TENBY UNITED 14 pts CWMLLYNFELL 10

Showing 110 per cent commitment in all facets, Tenby United achieved their first home win of their National League division three (west) campaign on Saturday - a deserved 14 points to 10 victory over Cwmllynfell.

If the Seasiders can maintain the momentum of this battling performance, then will have undoubtedly turned the corner, as they dominated for most of the game and always looked threatening with the ball in hand.

Cornerstone of the United's success was an outstanding pack performance which saw them in commanding form both in the set-pieces and in the loose.

At the forefront of the Tenby eight was Mike Evans, who not only proved a prime motivator, but was ever dependable at the breakdown, along with skipper Nicky Allen, who again led by example in all facets, and number eight Justin Richards, who played some of his best rugby of the season as he continually broke the gain line from the base.

Front row trio of Lee Tucker, Richard Rossiter and Simon Griffiths were solid in the set-pieces and worked tirelessly in the loose to win plenty of turnover ball off the floor, while Paul Broaders and Matt Cammack controlled the linesout when it mattered, winning ball off Cwmllynfell's throw at vital times.

Behind the pack, half-backs Neil Duffy and Neil Powling chose their options wisely, Powling kicking well from hand to gain the Seasiders useful field position and keep the homesters going forward.

Back in Tenby colours, Paul Luger made for a straight running centre in the Scott Gibbs mould, making plenty of yardage, while Gavin Brace, Gareth Jones, Sion Brace and Jonathan Dodd were always looking to run the ball from deep.

Although not every move paid off, it was pleasing to see the Tenby threes having the confidence to move forward with the ball in hand, while also providing a strong defence, which gave the United a territorial advantage for much of the game.

In fact, Cwmllynfell hardly got out of their own half in the opening quarter and found themselves three points adrift after Powling slotted over a penalty following some good driving play from the Tenby pack.

Powling was off target with a second penalty as the Seasiders continued to probe and snipe at the Swansea Valley side's defences, while visiting stand-off Jamie Richards was equally unsuccessful with a place kick at the other end during a brief Cwm incursion into Tenby territory in the opening quarter.

Although appearing in command, the Seasiders dropped their guard on the half-hour, an over-elaborate move in midfield allowing Cwm centre Lee Davies to intercept.

Number eight Nick Stubbs maintained the momentum at the breakdown to ferry the ball back to lock Roland Hooper who nipped over under the posts.

Richards converted to put Cwm four points ahead, but Powling quickly reduced the deficit to one point with a snap dropped goal.

A drop goal from Richards restored the advantage for the visitors at half-time, with the Seasiders also suffering a body blow just on the change around when Evans was yellow carded after being singled out by referee Mr. Andrew Miles following some argy-bargy between both sides at a rolling maul.

After the change around, Powling was off target with another penalty, before making amends with another place kick after Luger broke through in midfield and Cwm fullback Wayne Morgan was penalised for killing the ball at the breakdown.

The visitors' back marker was yellow carded as a result and Powling took full advantage to rifle the ball deep into touch in Cwm territory at every opportunity.

One such kick found touch on the visitors' five, with Cammack taking clean ball to set up a text-book catch and drive which saw Tucker on hand to claim a vital try to edge the United in front.

Powling missed the conversion from wide out, while Richards was similarly unsuccessful with a penalty at the other end after Cwm launched a breakaway attack.

Still in control in the loose, Tenby maintained their territorial advantage during the second half, but lost the services of both Rossiter and Duffy going into the final third.

Rossiter was injured while doing sterling service at the base of a ruck, while Duffy was tackled off the ball while trying to chip the resultant Tenby possession into space.

Neither took any further part in proceedings, with Rossiter being replaced by Simon Morgan and Duffy by promising Youth prospect Mark Heywood.

The replacements also meant a reshuffle for the Seasiders, with Griffiths moving to the hooker berth and Brace taking over at scrum-half to free a slot in the centre for Heywood.

Powling was again unsuccessful with the resultant penalty from long range, while Richards had also failed to pack his kicking boots, missing another penalty for Cwm.

Powling failed with a golden opportunity to wrap matters up when he fired another penalty wide, but looked to have made amends when he carved his way through to touch down under the posts following some good work up front from the United.

However, the try was disallowed by Mr. Miles, who had spotted a Tenby infringement in the loose.

With time ticking away, Cwm resorted to running the ball from deep and almost caught the Seasiders napping when skipper Martin Harries took a quick tap penalty on his own 10, but wing Jonathan James fumbled the ball on the overlap.

The let-off saw the United strengthen their resolve and they continued to capitalise on solid work up front and an enterprising backline which saw them contain Cwmllynfell in the closing stages to pouch a vital three points.

The win lifts the Seasiders out of the bottom slot in the league and sees them sharing six points with four other teams.

Not only that, it will undoubtedly have given them a much-needed confidence boost as they prepare to travel to Trimsaran tomorrow (Saturday) for another important league fixture.

Tenby United: Sion Brace, Jonathan Dodd, Gavin Brace, Paul Luger, Gareth Jones, Neil Powling, Neil Duffy, Simon Griffiths, Richard Rossiter, Lee Tucker, Matt Cammack, Paul Broaders, Nicky Allen (capt.), Mike Evans, Justin Richards.