Over the recent Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend, Tenby United RFC, in conjunction with WRU District H, ran a very successful series of Tag and Sevens tournaments. During what turned out to be a mixed bag in terms of weather, ranging from a glorious sunny evening setting on the Friday, when the local Under 8s and 7s strutted their stuff, as opposed to the continual downpour for the early part of the day that greeted the senior teams playing for £1,000 first prize on the Sunday. With a well-stocked beer tent, ample opportunity to satisfy those who preferred coffee or tea and a tasty supply of snacks, those who attended were well fed and watered over the three days and the organising committee will take great satisfaction from the success of the event, as it undoubtedly grows into one of the prestige sevens tournaments on the circuit. Friday saw Pembroke Dock run out winners against a very spirited Tenby Swifts outfit in an Under 8 tag tournament which was a joy to watch as the youngsters ran themselves into the ground, with no lack of commitment and talent on show, cheered on by parents and supporters alike, irrespective of who was on the pitch. Saturday was the turn of the Youth and Ladies and, undoubtedly, it was the Ladies who stole the show, with the outright winners being The Dragons (who were in fact Wales), using the tournament as a last warm-up session prior to setting off to France to defend their European crown. They had some hard struggles during the day from the likes of Whitland, Birchgrove, Cardiff University, Neath and UWIC, and beat a spirited Neath outfit in the final. In keeping with the spirit of the whole day, as winners of the main competition, The Dragons requested that the trophy should go to Neath and that Whitland, as next placed team, be awarded the runners-up medals. The ladies plate final ended with the well- supported Birchgrove seven just beating UWIC in a hard fought match. All the teams that participated should be congratulated on the standard of play and talent on show and to emphasise this point, The Dragons' team management requested a final game when The Dragons played a composite team made-up from a seven drawn from all the other sides in the competition, with the outcome being two players were selected to join the Welsh team when they set off for the European championships on the following Friday. A disappointing and poorly attended Youth tournament, culminated with a slick Crymych seven beating Tenby in the final. Sunday turned out to be a very wet and overcast day, but this did not deter the 'sevens circuit' teams that had pledged their support and, along with local teams from Narberth, Pembroke and Tenby United, the likes of Coleg Sir Gar Old Boys, Caerphilly, Welsh Accies, Warriors, Chainsaws, The Hitmen, Wales Clubs South and Wales Clubs West took part in what turned out to be a very keenly contested competition, with Welsh Accies (made-up of players from UWIC, Bridgend, Pontypridd and Aberavon) eventually outgunning The Hitmen (with players from Cardiff, Newport and Llanelli) in a thrilling and quality final. The victors walked off with the first prize of £1,000, with the runners-up collecting £500. Local interest was also maintained right to the end in the senior plate competition, with Pembroke beating Tenby United 'B' by a single point in a game that ended-up being played in sunshine. The tournament was officiated by referees from the Pembroke and District Union and the club would like to thank Eirian Edwards for organising his troops, whose efforts were well appreciated by all the teams that participated. Thanks go to N. D. Toy and Partners for sponsoring the event, along with the Saundersfoot-based businesses - Kook-a-Ba Restaurant, Royal Oak, The Mulberry, Philly's Sandwich Bar, Shoreline, Monkstone Restaurant, Chobbles Traditional Sweet Shop, Frost's Hardware, Saundersfoot Sports Club, Brooklands Nursing Home, The Deck, Chemist Inn, White Horse, Captain's Table and Will Clean Cleaning Services. While from the Tenby area, sponsors were - Hope and Anchor, Frank B. Mason, Tenby Coachworks, Buccaneer Inn, Reef, Qube, Baytree, JT's Burger Bar, Fecci's Fish and Chips, Kit Bag, Acorn Garden Services, Mike Brace Home Maintenance Services, Normandie Inn, Rob James Construction, Will Crockford Plumbing and Heating, Folly Farm, Sion Brace Construction and Gary Boswell - Future Lighting. Thanks are also extended to those who participated in the preparation and in the event itself - Steve and Emma (TURFC club stewards) and their staff, Sean Keane, Terry Phillips, Tony Spillar and Mark Jordan, Matt and Chris, Tenby Harbour Masters, Oliver Bird and Robert Lindsey, Arthur Day, Doc Kelly (massive thank you from the Dragons), Radio Pembrokeshire, Four Seasons and, lastly, for a job well done, to Jonathan Boot, of Lydstep, and his team, who got the pitch in superb shape and drew appreciative remarks from all those who attended, as well as those who played. Difficult to imagine that Heywood Lane was in such pristine condition having just completed a long season of constant use, both on the training and playing fronts. Tenby United thank all the teams that attended, as well as expressing thanks to the small band of workers from within the club who made this a success and hopefully went a long way in laying the foundation for what is anticipated to become an annual tournament around the same holiday period each year.
