On another gloriously sunny day, Chevron Texaco sponsored Tenby United travelled to relegation strugglers Burry Port, attempting to get their flagging promotion drive back on track as the season comes to an end, with clubs in the division having one, two or even three games still to play.

The rumour that the home side would be unable to field a recognised front row materialised as on arrival, the referee advised coach Kenny Davies that scrums would go uncontested. This followed the pattern Burry Port had been allowed to take on their previous two games, despite reassurances made during several telephone calls, in an attempt to verify the situation prior to Saturday, that props were now fit and would be playing.

Tenby established the type of game they had turned up to play when within minutes, Sam Smith bludgeoned his way over the line for a try converted by Neil Powling. Burry Port immediately hit back with a penalty, taking the score to 3-7.

Unfortunately, this rousing start was not maintained as the game very quickly deteriorated into an error-ridden, wrong option taken, lost ball in contact game, as the home side opted for a scrum at every penalty awarded, while Tenby seemed to allow the non-contested rule to seep into their rucking play as players very gently entered rucks with little or no momentum generated. Breaking from the static scrum seemed to be carried out in slow motion as players struggled to put the pace needed into the game.

Breaks were plentiful, but sporadic, with Ifan Davies, Chunk and Chris Brace prominent in the attacks that did manage to develop, with some momentum being generated, but the off-loading to supporting players was delayed or not carried out and many of the attacks failed to fully develop into try-scoring opportunities, and nine times out of 10 ended in a scrum to the home side and the situation reverting to the non-contested static scrum.

Tenby eventually added to their score when on the half-hour mark, Ifan Davies drove into the defensive wall of the home side and quick ball freed Sam Smith, who slipped the ball to Wyndham Williams, who in turn crashed through the last line of defence to go over under the posts.

Another successful conversion by Neil Powling extended the lead to 14-3.

The home side were showing some glimpses of their attacking flair, with their threequarters stretching the Tenby defence and one flowing break was brought to a halt with a timely interception by wing Harry Bolton, who just managed to get back to cover.

The remainder of the half failed to see any score, as both teams lacked the necessary motivation to put telling moves together as the home side seemed content to keep the score to 3-14, while Tenby were just happy to be leading.

A short sharp message was delivered at the half- time huddle by coach Davies, who had prowled the touchline in the first half like a wounded lion, bellowing his orders to his team - but his advice seemed to go unheeded as Tenby took the field at the start of the second half to be faced by a resurgent home side that kept them pinned in their own 22 for the initial 15 minutes of the half.

With Tenby only managing the odd venture over the halfway line, with Gavin Brace, Sam Smith, Ifan Davies, Will Crockford and Ben Cray prominent, players were getting frustrated with the performance of the referee, the opposition and their own inability to put any worthwhile moves together.

The stalemate was eventually broken, however, when Sam Smith managed to burst through several attempted tackles to link with wing Harry Bolton, who, although brought to ground, managed to free the ball, ending with scrum-half Will Crockford scampering over unopposed.

Powling was again successful with his kick as Tenby extended their lead to 21-3.

In an attempt to inject some new ideas into the style of play, coach Davies took Chris Brace off, with captain Gavin Brace slotting into his vacated wing position, Sam Smith switching to centre with Ifan Davies taking over at number eight. The complicated readjustment was completed with young Tom James packing down in the second row.

Smith was soon prominent in his unaccustomed position at centre when following a powerful break, which took him past his diminutive opposite number, he attempted an ambitious pass to wing Harry Bolton when Chunk was on his inside, totally unmarked with the try line only yards away.

Insistent on showing coach Davies that the right tactics were being attempted with the positional changes, Smith repeated the move, this time holding onto the ball as he completed his run from the halfway line by going over under the posts for a converted try and a 28-3 lead.

John Rathe joined the contest, replacing the hard- working Ed Ayres, and was soon in the thick of things when a frustrated opponent took exception to a tackle and tried to inflict his retribution on the passive Kiwi.

Undeterred, Rathe soon showed his ball skills when he linked with Smith and Crockford to release skipper Gavin Brace, who unfortunately spilled the ball as he was put free.

The final two replacements of the game came with Geoff Martin and Tom Dennis being replaced by Nick Griffiths and Del Brace.

Despite still getting the lion's share of possession, Tenby were still having difficulty putting moves together and it came as some relief when, following a rare passing movement involving several players, wing Harry Bolton just about squeezed over in the corner for what turned out to be the final score of a truly uninspiring game.

With league leaders and champions Llanybydder visiting Heywood Lane tomorrow (Saturday), there will need to be a marked improvement in performance by the team if they are to complete their home programme on a high note.

Mathematically, with Cardigan getting turned over by Llanybydder last Saturday, a win against tomorrow's opposition - followed-up by an away victory against lowly Hendy on the 28th - could see Tenby sneak the second promotion slot... that is, if Cardigan lose their home and away fixtures against Llandeilo.

Tenby fielded: Tom Dennis (Del Brace), Chris Brace (Tom James), Gavin Brace, capt., Arthur M-M, Harry Bolton, Neil Powling, Will Crockford, Ben Cray, Ed Ayres (John Rathe), Geoff Martin (Nick Griffiths), Ifan Davies, Alex Jenkins, Robert James, Sam Smith, Wyndham Williams