Tenby United

Youth 48 pts. Pembroke Dock Quins Youth 10

Tenby United’s Youth team took on their counterparts from Pembroke Dock Quins at Heywood Lane on Saturday. It was to be a day when Tenby’s backline showed just how dangerous they can be, running in a total of eight tries.

The first try came from a well worked move off the base of a midfield scrum deep in the Quins half. Scrum-half Jack Gooding sent the ball right to centre Joe Owen, whose pace foxed the defence and allowed him to cross the line to open the scoring.

The Seasiders’ second try was a stunning solo effort from fullback Jamie Lawrence. With the Quins pressurising the Tenby line, the ball was spilled and picked up by Lawrence. He managed to break through and found himself clear for a 90-metre run in under the posts, duly converted.

The Quins upped the pace at this point, with the kick-off seeing them recovering the ball and pushing Tenby back towards their line. A number of charges were repelled by the Seasiders’ defence, but eventually they ran out of tacklers and the Quins crossed for their first points.

Both side continued to battle for the upper hand, but it was Tenby who were starting to win the war. Pressure eventually told when second row Lewis Catt stole the ball at a Quins lineout. Driving through the line, he made a 20-yard gain and, with the momentum behind them, the ball was recycled several times until Gooding released the backline. Slick passing down the line saw centre Ben Pugh cross for Tenby’s third.

Following the half-time interval, Tenby’s backs started where they had left off. Showing great adventure, the United youngsters moved the ball along their line, deep in their own 22, with a perfectly timed pass seeing the Seasiders break out and reach the Quins’ 22. With Joe Owen running a great support line, he collected the ball and crossed for their fourth try.

The restart saw both sides trying to play good rugby, but it was again Tenby who came out on top. Quick ball from the base of a ruck saw Ben Pugh again break through the Quins defences to cross for his second and Tenby’s fifth try of the afternoon.

The Quins were not done yet, though, and pushed Tenby hard for everything. Their efforts were rewarded with a try coming from a break down the blindside.

The day was, however, Tenby’s. Ben Pugh picked up his hat-trick and Joe Owen a four-try haul, as the Seasiders ran in three more great tries.

The final whistle saw the scoreboard read Tenby 48 Quins 10. And whilst the backs had scored all the points, the forwards had put in the hard yards to give the space for them to cut loose. A great team effort by all.

Team: John Mansbridge, Ryan Jones, Lucas Probert, Lewis Catt, Morgan Davies, Caleb O’Neill, Sean Izzard, Dewi Thomas, Jack Gooding, Dan Machin (capt), Ollie Brown, Ben Pugh, Joe Owen, Dylan Johns, Jamie Lawrence. Replacements - Joe Simmonds, Evan Watson, Ryan Bolton, Matt Lawrence

A big thankyou to referee Thomas Carew, who handled the game superbly.

Report by John Catt; photo - Martin Davies.