A last-ditch try from second row Hugh Evans sent Tenby United into the next round of the Pembrokeshire KO Cup with a 24-22 win over Milford Haven to spark wild scenes at full-time.

The home side thought they had won the match when James Trueman scored a drop goal minutes from the end.

Milford, who had fought from 19-5 at half-time, had chances to win the game even after the late try, but the Seasiders held on for the win.

The Mariners opened the scoring when a charge from flanker Dai Sweeney set the platform and winger Harry Wheeler finished well in the corner for an unconverted try.

Eventually Tenby made use of the extreme conditions, when outside-half Harry Rossiter scored a simple penalty, before putting his side in front with a more difficult attempt from out wide.

It was Rossiter’s long miss-pass that then saw centre Ben Pugh cut through in midfield and he linked with winger Joe Owen before the Milford defence scrambled back.

But soon Rossiter kicked a third and fourth penalty and a seemingly decisive blow came when the dangerous Pugh again found space and sped to the line from 30 metres out. Rossiter kept his 100 per cent kicking record with the conversion and at 19-5, Tenby seemed well in control at the break.

The second half got underway and immediately the game swung back in favour of Milford. Dan Birch booted ahead and Sweeney did amazingly to chase up and force a covering Jack Tucker into spilling possession.

A penalty soon followed, with Tenby fullback Shane Rossiter sin-binned for killing the ball under his own posts. The Mariners then opted for a scrum, from which Birch drew in two defenders and offloaded to number nine Martin to score, with Trueman adding the extras.

Minutes later the scores were level after Milford number eight Ryan Mansell picked up from a scrum and went on a charging run, and further carries from centre Dan Jenkins, Sweeney and Birch followed, before Trueman popped a pass to half-back partner Martin to again dive under the posts.

Trueman, under intense pressure, kept his cool to make it 19-19.

At that point Milford were heading through on try count, but it was the number 10 who then put them ahead on the scoreboard anyway, executing a snap drop goal from 25 metres out.

 

Tenby coach Jonathan Evans reacted by unloading the bench and with the clock ticking, and the light fading, a strong carry from flanker Andrew Cooke left the Milford defence scrambling and Evans got the breakthrough by going over from close range.

Rossiter’s wide-angled conversion came back off the inside of post, though, and in a frantic finish, Trueman miscued another drop goal attempt from long range and Milford fullback Jamie Lewis twice cut loose, only to be hauled down inches short each time by some desperate last-ditch defending.