TENBY SWIFTS U15s 24 pts. Hendy U15s 29
Tenby Under 15s finally got back into action last Sunday when they travelled away to Hendy for a return fixture, looking for revenge after their narrow two-point loss back in October, Alas, it was not to be, and once again they fell just short of their target and were robbed of victory when they ran out of time. The Swifts had not had a game since January 22 and were perhaps taken a bit by surprise by a Hendy try in the first minute of play. If they were a little ring rusty, they soon realised that they needed to wake up when Hendy crossed again 10 minutes later. That try brought the response Tenby needed and some fluid play saw fullback Chris Heesom race away for the first of his hat-trick of tries to cross in the corner. Jamie Williams converted with an immense kick from the touchline. It was a perfect day for open rugby and no-one was disappointed with the standard of play of both young sides who gave the ball plenty of air to produce handling movements involving backs and forwards. Hendy stretched their lead, benefiting from some missed tackles by Tenby and an unfortunate scrambled charge down on the Tenby line. The Tenby boys were never out of the game, however, and struck back with two tries wide out by Heesom and Tom Harland on the wing. The Swifts welcomed back Thomas Nash to the other wing, after his lengthy lay-off with injury and he showed that he has not lost any of his pace and will run into form for the remainder of the season. At the change round the home team led 24-17, so it was all to play for in the second half. Hendy stretched their lead with another try after 10 minutes and then it was all Tenby, who threw everything at the home defence. Two certain try- scoring opportunities were ruined, however, when overlaps were ignored with an open line begging, and those concerned will have learned from these errors of judgment. It was not until the 25th minute that the Swifts managed to cross when Jamie Williams raced away to touch down under the posts for Chris Heesom to convert. With the score now 24-29 in the home team's favour, a single try would draw the game, but the clock ticked away and Tenby were denied what they richly deserved by the final whistle. Despite the reversal, the Tenby boys can be proud of their performance and will have learned by the next game that passes must be made at the right time and tackles cannot be missed. Chris Heesom, despite his recent injury problems, is an exhilarating runner from fullback and showed his best skills in the counter-attack, evidenced by his hat-trick of tries. Tom Harland and Thomas Nash on the wings showed strength and pace and are a superb strike force. Jamie Williams at outside centre is maturing into an all-round player with his power and pace and he combined well with Matthew Davies in the first half and Toby Smith in the second to produce some good midfield play. Toby is another who is a welcome returnee after his broken collar bone and showed that he has not lost his skill or confidence. At outside-half, Patrick Roberts impressed with a combination of silky handling skills and a raw power that is not often seen in a No.10. Kiefer Thomson at half-back again showed that he is a vital cog in the Swifts machine and a dangerman to the opposition with his darting runs. In the forwards, captain Jack Baker led by example, while Joseff Morris and Roy Osborne continued in the tight and loose to keep the momentum going. Jason Ronowitz played superbly at lock and No.8 and his front of the line jumping is astounding. The ball he wins is invaluable to this team and he will retain that role, but in all probability move into the back row for the remainder of the season. Luke Arthur was requisitioned into the second row for this first half and he settled in well and will have benefited from his experience. In the front row, Sam Ferguson and Yannick Parker play like extra flankers and each made immense contributions, as did Robert Jones, who is an out and out front rower and has made rapid progress this season. Now that our season has restarted, we turn our attention to the cup matches to come. There will be a quarter-final against Milford Haven on April 2 and with the semi targeted for April 23, the season will be geared to those matches. There is no game arranged at the time of writing for this weekend (March 26), but if none is, there will be a training session on the Sunday. All those who wish to be considered for a place in the cup teams should attend and will be notified of time and venue this week. Tenby fielded: Chris Heesom, Tom Harland, Jamie Williams, Toby Smith, Mathew Davies, Thomas Nash, Patrick Roberts, Kiefer Thomson, Sam Ferguson, Yannick Parker, Robert Jones, Luke Arthur, Jason Ronowitz, Roy Osborne, Jack Baker (capt), Joseff Morris.
Tenby U12s 17 pts. Hendy U12s 10
Tenby Under 12s travelled to Hendy on Sunday with high hopes. Unfortunately, from the kick off, Tenby found themselves on the back foot and, after a first half of defending their line, did well to be only 10 points down, with Hendy scoring two unconverted tries. After a team talk from the coaches, Tenby started the second half with their heads up. They were soon on the attack, with the forwards rucking over and winning the ball and getting it down the line to Greg Caine, who scored the first of his well- deserved hat-trick. Greg C did well to get his third try under the posts, leaving an easier conversion for Greg Palin, who was unlucky to just miss the first two conversions despite good kicks. All the Tenby boys played well, with Greg P and Elliot making some try-saving tackles and the forwards, Dylan, Jack, Wesley and Matthew carrying the ball forward at every opportunity, being ably supported by Rob, Ben P and Cameron. James and Adam were as usual invaluable in the lineout. Scrum-half Joe D pounced on any loose ball and the backs, Joe F, Ben T and Ewan, were always ready with safe quick hands passing down the line. Andrew and Ryan both did well and put in some good tackles at the tricky position of fullback. The win was well deserved and it was lovely to see the boys not lose confidence, but to win with style. Thank you to Robert Griffin for organising a very successful Quiz Night and all the families who supported it. Tenby fielded: Jack Butler, Dylan Griffin (capt.), Wesley Bonser, Cameron Woods, Adam North, James Oakley, Matthew Lewis, Ben Prestwich, Rob Luly, Joe Dennis, Greg Palin, Joe Farrell, Elliot Randell, Ben Thomas, Greg Caine, Andrew Murphy, Ryan Walters, Ewan Izzard.
Mixed Fortunes for Under 11s
There were mixed fortunes for Tenby Swifts under 11s as they took on Pembroke and St. Davids in a double header at the Clicketts on Sunday. Taking on Pembroke in their first match, the Seasiders went into a three tries to one lead, thanks to some fine driving play from the forwards and some powerful running in the threequarters. But the visitors fought back strongly and in the end just about deserved to shade a 5-4 win in a highly entertaining encounter. The Tenby boys knew that their first up tackling had let them down in their first match and were determined to put things right when they took on St. Davids. They looked much more organised in the second encounter and worked well as a unit to secure a six tries to two win. It has been a tough season so far for the squad, but they have started to train harder as the season has worn on and their efforts are now starting to pay off. Tenby fielded: Tom Grover, Ryan Absolom, Kim Davies, Calum Weakley, Jake Vickery, Corey Morris, Elliot Ronowitz, Matthew Davies, Ryan Lewis, George Macbeth, Oscar Brooker, Daniel Fairlie.
Tenby Under 9s travel to Hendy
The Lewis Lewis & Co Ltd., sponsored Under 9s took to the road last Sunday for the long trip to Hendy. It was a beautiful spring morning and Tenby fielded a strong side and were looking forward to putting up a good performance. Hendy kicked-off and chased the ball well to recover possession. Hendy took Tenby by surprise at the energy of their play in the early stages of the match and scored two early tries. Tenby responded well with strong runs being made by Edward James, Joe Criddle and James Brace. Liam worked hard to rip the ball from the mauls. Lewis Bridle, as always, was very strong in the tackle and ran and supported well. The result of this committed fight back was that Luke Barrow scored an excellent try before the interval and Tenby turned round two tries to one down. The Tenby boys realised that if they played well and worked hard in the second half then they could win the match. With this in mind they started the second half very strongly and applied a good deal of pressure with William Lewis, Daniel Bridle, Alex Thomas and Dylan Williams, all working tirelessly for their team. The result was that Richard Lewis crossed the line for a try that would have levelled the scores, but it was disallowed by the referee. Tenby then lost their concentration a little and Hendy scored a further try to run out winners at three tries to one at the end of a hard-fought match. All the Tenby players played their part in a very impressive performance and it demonstrates the way the boys have improved because they lost in the autumn by nine tries to nil.
Under 8s IMPRESS at Hendy
A brilliant display by Tenby Under Eights rugby team resulted in three wins and a draw, in a well- organised day at Hendy RFC last Sunday. Their terrier-like tagging and superb inter-passing resulted in the following scores: Tenby 8s nine tries, Carmarthen Athletic two; Tenby 8s five tries, Furnace Dragons three; Tenby 8s seven tries, Bynea four; Tenby 8s six tries, Hendy six. Thanks for all the support from the Tenby parents who all seemed to enjoy their day.