On a blustery day at Heywood Lane, Chevron Texaco sponsored Tenby United entertained Crymych, who were sitting three points behind them in ASDA Division Four, in what was expected to be a very close and tight contest. Although the final score gives the impression it was such a match, the home side gave away a stream of possession and penalties throughout the game, allowing the visitors to walk away with an unexpected victory. With the wind gusting across the pitch toward the changing rooms, Tenby kicked off and good chasing of the kick was spoilt by over-eagerness and a penalty was awarded for offside. The penalty allowed the visitors to clear their lines, but they were very soon back deep in their own half when a booming touch-finder by Tom Lewis took play to the 22. The resulting lineout and maul saw Tom Lewis slip a short pass to fullback Alex Watts, who was adjudged by referee Sayers to have been held- up over the line. Maintaining the pressure, an attempted pick-up at the base of the scrum was messed-up and Crymych cleared their line. The missed chance was further compounded when a speculative high up-and- under kick, aided by some very slack defending, ended with the ball being switched to the blind side for the Crymych winger to slide over in the corner. With a superb touchline conversion, number 10 Jones extended the lead to seven points. Tenby realised that attempts to break through a very determined defence were not paying dividends, so they switched to the simple plan of securing ball, allowing number 10 Lewis to drive them down field with some booming 50-metre touch-finders. This approach works if, from the resulting lineout, possession is gained and the kick is capitalised on. This was not the case and each time they got close to the visitors' line, the Crymych defence held firm, wrong options were taken or the ball was spilled. Crymych showed how to capitalise on possession when with their next attack, outside-half Jones neatly chipped over the on-rushing defence, gathered the ball and fed centre Jones, who outstripped the struggling home defence to go over wide out. At 0-12, Tenby were staring at their first home defeat. Lewis reduced the lead with a well-taken penalty, but, despite continually getting his side within striking distance, laboured passing allowed any attacking move to be snuffed out by the eager Crymych defence. The line was eventually broken when from a superb catch and take by Alex Jenkins, his fellow forwards drove the visitors' eight over the line, resulting in flanker Richard Rossiter touching down to bring the score to a more respectable 8-12 with minutes of the first half remaining. Rather than capitalise on their score and maintain the momentum, Tenby, despite a superb tackle by fullback Alex Watts, relaxed and watched the Crymych number 10 stroll through a rather static defence to dot the ball down under the sticks. The conversion brought the half to a close, with Tenby sadly looking at an 8-19 deficit. The second half started as the first finished, with an atrocious bout of handling breaking down in midfield, allowing Crymych to breakaway and it was only a combination of a wrong option and a charge down by the alert Alex Watts that prevented a four- man overlap from exploiting the opportunity. Coach Davies introduced some pace into the back row by bringing on newcomer Emyr Hughes for Wyndham Williams. The next score, however, was not long in coming when a penalty, needlessly given away by Johnny Lane, was marched forward 10 metres as the offending player vented his obvious frustration on referee Sayers. Jones, with his successful kick, took the score out to 8-22. Minutes later, number eight Sam Smith, who had threatened with one or two bullocking runs, picked-up from the base of an attacking scrum and muscled his way over the try line and, with Lewis adding the extras, the score looked a more respectable 15-22 and a home victory achievable. Arthur M-M was replaced by Neil Powling, with Watts slotting in at centre and Powling going to fullback. Maintaining the huge touch-finder ploy, Tenby put the visitors under sustained pressure for the first time in the game, but despite some charges by Sam Smith and the occasional catch and drive by the forwards, little or no real attacking moves were put together as the Crymych defence held firm. Nicky Guymer replaced Mike Lewis in an attempt to beef-up the pack and a neat break and overhead pass by Richard Rossiter came to nothing as Tenby were immediately deemed to be offside at the resulting ruck. The pressure, however, was maintained, but from a lineout close to the Tenby line, Jenkins was adjudged to have pulled the Crymych jumper down, when it appeared the offence was in fact the other way around and Jones stroked the penalty between the uprights to extend the score to 15-25. Experienced coach Niffy Brace replaced the injured Mark Brace and was immediately in the action, gaining some good lineout ball and effecting a steal from an advancing Crymych forward which set-up what turned out to be the final attack. Quick ball, following a good Neil Powling break, supported by Alex Watts and Mark Heywood was re-cycled via Sam Smith, Richard Rossiter and wing Tom Dennis, but the move was stopped by an offending Crymych player. The penalty was quickly taken, but the visitors had not retreated the required 10 metres and from the re-take, Johnny Lane, Smith and Nicky Guymer combined to put Mark Heywood over to take the score to 20-25. Lewis was successful with the conversion, but the game was brought to a halt by referee Sayers with Tenby staring at the scoreboard and an unexpected 22-25 reverse. Coach Davies kept the home side in the changing room long after the game, reminding the players what their obligation was in terms of training and commitment and will be looking for a marked improvement over the next few weeks. Team: Alex Watts (sponsored by Tenby Auto Centre Car Sales), James Davies (Tenby Glass), Mark Heywood, capt. (N. D. Toy & Partners Ltd, Independent Financial Advisors and Mortgage Brokers), Arthur M-M - Neil Powling (Anne and Jeremy Rossiter, of Londis Stores, Manorbier), Tom Dennis, Tom Lewis (Rossiters Funeral Directors of Tenby and District), Rhys Thomas (Paul Diment, of N. D. Toy), Mark Brace- Chris Brace (Lewis, Lewis & Co Solicitors), Mike Lewis - Nicky Guymer (John Boot, of Lydstep), Geoff Martin (The Bay Tree Restaurant, Tenby), Johnny Lane (Alan Jones), Alex Jenkins (Rumbleway Caravan Park), Wyndham Williams - Emyr Hughes (Gavin and Dudley Scotcher, Capital Roasters Coffee Co.), Sam Smith (Mike Brace Home Maintenance Service), Richard Rossiter (Neil Finlay Car Sales). Other results from the division: Hendy 20 Llanybydder 29; Morriston 8 Milford Haven 3; Burry Port 12 Llandeilo 13; Neyland 3 Cardigan 16; Pembroke 34 New Dock Stars 12.
