The final of the Griffiths Cup, a competition for players under 18 across the county, was held, as tradition demands, at a well-attended Neyland RFC on Friday evening. Both teams fancied their chances of winning the superb trophy in a final officiated by Adrian Slade.

Despite their late arrival, the determined Tenby team, sponsored by PRL Plant Hire, won the toss and decided to play up the slope and went on the attack straight from the kick-off, pressurising the Haverfordwest defence.

With several early charges by Adam Ball testing the defence to the full, as Tenby sounded out the defensive patterns, livewire hooker Paul Woods attempted to get over the try line, only to lose the ball in the act of scoring.

Inspired by this near miss, the Tenby eight started to get on top, well led by Adam Ball, with several forward drives by Henry Boot, Rob Clarke, Mike Coburn and Rob Tuttle gaining valuable yards.

It was Haverfordwest, however, who had the first real opportunity to take the lead when outside-half Luke Morrisey stepped up to convert a penalty from about 35 metres out. His well-judged kick sailed over the posts and Haverfordwest had unexpectedly grabbed the lead.

It was a lead they were to double when from almost the same spot, Morrisey sent his second attempt straight and true and despite all their efforts, Tenby were 6-0 down. Tenby kept plugging away and with five minutes of the first half remaining, the hard-working Adam Ball broke away from an attacking set-piece and crashed over the line for a well-worked try, which he converted to put Tenby 7-6 in front.

Using the corners well, fly-half Steve Handicott kept Haverfordwest pinned in their half, but knock-ons, forward passes and dropped balls saw scoring chances go a-begging and as the half drew to a close, Morrisey sent his third pot at goal in the same direction as his first two attempts and Tenby went into the half-time break trailing 9-7.

Despite now playing with the slope in their advantage, Tenby soon found that the second period was going to be as tough as the first, as Haverfordwest stepped up their game in an effort to protect their lead.

In an attempt to break the deadlock, Tenby rang the changes, with James Davies coming on for the injured Rhys Thomas at scrum-half, rapidly followed by two tactical changes, at flanker, where Lloyd Wilson came on for Nick Drewett, and at prop, with James Hallsworth replacing the hard-working Rob Clarke.

The changes paid dividends as an alert Wilson pounced on a ball rolling around the try line area at a Haverfordwest lineout, taking Tenby back into the lead at 12-9.

The next 12 minutes or so saw the game swing from end to end, with both teams going for a score to win the game and the highlight was a superb try-saving tackle by Paul Woods on Craig Barrett as he went for the line.

For Tenby, centres Grant Rogers and Luke Dedman led the way in terms of defensive duties, closely followed by fullback Dan Colley and wingers Gareth Merriman and Ross McKenzie. The entire Tenby pack defended resolutely as Haverfordwest pounded their line as the clock ticked on to full- time.

As is always the case when a team is in defensive mode, penalties were given away and with only five minutes remaining, Morrisey was given the opportunity to put Haverfordwest level, but surprisingly he failed to take the opportunity. The final few minutes were extremely tense, as with only a couple of minutes remaining, with what turned out to be the final scoring opportunity, Morrisey fired another golden penalty oppportunity wide of the posts.

A very jubilant Tenby XV left the pitch well satisfied that with a two-try to three penalties victory, they had ended the season on a high, despite making hard work of the victory.

Celebrations both on the pitch, and in the Neyland clubhouse after the match, were carried out by some very tired and exhausted players.

The team management were well pleased with the tremendous efforts put in by all the squad and were also praiseworthy of the sponsorship and support provided throughout the season.

Celebrations continued back at Upper Frog Street as the team joined-up with parents and friends who were waiting for their triumphant return and thanks were given to Wendy Morgan and her staff who did the lads proud when they returned with their trophy.

Tenby fielded: Dan Colley, Gareth Merriman, Grant Rogers, Luke Dedman, Ross McKenzie, Steve Handicott, Rhys Thomas (James Davies), Rob Clarke (James Holsworth), Paul Woods, Mike Coburn, Iuan Rowell, capt., Henry Boot, Rob Tuttle, Nick Derwent (Lloyd Wilson), Adam Ball and Rob Whitford, Johnathan Lewis, Mav Thomas.

Mascot: Harri Williams; water boys: Oliver Parsons and Elliot Williams.