Missing several key players due to injury and non-availability, Tenby were always going to be up against it when they met a Tumble team eager to maintain their position in the top half of the table as well as taking the field intent on erasing a 50-plus points drubbing a week earlier by high-flying Kidwelly.

Straight from the kick-off Tumble pinned Tenby back on their line with a series of charging runs by their influential back row and bulky centres and this was rewarded with a penalty when the over-eager United threes were caught offside.

Tenby quickly responded with a series of assaults deep in Tumble territory, with flanker Harry Bolton prominent. But a penalty for killing the ball in a ruck was not taken advantage of as Darren Rees saw his kick sail just wide.

Despite this missed opportunity, Tenby continued to stretch the Tumble defence, with Justin Richards and Ollie Brace both figuring in the next series of attacks. Harry Bolton seemed to be taking on the home defence on his own at times and from one searing break, the attack was carried on by Gavin Brace and 'winger' Dylan Lawrence, which resulted in a penalty. At the resulting lineout, a clean catch by the reliable Chris James saw both props, Lee Tucker and Scott Payne, held up inches short of the line by a well-organised home defence.

Using Justin Richards to good effect off the base of the scrum, well supported by the industrious Gene Hocking, Tenby eventually got their reward when the home side were penalised and Darren Rees slotted over the penalty to put the Seasiders back on level terms.

From the restart, Tenby were again pinned down on their own line and several five-metre scrums earned their just reward when a retreating United eight were penalised and Tumble restored their three-point lead.

The lead was only to last for a few minutes as a Phil Sutton inspired kick and chase phase saw the forwards win quick ruck ball for Ollie Brace to feed Sutton, who calmly dropped a goal to level the scores.

Encouraged by this quick response, Tenby were soon back on the attack and when the ever-present Harry Bolton fielded a hurried clearance, a 'Steven Jones type chip and chase' saw him superbly recover the ball to crash over the Tumble line. A successful conversion by Darren Rees gave Tenby a deserved 13-6 lead.

As they had done previously, Tumble forced Tenby to defend as they probed to break a resolute defence using both backs and forwards in a series of slick moves that were eventually rewarded when the home fullback sliced through to score under the posts. The added conversion brought half-time and a 13-13 scoreline.

With coaching advice ringing in their ears, the home side started the second half as they finished the first, testing the Tenby defence with a series of combined attacks and after three minutes were rewarded with a converted try.

Taking the field for the first time at this level, last year's captain Richard Rossiter replaced the hard-working Nicky Guymer, and he was quickly into his stride, charging at the Tumble back row and setting-up a threatening ruck, which the home side did well to clear.

On the 10-minute mark, following a hand-bagging incident involving the majority of players, the referee yellow-carded the home side's prop and centre, as well as Harry Bolton, in an attempt to eventually stamp his authority on the game.

The continual pressure applied by Tumble again paid dividends in the shape of a penalty as well as an unconverted try from a poor clearance kick that was gratefully gathered by the hooker, taking the score to 28-13.

With Mark Badham replacing the injured Anthony Griffiths and Scott Payne switching to the flank, Tenby did well to prevent Tumble adding to their score and the game finished with both centres Paul Luger and Gavin Brace pulling-off a try-saving tackles.

With lowly placed Gowerton the visitors to Heywood Lane tomorrow (Saturday), Tenby will hope that it will not be a case of a repeat dose of another side smarting after a 50-plus point defeat by Kidwelly. They will also hope that some of the walking wounded are available for selection.

Tenby: Darren Rees, Dean Rees, Paul Luger, Gavin Brace, Dylan Lawrence, Phil Sutton, Ollie Brace, Scott Payne (Mark Badham), Nicky Guymer, (Richard Rossiter), Phillip Lee Tucker, Chris James, Gene Hocking, Justin Richards, Anthony Griffiths, Harry Bolton.