TENBY U8s v
HAVERFORDWEST
Tenby U8s entertained Haverfordwest at home in a return fixture, having won last week by two tries to nil.
With 18 boys to choose from Tenby, picked two teams of nine, so everybody had a game.
With Tenby's big guns back this week, namely Jerome Mansbridge, Ellis Morgan and Oliver Parsons, it seemed to lift the boys and they were soon three tries up and playing excellent rugby.
The passing and catching on Sunday was a vast improvement on the previous week, and it showed when Ellis rounded off a beautiful try after Matthew S, Ben R, Thomas S, Jerome M and James B had all been involved.
Joshua Lewis provides the side with that extra bit of space, and it showed when he picked the ball up in his own half and waltzed through the Haverfordwest defence.
Robert Davies, as usual up in the defence's faces, took advantage when a dropped pass by Haverfordwest enabled him to pick up and score.
Nine tries in all were scored on Sunday without reply, so special mention to Thomas S, Joshua M and Miquel Cruz, who always control the line and make sure it's never broken.
Having his first game was James Bridges, who looks to be an excellent addition to the team, being an exciting runner with good safe hands.
Also, thank you to Matthew W and Ben J, who played for Haverfordwest in the first game and for giving Tenby a few problems.
Involved in the last try were Tom P and Luke B, who showed good defence, and then won the turnover pass, which enabled Elliot W to run up the touchline before passing to Ryan H. He then passed to the ever-present Ryan P, who side-stepped between three tacklers, before Joshua finished with his second try.
Try scorers: Ellis 2, Joshua 2, Robert, Jerome, Oliver, Ben R, Ryan P.
Special thanks to Huw for opening up so early and sorting the pitch out.
This Sunday, the U8s play at home against Narberth - all are asked to meet at the Clicketts at 10.30 am
Finally, Friday, April 9, is the Pembrokeshire Under 8s tournament - also at Pembroke - with 16 teams taking part.
For more information on any of these, ring Chris Williams on (01834) 812107.
TENBY U11s 0
FISHGUARD U11s 3
The scoreline did not reflect the game. The home side pulled out all the stops and played some long-awaited rugby.
Some good early runs were made by both Aran and Phil. However, both resulted in touch and subsequent lineouts.
Possession was evenly matched, and at first the home team seemed a little daunted by the sheer strength of the Fishguard attack.
This was to be a match that used the full length of the pitch in what can only be described as to and fro in favour of both teams.
Strong teamwork was shinning through, with excellent performances by Ieuan, Cai, Ryan and Jimmy. It all meant that it was no easy first try for the visitors.
Rob, Loui, Aaron, Ozzy and Derri all gave their best and this showed in the way the team settled into a tremendously entertaining match following lineout after lineout.
Good tackling and passing meant, although strong in attack, it would be no plain sailing for the visitors. With support from Dan R, Curtis, Rhys and Ross, aided by Patrick and Phill, the home team were a continual thorny presence for Fishguard.
This was the school of hard knocks, with injuries aplenty and the visitors gaining their second try.
The second half was even harder than the first for both sides, but excellent tackling ensured the pressure was kept up.
Particularly unlucky in their efforts were Rob and Phil, who were brought down yards from the line.
A late third try from the visitors did not dampen the home team's spirits; they gave of their best to the final whistle.
Team: Rob Fairlie, Cai Evans, Ryan O'Neill, Ieuan Williams, Loui Fecci, Aaron Roberts, Jimmy John, Derri Isaac, Daniel Robins, Curtis Hurlow, Rhys Lewis, Patrick Elliott, Phill Horsley.
PEMBROKE U15s 7 pts. TENBY Utd U15s 7
Although billed as a 'warm-up' game prior to Pembroke's cup-tie with Haverfordwest, the players of both sides had other ideas and this match soon turned into a full-blooded encounter, with the teams eager for a morale-boosting victory.
Like two old style heavyweights, this was toe-to-toe rugby, with a sudden rapier like thrust as a threequarter of either side straightened and went for glory. As the scoreline might suggest, this was a very close run thing. Defences were in charge, with fierce but fair tackling and scrambling, sometimes desperate defence at that.
It was first blood to Pembroke, when after 10 minutes, a midfield break and missed tackle led to the opening score.
At this stage, Pembroke probably thought that this was the first of many, as of late they had had the 'Indian sign' over their close rivals. However, Tenby stuck to their guns, with Paul Dalling, Rob Clarke, Robbie Tuttle and Ieuan Rowell all having huge matches with work-rate, commitment and endeavour. The rest of the pack rallied and Tom Jones, on for Ashley Murdoch, James Davies, always a thorn in the Pembroke side, and a sterling performance from Jack Lawrence enabled Tenby to turn the green tide.
Behind the pack, Rob Whitfield probed, Jamie Robinson proved solid in defence until forced to leave the field with a head injury, and Rob Colley played with his usual composure and verve. Paul Brookes was also an early injury victim and Matthew Fleming showed his pace, class and appetite for work. Bobby Briers came on and proved pacy and skilful, with the added facet of a useful 'boot' to aid Tenby in time of threat. Sam Foster also returned as replacement as the Tenby coaches rang the changes.
Skipper Dan Colley, for the first half, had patrolled the preserve of the fullback like a predatory lion on the Serengeti. In the second half, his incursions into the line and determination piled up problems for Pembroke, with his presence and work-rate an inspiration to his side.
Lloyd Eyrus enjoyed an extended run-out and alongside Rob Colley, Henry Boot and Luke Dedman, all playing up a year, looked like veterans, and were certainly not outclassed in his company. All contributed massively to the Tenby cause.
At outside-half, Oliver Morgan had a composed match and, apart from two wayward kicks, played with determination and no little flair. His was the honour to grab the match-saving try, which he converted to give Tenby a share of the spoils.
No mistake, this was a marvellous and compelling encounter, played in good spirit, and only the churlish would deny that a draw was not a fair result. A tremendous advert for junior rugby. Well done both sides!
Thanks to all parents for support and assistance with transport, to Ann for First Aid cover and to Pembroke RFC for their hospitality.
TENBY U10s
HAVERFORDWEST U10s
Haverfordwest travelled to Tenby's Clicketts for the return leg of their fixture with Tenby U10s Swifts. It turned out to be the best supported match to date, with numerous parents and grandparents lining the touchline.
Haverfordwest started strongly and scored two quick tries. Just as the last encounter, Tenby bravely faced the tackler, but showed poor technique and execution by trying to tackle at arm's length, allowing their opponents to break free.
Right from the start, Tenby missed Joe Dennis, their regular scrum-half. Neverthless, Robin Munroe-Goddard did an excellent job in filling this position and, in fact, scored from a quick dart off the base of the scrum.
James Oakley made his return after an absence and used his stature and determination to score for Tenby. Jack Butler also made some good advances into Haverfordwest territory, showing strength and aggression. Mathew Lewis, in his first game, showed plenty of enthusiasm and an appetite to compete.
The Haverfordwest No. 10 had a fine kicking boot, clearing his line more than effectively whenever Tenby put pressure deep into their 22 area.
Dan Storer soon learned to counter this by staying back deep in his own half and on one particular occasion caught the ball on the full and ran back hard at Haverfordwest to regain all the territory. Dan, along with Jo Farrell, also put in some good tackles, grounding their opponents.
Dylan Griffin shone not only for his scrummaging and lineout throwing, but for his work-rate in support play, mauling and tackling.
Haverfordwest, who played more as a team and less as a group of individuals, held on to a three-try lead, despite late Tenby pressure in which they were camped inside the Haverfordwest 22 for the last five minutes of the game.
Tenby fielded: Rob Luly (capt.), Dylan Griffin, Jack Butler, Greg Caine, James Oakley, David Duckworth, Mathew Lewis, Cameron Woods, Robin Munroe-Goddard, Jo Farrell, Henry Whittaker, David Dunfee, Elliot Randall, Dan Storer.
Tenby Utd. U9s 8 tries
Haverfordwest U9s 0
Tenby Under 9s turned in one of their best displays of the season last Sunday as they outran, out-thought and out-muscled visiting Haverfordwest at the Clicketts on Sunday.
On an ideal morning for running rugby, the Seasiders thought that they would be facing a tough encounter after battling to a four tries to two victory in Haverfordwest just a week earlier.
But this time it was a totally different encounter, as the home side looked to move the ball wide at every opportunity. Even when they were sucked into a mauling game, they showed great strength in turning over possession and rarely gave the visitors a scoring opportunity.
Captain for the day, Scott Cowan, led the boys well, driving into the heart of the Blues defence with some powerful surges. But it was Dan Fairlie who took the plaudits once again, his elusive running and low centre of gravity seeing him cross the whitewash for four Tenby tries.
It was not until after the game that everyone learned he was on a bonus for every try scored -maybe we should encourage a new type of bonus for every pass completed!
Although Dan stole the try-scoring headlines, this was an excellent all-round performance, with special mention going to Toby Rossiter who worked tirelessly around the maul area, dispossessing the visitors on a number of occasions and setting up clear scoring opportunities for the visitors.
As usual, Jack Murphy covered acres of ground, putting in some big hits as the bigger Haverfordwest boys tried to gain some momentum. He and Toby were both rewarded for their hard graft with a try apiece.
Worthy of particular mention during the performance was an outstanding defensive effort, particularly during the second half. The Blues spent several minutes battering away at the home line, but some great tackling from Ryan Absalom, Calum Weakley and Jordan Jones kept them at bay and the score sheet blank.
When the Blues threatened on the flank, the ever-dependable Corey Morris was on hand to stifle the attack and come away with the ball. New addition to the squad, Ryan put in a number of telling tackles and showed that he is settling well.
Jake Vickery and Elliot Morrison typified the teamwork shown throughout the Tenby side, working hard to set up chances for those around them.
It was fitting that the scoring was completed by one of the newest members of the team, Nathan, who pounced in the corner for a well-deserved try and an extremely popular one with his teammates.
The Under 9s are going from strength to strength and can be proud of a record that has seen them go undefeated since September. They must continue to develop and work hard as a unit if they are to succeed in the forthcoming Neyland tournament.
Tenby Under 9s train at the Clicketts from 6 to 7 pm every Thursday evening and anyone in that age group is encouraged to come along and join in.