CHEPSTOW 75 pts
TENBY UNITED 15
Having been relegated last season, Tenby United's problems were further compounded on Saturday when they were unceremoniously dumped out of the Principality Welsh Cup by a team three divisions below them.
And it was not just the fact that the Seasiders exited the cup competition at the first hurdle against Chepstow, but it was the manner in which the Division Six (East) side demolished their division three counterparts by 75 points to 15.
With mass defections from their ranks in the closed season, the United have tried to remain buoyant as they enter their 101st season as a club and were bolstered by several promising performances in a pre-season win over Milford Haven.
However, the player exodus - which has led to the Seasiders shelving their Second team to free players for the first team squad - left coach Gary Price with few options for this cup clash and he was forced to field a number of inexperienced players along with others playing out of position, including first-choice hooker Richard Rossiter in the fullback berth.
Tenby made a bright enough start, however, and took the lead when Andrew Webster slotted over a penalty.
Chepstow edged in front with an unconverted try from wing James McLaughlin, before Paul Broaders bagged an unconverted try to swing things back the way of the United.
However, while the Seasiders gave 110 per cent, they could not sustain the momentum in attack, particularly in the front five, and they found themselves 30 points to eight adrift at the break.
Tenby grabbed a second try after the change around when scrum-half Neil Duffy touched down and Webster converted, but, reduced to 14 men following the sending-off of centre Carl Broaders, they could only keep up the Canute-like act for so long, with Chepstow spreading the ball wide at every opportunity and crossing at regular intervals to progress to the next round.
For the record, the East Walians bagged a total of 14 tries, four from McLaughlin, three from fellow wing Craig Buchanan, a brace from Willy Hall and one apiece from Tony Hill, Andrew Morris, Darren Deeley, Dai Young and replacement back row man Gary Davies.
Fortunately for Tenby, home outside-half Mark Roberts only managed to convert one try to add to a successful first half penalty.
Tenby United fielded: Richard Rossiter, Nicky Rees, Gavin Brace, Carl Broaders, Chris Williams, Andrew Webster, Neil Duffy, Simon Griffiths, Lee Tucker, Gareth Noot, Damian Hanlon, Peter James, Nicky Allen, Paul Broaders, Justin Richards.
Coach to stay