Tenby 22 pts.

Coastal Cottages Tenby United maintained their position at the top of Swalec League division four west with a hard fought win over Llanybydder at Heywood Lane on Saturday.

The Seasiders exerted considerable pressure at the start of the match, when they were camped in the visitors' half for the first 20 minutes, but allowed some try-scoring opportunities to go begging.

The away side eventually broke out into the Tenby half, though, and scored a good try near the posts, which was converted to put them 7-0 up after about 25 minutes.

After a series of offsides by Tenby close to their line, they conceded a penalty, but Llanybydder missed the kick.

After this setback, the Seasiders were soon on the attack again and following a cynical knock down by the Llanybydder centre, up stepped Tom Lewis to fire the ball between the sticks from 40 yards to pull three points back.

Immediately from the restart, the Llanybydder fly-half put up a hanging kick, inviting the forwards to chase on to it, and in the ensuing ruck, Tenby's second row Johnny Lane was adjudged to have used his hands and the referee had no hesitation in bringing out his yellow card to send him off for 10 minutes.

Although the Llanybydder kicker struck the ball well, he missed the penalty kick, so the score remained 7-3.

Shortly afterwards, Arthur MM was penalised for Tenby, for holding on after a tackle, giving Llanybydder yet another opportunity to kick for goal from 40 yards out in the centre of the field, and this time their kicker made no mistake with the penalty.

From the kick-off, the Seasiders pressed again and Llanybydder infringed just outside their 25, giving Tom Lewis the opportunity to add to the Tenby score, which he duly did, making it 10-6 at the break.

From the restart for the second half, Tenby secured a hanging kick after a fine chase by their forwards and, after a good period of pressure, they looked to be threatening the Llanybydder line. However, a big hit in midfield caused the ball to spill and the visitors were very quick to counter-attack, sweeping down to the other end of the field where, after some interplay by the forwards, their prop crashed over for a fine try.

The conversion went wide, however, making the score 15- 6 after five minutes of the second period.

Tenby restarted and the kick was followed by Richard Rossiter, who superbly took the ball, which was recycled, and Sam Smith took it into midfield, where a ruck formed and Llanybydder were penalised for coming in from the side.

Lewis stroked the kick over to put the home side right back in the game.

Soon after, Llanybydder were awarded another penalty, but yet again their kicker failed to find the mark.

Having only recently come on to the pitch for the hosts, Jason Ronowitz then made a break through the middle of the field and when the ball was spun left, Rossiter crashed over in the corner.

With the conversion attempt being put wide, the score was tight at 15-14 to the visitors, midway through the second half.

A pressure relieving kick by the visitors was fielded by Dan Colley on the halfway line and after a weaving run which took him inside their 22, a ruck followed and a stray Llanybydder hand gave away a penalty, with the offending player being sent to the sin-bin.

Lewis made no mistake with the penalty kick, moving Tenby into the lead for the first time in the match.

Right from the kick-off, though, Llanybydder were given the opportunity to retake the lead, when they were awarded a penalty wide out beyond the 10-yard line.

The fly-half stepped up to take the kick and struck the ball superbly to puthis side 18-17 up.

With 10 minutes remaining, Tenby came back strongly and after a period of pressure the ball was spun wide to young Danny Thomas, who went over in the corner to put the hosts 22-18 up and they held on in a nail-biting finish to secure a well-deserved victory.