After rain in the morning, the sunshine appeared on cue at the Heywood Lane ground on Saturday, Septmeber 23, for a great game of rugby in perfect weather.
Neyland were to be a tough test and so it proved as the Seasiders kicked off.
The first 15 minutes saw Tenby take the game to the opposition with attacking play, but couldn’t quite make that all-important first strike.
It seemed that Neyland were soaking up the pressure, then they counter-attacked and the result was very well-taken first try and a great conversion - score 7-0.
The rest of the first half followed in a similar manner; experience in the Neyland side was showing and their handling of the ball was excellent. The 24-0 scoreline at half-time was a reasonable reflection of the game.
The second half started with some heroic tackling by Joe Cole, Trystan Thomas and Dewi Thomas. The front row forwards Joe Symmonds, Sean Izzard and Lucas Probert were working hard with good carries, but the clinical finishing of Neyland was the difference.
Dan Machin left the field with a shoulder injury after some mighty tackling and the yellow card shown to Will Swales for secondary ball play whilst on the ground was a little unlucky, but happens when a side is under pressure.
Replacements were being brought on and the Seasiders kept going and, although Neyland were getting the points, the Tenby team was showing great character and were never giving up.
At this stage, with Will Swales back on, Tenby scored a great try from Joseph Owen, his incisive running and magical feet seeing the team finally get on the scoresheet. A difficult conversion from the far touchline saw Harry Rossiter add another two points to make the final score 43-7.
This game of rugby was played in great spirit from both sides and, although going down as a loss, will be another lesson learned for Tenby. The future looks very bright for the squad and this year will undoubtedly be tough but invaluable experience.
We would like to thank the referee, Mr. Steven Ford from Kidwelly, once again team coaches Richard Rossiter and Leon Gooding and also for a most enjoyable after-match barbecue, Lisa Rossiter and Julia Gooding for all their hard work.
Once again a great afternoon which all enjoyed; the building continues !
Tenby team: Joseph Owen, Matt Lawrence, Ben Pugh, Dan Machin, capt, Harvey John, Harry Rossiter, Jack Gooding, Joe Symmonds, Sean Izzard, Lucas Probert, Caleb O’Neil, Dewin Thomas, Trystan Thomas, Joe Cole, Will Swale.
Replacements - Ryan Jones, Morgan Davies, Tom Griffiths, Alex Everall, Evan Watson, John Mansbridge, Harvey Bowles, Dan Lewis.
Tenby Youth v Pembroke Dock Quins Youth
Tenby Youth welcomed Pembroke Dock Quins to the Clicketts ground on Saturday, as the tail end of Hurricane Irma was making its presence felt for the first round in the Welsh Bowl cup game.
Unfortunately, the referee decreed that the scrums be uncontested from the outset at the Quins request and, although feeling that it disadvantaged the Seasiders, it was fair to each side.
Ground conditions were more akin to January and not the end of September and as these two teams haven’t played each other for the best part of five years, no-one knew what to expect, but what a game we were treated to.
The Quins kicked off against the advantage of the wind and as the kick hovered in the wind you could sense what an advantage it may have been. Tenby collected and passed confidently and the scrum went through the phases taking play into the Quins’ half of the field.
Despite the conditions, the handling was excellent at this early stage from both sides, but Tenby seemed to be in the dominance.
Tenby have started like this for the last few games now and that all-important first score seemed tantalisingly close, but was not materialising.
It was obvious this would be an energy-sapping game, but the Tenby forwards, Ryan Jones and the ever-present Sean Izzard and Lucas Probert were, probing, going through the phases and keeping possession. From some class handling along the threequarter line, winger Jamie Lawrence sliced through the Quins’ defence and scored a wonderful first try. Harry Rossiter kicked the conversion and the score was 7-0, what a start !
The Quins were not to be outdone and, although during the first 20 minutes the Seasiders were looking good, the visitors were also showing some really good handling and ball skills, and after again making their way deep into the Tenby half, they went over for a well-deserved try. The conversion from the right-hand touchline and against the wind didn’t increase the score - 7-5 and game on!
You could sense that the last 10 minutes of the first half could easily be the most important moments of the game, and so it came to be. The Tenby forwards, again winning most of the ball, were really setting the scene and the threequarter line were really showing what this team is capable of. Jack Gooding passing quick ball to Harry Rossiter let loose Ben Pugh, whose quick ball to Matthew Lawrence saw him power his way over the line, with some exceptional side-stepping leaving would-be tacklers trailing in his wake.
What a day for the Lawrence boys, twins who had now both scored great tries on each side of the field. A difficult conversion was missed and as the half-time whistle blew it was 12-5 in Tenby favour.
How could these players play such rugby in such conditions; it was a spectacle and a credit to both teams.
Tenby kicked off the second half and immediately felt what the Quins had been dealing with against the wind, as the ball hovered and returned. A scrum on the halfway line followed and you wondered if the Seasiders could protect their lead.
For the first 20 minutes of the second half it was staunch defending by Tenby. Joe Cole was once again in the thick of it with Tristan Thomas and Gethin Kelly, whose tackling was awesome, Jack Gooding was staunch on the blindside and Caleb O’Neill had one of his best games with carries and defending, while Evan Watson was ever present, all helping to keep the Quins at bay.
The Seasiders’ defence was resolute, but with injuries to Lucas Probert, it was time for replacements. How lucky is this side to have the numbers who want to play, Joe Simmonds, Harvey John, Tom Griffiths, Alex Everall - who replaced Morgan Davies who had a great game in the lineout - John Mansbridge and Dan Lewis all playing their part.
Then, just when you thought it could not get better, we had some magic. You felt during the game that if the backs could be unleashed, what a team this could be, and so it proved. From a break and pass by Joseph Owen to magical juggling Ben Pugh, one of the best tries we have seen resulted in the left-hand corner for Tenby. This try by Ben Pugh was sheer brilliance and put the game to bed, the resulting conversion taking the score to 19-5 to Tenby.
Having got soaked to the skin, like all spectators, this game of rugby was a treat to watch. Played in great spirit by both sides, it surely has to be what this great game of rugby is all about!
We would like to thank the referee, Mr. Colin Saunders from Burry Port, team coaches Richard Rossiter and Leon Gooding, Julia Gooding and Lisa Rossiter for organising the during and after-match teas and soft drinks.
Tenby team: Joseph Owen, Matt Lawrence, Ben Pugh, Jack Gooding (capt), Harry Rossiter, Jamie Lawrence, Evan Watson, Ryan Jones, Sean Izzard, Lucas Probert, Caleb O’Neill, Gethin Kelly, Trystan Thomas, Joe Cole, Morgan Davies.
Replacements - Tom Griffiths, Alex Everall, John Mansbridge, Harvey John, Dan Lewis, Joe Simmonds.
Peter Everall