TENBY SWIFTS U13s 33 pts. MILFORD HAVEN U13s 7

The Swifts Under 13s got the New Year campaign off to a winning start when they visited a fog-bound Milford Haven last Sunday to record a 33-7 win.

On a heavy pitch, the Swifts played some open and attractive rugby in the first half to score 26 of their points, but seemed to go off the boil for most of the second half and allow the home outfit back into the game.

Tries in the first half were scored by robust Jamie Williams (captain), flying wing Chris Heesom, with the elusive centre Toby Smith grabbing a pair. Three of these were converted by outside-half Patrick Roberts.

Milford fought back strongly in the second half to gain the upper hand in the tight exchanges and were rewarded with a try from a short tapped penalty which was converted.

It was not until the last minute of play that the Swifts were able to convert renewed pressure into points when scrum-half Kiefer Thomson stole over for a try from a set-piece, with Roberts again adding the extra points.

Matthew Davies at fullback joined the line in attack with excellence and James Canton and Callum Baxter, who shared the right wing berth, made some nice dashes. Centres Jamie Williams and Toby Smith moved the ball well, with Jamie always being the first man into the tackle on opposition short penalties.

Half-backs Patrick Roberts and Kiefer Thomson are settling down well into a partnership and their understanding allows the threequarter line to get into gear. Chris Heesom's speed on the wing astounds all who witness it and his all-round footballing ability bodes well for the future.

Substitute wing Rhys Winter did not come on in this game, but his enthusiasm and desire to learn will serve the team well in due course.

The outstanding back row trio of Jack Baker, Yannic Parker and Joseff Morris got through a lot of work in attack and defence, as did the second row pairing of Andrew Evans and Oliver Goldwait, who both won a lot of lineout ball and got around the park. The foundation work was once again carried out by front rowers Sam Ferguson, Declan Sharma and Robert Jones, who were up against very heavy opponents.

Two new debutants were introduced in the second half, namely Jason Ronowitz and Roy Osborne, and they settled in nicely and will develop throughout the remainder of the season.

The other debutant, of course, was the referee, namely Mr. Steve Williams, who handled proceedings admirably and showed remarkable fitness following the festive season!

So the cob-webs have now been blown away and the Swifts now face an interesting and testing January, with home fixtures on successive Sundays against Cardigan (11th), Mumbles (18th) and Abergavenny (25th).

The latter two are new fixtures and the visitors are rumoured to be quite useful, so the Under 13s will have plenty of work to do in the next few weeks.

Many thanks go to Mr. Greg Davies for his work in arranging the matches.

In the game against Milford Haven, Tenby fielded: Matthew Davies, James Canton, Callum Baxter, Jamie Williams (capt.), Toby Smith, Chris Heesom, Patrick Roberts, Kiefer Thomson, Sam Ferguson, Declan Sharma, Robert Jones, Andrew Evans, Oliver Goldwait, Roy Osborne, Jason Ronowitz, Yannic Parker, Jack Baker and Joseff Morris. Sub - Rhys Winter.

NEWCASTLE EMLYN U16s 45 pts.

TENBY UNITED U16s 26

Tenby United U16s, sponsored by N. D. Toy and Partners, made the long trek north last Sunday to Newcastle Emlyn, only to come unstuck against a determined home side.

A bright start by Tenby produced no real scoring chances. In contrast, Newcastle Emlyn, against the run of play, scored two quick converted tries,

Tenby having had 70 per cent of possession were unable to turn it into points.

Again Newcastle Emlyn broke through, breaching Tenby's line twice more before the interval, making the interval score 28-0.

A stiff half-time talk from coach Gethin Evans settled Tenby and upped their spirits, and they came out for the second half with guns blazing.

They were soon rewarded, when centre John Fenwick powered over for a converted try, shortly followed by wing Gareth Merriman, kicking ahead and winning the race for the touchdown, to bring them back into the game.

The next try saw Tenby outside-half Steve Handicott cross after some excellent back play, to take Tenby to 19 points.

Newcastle Emlyn then scored another try to open up the gap again, with the score at 35-19.

Constant Tenby pressure saw centre Johnsie Lewis crossing for a converted try, making the score 35-26.

Then Newcastle Emlyn came back with a further two tries to make the final score 45-26, ending an exciting game.

Tenby finished strongly, however, but were unable to make up for their poor performance in the first half.

Thanks again to parents for lifts. Training this week is Sunday, 12 noon, at the Clicketts.