Penclawdd 39 pts. Tenby United 26
Tenby travelled to the Gower on Saturday to face league leaders and unbeaten Penclawdd in their fight to remain in Division Three. The earlier encounter at Heywood Lane had ended with a 14-0 victory for the visitors at a time when Tenby were struggling to field a settled side, so confidence was high, despite the disparity in league positions, based on recent form shown by an improving Tenby outfit. The victory they so deserved, and fought tooth and nail for, was not forthcoming, however, as down to 14 men for one crucial 10-minute period leading up to half-time, they shipped 15 points, which proved decisive, as when the final whistle went, they found themselves down by 13 points and a vital three league points were lost. Kicking off with the strong blustery wind in their favour, Tenby conceded the first of many penalties with an infringement at the breakdown. Fullback Rhys Williams obliged and Tenby were 3-0 down within minutes of the start. Right from the off, encouraged by their bright start, the home side decided to spin their next possession wide, only for the move to be brought to a shuddering halt by a crunching tackle by centre Mark Heywood on his opposite number. The forwards got to the breakdown in numbers, led by Mark Badham and Mark Brace, and the quick ball was deftly moved along the threes at pace and Randell Watkins just managed to squeeze in at the corner. With a superb touchline conversion, Jimmy Davies extended the Tenby lead to 7-3. The home side were stung by this reverse and reverted to a tactic they were to utilise to take back control of the game, as from a lineout, they gained possession and started a rolling maul that trundled toward the Tenby line. The move was stopped as scrum-half Will Crockford made a superb first time tackle on the forward breaking away from the maul, which resulted in a knock-on, and the effort was snuffed out, but it was a sign of things to come. Fullback Rose left the field at this stage to be replaced by Ollie Dugmore, who came on as wing, with James Davies moving to fullback. Penclawdd threatened to take the lead with several excellent attacking moves that saw the ball slipped neatly and quickly between forwards and backs, and it took some resolute defence to stop them from crossing the line. Thunderous tackles by the back row trio of Bolton, Smith and James were matched by efforts of centres Heywood and Luger, but the pressure paid off when a penalty for hands in a ruck resulted in Williams reducing the lead to 7-6. The restart saw Tenby again pressure the home side into conceding a penalty with abrasive tackles by Lewis and Williams, but the kick by Davies sailed wide on the wind. Next into action was second row Gareth Edwards, who secured excellent ball from a lineout, which saw a move involving James and Wyndham Williams. The momentum was maintained when from the resulting scrum, number eight Sam Smith broke from the base and made valuable yards; quick ball from the ruck saw half-backs Crockford and Neil Powling release the threes, only for a pass from Paul Luger to be knocked-on by fellow centre Mark Heywood. Number eight Barrow was beginning to stamp his influence on the game and only a double tackle by Powling and Bolton prevented him from crossing the Tenby line. Penclawdd had now upped the pace of the game, but the defensive pressure was still being exerted by Tenby and this paid dividends when a dropped pass was hoofed up field by Neil Powling and the chasing Jimmy Davies cleverly outwitted the Penclawdd player who was chasing back, by skilfully controlling the ball with his feet to score under the sticks - a try he also added the extras for and a well deserved 14-6 lead. Penclawdd were obviously frustrated by the effort and commitment of the Tenby XV, highlighted when number 10 Jones put the restart straight out on the full - a silly mistake barracked by the home crowd. This frustration was continued when a superb tackle by winger Randell Watkins stopped their next move dead in its tracks. The enthusiasm and adrenaline boiled over, however, with hard-working flanker Steve James being yellow-carded for killing the ball. Williams was successful with the kick and the lead was now down to 14-9. Being down to 14 men was the trigger the home side needed to spring into action and the 10 minutes leading up to half-time saw them, in rapid succession, expose the stretched Tenby defence, with number eight Barrow picking-up from the base and storming over from the halfway line. This was quickly followed by Tenby (for some incomprehensible reason) throwing a ball long in a defensive line, only to see the home side steal it and score under the posts, and finally, a try from a rolling maul gave the opportunity to reach half- time 26-14 in the lead. Some turn around. Coaches Niffy Brace and a very apologetic Steve James rallied the team at half-time and, with their words ringing in their ears, Tenby shot out of the blocks to gain a well-deserved try converted by Jimmy Davies. The try came from a series of pick and go's by the forwards, capitalised on by Mark Heywood, whose searing break created a situation for impressive number eight Sam Smith to continue the move, brushing aside some would-be home tacklers to go over under the sticks; all this action reducing the deficit to 26-21. A silly knock-on from a slick threequarter movement and a mix-up with dummy runners spoiled a couple of chances created by Tenby, but undeterred, they were back on the front foot again when two quick tackles by Harry Bolton and Paul Luger provided the platform for the next attack. Slick handling, this time capitalising on a searing break by Luger, backed by well-timed passes, put young Ollie Dugmore clear and he showed a clean pair of heels to the desperate home defence as he galloped over in the corner for an excellent team try. With the conversion missed, Tenby were now back on terms with Penclawdd at 26-26. Steve James left the fray at this point to be replaced on the flank by Stuart Tyrie. Penclawdd regained the lead in bizarre circumstances when lock Gareth Edwards was blatantly held back by his opposite number, only for the penalty to be awarded to Penclawdd for the expletive shouted by Edwards about the offence committed on him. Trotting back, now 29-26 in the lead, the home side were admonished by referee Walker who advised them that the next player caught holding the opposition back would be yellow-carded! Steve James, who had rested sufficiently to retake the field and pack down as prop - no peace for the wicked -replaced Mark Brace. A tiring Tenby defence was now being stretched and, although they managed to keep out a concerted move, which switched play quickly from the right to the left side of the field, when it switched back to the right, they had simply run out of numbers. The extra two points took the lead out to 36-26. Defence was now the order of the day as the home side attempted to put the game to bed and increase their lead, but excellent defending by Tenby stopped the majority of these moves from developing. Penclawdd reverted to Plan B and huge touch- finders by their number 10, who took full advantage of the strengthening wind. Tenby had their opportunities to narrow the gap, but a combination of strange refereeing decisions and scrambling defence by the overworked Penclawdd XV saw the only score of the final 15 minutes being a penalty - no idea what for, but it took the final score to 39-26. The match was played at a furious pace and by their own admission Penclawdd were amazed at the organisation, determination and spirit shown by a team sitting near the bottom of the league - very difficult to comprehend was a frank and honest view of the home side coach. The supporters were equally as praiseworthy about the Tenby performance. Matches are running out as Tenby try to claw their way from the foot of the table and with Amman getting an excellent win on Saturday against high- flying Trimsaran, escape is rapidly becoming a mathematical exercise - but until the equation is totally ruled out, Tenby will battle on. Tenby fielded: Llewellyn Rose (Ollie Dugmore) - Tenby Auto Centre Car Sales; Randell Watkins - Tenby Glass; Mark Heywood - N. D. Toy & Partners Ltd, Independent Financial Advisors and Mortgage Brokers; Paul Luger - Anne and Jeremy Rossiter, of Londis Stores, Manorbier; James Davies - W3 Designs, Affordable Web Design; Neil Powling - Rossiters Funeral Directors of Tenby and District; Will Crockford - Pam Pam Restaurant, Tenby; Mark Badham - Lewis, Lewis & Co Solicitors; Mike Lewis - John Boot, of Lydstep; Mark Brace - Bay Tree Restaurant, Tenby; Wyndham Williams - Alan Jones, Tenby Utd. RFC chairman; Gareth Edwards - Rumbleway Caravan Park; Harry Bolton, capt. -Gavin and Dudley Scotcher, Capital Roasters Coffee Co.; Sam Smith - Mike Brace Home Maintenance Service; Steve James (Stuart Tyrie) - Neil Finlay Car Sales.