Last Sunday, Tenby Swifts Under 7s travelled to Pembroke RFC to play in a round robin against Pembroke and Narberth. With an impressive 14 players travelling to the away fixture, they looked to build on the skills that Cone and Nick have been teaching them so far this season.

First up was Narberth, with Bradley starting off the scoring, breaking the defence and grabbing his first try of the season. Narberth came back fighting and kept pushing forward, coming out winners on the day, scoring seven tries to Tenby’s four.

Next up was Pembroke. From start to finish it was a well fought match with both sides showing speed, determination and excellent tagging. Tenby narrowly lost, scoring six tries to Pembroke’s seven. Five of these tries were scored by Jude, who went on to win man of the match for his excellent contribution to the team.

Squad: Caitlyn Lewis, Rupert James, Bradley Rossiter, Cody James, Jevan Guymer, Ryan Gill, Dylan Drewett, Bobby Field Thomas, Ethan Brace, Jude Christen, Leo Werner, Rhys Broadhurst, Craig Roberts, Charlie Allen.

Tries: v Narberth - Bradley, Jevan, Ethan, Jude; v Pembroke - Leo, Jude (5).

Under 8s

Tenby Swifts Under 8s rugby team visited Pembroke on the weekend, where they came away with another great win this season, taking the match 8 - 5.

Man of the man was Iestyn Cole for some great runs and a few try saving tags.

Try scorers were: Max (3), Dexter (2), Rhodri, Iori and Dewi.

Tenby team: Max Howells, Dexter Cromwell, Rhodri Rogers, Iori O’Rourke, Dewi Harland, Iestyn Cole, Jac Voysey and Liam Gough.

Under 9s

On Sunday the Unders 9s travelled to Pembroke, where they played really well with some hard tackles and some great defending.

Unfortunately Pembroke walked away with the win, winning by just one try, with the final score Tenby 5-6 Pembroke. Well done boys fantastic effort!

Try scorers were - Charlie, Harry, Cian, Jack, Sonny.

Tenby team: Harry, Dylan, Jenson, Raph, Sonny, Oscar, Iori, Jack, Charlie, Evan, Callum, Aidan, Cian and Ollie.

Under 10s

Tenby Swifts Under 10s travelled to local rivals Pembroke RFC.

Captained by Iestyn Barrellie, the Swifts looked to continue their successful start to the season.

Pembroke won the toss and kicked off; however, their attack ran head first into a solid brick wall, also known as the Tenby Swifts defence. Strong tackling and rucking was once again led by Iestyn, George, Will Day and Madoc.

A quick turnover saw the Swifts pick up their first try in less than a minute. The Tenby attack didn’t let up, with more tries racking up as some great link-up plays from Jack, Ethan L and Evan saw some great lines and gaps made for some excellent scores.

A nice pick-up in the ruck from captain Iestyn released Tucker into space, a quick pop pass to Madoc, who in turn managed to offload the ball in the tackle saw Rhys B touch down in the corner for what could be a contender for ‘try of the season’.

In the second half, Tenby kept up the same level of intensity and continued to run in the tries. Bennett, using his size and strength to cross the try line twice, showed that the link play between forwards and backs was a joy to watch. Tenby won the match 21-4

Every player gave 100 per cent and the coaches couldn’t be happier; however, the player of the match went to Will Day. He rarely missed a tackle and every ball carry, he made good yards.

Try scorers: Evan C (3), Ethan L (4), George (2), Jayden (2), Will H (2), Rhys B (2), Logan (2), Bennett (2), Madoc (1) and Thomas (1).

Under 11s

Last Sunday Tenby Under 11s travelled away to Pembroke in a hunt for their first win of the season.

The first half saw both teams evenly matched. Tries for Tenby by Alfie, Jayden and Louie which were all converted by Rowan were replied to by three tries for the home team.

A missed conversion by Pembroke saw the seasiders go into half time with a slight lead 19-21.

Tenby as in previous weeks struggle in the opening 10 minutes of the second half to contain the mounting pressure by Pembroke and this saw the home team run in four unanswered tries, all of which were converted and had the score stand now at 47-21 to the hosts.

The Seasiders were to show great strength of character and determination to regain control back of the game and in turn were to reply with their own four unanswered tries, two scores by Alfie, and Louie and Rowan both also crossing the line.

Unfortunately a few missed conversions meant the seasiders were unable to level the score and the game ended 47-41 to Pembroke.

Not the result Tenby had hoped for but a performance which saw both teams score eight tries and Tenby fight back at the end meant the seasiders could come away with their heads held high.

Thanks go to Jonathan Webb for standing in as coach for the morning.

Under 12s

Tenby Under 12s hosted Pembroke at the Clicketts for the second fixture of the season.

The Seasiders weren’t prepared for the fast start and due to some poor tackling efforts, conceded a (converted) try within the first few minutes.

Despite a few of the Tenby boys working their socks off and playing some demon rugby (you know who are boys and Rhys S you were certainly one of those who put in a great shift!) the attacking line structure was frustratingly flat and bunched, therefore no one had space to run onto the ball at speed to break the Pembroke defence.

All these basic errors enabled the visitors to bag another three (unconverted) tries to leave the score 0-22 at half time.

Whatever was said by Rob and Gary in the half-time huddle thankfully seemed to spark some fire into the boys and they came out into the pitch a whole different team!

Tackling and rucking was better, line structure improved and the boys began passing the ball cleanly and at speed, utilising their new-found space, playing as a team rather than as 15 individuals!

Pembroke remained strong in their play however and went on the score again (no conversion) before Cody got a well deserved try for all his hard work in the middle of the lark. Fin converted it with aplomb in the swirling wind, bringing the score to 27-7.

Against the run of play, Pembroke managed to sneak in one more try just on the whistle, unsuccessfully converted, bringing the final score to 7-32 - which didn’t reflect how well the boys played in the second half.

Tenby squad: Eddie, Fin, Cemlyn, Cody, Rhys S, Dan, Deri, Ieuan, Rhys E, Keaton, Paddy, Tom W, Tom Y, Sam, Ollie, Jobe and George.

UNDER 13s

Last weekend saw Tenby Swifts Under 13s play their first game of the 2018/19 season against local rivals Pembroke. On a fine sunny autumn day at the Cicketts, the young Seasiders knew they had to be at their best in this derby game against a team with whom they have had many close battles over the last few years.

Kicking-off, the Swifts were straight on the attack and superb work by the whole team saw Iorri R cross to give them the early advantage. However, Pembroke came straight back with a try by their winger to draw level.

From the restart, the Swifts made their way up field for Iori B to score, but again the away team replied with a try of their own.

As the half drew to a close, the young Seasiders drove up field from turnover ball and great handling by forwards and backs alike saw the ball spread wide for Iorri R to burrow over for an unconverted try to leave the half-time score 19-14 to the home side.

As the second half started, the away team tore into the Tenby pack and took the lead with another try by their winger which was converted.

Stung into action, the home side replied with a fine team try scored by Iori B, but a lapse in concentration saw the away team score soon after to retake the lead.

With defences on top and both forward packs involved in a fine tussle, there was little space for attacking play, but after winning turnover ball midway into the opposition half, Iori B spotted a gap and chipped over the defence and beat the covering players to the ball and score out wide. Tenby had regained the lead.

As the second half drew to a close, the home side defended well against everything that was thrown at them by a desperate Pembroke side. They couldn’t be broken and as the referee blew his whistle for full-time the Tenby Swifts breathed a mighty sigh of relief to win by a margin of 29-26.

A first game of the season, a little rusty at times, but a game in which the coaches were very happy with the teamwork shown by the young Seasiders. What was also pleasing was that all 22 squad members played their part on the day and special mentions to new players Taine, Ethan and Ollie who were actually playing their first competitive game of rugby.

Many thanks to referee Richard who let the game flow and made it a fine spectacle for all the spectators in what was a super advert for Pembrokeshire rugby, a game played in good spirits by two teams wanting to play in an attacking and entertaining style of play.

The side (pictured celebrating in the changing rooms after the game) was made up of Ollie, Will A, Joe, Taine, Josh, Duane-Lee, Will P, Alex, Cairan, Tristan, Iori B, Dylan, Cameron, Max J, Harri, Kyle, Freddie, Fletcher, Miller, Iorri R, Jake, Max H and Ethan.