The Under 12 success story continued last Sunday when they travelled out of the area to Penygroes which is located in the heartland of the old West Wales League. Sides from this hotbed of rugby are always competitive and the home side were no exception, but they were no match for an improving Swifts outfit.
The abrasive front row of Declan Sharma, Jack Baker and Robert Jones provided a good foundation to release mobile second row forwards Daniel McDermott and Oliver Goldwait for some fine runs in broken play.
Declan played his first game as hooker and despite some early self doubt, won the duel by taking a number of strikes against the head. Danny won some clean ball at the front of the lineout, both from opposition throw-ins and from the accurate marksmanship of Yannic Parker, the blind side flanker. Openside Joseff Morris once again showed his paces now that he is settling into the breakaway role and number eight Patrick Roberts, whilst although not as prominent in the loose as usual, did some sterling work in the tight.
Sam Ferguson and Gareth Lawrence came into the pack in the second half and continued the promise they have shown in the earlier matches, whilst Dominic Landragan finally made his debut after transferring from Narberth this season.
James Canton was as lively as ever at scrum-half and was delighted to play a full match in that position in the absence of Keifer Thomson. Jamie Williams once again proved his worth at outside-half and can be commended for standing up for himself when a frustrated Penygroes defence adopted some dubious tactics.
Toby Smith and Joe Kidney are two exciting and explosive centres and they constantly tested the home defence. Wings Chris Heesom and Rhys Winter showed pace on the wings as did Callum Baxter who replaced Rhys in the second half. Chris also showed that not only is he a speed merchant, but also that he can make crucial tackles.
Matthew Davies at fullback was of course as committed as ever and chose his moments to make some telling counter-attacks.
Tries came firstly to Toby who cut through some determined tackling to score wide out. Then came a well deserved try from Dan who took clean ball at the front of the lineout to charge over the line moments after he had been bundled into touch following a 50-yard burst.
Teamwork and electric finishing was the hallmark of the next try by Chris Heesmon, but made by fine running and interpassing between forwards Joseff, Oliver, Jack and Yannick.
Joe Kidney was the next to tear away down the touchline in the second half for his try, with Matthew Davies rounding off the try count with a 60-yard touchline sprint for a touch-down.
Patrick Roberts converted three to finalise the scoring. Penygroes did not trouble the scorer.
Many thanks go to all those parents who formed part of the Tenby convoy into the interior and particularly to Greg Davies for finding the fixture at short notice when the withdrawal of Carmarthen Quins would have left the boys without a game.
Tenby fielded: Matthew Davies, Callum Baxter, Rhys Winter, Chris Heeson, Joe Kidney, Toby Smith, Jamie Williams, James Canton, Declan Sharma, Jack Baker, Robert Jones, Daniel McDermott, Oliver Goldwait, Sam Ferguson, Gareth Lawrence, Yannic Parker, Joseff Morris and Patrick Roberts (capt).
PS. The majority of the Swifts team formed the basis of the winning Greenhill Yr 7 team at the tournament held in Haverfordwest on Tuesday of this week when they defeated Sir Thomas Picton School in fine style.
Well done boys. Keep up the winning ways.