Fourteen 10 year-olds and their parents set off at the early hour of 7 am with mixed feelings of anticipation and excitement and perhaps a little trepidation. They were now leaving their home base where they had won just about everything and going to meet their peers from the much vaunted South Wales/Gwent rugby hotbed breeding grounds.
A 'full monty' breakfast was called for to build the boys up for a long day and a stop made at Pont Abraham. Then an unexpected hiccup - the bus would go no further! Nothing, however, was going to prevent this determined band from reaching their destination and a replacement vehicle was hastily commissioned which got the team to Newport in adequate time for the first pool match.
As the team travelled east so the sun disappeared, being replaced with a grey leaden sky and a cold wind. A journey from summer back to winter in effect where the boys were to experience their first taste of the east/west divide, particularly in the form of officialdom
They had been drawn in a tough group (in fact there were no easy groups as all the teams were winners in their home areas), which comprised Abergavenny, Ystrad Mynach and Penygroes.
First up was the West Wales team Penyroes and a sparkling performance saw them off by 19 points to nil. Tries were scored by Joe Kidney, Matthew Davies and Toby Smith, two of which were converted by Patrick Roberts.
Half-backs Kiefer Thomson and Jamie Williams combinedwell and got their speedy backline moving. with James Criddle showing his qualities in the centre. Front row forwards Jack Baker, Yannick Park and Joseff Morris provided plenty of ball for the backs and second row forwards Toby Smith and Patrick Roberts won plenty of ball in the linesout and mauls.
The next game was against an Abergavenny team who had looked extremely dangerous in their first pool match. Tenby were not at all perturbed. It was the match that both teams wanted to win. Neither did as they drew 0-0 in what was a heart-stopping encounter for those watching.
This meant that both teams had to win their last pool match, but to qualify for the play-off had to outscore each other on the try count.
Abergavenny were to play first and left Tenby knowing exactly what they had to do. They had to win and score three tries against Ystrad Mynach, in the 14 minutes allowed. A difficult job.
They scored only the one try and therefore missed out narrowly on a semi-final spot. They did, however, all receive gold medals for reaching these finals and were paid the ultimate compliment by their opponents in requesting games next season in order that they can meet good standard opposition and improve their games!
In the remaining matches, subs Rob James and James Canton made useful appearances, but unfortunately remaining subs Oliver Goldwait and Daniel McDermott did not actually take the field, due to the shortness of the games and requirements of the team. All, however, played their full part as squad members and share the accolades.
Coaches Steve Williams and Tim Roberts are very pleased with the way the boys played and behaved throughout, not only the day, but the season, and things look promising for next year. They would also thank Ian Morris who as fitness advisor kept the pot boiling and the boys tuned whilst the coaches took a break.
That then is the end of a long, successful campaign for the Under 10s in what have been some of the wettest conditions during the winter, when the commitment and loyalty of these boys has been amazing and deserves congratulating. There have been no fair weather friends amongst this team and let us hope they continue their interest in the game for years to come.