tenby utd 14 pts.

newcastle emlyn 16

Andrew Price, FBM Holidays and Molson Coors sponsored Tenby United 1st XV had to settle for a losing bonus point on Saturday as they lost to a very talented Newcastle Emlyn side in a top-of-the-table clash at Heywood Lane, which saw both sides cancel each other out for most of the game.

Emlyn's Rhidian Harries opened the scoring after four minutes with a well-struck penalty after a Tenby player was caught offside, and after some excellent running rugby from both sides, there was nothing between the teams for much of the first half.

It was only possibly at the scrummage that Emlyn had a slight advantage, but the strong Seasiders back row of Jason Ronowitz, Roy Osborn and Pat Roberts tackled well and stopped any attacks that Emlyn tried to mount, along with superb defence from backs, Lloyd Thomas, Dan Colley and Mark Heywood, who also ran well for the home side all day, as did fullback Aled Bowen.

Despite many Tenby and Newcastle Emlyn attempts at reaching one another's try line, neither was successful as both defences were determined to protect their lines.

It was Rhidian Harries who had the second score of the game with another penalty on 20 minutes.

The six-nil lead seemed to give Emlyn a confidence boost and after Tenby's backline lost two crucial players through injury in the form of Dai Meyrick and Aled Bowen, it was Emlyn who seemed to be on the front foot and it showed as Rhidian Harries managed to cross for the try after half-an-hour, which he converted himself, putting his side 13-nil to the good.

The Seasiders didn't lie down, though, and put together some excellent phases and looked threatening on many occasions.

Two well-hit penalties from Thomas Lewis, on for Meyrick, put the homesiders back in the game as they went into the interval six points to 13 down.

It was the Seasiders who came out of the half-time break seeming to want the win more and really took the game to Emlyn and, after Lewis closed the gap further on 45 minutes with another penalty, their confidence grew and a superb try from youth player Greg Caine, who replaced Aled Bowen, put the United deservedly into the lead. His try came after Toby Smith chipped ahead, putting the Emlyn backs under pressure, Caine chased well and his huge height advantage over his opposite number allowed him to pluck the ball from above the defender's head and canter in for his first try as a first team player.

The conversion went wide, but Tenby at last had the lead 14-13 with 20 minutes remaining.

Knowing that it was theirs to lose now, the Seasiders defended well to keep the now tiring Emlyn out as they tried everything to score against a Tenby side determined to hold out and win and keep the 100 per cent home record that they had worked so hard to earn.

But unfortunately it was not to be as Harries gave Emlyn the lead again when a 'questionable' penalty was awarded.

The Seasiders dug deep to get the game back, but despite a dropped goal attempt just falling short and a late penalty brushing the wrong side of the upright, it was Emlyn who managed to just hold out long enough to take the vital win and put themselves into joint second place with the Seasiders, as the losing bonus point kept the United in contention in the three-horse promotion race along with Amman United and Newcastle Emlyn.

Credit must go to both sides, as neither gave up and certainly entertained the crowd in a game that Tenby legend Bryan Hawker described as the best on Heywood Lane for years.

Tenby fielded: Aled Bowen (Greg Caine), Dai Meyrick (Tom Lewis), Mark Heywood, Toby Smith, Dan Colley, Lloyd Thomas, Will Crockford, Pat Roberts, Jason Ronowitz, Roy Osborn, Gareth Edwards, Luke Dedman (Luke Hansford), Rob Clarke, Nicky Guymer, Johnny Palmer. Replacements: Lyndon Jones and Rob Fairlie.

There is no league action for either 1st or 2nd XVs this weekend due to internationals.

NB: Tenby United are still looking for someone to assist the 2nd XV coach Delwyn Brace on match days.

Del is currently juggling the roles of coach, first aider, linesman and trainer during games and is in need of assistance.

Anyone interested, please call 07881 908942 and ask for Peter James.