Aberaeron Youth 31 pts.

Tenby United Youth 19

Under darkening skies and a force six wind blowing some 200 metres from the Irish sea, Aberaeron, the home side, won the toss and opted to play with the elements.

The home side’s nnumber 10 used the wind well with deft kicking to keep Tenby pinned back and after 10 minutes some lovely passing led to their number eight going over the line for the first try and with the conversion successful, the score was 7-0.

From the re-start, the pattern continued and again the hosts went over, but this time the conversion was missed to leave the score at 12-0.

Tenby won possession with an excellent scrum on the Aberaeron 22, Jack Gooding, playing at scrum-half, gave good quick service to Harry Rossiter at stand-off, who was eagle-eyed enough to see the opposition out of place and put in a perfectly weighted crossfield kick, which was wonderfully caught by Evan Watson, who sidestepped two players, but with the try-line beckoning, he was tackled into touch five metres short.

Immense tackling followed from the Tenby side, which resulted in Dewi Thomas leaving the field injured.

From a lineout 10 metres from the home side’s try-line, one kick downfield saw the ball travel yet again deep into the Tenby half, which again resulted in an Aberaeron try.

Within quick succession another two tries followed in the same manner.

Tenby were playing the rugby, but were being heavily penalised for small mistakes, not releasing, rolling away, ball not straight, and Aberaeron were building their score.

The Seasiders found themselves 31-0 down at the break, but at the start of the second half their scrum was controlling the game and keeping it tight. The tackling by Joe Cole, Tristan Thomas and Will Swales was outstanding and Sian Izzard crossed the line for the first try. Harry Rossiter converted to make it 31-7.

At this stage, the Tenby scrum was becoming rampant; Aberaeron were crumbling with the onslaught, but of course had a big points advantage.

Lucas Probert, who had carried the ball well all day, eventually broke through and crossed the line. A difficult conversion was missed by Rossiter - his first miss in two games - due to the extreme wind.

From the restart, it was all Tenby again, playing the game deep in the opposition half, but an injury to a home team forward meant that further scrummaging would be uncontested.

Prop Joe Simmonds was a stalwart and carried on like a true warrior, while fellow prop Lucas Probert left the field after sustaining a knee injury.

A piece of magic play by Ben Pugh, who sidestepped three players, led to a magnificent try which was duly converted.

Tenby were playing some wonderful rugby, with new team member Ryan Jones producing some great carries in his first game and Gethin Kelly holding the lineout together.

Although Tenby lost by 31-19, it really was a ‘game of two halves’. You would have to say that the momentum for the next encounter against Aberaeron at home is with the Seasiders and should make for a very interesting return game.

It is obvious to see that the current Youth squad is so fortunate to have team coaches, Mr. Richard Rossiter and Mr. Leon Gooding and the building blocks are on firm ground.

Tenby team: Lucas Probert, Sean Izzard, Joe Simmonds, Gethin Kelly, Alex Everall, Tristan Thomas, Dewi Thomas, Joe Cole, Jack Gooding, Harry Rossiter, Harvey Bowles, Dan Machin (capt), Evan Watson, Joseph Owen, John Mansbridge. Subs - Ben Pugh, Will Swales, Ryan Jones, Caleb O’Neill.