TENBY UNITED 21 pts

PENCLAWDD 13

One of the largest crowds for several seasons gathered at Tenby's Heywood Lane ground on Saturday for the eagerly-awaited top-of-the-table clash with Penclawdd.

Before the game, the Andrew Price, FBM, GD Harries and Molson Coors sponsored United were sitting in poll position at the head of the table, while the visiting Cocklemen were lying in second position, so a win was vital for both teams in their bid for promotion.

As it turned out, it was the the United who produced another impressive display to gain sweet revenge for defeat at Penclawdd earlier in the season, but they still ended up slipping down a place in the table thanks to Gorseinon leap-frogging both of them after gaining a maximum bonus-point haul with a big win over Llanelli Wanderers.

With weather conditions fair and a stiffish breeze blowing upfield from the Knowling Mead end, the scene was suitably set as United captain for the day, hooker Gareth Jones, led his team out for this division three west encounter which, with so much at stake for both teams, was always going to be a pulsating affair.

After the initial exchanges, it was Tenby who drew first blood when scrum-half Jonathan Rogers, who has been enjoying an excellent season, banged over the first penalty of the afternoon.

The lead was relatively short-lived, however, as outside-half Dan Guarneri replied with a penalty for Penclawdd and then put his side in front with a second effort as the visitors held sway at this stage.

Rogers did manage to level it up again with his own second penalty, but facing the breeze in the opening half, the United were finding it difficult to break free of the shackles.

They eventually did so, though, when a ball went loose in midfield and was hacked through towards the Penclawdd line. Ever-alert back row man Pat Roberts appeared to be winning the race for the touchdown, but was obstructed in the process and referee Richard Brace, of Maesteg, who had an excellent game, had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try... and a yellow card to the offending Penclawdd player.

The simple conversion from in front of the sticks was duly slotted by Rogers, to take the Seasiders into a useful 13-6 lead at the break.

And not only did they hold the advantage on the scoreboard at this stage, but also with the number of players on the field, as by now the Cocklemen had been reduced to 13 men following another sin-binning, while Tenby themselves were down to 14 after a yellow card in the same fracas in front of the vociferous crowd on the terrace.

The Seasiders were quick to to stamp their authority on the game after the turnaround, with fly-half Rogers stretching their lead to double figures with his third successful penalty goal of the afternoon.

Impressive centre Jack Price was also beginning to make considerable inroads into the Penclawdd defence with some powerful bursts through the middle, which, if truth be told, should have brought a try earlier, but eventually did when he cut through again to send winger Dai Meyrick sprinting over in the top corner.

The tricky conversion from the touchline was off target, but it mattered little as the delight on the faces of the United players was clear to see, as at 21-6, the gap had opened up to 15 points and meant that the Cocklemen would have to score at least three times if they were to snatch a dramatic win.

To be fair to Penclawdd, they did not let their heads drop and fought back well, subjecting Tenby to considerable pressure on their line.

The Seasiders thwarted several attempts to breach their defences with some bone-crunching tackling, but eventually succumbed when second row Jonathan Hughes forced his way over for a try, converted by outside-half Guaneri.

This cut the deficit to just eight points and, with United nerves now jangling, another score would at least see the Cocklemen return home with a bonus point for their efforts.

And the chance for that to happen came with just minutes of the game remaining when a late penalty from almost in front of the posts gave Guaneri a great opportunity to reward his team for their spirited fightback, but amazingly he pushed the kick well wide of the uprights, to leave the United celebrating a memorable four-point victory and Penclawdd pointless.

Coach, Sion Brace, believes that Tenby United are, like Liverpool in football's Premier League, hitting form at the right time.

This result, as well as Gorseinon's emphatic win against Llanelli Wanderers, puts Gorseinon and Tenby on 69 points after 18 games, with Penclawdd on 64 points from 17 matches. If all three teams at the top gain bonus point wins in their remaining matches, it will give them all the same number of points.

If that prevails, then Penclawdd will be on top, Gorseinon in second place and Tenby United third, in view of the number of games won.

Currently, the United have only lost two matches, compared to Penclawdd's three defeats and Gorseinon's four, but unfortunately they have not won as many matches as the other two teams, with three draws to their name.

There is certainly huge excitement in the town about the team's prospects for promotion, as well as the Pembrokeshire Cup Final.

The next home game is against Pontarddulais on Saturday, April 12. Why not go along along and support them; there's free entry for all schoolchildren.