Tenby UTD Youth 32 pts. Neyland nil
With a break in the inclement weather, Tenby United Youth, sponsored by PRL Plant Hire, took the opportunity to play Neyland last Wednesday in a fixture previously cancelled due to bad weather. Tenby started well, with fullback Dan Colley entering the line at pace to snatch a well-taken try and quickly open his side's try-scoring account. This was quickly followed when number eight Alex Jenkins picked-up from the base of an attacking scrum to barge his way over for try number two. Adam Ball added the extras and Tenby were comfortably 12-0 in the lead. With the Tenby eight starting to dominate the set- pieces, rucks and mauls, as well as commanding the lineout, it came as no surprise when hard- working prop Robbie Clark crashed over from loose play to bring the half to a close at 17-0. The second half was a repeat of the first, with a combination of mis-timed passes, players over running the ball, wrong options etc. as Tenby tried all their training paddock moves against a dogged, but outclassed Neyland defence. Tenby did, however, score three tries. Alex Jenkins scored his second, picking up from the base of the scrum, but this time from a strike against the head by hooker Paul Woods, to again crash through the thin defence put up by the visitors. With Neyland visibly tiring, Adam Ball was next on the score sheet, quickly followed in the closing stages by Gareth Merriman, who showed Neyland a clean pair of heels as he galloped over for the sixth and final try. Squad: James Holsworth, Paul Woods, Robbie Clarke, Luke Deadman, Rob Tuttle, Adam Ball, Alex Jenkins, Ieuan Rowell, Rhys Thomas, Paul Darling, Craig McGhee, Steve Handicott, Ross McKenzie, Dave Otten, Dan Colley, Gareth Merriman, James Davies, Tom James, Jonathan Lewis, Nathan Allright, Nick Griffiths, Jamie Marden
Milford Haven Youth 7 pts. Tenby 31
Making the short journey over the Cleddau, Tenby took on Milford Haven Youth at a very windy and blustery Observatory ground, kitted out in shirts hurriedly laundered by Charles and Del Fecci, following the Wednesday game, for which much appreciation is given. Playing with the strong elements in their favour, Tenby set out with the intent of making the conditions pay in their favour, but a combination of dogged home defence and the very tricky wind made this a very challenging task. Adam Ball eventually showed the way by scoring and converting try number one, only to see a determined Milford side equalise with a well- worked driving maul that was aided by the referee awarding a penalty try as Tenby, in desperation, pulled the maul down. With the half drawing to a close and the elements continuing to have a huge effect on the game, Jonathan Lewis and Nathan Allright made big inroads into the home defence, allowing Sion Jenkins to cross for a well-worked try. With Adam Ball adding the extras, Tenby went into half-time just about deserving their narrow 14-7 lead. The half-time instruction was all about keeping ball in hand and driving tackles as the coaches expected Milford, with better local knowledge, to make full use of the elements. Two replacements were made, with John Fenwick and Nick Derwent replacing Jonathan Lewis and Adam Ball. Responding to the advice given at half-time, the Tenby eight took the game to the Milford pack and started to gain the upper hand. James Holsworth was in excellent form and deserved his joint man- of-the-match award, shared with the equally effective Luke Deadman, who was first to the majority of breakdowns and turned the ball over on numerous occasions. These dynamic two were more than ably supported by Paul Woods and Nick Griffiths, as well as the effective back row of Alex Jenkins, Nick Derwent and Grant Rogers, as the Tenby forwards started to turn the screw on the tiring Milford pack. Alex Jenkins scored a trademark try from the base of the scrum and with Steve Handicott adding the extras, Tenby stretched their lead to 21-7. Jamie Marden replaced James Holsworth, giving Tenby the advantage of fresh legs as the elements started to increase, but ignoring the gusty wind, Steve Handicott started to bring the impressive Dave Otten into play more frequently, troubling the stretched home defence with his powerful running. The next score saw Sion Jenkins scampering over for his second try, benefiting from a long pass which put him on the outside of his marker. With the game now well won, Tenby rang the changes, with Jamie Robbins and Craig McGhee replacing James Davies and Alex Jenkins, both of whom had excellent games. The game was wrapped-up when Matthew Jones scorched in for the final try and a score line of 31 -7. Team manager John Handicott was well pleased with the result, coming as it did on the back of a hard mid-week encounter with Neyland and he and his team look forward to maintaining the momentum when they entertain Aberystwyth at the Clicketts tomorrow (Saturday). Squad: James Holsworth, Paul Woods, Nick Griffiths, Luke Deadman, Michael Cockburn, Adam Ball, Alex Jenkins, Grant Rogers, Jamie Robins, Craig Mcghee, Matthew Jones, John Fenwick, Nick Derwent, Jamie Marden, Steve Handicott, James Davies, Nathan Allright, Dan Colley, Jonathan Lewis, Sion Jenkins, Dave Otten