Conditions were excellent and from the outset both sides indicated their intentions to move the ball wide and play expansive rugby whenever possible.
Skipper for the day, Calum Weakley, showed his strength on a number of occasions in ripping the ball clear and driving into the visiting defences. This created opportunities for the team's speedsters to show their paces, Dan Fairlie showing up well once again to pick up a brace of tries.
Tenby had probably their strongest squad of the season on show and this was reflected in a confident performance, with each and every player looking to get their hands on the ball. Jake Vickery and Jordan Jones both showed that they are powerful runners, as did Ryan Absalom, who made one excellent break only to be felled just yards short of the line.
Making a welcome return to the home side was Scott Cowan who has impressed in training with his direct running and his ability in the contact area. Also showing up well was debutant Marcus North, who showed great promise and is a useful addition to the squad.
Corey Morris picked up a fine individual score after a weaving run and impressed spectators with a series of copybook tackles that many senior players would be proud of. The other home scorer was the hard working Toby Rossiter who seized quickly on a loose ball to dive over in the corner for a deserved score.
Fishguard were always in the game and competed well, scoring two good tries of their own. It was only the excellent covering play of Jack Murphy that prevented further scores and ensured that the home side maintained their unbeaten status this season.
Rhidian Lawrence and Tomas Sarrionandia competed well throughout the match and got through a lot of work in ensuring continuity of possession, which the Seasiders made the most of.
This was a thoroughly entertaining encounter contested by two well-organised sides who looked to play good rugby. Both teams can take great credit from the game and look forward to the rest of the season with a great deal of optimism.
Training is held at the Clicketts ground every Thursday between 6 and 7 pm and any player looking to join the Under Nines would be warmly welcomed.
TENBY U11s 6 tries
FISHGUARD U11s 7
Tenby Under 11s played Fishguard on a fine Sunday morning. They kicked off, with Fishguard attacking, but that came to a halt when they came up against Curtis, and Rob Fairlie went over for the first try.
Fishguard restarted, but Tenby attacked well with ball in hand. Ross passed inside to Cai, who fed Leo, and despite good defence from Fishguard, Daniel was hand to make it 2-0.
New boy Patrick then made good ground, but Fishguard responded and broke through Tenby's defence to score.
Another new signing, Chris (Billy the Whizz), tackled well.
Tenby suffered a few injuries, with Alex coming on for Loui and Ethan replacing Matthew Davey, who sustained a lip injury.
At half-time the score stood at 4-3 to Fishguard.
Fishguard kicked off the second half and tackled well, gaining the ball from the red and blacks, which led to another try.
Tenby then gained a five-yard scrum, which resulted in Alex scoring, with the final result being 7-6 to Fishguard.
Well done boys, keep up the good work.
Red and blacks man-of-thematch: Chris (Billy the Whizz).
Team: Ieuan Williams, Loui Fecci, Ross Edwards, Curtis Hurlow, Philip Horsley (capt), Alex Heesom, Ryan O'Neill, Cai Evans, Robert Fairlie, Rhys Lewis, Daniel Edwards, Michael Wright, Ashley Andrews, Oliver Cavill, Deri Isaac, Matthew Davey, Josh Palin, Dean North, Ethen, Patrick, Chris.
PONTYATES U13s 7 pts.
TENBY SWIFTS U13s 27
The Swifts Under 13s were back to their winning best last Sunday when they went on the road to Pontyates. The home team thought they were in with a shout following their narrow loss the previous weekend, but there was no way they could live with this Swifts performance, even with the home advantage.
Tenby set their marker on this game right from the start when the ball was moved to speedster Chris Heesom in the opening minute for him to tear away for a touchdown which was converted by out-half Patrick Roberts.
The whole team soon settled down to produce an outstanding display of clinical rugby, with the pack turning in an immense performance, ably supported by some immaculate handling movements from the backs.
It was significant perhaps that the remainder of the tries scored were by forwards in the form of Yannic Parker (2), Jason Ronowitz and Jack Baker, one apiece. These three forwards, apart from grabbing the tries, were outstanding, as was Joseff Morris, who is running back into top form. Props Sam Ferguson and Robert Jones, in addition to doing the tight work, made some lively charges into the heart of the defence, as did Andrew Evans and Roy Osborne, a pair fiery redheads.
Danny McDermott made a welcome return to the fray after his lengthy injury lay-off and looked as if he had never been away, with a couple of trademark ball carries.
The pack recycled ball after ball for scrum-half Kiefer Thomson to use and together with Patrick Roberts outside him ensured that the threequarters kept in good supply of useable possession.
Captain and centre Jamie Williams made some exciting bursts down the middle and co-centre Toby Smith proved an elusive handful for the defence. Chris Heesom did not score after his opener due to some heavy marking, but made many scorching runs down the touchline, while the other wing berth was shared between Thomas Nash and James Canton with distinction.
At fullback, Matthew Davies relished the opportunity to join in the attacks and Callum Baxter, who replaced him in the second half, showed that he, too, can attack with flair when he made a quicksilver run towards the end.
If Tenby can continue to play this style of rugby, things look promising for the remainder of the season, with the cup matches on the horizon.
Tenby fielded: Matthew Davies, Callum Baxter, Thomas Nash, Chris Heesom, James Canton, Jamie Williams (capt.), Toby Smith, Patrick Roberts, Kiefer Thomson, Jack Baker, Joseff Morris, Roy Osborne, Andrew Evans, Jason Ronowitz, Daniel McDermott, Robert James, Yannic Parker, Sam Ferguson.
TENBY UTD. U16s 12 pts.
WAUNARLWYDD U16s 12
Tenby United U16s, sponsored by N. D. Toy and Partners, entertained their counterparts from Waunarlwydd last Sunday morning on what was a perfect day for rugby.
Tenby kicked off and were certainly not intimidated by their larger opponents. In fact, Tenby got off to a bright start and for the first 15 minutes constantly pressurised the visitors' defence, unfortunately this did not result in points.
The Tenby front row of Marvin Thomas, Johnathon Walker and Richard May all did sterling work, the powerhouse of Adam Hughes and Nick Drewitt did not take a backward step, while the back row of Mike Cockburn, Grant Rogers and Lloyd Wilson were everywhere.
Unfortunately, against the run of play, the visitors broke away and with some fine individual back play they scored an unconverted try in the corner.
This certainly upped the tempo of the Tenby boys, with outside-half Steve Handicott drilling the ball to the corners and putting the visitors on the back foot.
A Tenby scrum on the visitors five-metre line resulted in Grant Rogers picking up and using his immense power to cross the line, with Steve Handicott kicking an excellent conversion from the touchline to put Tenby 7-5 ahead at the interval.
The visitors restarted the second period immediately pressurising the Tenby defence. Scrum-half Rhys Thomas, captain Lee Hope and co-centre Ben Field-Thomas put in tackle after tackle, keeping the visitors at bay.
Wingers Johnsie Lewis, Gareth Merriman and Barrie John also put in sterling work, while fullback Paul Wood was a rock in defence, putting in some excellent tackles.
Tenby took control of the game and, in fact, had 75 per cent of possession.
Again, a Tenby scrum deep inside the visitors' territory resulted in Grant Rogers picking up to power over the line with six of the opposition on his back to put Tenby 12-5 up with five minutes remaining.
With time running out, the final action saw the visitors break away to score a converted try to make the final score 12-12.
This was a huge effort by the Tenby squad and they can be proud of their performance.
Thanks to parents and friends for their support, and to Gethin Evans for refereeing.
Squad: Marvin Thomas, Johnathon Walker, Richard May, Adam Hughes, Nick Drewitt. Mike Cockburn, Grant Rogers, Lloyd Wilson, Rhys Thomas, Steve Handicott, Barrie John, Lee Hope, Ben Field-Thomas, Johnsie Lewis, Gareth Merriman, Paul Wood.
FISHGUARD U15s 0
TENBY UTD U15s 29 pts.
Tenby overcame a spirited Fishguard side in perfect playing conditions and progressed to the semi-final of the cup competition.
Fishguard attempted to play to their strength, which lay with their pack. Tenby responded in kind, but possessed a potent threat out wide in the shape of Jamie Robinson and newcomer Luke Dedman. Jamie, playing at outside-centre, benefited from the composure and power of Rob Colley, again playing up a year and not looking out of place at this level. Jamie collected two tries after the opening Tenby score from outside-half Oliver Morgan.
Tenby's forwards, playing with cohesion and skill, provided plenty of ball for the backs. Prominent were the usual suspects, Ieuan Rowell, Rob Tuttle, Rob Clarke, Paul Dalling and Jack Lawrence. However, Tom Jones and James Davies beavered away doing much unsung work, aided by a tireless performance from Tommy D'Ortez.
Fishguard harassed the Tenby half-backs who were denied time and space to influence matters. Yet, when this pair functioned, Fishguard were 'pegged back', and once the dynamic duo of Rob Colley and Jamie Robinson were brought into play, it was a case of 'thank you very much', and the scoreboard ticked over nicely. As if to emphasise the quality of try-scoring prop forwards in Wales, up popped Rob Clarke and following a 'pick and drive' over went the popular 'Clarkey' for a further Tenby score.
Rob Tuttle claimed a further score for the United, because there's only one United! There's only one Robbie Tuttle as well! Tenby will hopefully grow into true cup contenders following this victory. However, this will not happen without more hard work and in view of this, the lads are organising extra training sessions.
There will be training this Friday at 3.30 pm at the Clicketts. Please come along. Tenby travelled with 15 players, an absolute minimum for this match. We desperately need players to play alongside experienced team-mates who will help them to learn and develop as players.
Thanks to Ann for assistance with first aid and to Vernon and Rhian for much needed help with transport; to Jazzy, all the boys wish your Dad well. Thanks again to the Cambrian Hotel for our kit and to the referee for controlling the match in a thoroughly professional manner.