PEMBROKE 29 pts

TENBY UNITED 6

After a year of upheaval, Tenby United have entered the new season in a much more positive mood.

But it was local rivals Pembroke who were by far the more positive last Saturday as the two Pembrokeshire clubs clashed head-on in an early season derby fixture.

Fielding a youthful and new-look squad, with back row man Harry Bolton at the helm, the United could have beeen forgiven for perhaps wanting an easier game to open the new campaign as they look to regroup after last season's disappointments.

But they knew this National League division four west match would never be easy against the men from Pembroke on their own patch at Crickmarren.

And that's how it turned out, as the Scarlets turned in an impressive performance to send the Seasiders back home with plenty to ponder.

Displaying more power up front, they always held the upper hand, with the pack laying a solid foundation as they provided a plentiful supply of ball for the backs to make use of.

It meant a busy afternoon for the United defence, and it was breached as early as the fifth minute as the home forwards gave an indication of what was to come, setting up possession for scrum-half Darren Gilbert to sneak over in the corner.

Fullback Phil Williams was off target with the conversion attempt from a difficult angle, but soon found his kicking boots to put his side 11 points to the good as he banged over two penalties by the half-hour mark.

To be fair to the United, though, they showed plenty of spirit and rallied well before the interval, pegging Pembroke back with two penalties from the boot of outside-half Neil Powling.

But it was to be their only success of the day, as after the half-time break, Pembroke began to turn the screw.

Williams soon slotted over a third penalty, while back row man Luke Hansford grabbed his side's second try. It went unconverted, but took Pembroke into a healthy 13-point lead - unlucky for some, and certainly for the United, as the Scarlets continued to dominate in most facets of play.

Another penalty from Williams stretched their advantage, and he added the conversion to a third and final try from second row Dai Beynon to set the seal on a fine afternoon for Pembroke.

Tenby United fielded: Dan Colley, Dai Meyrick, James Davies, Gavin Brace, Sam Foster, Neil Powling, Jake McFadden, Rob Clark,; Nicky Guymer, Lee Tucker, Wyndham Williams, Tom Jones, Rob Tuttle, Harry Bolton (capt.), Roy Osborn. Replacements - Damian Hanlon, Jamie Williams, Barry John, Gavin Brace, Luke Deadman, George Evans, Justin Richards, Del Brace.

Pembroke fielded: Phil Williams, Aaron Nicholas, Mark Williams, Rhys Marchant, Mike Williams, Ryan Hayward, Darren Gilbert, Johnny Palmer, Gareth Jones, Tom Jones, Mark Boswell, Dai Beynon, Steve Dyde (capt.), Luke Hansford, Rob Jones. Replacements - Nicky James, Robin Badham, Richard Mason, Geraint Jackson.