Tenby Swifts U14s 29 pts. Pembroke 24
Following a shortage of games over the past weeks, Tenby Swifts U14s took to Heyward Lane on Sunday resplendent in their new red and black kit. The squad had raised the funds themselves, and were further helped by a generous donation from Dean and Dyball.
Pembroke took to the field looking a well-balanced strong team, and Tenby were going to have to work hard to overcome their lack of match fitness.
Any fears were soon allayed as the set-pieces led to early scores and everybody realised that a right battle royal was going to ensue. The gusting and swirling wind made high balls and positional kicks difficult, but Guto Griffiths proved a master of the elements with territorial kicks soon pushing Pembroke down the field.
The forwards went from strength to strength with huge drives, and scrums gaining too much ground for the 1.5m rule which was rigorously enforced by the referee. Lineouts also provided first phase possession, with towering leaps from Henry Boot and powerful lifting from the support team.
The recent intensive fitness and skills training was evident in the backs, with fast movement of the ball from Sam Baker through Guto out to Ben Griffiths and Danny Williams. Josh Bevan, at fullback, allowed Jamie Robbins to take up position on the wing, where his brave tackling thwarted a number of attacks by Pembroke.
The powerhouse of Rob Colley, Luke Dedman, Joe Lewis, John Pike, Mathew Watkins, Iwan Lawrence and Huw Evans worked tirelessly and gave the running skills of Andrew Stretton, Simon Stanford and Richard Jones opportunities in the open field.
In recent weeks the squad has been strengthened by the addition of three lads who are pushing hard for positions, Alex Walsh, Kurt Walsh and Michael Halligan. Scott Helmish was on hand to support the team and his return to training is eagerly awaited.
Missing from the line-up were Scott Davidson and Jamie Nicholas.
Poinst scorers were: tries Guto, Luke (2), Rob and Joe, with two conversions by Guto.
Squad training is held every Thursday at the Clicketts playing field and all those under 14 interested in playing for the Swifts are very welcome to attend.
TENBY SWIFTS U13s 22 pts. WHITLAND U13s 29
On a windswept Laugharne venue last Sunday, Whitland managed yet again to snatch the honours in the dying minutes of the latest in these intriguing close encounters that test the nerves of players and supporting parents alike.
With the scores level at 22-all at full-time, seemingly interminable minutes were added on, presumably for injury time, while Whitland camped on the plucky Swifts line. The Tenby defence cracked at the last hurrah and their hosts secured a victory with a converted try.
Up until then the match, in which the lead changed hands on no less than four occasions, seemed to be settling for a draw, so once again Tenby had to settle for second best against their closest rivals.
These boys have played each other so often with such close results that the series has developed into something of an epic. They are evenly matched teams and the games played are always hard fought affairs, exhibiting a high level of skill and are always scrupulously clean - long may the standards set persist.
On this occasion, Whitland went into an early lead, before Tenby had settled down, and scored two quick tries. Tenby's lack of commitment to the tackle did not assist their cause, save and except the commitment shown by Oliver Goldwait in that department.
The Swifts, however, showed resilience when captain Jamie Williams broke away to run the length of the field, handing off opponents as he went on to open the Tenby account. Patrick Roberts converted.
Moments later, Thomas Nash did the same, using his sheer pace to outstrip the defence to score in the corner. That made it 12-12 at half-time, with all to play for.
Quick thinking and astuteness by fullback Mathew Davies saw him line up the opposition to take an interception and race over for a fine individual try to put Tenby in front.
Whitland, however, struck back to even the scores moments later. Tenby then fought their way into the home 22 where a penalty was awarded to them and a set move saw Jack Baker plough over for an unconverted try to put his side back in the lead.
The Swifts could not sustain their position, however, and Whitland managed to get back on level terms with a try to make it 22-22 with seconds left on the clock.
The rest is history and the Swifts will have to wait until next time (which will be soon) to even matters up. Let us hope it will be in the final of the Pembrokeshire Cup on May 2 when we should be in for another classic!
There will be a training session for the Under 13s this Sunday, meeting at the Clicketts at 11 am, when we will plan the remainder of this season's campaign.
Tenby fielded: Matthew Davies, Thomas Nash, Chris Heesom, James Canton, Jamie Williams (capt.), Toby Smith, Patrick Roberts, Kiefer Thomson, Sam Ferguson, Yannic Parker, Andrew Evans, Daniel McDermott, Oliver Goldwait, Jason Ronowitz, Roy Osborne, Jack Baker, Joseff Morris.
Subs - Robert Jones, Callum Baxter, Gareth Lawrence.
TENBY U10s 3 tries
HAVERFORDWEST 5
Tenby U10s travelled to Haverfordwest for their first encounter with the Blues this season. They had secured a win against Pembroke earlier in the week, thanks to some good play from Cameron Woods, Robin Munroe-Goddard and Daniel Duckworth, who showed great bravery claiming the ball on the floor. Unfortunately, Tenby's ranks were lighter by these players due to Mother's Day duties. However, Tenby still managed to field a strong side.
The game started with a Haverfordwest try which was quickly countered by Joe Farrell for Tenby. Then Haverfordwest scored again and in a tit for tat first-half, it was Robert Luly who this time equalised with a strong individual run, knocking off tackles to score in the corner. This was his first try, despite three loyal years service to the Swifts. A well deserved, even if a long-awaited, reward.
The Tenby players went into the tackle area bravely, but failed to keep a hold on their opponents, which allowed them to score, giving them a three tries to two advantage at half-time.
All of the Tenby players put in good performances, especially Dan Storer in the backs, who tackled and chased tirelessly, and once again Dylan Griffin put in his usual solid performance, being the first to the breakdown and a great supporter of the ball carrier, more like a flank forward than his position of hooker.
Tenby did not have the luxury to rest and rotate players like their opponents and this took its toll in the second-half when the Swifts found it hard to keep up with the pace. They were guilty of standing back, allowing Haverfordwest time and space. This they used to score two more tries.
Tenby did not give up. Joe Dennis supplied good ball from the set-piece to his number 10, but also kept Haverfordwest thinking by varying his play, occasionally using the blindside channel.
Daryl Williams came strong in the second-half after he ran off a knock sustained in the first-half.
Jack Butler looks intimidating when he charges and Greg Cain was solid as lineout jumper.
Henry Whittaker, after only his third match, looks comfortable and is quickly learning the nuances of the game.
It was a frustrating game for David Dunfee and Elliot Randel, because the ball was not released wide, so their contribution to the game was confined to defence. Both coped admirably.
Joe Farrell used his strength to force a consolation try at the end of the game, but the final score was Tenby 3 Haverfordwest 5.
The standard of play is improving. Tenby just need to focus on confidence and self-belief before each game.
Tenby fielded; Dylan Griffin (capt.), Robert Luly, Jack Butler, Greg Cain, Henry Whittaker, Daryl Williams, Joe Dennis, Joe Farrell, Dan Storer, David Dunfee, Elliot Randel. Coaches - Myrddin Dennis and Dave Randel.
H'fordwest U9s 2 tries
Tenby Utd U9s 4
In spite of a torrential downpour that brought play to an early end, Tenby Under Nines put in a gutsy performance to defeat Haverfordwest on Sunday.
On a blustery morning, with conditions heavy underfoot, the visitors knew that their usual expansive game would have to make way for a more direct approach, taking on the heart of the home defences.
Skipper for the day, Jack Murphy, led the way with some telling charges that made inroads into the Blues' defences and created space for runners like Rhidian Lawrence and Tomas Sarrionandia.
Toby Rossiter, who had his best game for the Seasiders in some time, opened the scoring. Working hard to rip the ball away from a maul, he broke up the blind side and showed good pace to crash over in the corner.
The visitors created a number of other opportunities through some powerful driving runs from Calum Weakley and Ryan Absalom, but on the occasions when they got within striking distance of the home line, a lack of support let them down.
The lead was doubled midway through the first period, the tricky Dan Fairlie going off on one of his trademark weaving runs that outfoxed the Blues' defence.
This second score seemed to result in the Tenby boys letting their foot off the gas and as the half drew to a close, they put themselves under unnecessary pressure. Sensing their opportunity, the Blues attacked strongly, but the Seasiders will be disappointed in the tackling that let the home side score.
Tenby knew that they would have to seize back the initiative and they did so quickly, Toby Rossiter scoring a try that almost mirrored his first, a darting blindside break seeing him sneak over in the corner.
After the half-time interval, the home side threw everything at the Seasiders, putting them under great pressure within metres of their line. The visitors made great efforts to break away from their line, but a stray pass saw an interception try and the home side was back within a score.
As conditions worsened, some of Tenby's more experienced players knew that they would have to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Jake Vickery and Jordan Jones made some powerful bursts into the home ranks and Corey Morris ran strongly from defensive positions, relieving pressure on his teammates.
It was down to Jack Murphy to play a captain's role and seal victory with a long-range score that saw him outpace the home tacklers. The game was brought to a premature end by a torrential downpour that saw all the players run for cover. Unfortunately, this meant that not all of Tenby's increasingly strong squad, including Ross Hurst and Elliot Morrison, entered the fray, but they will all continue to be a key part of the Under Nines set-up.
This was a hard fought victory carved out in very difficult conditions and all the boys can take great credit from the win.
PEMBROKE U11s 7 pts.
TENBY U11s 12
In the first 10 minutes of this match last Thursday, Tenby put strong pressure on their opponents and after losing a scrum close to the Pembroke line, Loui Fecci pounced on the loose ball to cross over for a try. Curtis Hurlow added the conversion to give the visitors a half-time lead of 7-0
After the break, some strong running from number 15 Philip Horsley saw him add another try for Tenby, with the conversion this time missed.
A converted try in the last few minutes by Pembroke saw the final score 12-7 to Tenby.
HAVERFORDWEST u11s 5 pts.
TENBY U11s 0
The Under 11s were away again on Mother's Day, this time playing Haverfordwest, in gale force conditions.
Curtis Hurlow kicked off into the wind and with five minutes gone the home team produced a good run down the right flank for the opening try.
The red and blacks were having to defend well, with good tackling by Aaron Roberts, Ieuan Williams and Ryan O'Neill. This resulted in them gaining the ball from a ruck on the Haverfordwest five-metre line, but failing to break through the home team's defence.
With Jimmy John coming on for Ross Edwards, the replacement gained good ground to pass wide to Phil, Curtis and Patrick, resulting in a good pass by Loui to feed through the backs for Ashley to cut inside to meet the Haverfordwest defence. Rob mananged to get a maul going, with Cai, Tom and Matthew all getting stuck in hard.
Thanks must go to all the loyal travelling fans for their support in such bad weather.
Squad for both matches: Philip Horsley, Curtis Hurlow, Loui Fecci, Ross Edwards, Ryan O'Neill, Cai Evans, Ieuan Williams, Michael Wright, Jimmy John, Aaron Roberts, Robert Fairlie, Ashley Andrew, Tom Tulley, Matthew Davie, Daniel Robins, Daniel Edwards, Patrick, Leo, Deri, Alex, Rhys, Davey, Ethan, Chris, Gareth, Sam.
UNDER 8s
Tenby Under 8s were on the road again after beating Pembroke the previous week. One try to nil was the score then, with Jerome Mansbridge bagging the only try.
This week they travelled to Haverfordwest, minus their top try scorers Jerome, Ellis and Oliver. Also missing were Theo, Ieuan, Ben, Luke, Harry, Tom and Matthew, but still they managed a turnout of 13 players, with Dylan Rees, Joshua Lewis, Ben Roberts, Ryan Hill and Richard Tebbitt all having their first starts in the red and black jerseys.
Captain for the day was Dylan, who had an excellent first game in both attack and defence. Tenby's first try came from pressure put on Haverfordwest, pushing them back and Robert Davies pouncing on the loose ball.
Tenby had some fine runs, with Robert, Joshua and Dylan using their pace well, while Miguel Cruz marshalled the defensive line, with Jonathan Mattick and Ryan Hill producing some excellent covering.
It was all Tenby in the second-half, with Ryan Price, Elliot Williams, Jonathan Mattick, Matthew Williams and Ben Roberts all having telling runs, while all-action Richard Tebbitt, Dylan Rees and Joshua Lewis shone prominently.
The second touchdown was a cracker, with Michael Lloyd passing to Joshua, who rocketed past two defenders to score an excellent try in only his first game. His pace is going to be a valuable asset to the Under 8s.
Training, as always, is at the Clicketts, Thursdays, 6-7 pm. Everyone most welcome.
The 24 players from surrounding schools, Tenby Junior, Saundersfoot CP, St. Teilo's, Stepaside, St. Florence and Tenby Infants, are enjoying themselves and have gelled together really well, which is shown in both training and matches so far this season. Well done boys!
For further information, contact Chris Williams on (01834) 812107.