Tenby Under 9s 8 tries
Cardigan Under 9s 2
Tenby United Under 9s maintained their unbeaten record this season with a fine victory over Cardigan at the Clicketts on Sunday.
The Seasiders were missing several key players, but rallied around skipper for the day Dan Fairlie and put in what was probably their best win of the season. The home side showed their intentions from the start of the game and looked to run at their opponents from the outset.
Dan Fairlie showed pace and evasive running as he crossed for five excellent tries, one move having started on his own try line. He was also looking to cover when the visitors threatened to break through the Seasiders' defences, marshalling the rest of the team well.
Also keen to get in on the try-scoring act was Corey Morris, who picked up a well-deserved brace, as well as putting in his usual quota of crunching tackles. The strong-running Jake Vickery, who was a thorn in the home side's defences throughout, scored the other home try.
But this was not just a day for the scorers, but for the whole team, who contributed to some excellent running rugby. Jordan Jones is improving with every game and used his strength well in maul situations to secure possession for his teammates.
Calum Weakley proved to be extremely difficult to put down and impressed with his direct running which sucked in the Cardigan defence and created opportunities out wide. Ryan Absalom was similarly committed and showed that he is prepared to work hard for the ball.
Rhidian Lawrence didn't think he would be getting onto the pitch, but after a pair of boots and shorts were found, he was in the thick of the action, eagerly pouncing on any loose ball offered up by the visitors.
This was a fine performance from the Tenby youngsters, building upon their 6-1 victory at Whitland the previous Sunday in difficult conditions. They are now looking ahead to clashes with Llangwm, Crymych and Fishguard in the coming weeks, when they hope to maintain their outstanding form so far.
TENBY U10s v
CARDIGAN U10s
A crisp sunny morning welcomed Cardigan for their fixture against Tenby U10s. Tenby were champing at the bit as a pitch inspection took place to eliminate frozen ground.
The previous week, Tenby had the disappointment of playing in an abandoned match against Whitland. They had been leading when the game was called off due to an Arctic-type hailstorm. These young Seasiders had a point to prove, when their season so far has been rare in fixtures and inconsistent in performance.
Tenby welcomed back Greg Caine from injury and straight away he showed the opposition and his team-mates that his lay-off had only fuelled his desire to play and compete for his team. With his height, he dominated the linesout, and he was strong in ripping the ball free in the mauls. On two occasions he was quick to the breakdown to claim the ball and pacey enough to gallop half the pitch to score two tries.
Dylan Griffin also had a good game in the forwards, putting in a high tackle count and arriving at the breakdowns early to give Tenby momentum from clean, quick ball.
James Oakley has been attentive in training as he showed maturity in leaving the ball, but instead clearing out the opposition in the rucks to once again allow scrum-half Joe Dennis clean ball to feed his backs.
Cameron Woods, David Duckworth and Jack Butler also played their part and ran at the opposition at every opportunity before turning in the tackle to re-supply the ball.
In fact, Joe Dennis communicated and supplied excellent ball to his number 10 Jo Farrell, who on a wide pitch with only nine players a side took advantage of space down the blindside to score two tries.
Credit to Cardigan, they defended bravely and scored three good tries of their own. Their numbers nine and 10 looked a competent pair.
But it was the Tenby three-quarters who ran the ball in the second-half. It was a joy to see the ball spinning down the backs to reach wingers Elliot Randles and Daryl Williams on at least four occasions. Daryl was unlucky not to be awarded a try when he was bundled into touch in the goal area before he could ground the ball.
Tenby grew in confidence as the game went on and mixed their play, which Cardigan found hard to defend. A combination of straight individual running mixed with passing the ball wide left big gaps for Tenby to run through.
Greg Palin scored such a typical try when Jo Farrell caught the ball on the full from a Cardigan kick-off, ran hard at the opposition and pop-passed the ball in the tackle to his centre Greg Palin, who, already flying at full tilt, burst through two tackles to score Tenby's fifth try.
For a team with minimal match experience, Joe Dennis and his number 10 Jo Farrell communicated like seasoned veterans. Not once was a ball wasted or dropped thanks to a great service from Joe D.
A really good team effort, with lots of skills and commitment. There is still room for improvement in tackling and general fitness, but potential is massive.
Tenby fielded: Joe Dennis (capt.), Jo Farrell, Greg Palin, Elliot Randles, Daryl Williams, Greg Palin, James Oakley, Dylan Griffin, Cameron Woods, David Duckworth, Jack Butler.
TENBY SWIFTS U13s 45 pts. MUMBLES U13s 17
A magnificent win was recorded by the Swifts Under 13s team over visitors Mumbles at Heywood Lane last Sunday, in a game that was one of the fastest, most skilful and entertaining contests witnessed this season.
Tenby eventually streaked away to a seven-try to three victory, with four of the home side's tries being converted to give an emphatic 45-17 scoreline.
Conditions were ideal for open rugby after a heavy overnight frost had left the pitch in a firm condition with a bit of give. Indeed, the Tenby boys were given a rude awakening when the formidable Mumbles team bombarded their line from the outset to score an early unconverted try.
Tenby marshalled their forces and hit back minutes later, with fullback Matthew Davies joining the line in an attacking movement to cross for a fine try, which was converted by Patrick Roberts.
Tenby then realised that they could score tries by moving the ball wide to their speedy wings, Chris Heesom and Thomas Nash. Chris capitalised on the possession and added his own skill and pace to score a fine pair of tries in the next five minutes, two of which were converted by Roberts. 'Nasher', as he is known, showed similar pace and power and was unlucky to be hauled up short of the line on a few occasions.
Centres Toby Smith and captain Jamie Williams combined well to test the visitors defence and to use the overlaps to put their wings away.
Patrick Roberts, at outside-half, ensured that his threequarters took the ball on the move with his distribution and Kiefer Thomson, at scrum-half, had a busy morning at the base of the scrum.
Mumbles hit back with a converted try just before half-time to make the score 19-12 at the turn around.
In the second half, Jamie Williams finished the Mumbles resistance with a hat-trick of tries, two long distance individual efforts and one from an intelligent passing sequence from the half-backs.
Mumbles did score their final try shortly before the close of play, but Tenby's immediate response to that was to retaliate with a handling movement that spanned half the pitch and involved most of the team, for Sam Ferguson to be rewarded for his support play with a try when he crashed over under the posts. Once again Roberts converted right on the final whistle.
Front row forwards Yannic Parker, Sam Ferguson and Declan Sharma were once again prominent in the tight exchanges, with Yannic adding an extra dimension in broken play. Second row pairing of Andrew Evans and Olly Goldwait won good lineout ball against taller opponents and the new back row combination of Joseff Morris, Roy Osborne and Jason Ronowitz were a force to be reckoned with in both their tackle and ball winning roles.
Sub forwards Robert Jones and Gareth Lawrence came on in the second half and ensured that the momentum of the first half continued, and James Canton, who came in on the wing, found his enthusiasm in joining in the attacking movements.
Mumbles were an extremely useful side, boasting no less that seven Swansea District players who needed constant watching. In defence, the Swifts were magnificent, with classic tackles being executed throughout the match, particularly by Matthew Davies, Thomas Nash and Jamie Williams, with every member of the team also contributing with full commitment.
A tough hurdle faces these Swifts again this Sunday at Heywood Lane when they face the much vaunted Abergavenny team, but if they play with the skill and enthusiasm exhibited in this game, Tenby will have nothing to fear.
Tenby fielded: Matthew Davies, Chris Heesom, Jamie Williams (capt.), Toby Smith, Thomas Nash, James Canton, Patrick Roberts, Kiefer Thomson, Sam Ferguson, Yannic Parker, Declan Sharma, Robert Jones, Andrew Evans, Oliver Goldwait, Gareth Lawrence, Roy Osborne, Jason Ronowitz and Joseff Morris, (reserve Rhys Winter).
TENBY U11s 6 tries
CARDIGAN 3
Cardigan opened the scoring with a try from the kick-off, some poor Tenby tackling allowing this.
Philip Horsley had a superb run which would have ended in a fine try if he had not put a foot into touch.
Tenby continued to push hard and some good Cardigan defending prevented a touchdown.
The Tenby pressure, however, eventually resulted in a fine try for Curtis Hurlow.
Tenby continued to press after the kick-off, with some good passing from Daniel almost resulting in another try.
Excellent Cardigan kicking helped to keep Tenby out, but Philip scored a fine try after a lovely solo break saw him rip through the visitors' backline.
At the start of the second-half, a strong 20-metre drive by Cardigan almost resulted in a try, the ball being made safe by a fine kick into touch by Robert, who then went on to score a good try in the corner, following a wonderful run through the field by Philip.
After more pressure, Leo Moreland pounced on a ball bouncing over the line to score the third try and his first for Tenby U11s.
Carwen (on loan from Tenby) then scored for Cardigan in reply.
After another period of hard fought play by both sides, Nia scored for Cardigan, despite some good Tenby defence.
Robert responded with Tenby's fifth try soon after, and well done Curtis on sealing a fine win in the closing moments with a sixth.
Keep up the good work you Vikings and a big thank you to Peter Issac for writing this week's report.