Friday evening two weeks ago saw Tenby U16s, sponsored by N. D. Toy and Partners, take on their counterparts from Aberystwyth in the semi-final of the Pembrokeshire U16s Cup.
In perfect conditions at Heywood Lane, Tenby kicked-off determined to gain revenge for loosing to Aber in last year's final.
From the kick-off, Tenby took the game straight to the visitors, and the first 10 minutes saw Tenby close to crossing the opposition line twice. However, dogged defence from Aber saw both attempts being held up.
The first points of the evening came when Tenby were awarded a penalty, due to the Aber backs being off-side.
Steve Handicott took the penalty, and was unlucky to strike the upright. The Aber backs tried to clear the ball, but it fell into the hands of Tenby number eight Grant Rogers who stormed up the touchline to score in the corner. This try went unconverted.
Throughout the first half Tenby were camp in the visitors half. The Tenby forwards were outstanding, and the front row of Robert Clarke, Jonathon Walker and Marvin Thomas were a formidable unit.
Second and back-row Adam Ball, Robbie Tuttle, Adam Hughes, Mike Cockburn, Grant Rogers and Nick Drewett were all outstanding.
The next points came from a penalty and again Aber backs were caught off-side, with Steve Handicott making no mistake to slot in three points, making the half time score 8-0 to Tenby.
The second period saw Aber throwing everything at Tenby, with Robbie Tuttle making two try scoring tackles in the corner. The home defence held firm. Tenby backs Lloyd Wilson, Scott Kerrison, centres Ben Field-Thomas and John Fenwick, all put in a tremendous amount of work.
Lee Hope at fullback also had a big game, while the half-back pairing of Rhys Thomas and Steve Handicott played their unusual sound game.
With five minutes to go, turnover ball saw open-side flanker Nick Drewett breaking 50 yards up field, with his support runner Adam Ball who looked to have sealed the match when he crashed over the line, only to be judged to be held up short of the line.
Tenby ended strongly to finish a very exciting match 8-0. They now meet Narberth in the final at Haverfordwest on Sunday at 2.30 pm.
Coaches man-of-the-match, for his all-round performance, was Robert Clark.
Many thanks to all the sponsors and to Fran, Lucia and Loui for the after-match refreshments. Good luck boys for the final.
Squad: Marvin Thomas, Johnathon Walker, Robert Clark, Richard May, Adam Hughes, Adam Ball, Robbie Tuttle, Michael Cockburn, Grant Rogers, Nick Drewett, Rhys Thomas, Steve Handicott, Lloyd Wilson, Ben Field-Thomas, John Fenwick, Scott Kerrison, Barrie John, Gareth Merriman, Jonathon Lewis, Lee Hope, Oliver Morgan.
TENBY SWIFTS U13s 24 pts.
HAVERFORDWEST U13s 19
Last weekend saw some close run affairs in the European Cup semi-finals, but none ran as close or were as exciting as this superb Under 13s semi-final contest between the Swifts and their Haverfordwest counterparts at the Blues home ground.
The home team had prepared well for this game which would have given them their first finals appearance at this level, but Tenby were up to the strong challenge and now look forward to meeting old rivals Whitland in this Friday's Judgement Day challenge!
Tenby opened the scoring after 15 minutes when speedster Chris Heesom tore away for a try which Patrick Roberts converted. Haverfordwest levelled the scores minutes later with their own converted try. This stung Tenby back into action when fullback Mathew Davies crossed in the corner.
The lead was extended just before half time when outside-half Roberts crossed the home line after some fine interpassing. He added the extra points with a conversion to make it 19-7 at the break.
In the second half, it appeared that the game was put out of reach of the home team when Tenby captain Jamie Williams wrestled the ball from a maul to crash over.
However, Haverfordwest fought back. They whittled away at the lead with two smart tries, one of which was converted, to narrow the gap to five points.
The Tenby lead of 24-9 looked shaky as the Blues pummelled their line with a last ditch series of attacks, but they held firm to take the honours and book their third successive cup final tickets.
The hard ground took its toll as did the physical demands. Star forwards Joseff Morris and Jason Ronowitz were forced to leave the field for periods. Oliver Goldwait and Declan Sharma replaced them and did not let the side down.
Tight-forwards Sam Ferguson, Andrew Evans and Daniel McDermott gave their all, while Yannic Parker, Jack Baker and Roy Osborne were prominent in the loose.
James Canton who has been injured - Kiefer Thomson's shadow as scrum-half - slotted in well and whipped the ball out to his speedy backs.
The scorers have already been mentioned, but in addition Toby Smith showed his pace and distributed the ball well, as did Thomas Nash whose strength and pace is phenomenal.
Subs Robert Jones and Gareth Lawrence did not get on in this match, but their time will come and their patience is appreciated.
So, its crunch time against Whitland yet again this Sunday in the final, when it is hoped Tenby continue this winning form.
The two sides have met twice this season and Whitland have narrowly shaded it on both occasions. Now it's Tenby's turn. Go for it you can do it!
Tenby fielded: Matthew Davies, Thomas Nash, Jamie Williams (capt.), Toby Smith, Patrick Roberts, James Canton, Sam Ferguson, Yannic Parker, Andrew Evans, Daniel McDermott, Jason Ronowitz, Roy Osborne, Jack Baker, Joseff Morris, Oliver Goldwait, Declan Sharma, Robert Jones and Gareth Lawrence.
Tenby Utd. U9s 4 tries
Waunarlwydd U9s 0
Touring Waunarlwydd arrived at Heywood Lane on Sunday on the back of a succession of victories and confident of turning over the Seasiders on their on patch.
But a determined and often enterprising display from the Tenby youngsters saw them post another well-deserved victory in a season that has seen them attract some glowing praise from many onlookers.
Under the captaincy of the strong running Corey Morris, the Seasiders set about their task with determination, some strong runs being put in by the likes of Scott Cowan and Jake Vickery. These forward drives sucked in the Waun defences and ensured that gaps appeared out wide for the Tenby speedsters to exploit.
Quick to make the most of any opportunity was Dan Fairlie who showed that he knew the way to the whitewash, breaking away from the base of a maul to sprint along the touchline for the opening score.
Stirred into life, the visitors came back strongly, running forcefully at the home defences. Leading the way in keeping them at bay was Ryan Lewis who put in a series of outstanding tackles that stopped a number of would be attackers in their tracks.
Strong defence has been one of the keys to the Seasiders success this year and it was this that set up an opportunity for Jordan Jones to crash over in the corner and double the home side's advantage.
The red and blacks sensed that they were getting on top of the visitors now and continued to probe the visiting defences, Calum Weakley and Ryan Absalom to the fore in a number of powerful surges that sapped the energies of the Waun tacklers.
Having used their power to good effect, Dan Fairlie then popped up to secure his second score of the game and ensure that the home side went into the break with a three-try advantage.
During the interval, the Seasiders made a number of changes bringing on Kyle, Rhidian Lawrence and Ross Hurst to provide some fresh legs to the home ranks on a very warm morning.
The second period provide to be a much tighter affair, with Waun determined to prove that they were more than a match for the powerful and pacy Seasiders. The home side stuck to their task well, however, William Mills and Toby Rossiter showing up well in broken play and acting as important links at the breakdown.
The clinching score came from a predictable source, Jack Murphy showing a great sidestep and show of pace to break down the touchline for a fine individual try.
Once again, the U9s have proved what a talented unit they are against a well-drilled visiting outfit. They will complete their programme for this season wit a home fixture against visiting Furnace on Sunday morning. All players are asked to meet at Heywood Lane at 10.30 for an 11 am start.