Tenby United travelled up to the Neath valley on Saturday for a WRU Cup fixture at Resolven RFC.

As expected this proved to be a tough encounter with the home side exerting pressure right from the kick off.

Throughout the first half Tenby defended valiantly fending off countless Resolven attacks from their strong running backline and were able to relieve pressure via the boot of outside half Lloyd Thomas as the home side made errors and gave away penalties at the breakdown.

Tenby’s attack made little progress during the first quarter with the home side’s committed defence also holding strong and turnover ball allowing them to work the ball back into the Tenby half.

This sustained pressure finally told however and after continued efforts to breach the Tenby line via their forwards were thwarted the ball was finally spread wide for the Resolven winger to claim the opening score of the match in the corner, which went unconverted.

Following this score Tenby started to find their own attacking rhythm and they showed signs of creating just as much as their opposition had and gained good ground and territory themselves.

This combined with continued steely defence saw them go into the break only five points down.

Straight after the break Tenby took control and aided by some inspired tactical changes off the bench the pack became dominant particularly at scrum time winning countless scrum penalties which allowed Thomas to kick them upfield to within 5 metres of the Resolven line.

From the resultant lineout Tenby’s drive for the line was brought down just short, however a quick pick up from the base and a second drive for the line saw skipper Luke Dedman crash over for Tenby’s opening score of the afternoon which was converted by Thomas.

Tenby’s dominance up front, combined with the game management of Thomas at outside half, saw them keep possession via numerous strong carries from the likes of forwards Tom Barrass, Rob Luly and 18-year-old debutant Liam Pugh.

It wasn’t long before Tenby had worked themselves back into the Resolven 22 and with the pack continuing to dominate the scrum they drove over from 5 metres out with veteran Nick Guymer claiming the touchdown, converted by Lloyd Thomas.

Moving into the final ten minutes of the game there were some nervy moments for Tenby as the home side rallied and worked the ball deep into Tenby territory where they gained a penalty in the 22 after Caleb O’Neill, also making his senior (albeit short!) debut off the bench, was adjudged to have killed the ball at the breakdown and was shown a yellow card.

Luckily Resolven missed the attempt at goal and Tenby held on for a well-deserved win on the road.

Tenby United fielded: Gwion Jones, Jack Gooding, Oakley Milton, Dan Colley, Adam Quill, Lloyd Thomas, Cam Broadhurst, Frankie Boyd, Dan Allen, Ethan Morgan, Rob Luly, Luke Dedman (c), Jimmy Davies, Will Swales, Nick Guymer. Replacements: Dom Booth, Geoff Martin, Tom Barrass, Liam Pugh, Caleb O’Neill.