ST. DAVIDS YOUTH 6 pts

TENBY UNITED

YOUTH 25

Surf-Suburban and Tenby Hog Roast sponsored Tenby United Youth XV travelled to St. Davids for what was expected to be another wet and windy afternoon.

On arriving in the little city, it was surprisingly bright and sunny with little wind, which would surely suit the Seasiders' new style of expansive free-running rugby.

Right from the off, it was clear that United were not going to come away with anything short of another win and they immediately ran the ball right into the heart of a strong-looking St. Davids defence, with Greg Caine and Ashley Bonser really making names for themselves early on in the season with bullocking runs which the home side found hard to contain.

After 10 minutes of constant pressure, excellent off-the-top ball at the lineout from Martin 'Moped' Phillips enabled half-backs Sam Davies and Dan Robins to set the backs in motion, with back rower Wesley Bonser linking well with his brother Ashley, who set Greg Caine on his way; he backed himself and rounded the opposition winger and cantered in at the corner for his and Tenby's first points of the game. Due to the increasing wind, the conversion by Robins, who kicked well the previous week, was close, but not quite there.

From the restart, the United pack took it right back to them, with front rowers Robert Luly, Dylan Grifin and Tom Law smashing their way through their opposite numbers. Indeed, their session with first team coach and ex-Fijian captain Emori Katalau obviously paid off as they absolutely destroyed St. Davids at the ruck and quick ball sent the back line off on another rampage, sucking in the defence and this created the space for Elliot Randel to slip the ball to skipper Will Holmes, who led by example and barged through, taking out two more defenders, before passing the ball via second row Ben Prestwich to nippy winger Chris Morgan, who crashed over for another Tenby try. Without the extra two points, Tenby led the home side 10 points to nil.

Next it was the turn of St. Davids to have the ball and strong scrummaging meant that their skilful number 10 was able to kick deep into the Tenby half. This, however, was little trouble for fullback Matthew 'Zambuca' Davies as he picked up the ball like it was a shot glass and there was no chance he was letting St. Davids take it off him as he went past three defenders, before passing to Sam Davies, who went through two more tacklers before sending Greg Caine on another run and yet again he left the home defence standing and crashed over for his second try.

After the referee awarded two consecutive penalties to St. Davids for nothing more than over-enthusiastic Tongan-style tackling by Ash Bonser and Conor Keohane, who also worked well in the loose, Tenby led the home side 15- 6 at half-time.

Playing up the hill in the second half, Tenby had the wind in their faces, but the half-time team talk by coach Chris Williams and manager Peter 'Toe' James certainly got soaked up and right from the whistle they ran hard and the ball seemed to go through every pair of hands from one to 15 and the new improved rucking style left the ball perfectly for the half-backs to send the backs on well-timed runs and enabled the back row of Holmes, Keohane and Grifin and hooker Wes Bonser to hit holes in the now tiring St. Davids back line.

Halfway through the second period, Williams rang the changes, bringing on Leo Moreland, who ran well, Jack Butler, Millea Williams and Loui Fecci, and the fresh legs worked well and made the heavy St. Davids pack run around and they were now looking very heavy-legged.

Loui Fecci picked the ball up from a scrum and heard the unmistakable sound of Rob 'Truffle Hunter' Luly's stomach rumbling as he was by now getting hungry and passed the ball to him on a charge. He put the ball up his jumper and no City boys' defensive efforts would stop him getting to the McDonalds he'd burried in the corner before the match and he crashed over, putting the Seasiders 14 points ahead with 10 minutes on the clock.

Good pressure from Robin's restart put St. Davids on the back foot and counter-rucking Katalau-style enabled Fecci to send Bonser on a trademark run into the heart of St. Davids territory, where quick ball allowed the still hungry Luly to take the ball off Holmes and he was again able to get back to finish the last bite of his burger as he smashed his way over in the exact same corner as before, making Tenby comfortable winners by 25 points to six.

The Tenby boys returned home for an 'early' night and were up bright and early to support the brilliantly run Ironman by voluntering from 12 until 12 on the feed station at the 'Welcome to Tenby' sign in all conditions, but had a really good day.

Coach Williams and manager Toe said in an interview later on Sunday how proud they were of their troops' commitment and that they are looking forward to a good turnout and session with Scott and Penfold in training, ready to welcome Llangwm Youth to Heywood Lane on Saturday to try and make it three wins in three games and put the marker down to the rest of the league.

All supporters are very welcome and kick-off is 2.30 pm.

Training is on Wednesday nights from 6.30 pm at Heywood Lane and new players are always welcome.