Narberth 67 pts Tenby United 7

Tenby arrived at Narberth's Lewis Lloyd ground with high expectations, having been promoted from Division Three West into the newly-created WRU Division One West and on the back of their very successful previous season, which included winning the Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup. Championship side Narberth had had a good workout midweek in a friendly against Llanelli and welcomed the opportunity of a further friendly against lower opposition. The scoreline suggests a rout and if five tries had been converted it would have increased the score by a further 10 points. However, the Tenby squad never gave up and enjoyed a 10-minute period before half-time when they strove to cross the line as they took advantage of Narberth being reduced to 14 men due to a yellow card. The difference in standard between the two teams became obvious early on. The first try came after five minutes when the powerful Otters' pack drove towards the line, releasing the ball for Nick Gale to race over, with fly-half Ianto Griffiths converting. On 10 minutes, Johnny Morgan crossed for an unconverted try, followed five minutes later by an unconverted touchdown by flanker Stuart Worrall. This came from the Otters' threes moving the ball swiftly through hands for Ianto Griffiths to cross-kick towards the clubhouse corner before the ball again passed through several hands for the touchdown. Then on 24 minutes the ball was moved from a ruck to Ianto Griffiths, who fed Nick Gale, and he sped away, beating the defence with a change of direction to touch down for Ianto Griffiths to convert. Six minutes later, Otters' centre Steve Martin challenged a Tenby defender, gained control of the ball and with the defence split, sped over for a typical individual unconverted try, bringing the scoreline to 29 points to nil. Throughout, Tenby had resolutely stuck to their task and from meagre possession, fly-half Jack Price, a Pembroke Dock product, showed some individual skills as, with dancing feet, he eluded several tacklers, weaving through the Otters' defence, only to be brought down five metres from the line. Tenby won the subsequent ruck and began to apply concerted pressure, during which Narberth's Jim Kaumaitotoya was adjudged to have infringed at a breakdown near the try line and received a yellow card. The United immediately tested the Narberth defence with further pressure. Ianto Griffiths relieved the situation with a fine kick into touch upfield, but Tenby won the lineout and began a promising move, stretching the Otters' defence as they moved the ball from left to right, before fullback Damian Millar crossed for a try which he also converted.. Perhaps inspired by his try, he followed this by gathering the ball in midfield, where he kicked ahead, regathered possession and seemed certain to score again, only for Narberth captain Steve Martin to chase him down and in the subsequent tackle knocked the ball out of his hands. The referee's whistle blew on an entertaining first half, with Narberth leading by 29 points to seven. The second half saw many changes in the Narberth 15, but with Jim Kaumaitotoya restored from the sin bin, it took only two minutes for the pack to rumble over from a lineout five metres out, with Jim claiming the touchdown. Ianto Griffiths added the extras with the conversion. On 53 minutes, Ashley Sutton made his mark by scoring an unconverted try, having received a perfect pass from lock Alex Jenkins. Five minutes later, Steve Martin scored another, with Nick Gale converting to take the score to 41-7. Further tries came from Steffan Phillips, and two from centre Arwyn Thomas. Tenby are to be congratulated for their determination to compete for the full 80 minutes. Unfortunately, poor handling undid many attempts to make headway. They seem to have a physically strong squad and should manage to stay in Division One West, given further experience of the standard required. Afterwards, Narberth spokesman Robert Lewis commented that the club was grateful to Tenby for agreeing to the fixture. Tenby had stuck to the challenge throughout. Narberth played well, the game proved a worthwhile work-out and the squad had now had two tough workouts in preparation for the coming season. The young recruits showed up well and he considered that the club looks set for another good season. Narberth fielded: Jonny Morgan, Nick Gale, Arwyn Thomas, Steve Martin, Tom Bonnell, Ianto Griffiths, Rhys Lane, Sean Lloyd, Dan Smith, Owen Jordan, Alex Jenkins, Jim Kaumaitotoya, Stuart Worrall, Lewis Wood, Steffan Phillips. Also fielded were Ashley Sutton, Nicko Setaro, Luke Rogers, Tom Slater, Barrett.