasiders when Adam Ball, kicked a penalty.

Tenby kept the pressure on and peppered Trim's try line. Unfortunately, three tries were disallowed, as the referee adjudged that the ball was not grounded.

A try finally came after 25 minutes when scrum-half Rhys Thomas made a break from a lineout 35 metres out and split the defence to race in beneath the posts. A successful conversion put Tenby 10-0 up.

Just before the interval, Trim replied with a penalty from 40 yards to make the half-time score 10-3.

Tenby kicked off the second period, but it was Trim who had their best spell of the match, with their winger scoring; they also kicked a penalty to put them in the lead at 11-10.

In all fairness, captain Adam Ball took the initiative, making a break from loose play and cutting Trim's defence to ribbons to score a fine individual try, which was converted to put Tenby 17-11 up.

Tenby now had their tails up and after flankers Mike Cockburn and Nick Drewett had made big hits into Trim's defence, Adam Ball crossed for his second try, making the score 22-11.

Half-backs Rhys Thomas and Steve Handicott controlled play well at the back, releasing centres Ben Field-Thomas and John Feneck. Wingers Dan Colley and Barrie John also had superb games. At fullback, Lee Hope was again outstanding in defence and attack.

The forwards driving play was also spot on, enabling second row Robbie Tuttle to break off using his immense power to cross for two tries, both of which were converted to let the young Seasiders run out worthy winners 36-11.

This was another good performance by the boys.

Coaches' man-of-the-match - Adam Ball.

Thanks to Trimsaran for their hospitality and once again many thanks to parents for transport.

The U16s train every Friday, 4 pm, at the Clicketts. Anyone who wishes to join the squad, and is 16-years-old after September 1, 2003, will be welcome. For details, 'phone John Handicott on 843281.

TENBY SWIFTS U13s 38 pts CWMGWRACH 7

After a delayed kick-off due to the RWC semi-final match last Sunday, Tenby Swifts U13s put on a magnificent show at Heywood Lane to demolish their visitors from the Vale of Neath by 38 points to seven, scoring six tries, four of which were converted.

The pitch at Heywood Lane was in immaculate condition following a week of heavy rain and the colourful scene was completed by the quality of rugby witnessed, with both teams providing the thrills.

Tenby opened their account after two minutes when speedster Chris Heesom was put away to race over in the corner. That try took the visitors by surprise and the game settled down to become an evenly balanced contest.

However, Tenby gained the upper hand as the half wore on with some superb rucking from the pack providing the backline with good ball which enabled the backs to show their silky handling skills. Two more tries confirmed the Swifts superiority before half-time when No.8 Jack Baker tore away to touch down and powerful wing Thomas Nash crossed wide out just before half-time.

After the break it seemed that the visitors had marshalled their defences for a while and it took a further 10 minutes before the deadlock was broken for Chris Heesom to score his second try after some intelligent passing in midfield.

Cwmgwrach struck back minutes later when their stocky No.12 split the defence to score under the posts.

The Swifts had plenty left, however, and immediately struck back with another Jack Baker try and rounded off a superb performance with a Toby Smith try on the final whistle.

This was an outstanding team performance, but with a number of individuals shining in addition. Particular reference must in this respect be made of the centres, Jamie Williams (capt) and Toby Smith and the back row, particularly Yannic Parker.

Jamie has developed into a fine outside centre who combines his running skills with big defence and ball winning capacity in the tackle. Toby played his best game of the season showing astuteness with his passing game. Yannic, again, played his best game and was outstanding in a superb back row, being prominent in taking the ball forward in the loose and being watertight in defence. He was complemented by the athleticism of Joseff Morris, who again covered acres of ground and whose arm strength in the mauls won many a ball, and the abrasive Jack Baker, whose backing up won him two tries.

The half-backs combined well, with both Kiefer Thomson and James Canton sharing the scrum-half berth with distinction, Kiefer with his smooth service and lightning breaks and James with his lively, snappy style. Patrick Roberts is settling into the No.10 spot nicely and his distribution of the ball ensures that the backline is on the move and never static.

He also adds the extra points with his accurate place kicking, slotting four in this match.

The wings are deadly finishers and have been mentioned above. Sub wing Rhys Winter can also run in tries, but he came on late in this match and didn't have much opportunity to run, but did make a big tackle. Tackling is also fullback Matthew Davies's forte and he had some to do, but he also showed great attacking flair in coming into the line to make some thrilling incursions which led to tries for others.

Of course the backs cannot function without the ball and the front five provided plenty of that. Solid front row forwards Sam Ferguson, Robert Jones and Declan Sharma do a lot of unseen work in the mauls as do the lighter Olly Goldwait, Gareth Lawrence and Callum Baxter in the rucks.

Main ball winner at the front of the lineout was Andrew Evans, ably supported by the aforementioned forwards. As a pack, the whole eight performed magnificently.

So a good performance led to a handsome victory, won with style and skill.

We now look forward to the run-in to Christmas with some more of the same. Well done Swifts!

Tenby fielded: Matthew Davies, Thomas Nash, Jamie Williams (C), Toby Smith, Chris Heesom, Rhys Winter, Patrick Roberts, Kiefer Thomson, James Canton, Sam Ferguson, Declan Sharma, Gareth Lawrence, Robert Jones, Andrew Evans, Olly Goldwait, Yannic Parker, Jack Baker, Joseff Morris, Callum Baxter.

TENBY U14s 34 pts.

CRYMYCH U14s 26

A cold, sunny day awaited the welcome return of Crymych to the Clicketts last Sunday (writes Waterboy). Tenby were again able to field a strong team which included John Pike who has shown promise in the Greenhill School team and was eager to wear the Swifts shirt.

It soon became obvious that the visitors were disciplined and had such well-drilled backs that it was thought that they were 'doing an England' and had to be counted.

Tenby had to defend hard in the first half, with Jamie Robins and Ben Griffiths tackling well over their fighting weight, and all appreciated this was not going to be an easy fixture.

Tenby were a little restricted initially as the scrums were non-contested due to a shortage of regular forwards in the Crymych team and referee Mike Evans took time to explain and advise the teams through the set-pieces.

Some well-worked plays saw Tenby take the lead with breakaway tries following. The wind conditions were changeable, which made kicking for points and territory difficult.

Crymych kept up the pressure throughout and their backline tried time and time again to break through the fiery Tenby defence.

Tenby lineouts were impressive, with Henry Boot winning just about everything that was thrown in. Huge drives by the forwards in open play gained much needed advantage and the Sam Baker, Guto Griffiths, Danny Williams combination opened play up further, giving Rob Collie and Luke Dedman space to run at full throttle.

Coaches Iwan and Simon were able to continue with their rolling programme of positionally challenging the lads, who now have to work hard to earn their positions.

Try scorers were Danny Williams (3), Rob Collie, Luke Dedman and Henry Boot. Guto Griffiths converted two.

The full squad: Sam Baker, Henry Boot, Rob Collie, Scott Davidson, Luke Dedman, Huw Evans, Ben Griffiths, Guto Griffiths, Richard Jones, Iwan Lawrence, Joe Lewis, John Pike, Jamie Robins, Simon Stanford, Andrew Stretton, Mathew Watkins and Danny Williams.