For all the wrong reasons in terms of colour, mainly yellow with a splash of red, this eagerly-awaited contest will be remembered more for the numerous physical off-the-ball incidents and the yellow and red cards, than the little quality rugby that was played, as Tenby suffered their second defeat of the season to local rivals Pembroke Dock Quins.

With two back-row forwards slotting into the centre positions, the home side surprisingly clicked straight into gear from the off and within two minutes of the start a ball spilled by the visitors gave James Davies the opportunity to show a clean pair of heels to the opposition to dive over in the corner for a well-taken unconverted try.

As tempers frayed, Martin Howells, the overworked official, gave a series of lectures to individual and groups of players as he attempted to gain control. Following one such stoppage, the result was a successful penalty attempt by Aled Griffiths, with 20 minutes gone, giving the home side a deserved eight-point advantage.

The initial attempt to reduce the deficit by the Quins was by an ambitious penalty attempt by Tom Lewis that sailed wide of the uprights from way out, and from the restart, tempers again boiled over, with the referee yellow carding both Pembroke Dock's Phil Hughes and Tenby's Harry Bolton.

As half-time approached, the Quins switched tactics and switched their point of attack and from a lost ball situation started a controlled driving maul to score wide out, and with Tom Lewis slotting the conversion, the scores were narrowed to 8-7.

As with last week at Laugharne, the re-start kick failed to travel the necessary 10 metres and, winning the subsequent scrum on the halfway line, the Quins used a simple threequarter move that resulted in centre Darren Gibby scoring under the posts. With Lewis adding the additional points, half-time was reached with the home side trailing 8-14.

The scuffles experienced throughout the first half continued from the kick-off for the second half and after a few minutes, Mr Howells had no hesitation in red carding Quins flanker Phil Hughes.

With a firm stance eventually being taken, the game should have quietened down, but within minutes of the Hughes incident, Scott Payne was yellow carded for retaliation.

Indeed, the scoring in the second half is about the best said of the remainder of the match. An unconverted try from an interception by Tom Lewis and a Lewis penalty resulted in a 22 points to eight victory for the visitors.

With two defeats, Tenby United's coaching staff will have their work cut out preparing for the long haul up north to Llangefni, who have started their campaign convincingly with two excellent victories, including a 31-10 away win against the Quins.

Match sponsors were: Peter Kidney - plumbing, heating and maintenance; Steve Hilling - electrical contractors; Newey & Eyre (Mike Carringrton) - electrical distributors; Martin Hurlow - building contractor.

Home team man-of-match sponsors (for two T- bone steaks): J. V. Rowe & Sons.

Ball sponsors: Alan Jones, Keith Walker.

Tenby United fielded: L. Rose (Tenby Auto Centre Car Sales), M. Miller (W3designs Affordable Web Design), N. Guymer (Anne & Jeremy Rossiter, of Londis Stores, Manorbier), S. Tyrie (N. D. Toye & Partners Ltd), J. Davies (Tenby Glass), A. Griffiths (Rossiter Funeral Directors, of Tenby), W. Crockford (Pam Pam Restaurant Tenby), S. Payne (Lewis & Lewis & Co, Solicitors), P. Lewis (G. Bevan) (John Boot, of Lydstep), M. Badham (J. Lane) (The Bay Tree Restaurant), G. Edwards (S. Griffiths) (Alan Jones), W. Williams (Rumbleway Caravan Park), R. James (N. Guymer) (Gavin & Dudley Scotcher, Capital Roasters Coffee Company), A. Griffiths (Mike Brace Home Maintenance Service), H. Bolton (Neil Finlay Cars Sales)

Replacements: J. Richards, J. Lane, G. Bevan, P. Luger.