Tenby youth 20 pts.

Pembroke youth 17

Tenby Youth team welcomed Pembroke to the Clicketts rugby ground on a beautiful Autumn afternoon.

The hosts were expecting another hard game and knowing the quality of the Pembroke side, fingers were crossed as Pembroke won the toss and opted to kick off.

At least today Tenby were a little more up to strength, even though missing Joe Simmonds through injury before the game, but as the first few minutes went by, a confident and organised Pembroke side took the game to Tenby.

A beautifully weighted chip from the Pembroke no 10 Tom Harding-Jones which he collected to score a lovely try under the posts, the conversion a formality, saw the Seasiders 0-7 down and with work cut out!

Surprisingly Pembroke were short of Props from the start and the Referee deemed that set scrums would be uncontested.

From the restart a little confidence returned to Tenby as they went through the phases, ball handling which has been practised hard in training recently, seemed confident. Joe Cole was everywhere from the start of the game and his belief, along with the return of Sean Izzard, gave the team impetus, also with the formidable support from the ever present Lucas Probert, a lovely try was forged by Sean Izzard who crossed the try line on the left hand side.

A difficult touch line conversion was missed, 7-5 and this had the prospect to be a really good game.

This Tenby side has always been slow to start, but also seems to have the character to keep going, same again this week.

From the kick off, indiscretions from Pembroke led to a penalty award, Harry Rossiter gave a pinpoint touch kick and the result was a great try by Jamie Lawrence, who, although with shoulder injury, had the pace, grace and ability to score a fine try in the corner. Another difficult conversion was missed but now score was 10-7.

Pembroke not to be outdone and with some missed tackles scored a well taken try, but a missed conversion meant 10-12.

From the restart the Seasiders started with a great break from Trystan Thomas who made some 25 metres.

Gethin Kelly forged on, Will Swales and Joe Cole who were immense, created space and once again Jamie Lawrence crossed the try line 15-12 and this was rugby at its best, the conversion again difficult, was missed.

From the start of the second half, the situation was reversed, for a time at least. The Tenby kick off was pinpoint perfect and Ben Pugh offloaded the ball to Joseph Owen who side stepped, beat two players and crossed the try line, 20-12, again a difficult conversion was missed but Tenby were playing champagne rugby!

Pembroke were giving all and were making less mistakes, going through the phases, probing and pressuring all the time and mid way through the second half went over again, 20 –17.

Jamie Lawrence left the field with his shoulder injury having had yet another great game, it was time for the replacements to take the strain and yes they did.

Lewis Catt, again in the lineout had a huge game, Captain Jack Gooding at scrum half was getting quick accurate ball to Harry Rossiter at no 10 which then gave time and space for Ben Pugh and Joseph Owen and also quick enough ball for clearance kicking to relieve the continuous Pembroke pressure.

The one thing holding these boys back is the self belief to let the ball go, with such a quality back line, Ben Pugh, Evan Watson, the Lawrence boys, Joseph Owen, Rossiter and Gooding the future has to be rosy.

From a Pembroke ruck Dewi Thomas made an incredible tackle on his opposite number, turned him and stole the ball, injuring his leg in the process but one of the most incredible turnover balls seen at this level.

Unfortunately he had had to leave the field having put his body on the line for the team.

The referee signalled 19 mins of the game left, which was being played in the wrong half from the Tenby point of view, but they were making ground up field.

It was at this stage that unfortunately Joe Cole was sin binned for having his leg at the wrong angle leading to the Pembroke scrum half tripping, absolutely non intentional, more unfortunate.

Tenby held on as the referee whistled for the end of the game. It was a great win by the home side, and the visitors played really well, but most importantly a hard fought but good natured encounter was a privilege to watch.

Thanks go to the referee, Mr. Christopher Williams.

Tenby team: Jamie Lawrence, Evan Watson, Joseph Owen, Ben Pugh, Harvey Bowles, Harry Rossiter, Jack Gooding (capt), Lucas Probert, Sean Izzard, Lewis Catt, Gethin Kelly, Joe Cole, Trystan Thomas, Dewi Thomas, Will Swales.

(Replacements): Dan Machin, Ryan Jones, Dan Lewis, Alex Everall, Morgan Davies, Jay Brace, Tom Griffiths.