Tenby United deserved their first away win of the season at Penclawdd RFC on Saturday due to their defence and commitment to the game.
Early on Tenby gave away a penalty which allowed Penclawdd outside-half Rob Richards to slot over the first points of the game.
But apart from that unforced error, Tenby were always in control. Their front five of Mark Badham, Dafydd Lewis, Lee Tucker and the two overseas players, Ben Armstrong and Gene Hocking, were dominating the scrums and rucks, and the back row of skipper Nick Roach, Rob James and Justin Richards were trying to create a platform for the backs.
On the half-hour mark, Tenby were awarded a scrum on the halfway line, where quick ball allowed centre Sion Brace to break through the defence and offload to Neil Truman who again passed on to Oliver Brace, who crossed in the corner. Unfortunately Neil Powling was off target with the conversion attempt from wide out.
Nevertheless, it meant that the United went in at the break with a narrow 5-3 advantage.
The second half saw many penalties given away by both teams, and when the referee spotted some illegal footwork by a Penclawdd flanker, the number seven was sent for an early shower.
Even though the Cocklemen were reduced to 14 men, they still battled hard, but good defensive work by impressive fullback Steve Williams, on this debut back at Tenby, and wingers Gavin Brace and Darren Rees, kept them out.
However, on the hour, Penclawdd were awarded a penalty five metres from Tenby's line, from which alert scrum-half Paul James took a quick tap and darted over for a try, which went unconverted.
Captain Nick Roach and number eight Rob James boosted Tenby with their punishing tackles and searing runs, and 15 minutes before time, outside centre Sion Brace intercepted a pass and ran in under the posts, for Neil Powling to convert.
From the restart, Tenby were immediately back on top, running everything from depth and enjoying their style of play.
Just before the end, Neil Powling rounded things off by banging over a lovely drop goal to make the final score Penclawdd 8 Tenby United 18.
No doubt the Tenby coaches, Gareth Thomas and Kenny Davies, were delighted with the three points, but were unhappy that Tenby were reduced to 13 players at one stage, with prop Lee Tucker and second row replacement Chris James both receiving 10 minutes in the sin bin for foul play.
Flanker Robert James was later named man of the match, voted for by the players.
Tenby fielded: Steve Williams, Darren Rees, Gavin Brace, Sion Brace, Neil Truman, Neil Powling, Oliver Brace, Robert James, Justin Richards, Nick Roach (capt.), Gene Hocking, Ben Armstrong, Mark Badham, Dafydd Lewis, Lee Tucker. Replacements - Will Crockford, Scott Payne, Gavin Nicholas.
The United receive a further boost this week with the return of Paul Luger, Niki Allen, Paul Broaders, captain Richard Rossiter, John Dodd and loose-head prop Dai Balkwill. All are available for selection for the home game against Skewen.