On a bright but breezy afternoon at Heywood Lane, Tenby United kicked off in the penultimate match of the season in Division Three against local rivals Haverfordwest with relegation now a fact and only local pride at stake.
Going straight into attacking mode, Neil Powling got his side into a favourable position when he placed an excellent chip kick through into touch close to the visitors' line, but Haverfordwest recovered to take play away from the danger area. Powling figured again in the play with a huge siege gun kick that relieved a dangerous situation, with the chasing Alex Jenkins putting Haverfordwest fullback John under pressure as he tried to clear the danger.
The game was struggling to get underway with a string of penalties given by referee Evans. It was as a result of one these that Haverfordwest opened the scoring when they took the scrummage option and broke on the blind side to expose a gap, allowing winger Salmon to squeeze over in the corner in the 13th minute.
The pressure was maintained, with Haverfordwest regaining the ball from the re-start and only a poorly executed chip over the top by winger Jones prevented another score.
Tenby suddenly sparked into action, with first influential number eight Sam Smith breaking from the base of the scrum, only to be hauled down as he got into full stride, to be followed by Arthur M- M, who made valuable yards with a fine jinking run, only to be stopped illegally and a penalty awarded to the home side.
A quick tap and go from a penalty by Steve James continued to apply the pressure, but all that resulted was a failed dropped goal attempt by Neil Powling.
Powling was also instrumental in initiating the next attack with a huge up-and-under that was gathered by Sam Smith, who linked with Mark Stevens, Tom Dennis and Powling, only for the move to come to a halt with Haverfordwest putting in some desperate tackles.
The same trio were yet again in action from another high attacking kick, which was hurriedly fired-off into touch.
From the next attacking move, this time on the Tenby line, it was the visitors' turn to apply the pressure and unlike Tenby, they turned the pressure into points with a scrambling try wide out by winger Jones.
Play was getting a tad ragged and referee Evans spoke to the two captains several times and when he was expected to take positive action, he reverted to speaking yet again when a clothes-line tackle on centre Tom Dennis by Brazell floored the Tenby player as he cut inside in a fine attacking move by the home side. Jimmy Davies was successful with the resulting penalty kick and the half closed with Tenby down by 10 points to three.
Some entertaining pranks by the visiting London Fire Brigade at half-time kept the sizable crowd amused as they continued their tour, after a very tiring night out on the town in Swansea and a very enjoyable game against Tenby Seconds at mid-day. The presence of a beer tent at the ground added to their desire to take full advantage of the sunny conditions!
Tom Dennis did not take the field in the second half, being replaced by Harry Bolton, who slotted in at fullback with Arthur M-M taking Dennis's place in the centre.
It was Arthur M-M who showed-up first, initially putting in a crunching tackle that stopped centre Williams dead in his tracks and then linking with Bolton and Sam Smith to threaten the visitors' line. Tenby were now in full flight and a combined move involving Neil Duffy, Lee Tucker, Geoff Martin and Steve James stretched the visitors' defence, but a dropped ball hoofed-up field relieved the pressure and it took a desperate covering tackle by the chasing Neil Powling to prevent the score from being increased.
Increased it was soon after, though, when Haverfordwest touched down for a try under the posts, despite what appeared to be an earlier knock-on. With the conversion successful by Jones, the Blues took the lead out to 17-3.
Veteran second row Chris Brace retired at this point to be replaced by Justin Richards. The game continued to be dominated by the whistle and poor handling as both sides tried to lift the ante.
Another break by the bustling Sam Smith released busy flanker Williams, who transferred the ball to Neil Duffy (now playing on the wing with Will Crockford slotting in at scrum-half), who was bundled into touch. Mark Wooles then replaced Duffy on the wing.
A quick tap and go from a penalty by Tenby was called back by referee Evans, but not to be denied, the home side crossed the Haverfordwest line when a fine take at the lineout by young Alex Jenkins was driven over the line for a triumphant Mike Lewis to emerge from a mass of players claiming the try. Neil Powling slotted the conversion with a fine kick and closed the score to 17-10.
Any benefit from this score was, however, quickly dispelled when from the re-start confusion in the Tenby ranks as to who was to catch the high kick, allowed a bouncing ball to be gathered by a chasing Haverfordwest player, who crashed over for an unconverted try, taking the lead out to 22-10 with what turned out to be the final score.
Ironically, from the re-start it was Tenby who stole the ball and an Alex Jenkins initiated drive took play deep into the visitors' half. Haverfordwest illegally stopped play and from the quickly taken penalty that was smothered, Tenby were given the extra 10 metres and spun the ball wide through the threequarters, only for the visiting defence to clear the danger as flanker Wyndham Williams, who was up in support, continued the move.
The home side were now getting-up another head of steam and a thundering length of field break by Sam Smith saw a chip through by the supporting Jimmy Davies and Steve James minored.
Haverfordwest lost their promising scrum-half James and Will Crockford took full advantage of the changes made and exposed the inexperience at number nine by releasing Jimmy Davies on a long winding run, brought to a halt when the supporting Steve James was bundled into touch.
The game ended with a few worthwhile attacks by both sides and it came as relief when the referee blew for full-time and a 22-10 victory for the visitors and a 20th defeat for a spirited home side, with only a trip east to Tumble next week to bring the curtain down on a disappointing and frustrating season.
Tenby fielded: Arthur M-M - Tenby Auto Centre Car Sales; Will Crockford - Tenby Glass; Tom Dennis (Harry Bolton) - N. D. Toy & Partners Ltd, Independent Financial Advisors and Mortgage Brokers; Mark Stevens - Anne and Jeremy Rossiter, of Londis Stores, Manorbier; James Davies - W3 Designs, Affordable Web Design; Neil Powling - Rossiters Funeral Directors, of Tenby and District; Neil Duffy (Mark Wooles) - Pam Pam Restaurant, Tenby; Lee Tucker - Lewis, Lewis & Co Solicitors; Mike Lewis - John Boot, of Lydstep; Geoff Martin - The Bay Tree Restaurant, Tenby; Chris Brace (Justin Richards) - Alan Jones, Tenby Utd. RFC chairman; Alex Jenkins - Rumbleway Caravan Park; Wyndham Williams - Gavin and Dudley Scotcher, Capital Roasters Coffee Co.; Sam Smith - Mike Brace Home Maintenance Service; Steve James - Neil Finlay Car Sales.
Sub not used: Del Brace.