Tumble 39 pts. Tenby United 17
Travelling east along the A477, Tenby arrived at Tumble RFC with one target left open to them in what has been, for a variety of reasons, a season to forget. Having beaten Tumble convincingly, way back in December, 33-9, there was a lingering hope that the season could end on a high note with a very rare win double. That hope was soon dashed as the home side came out with all guns firing, intent on continuing their good run of results which has lifted them to the relative safety of fourth from the bottom of Division 3 West, and unlike Tenby, guaranteed them the same league status for next year. The game opened with a series of unforced errors by both teams and took a little time to get going, but after the initial 15 minutes, a concerted drive from a lineout 15 metres out saw busy flanker Dominic Brettle being driven over the line by his fellow forwards and with Aled Griffiths adding the extras Tenby were 7-0 down. Despite some gallant efforts by the Tenby XV, they remained pinned in their own half for the next 10 minutes or so, but eventually, from a quickly taken penalty, Will Crockford broke through and handed on to the supporting Wyndham Williams who off- loaded to Nicky Rees and he maintained the momentum by quickly transferring the ball to an eager Gareth Edwards. The rangy second row lengthened his stride and outpaced the final three covering Tumble players to score an excellent try wide out. This score was quickly followed by a penalty by Griffiths and straight from the restart, Tumble attacked again, only this time a score was prevented by some superb combined tackling by Arthur M-M and Del Brace. The referee, however, awarded a penalty for an infringement at the tackle area which allowed the home side to maintain the momentum, with the forwards trundling over the line and a try awarded to burly number eight and skipper Derek Lewis. Griffiths was again successful with the conversion and the half closed with Tumble leading 17-5. The second half restart put Tenby on the back-foot, with the home side securing the kick and setting up a rolling maul. When the ball was released, the threes capitalised on the ground gained and inter- passing with the supporting forwards ended with hooker Mike Powell crashing over. Another two points were added by Griffiths, and Tenby were now hanging-on at 24-5. Their resolve was rewarded, however, when it was their turn to attack straight from a restart with slick inter-passing involving both forwards and backs ended with Will Crockford scoring a well worked try and with Neil Powling adding the extras, Tenby had clawed the score back to 24-12. The lead was again extended, however, when from the restart Tenby were penalised and Griffiths stroked a superb kick over the crossbar to put Tumble 15 points to the good. With Tenby tiring, and no substitutes to ease the pressure (the game had been uncontested from the off), Tumble extended their lead, with their big pack starting to dominate proceedings and it came as no surprise when yet another forward drive ended with Jones going over the try line, stretching the lead to a commanding 32-12. Not to be outdone, Tenby attacked from the restart and after a couple of sweeping moves that stretched the home defence, youth player Dave Otten made a superb break, releasing winger Harry Bolton, who scampered over for a good team try. The final say, however, went to the home side, deep into injury time, with Dominic Brettle grabbing his second try, converted by number 10 Dylan Hughes, taking the final score out to 39-17. All the players that wore the red and black for the final game of the season can be proud of the commitment and effort put in, with youngsters Laurens Brits and Dave Otten standing their ground along with the veterans Niffy Brace and Nicky Rees, all more than ably supported by the other 11 players. A short break and then the planning starts for season 2006-7 and all that will hold for TURFC. Tenby fielded: Arthur M-M - Tenby Auto Centre Car Sales; Del Brace - Tenby Glass; Dave Otten (Harry Bolton) - N. D. Toy & Partners Ltd, Independent Financial Advisors and Mortgage Brokers; Mark Heywood - Anne and Jeremy Rossiter, of Londis Stores, Manorbier; Harry Bolton - W3 Designs, Affordable Web Design; Neil Powling - Rossiters Funeral Directors of Tenby and District; Will Crockford - Pam Pam restaurant, Tenby; Chris Brace - Lewis, Lewis & Co Solicitors; Mike Lewis - John Boot, of Lydstep; Laurens Brits - The Bay Tree Restaurant, Tenby; Gareth Edwards - Alan Jones, Tenby Utd. RFC chairman; Wyndham Williams - Rumbleway Caravan Park; James Davies - Gavin and Dudley Scotcher, Capital Roasters Coffee Co.; Geoff Martin - Mike Brace Home Maintenance Service; Nicky Rees - Neil Findlay Car Sales.