In a 'must win' game for both sides, Chevron sponsored Tenby United entertained bottom club Milford Haven who were seeking points necessary to help their survival in the division for next season, while the home side were striving to stay in the dog fight at the other end of the table as six sides battle it out for the two promotion slots to Division Three West. As Tenby kicked off, the rain that had been threatening most of the morning began to fall and, as it turned out, got heavier as the game progressed, lasting the full 80 minutes and impacting the pattern of the game, as the ball turned into something disguised as a mix between a bar of soap and a hot potato. Milford, as expected, tore into Tenby from the off, their young side spurred on by the encouragement from the sidelines by their vocal supporters as well as coach Alan McClelland, and all the early pressure came from the Mariners as they tried to unsettle the Tenby side. The experience in the Tenby eight, however, gradually eased control of the game away from the inexperienced Milford eight, with wily campaigners Wyndham Williams, Ifan Davies, Harry Bolton, Emyr Hughes and the impressive Timoci Kaumaitotoya grafting away at the breakdown and at lineout time to steal possession from their opponents and frustrate any ideas they had of developing a threatening move. From one such steal, half-backs Tom Lewis and Steve Ireland released the backs and swift ball transfer freed wing man Jimmy Davies, who just ran out of room as he was bundled into touch. The momentum, however, was maintained as a move involving forwards Ben Cray, Nicky Guymer and Harry Bolton sucked in the Milford defenders and quick ball transfer by the threes released wing Dan Colley, who slid over in the corner. With the conversion attempt just sailing wide of the uprights from the boot of Tom Lewis, the home side had the reward for their patience with a 5-0 lead. Tenby were attempting to speed-up the game and stretch the Milford defence and centre Arthur M-M combined neatly with Steve Ireland, who slipped a neat pass to Johnny Lane, who was unable to continue the move as the ball rolled away from him. Next it was fullback Michael Georgiau who thundered through the Milford defence, but his attempted pass to his supporting players slipped from his grasp as he was just about to transfer the ball out wide. Several moves were strung together by Tenby, but they either crabbed across field with no 'go forward' and Milford were able to use the touchlines as defenders, as Tenby simply ran out of room, or the ball was spilled and booted clear. Milford were limited to securing the ball and from one or two passes out from the breakdown or set- piece (from where possession was secured) hacking the ball down field and chasing. They were also regularly being penalised by referee John Griffiths, of Newport, for slowing the ball down at every opportunity and Griffiths eventually lost patience and yellow-carded prop Passmore. Tenby, however, were unable to take advantage of the extra man for the remainder of the half as the referee brought proceedings to a halt for half-time. The second half was very much a repeat of the first half, with initially Milford hanging-on with 14 men as Tenby attempted to stretch their troops to breaking point, but failed to find a way through the dogged visitors' defence. To their credit, Milford put several threatening moves together with forwards and backs combining, but Tenby showed why they have the best defensive record in the league by putting in some crunching tackles, with as usual the back row of Timoci Kaumaitotoya, Emyr Hughes and Harry Bolton leading the way, closely followed by fellow forwards Ben Cray, Nicky Guymer, Wyndham Williams and skipper Ifan Davies, while centres Arthur M-M and Mark Heywood were the pick of the backs. From one crunching tackle by Arthur M-M, Tenby won quick ball and a neat chip through the advancing defence was followed through by wing Dan Colley, who secured his, and Tenby's second try, and with Lewis adding the extras, the lead was extended to 12-0. Energetic flanker Harry Bolton was forced to leave the field with a nasty head wound. Emori Katalau replaced Bolton and as the half progressed, coaches Davies and Katalau rang various other player and positional changes, with Gavin Brace and Mark Brace coming on, while Milford, on the other hand, saw players leaving the field pinged by referee Griffiths for slowing the ball at the breakdown. The combination of fresh legs and a depleted defence eventually got its just reward as from a superb catch and give at the lineout by skipper Ifan Davies, the forwards eventually set-up a drive and it was Davies who got driven over the line by his fellow forwards. With the extra two points added by Lewis, Tenby unsuccessfully went in search of that elusive fourth try, and associated bonus point, but simply ran out of time as referee Griffiths blew for time and with the rain getting even heavier, players and spectators alike went to seek the comfort of the changing rooms, the club or home.

Although they secured the win, vital to maintain their aim to secure promotion, the missed try bonus point could come back to haunt the Tenby side come end of season - only time will tell. With three of the other fancied sides, Pontarddulais, Hendy and Llandeilo, all losing on Saturday, the race for promotion now seems to rest with Morriston (who pounded second place Hendy 55 -10, at Hendy - a result that puts last week's draw by Tenby into perspective) looking to have secured top spot, with the remaining position being fought out by Crymych and Tenby. All the potential combinations will no doubt be analysed by coaches Davies and Katalau during training sessions this week as they plot the next step in the plan, an away game at Trimsaran tomorrow. As always, thanks go to main first team sponsor Chevron, as well as the Tenby man-of-the-match sponsor, R. V. Rowe, plus match sponsors, Coors Brewery and Broadfield Caravan Park and finally ball sponsors, John Merriman, of Hopshill Farm, and Dave Thompson, of Fiveways Garage. A final massive thank you must also go to Bill Ledwood, of Unit Engineering, who, at very short notice, sorted out the club's posts problem back in December, allowing them to complete the remainder of their home programme. Tenby fielded: Michael Georgiau, Dan Colley, Arthur M-M, Mark Heywood, Jimmy Davies, Steve Ireland (Gavin Brace), Tom Lewis, Ben Cray, Nicky Guymer, Johnny Lane (Mark Brace), Wyndham Williams, Ifan Davies, Harry Bolton (Emori Katalau), Timoci Kaumaitotoya, Emyr Hughes (Mike Lewis).