With points needed to retain their status in Division One West, Tenby Tourers sponsored Tenby United travelled to high flying Dunvant with a team intent on staying in the division, but despite a spirited performance, mistakes and errors at critical times along with scoring opportunities not turned into points, ended with the much needed win not materializing against a well organised home side targeting at finishing as runners up to run away leaders Felinfoel in the league.

Kicking off later than usual, following the completion of a well attended Under 11s festival, the home side went straight on the attack with their forwards chasing a high and hanging kick by number 10 Richard Lewis and from gaining procession they made several pick’n’go darts down the short side which Tenby managed to contain but they eventually took the lead early with a penalty by wing Sam Evans and a 3-0 game.

The restart saw Tenby get their act together and test the home defence but a mis-timed pass in centre field brought the threat to an abrupt end and as they quickly gathered the loose ball the Dunvant three’s stretched the Tenby defence to breaking point as speedy fullback Adam Williams-Parry entered the line and went over unopposed. The try was converted by Sam Evans pushing the score out to 10-0. This lead was quickly reduced as Craig Barnett slotted over a penalty making it a 10-3 game.

Attempts to put Dunvant on the back foot by Mauritz Neumann and Jordan Asparassa were easily controlled by the home side and things could have got worse for Tenby as scrum half Matthew Morgan was clattered, seconds after he had passed the ball, but fortunately returned but with his ankle heavily strapped. Dunvant seemed to favour attacking the short side with their bulky forwards using well timed running angles and their persistence paid off with classy fullback, and the eventual man of the match Adam Williams-Parry, cantering over for his second try of the afternoon, stretching the lead out to 15-3.

Despite the odd attack Tenby never really managed to put anything really threatening together, despite the best efforts of Jack Guerreiro, Mauritz Neumann, Jordan Asparassa and Jonny Morgan along with forwards Barry Parsons, Alex Jenkins and Dan Smith, as Dunvant handled the situation with ease. When it came to their turn to threaten the Tenby line they showed what needed to be done with initially scrum half Ben Ley and second row Tom Crowley going close and forcing Tenby to concede a couple of penalties. Kicking one to the corner a clean take at the lineout led to a well orchestrated drive ending with hooker Craig Hawkins emerging from a pile of bodies with referee Brace awarding a try extending the score to 20-3. Tenby only quickly reducing the lead to 20-9 with a brace of penalties by Craig Barnett.

From the restart, following the second of these penalties, Tenby disastrously let the high kick bounce and with nobody taking charge, flanker Rhys Tucker seized on the indecisiveness in the Tenby ranks and scooped up the ball to run through the static defence for the bonus point earning fourth try, and a comfortable 25-9 halftime lead.

With the next score critical to the outcome of the match Tenby kicked off with Timochoci Kautamatoya being replaced by Mike Davies and from their initial attack Mark Robbins capitalised on a lack of communication between wingers Yannic Parker and Jordan Asparassa as he sped between them and only a crunching tackle by Mauritz Neumann prevented the move from developing. Tenby were offered a chance to add to their score with a penalty for a high tackle by Jordan Jackson on Jonny Morgan but the attempt by Craig Barratt failed. Tenby did however come away from the infringement with something as Jackson was sent to the naughty step by referee Richard Brace.

Despite the odd probe by Jordan Asparassa supported by Jack Guerreiro, Mauritz Neumann and Alex Jenkins the Dunvant defence was not being really tested and held firm until Tenby, for the first time in the match, strung together a series of passes that with superb backing up by Yannic Parker, Jack Guerreiro, Mauritz Neumann, Jonny Morgan and Mike Davies put skipper Luke Hansford clear for him to crash over for a much needed and deserved try. With Craig Barnett adding the extras, this hard earned effort had narrowed the scores to 25-16 with potentially still all to play for.

With the momentum in their favour Tenby were now on the up but almost immediately nullified their advantage by giving away a penalty which Evans slotted and within minutes saw centre Mark Robbins run through half the Tenby team from deep to canter over unopposed under the stick for a try converted again by Evans and a 35-16 lead, a massive and instant swing in terms of momentum.

Tenby at least battled on and from a scrummage offence, where the home eight were under pressure close to their line, rather than opt for another scrum Barry Parsons grabbed the ball and tried a tap and go which was easily handled by Dunvant and a glorious chance to respond to the recent Dunvant efforts was lost. Maintaining the pressure however, and with 0Joe Poole and Charlie Patching replacing the hard working pair of Dan Smith and Luke Dedman, Tenby forced a situation on the Dunvant line where despite driving over the whitewash were declared by referee Brace not to have grounded the ball.

Battling on, Tenby threatened the Dunvant defence again with Mauritz Neumann, Joe Poole, Barry Parsons, Ethan Morgan and Jack Guerreiro showing up well but the resilient home defence held firm and despite one scintillating and typical zig zagging run by Jordan Asparassa, which had the Dunvant defence grasping at thin air, another score was looking hard to achieve and the match ended with a shrill blast on the whistle from referee Brace with Tenby trouping off the field having tried their best but coming away with nothing.

A difficult match to summarise and a bit like a curates egg with some good bits unfortunately matched with some not so good bits and despite all the efforts from the players and coaches survival in the division now comes down to the final match tomorrow away to Felinfoel, league champions by a huge margin, and who ran up 62 points away at Llangennech when Tenby were losing at Dunvant – a big ask but one that has to be faced up to.

Tenby: Craig Barnett, Yannic Parker, Jack Guerreiro, Mauritz Neumann, Jordan Asparassa, Jonny Morgan, Matthew Morgan, Ethan Morgan, Dan Smith (Joe Poole), Bradley Davies (Rob Clarke), Luke Dedman (Charlie Patching), Alex Jenkins, Barry Parsons, Luke Hansford, Timochoci Kautamatoya (Mike Davis.)