Tenby Tourers sponsored Tenby United progressed to the semi-final of the Pembrokeshire Knock-Out Cup with a comfortable eight tries to one victory against Aberaeron at Parc Drefach on Friday evening.
This was despite fielding a side that had nine changes from the previous week’s victory over local rivals Haverfordwest and setting a trend regarding changes at selection to be followed by Wales the following day!
It was also decided to have experience on the bench, with replacements who had accumulated just under 550 games at first team level between them waiting to take to the pitch.
The two teams met in the league (Division Four West) back in season 2010/11, with Tenby comfortably winning at Heywood Lane, but just about scraping a victory in the return game up at Aberaeron by 32-20.
Ironically, the teams also met again that season in the WRU Bowl, a game, that due to ‘iffy’ weather, was on/off/on and eventually got played on a small school field down in the town, with Tenby sneaking a hard fought 27-23 away win, with a very fortunate try in extra-time.
From the records currently held, that was the first season the clubs’ paths had crossed in league and/or national cup rugby, with Friday’s game being the first time ever they had met in the Pembrokeshire Cup.
Kicking-off in blustery, damp conditions, with the forecasted rain holding off, Aberaeron got an early taste of what was to come when a misdirected clearance kick went straight to winger Greg Lees-Griffiths, who set off from deep in his own half on a blistering run that left defenders floundering in his wake and, with Jonny Morgan offering support, he unselfishly offloaded the ball to the fullback, who went over wide out for an early five-point lead.
The home side retaliated to this early score by setting up a series of forward charges close to the Tenby line, but the visitors’ defence held firm and when the ball squirted loose, Jack Guerreiro slipped it to Greg Lees-Griffiths, who again showed a clean pair of heels and this time transferred the ball to Jordan Asparassa, who went over under the sticks, for a try converted by Tom Lewis and a deserved 12-0 scoreline.
The pace of the Tenby threes was causing the home side all sorts of trouble, so they kept the ball tight and with the forwards, with a series of pick and go’s being used as their main attacking source, but a well organised Tenby defence easily held them at bay.
Despite the odd dropped ball or missed pass, Tenby recovered their composure and a typical tricky zig-zag break by Scott James opened up the home defence to release Jordan Asparassa from inside his own half on a long canter to the try line for his second try of the evening, which was again converted by Tom Lewis, stretching the lead to 19-0.
Heads were already dropping as Aberaeron slowly made their way to the restart and this lack of confidence was reflected in their game as every time they attempted to use their threes, they either dropped the ball or the intended pass hit the turf or went behind the supporting player, a trend which was also impacted by the speed off the defensive line by Tenby.
Tom Lewis, who had been limping for sometime, was replaced by Scott James at fly-half, with Mark Heywood slotting in at centre, while hooker Dan Allen was replaced by Joe Poole.
As the half drifted to a close, another slick threequarter move released dangerous winger Greg Lees-Griffiths, who this time had no need for support as he outflanked the stretched home defence with his blistering speed off the mark for a well-taken try.
The conversion by Scott James took the score out to 26-0 which, bang on half-time, was reduced by the home side to 26-3 as Sion Evans was successful with a penalty shot at goal.
From the restart, Tenby went straight on the attack, with this time the forwards getting in on the try-scoring act as Joe Poole was driven over the whitewash by his fellow forwards for an unconverted try and a 31-3 game.
The home side not only suffered from their own inability to put a decent attacking threequarter movement together, due to sluggish ball handling, but also failed to breach a very well-organised and sound Tenby defence, with one characteristic dumper truck tackle put in by Mark Heywood hammering home the point.
When Tenby had the ball, they showed the home side what should have been done when a superb Barry Parsons break was carried on by Heywood, James, and Morgan, who did sufficient to release Jack Guerreiro, who was playing his 100th game at first team level, for a try, converted by Jonny Morgan extending the lead even further to 38-3.
Barry Parsons obviously enjoyed his gallop in the mud and was at it again minutes later, this time linking with Greg Lees-Griffiths, who found his opposite wing in support, with a near length of field move being finished off by Jordan Asparassa, who cantered over for his hat-trick try. The conversion by Jonny Morgan stretched the lead out to 45-3.
Despite being under the cosh, the home side rallied and reverted to their pick and go tactics, which at least kept the Tenby try-scoring machine quiet, and this was aided by the United needing to apply the adjustments in positioning as Will Crockford took to the park as a replacement for the impressive Greg Lees-Griffiths, Harry Bolton replaced the hard-working Wyndham Williams and finally newcomer Charlie Patching replaced a tireless Mike Davis.
The home side were eventually rewarded for their efforts when a forward (sorry, but unable to get his name) was driven over the line for a wellworked try, narrowing the lead to 45-8.
The rain that had been threatening all evening eventually arrived with avengeance and, with the wind also picking up, it became difficult from the shelter of the stand to keep up with play as the sleety downpour was being driven downfield. This obviously had an adverse effect on play, but despite the deteriorating conditions, both sides tried to play attacking rugby.
Ironically, from one of their rare forays into the Tenby half, the home side lost control of the ball and, accepting the gift of a loose rolling ball, Jordan Asparassa set off on the long run to the line and went over wide out for his fourth and the final score of the game, racking up the 50 points for visitors.
With the game well won and conditions worsening, along with a stoppage for treatment to Joe Poole, referee Adrian Slade asked the players if they wanted to call it a day and both sides agreed an early stoppage was a sensible suggestion and they trooped off for a welcome hot shower.
The home side stuck to their task with dogged resistance, enthusiasm and determination, but were totally outclassed by the pace and skill of the Tenby threequarters, who highlighted the difference in class between the respcetive leagues the teams play in. Their forwards gave as good as they got, but with Tenby, through Dedman, Davis, Parsons and Alex Thomas supplying excellent lineout ball, the pack as a whole providing the set-piece platform and the back row of Mike Davis, Barry Parsons, Alex Thomas dominating the breakdown, it was a massive ask to keep the pacey and rampant visitors in check.
With several other outstanding cup ties also played at the weekend, it will be interesting to see who Tenby come out of the hat with as the competition enters the semi-final stage. But tomorrow (Saturday) it is back to league action, albeit with an early 1.30 kick-off up at Heywood Lane, as third-placed Tenby take on fourth-placed Pontyberem. An excellent opportunity for supporters to get a taste of local rugby before getting down to the club to watch the Wales v South Africa game.
Tenby: Jonny Morgan, Greg Lees-Griffiths (Will Crockford), Scott James, Jack Guerreiro, Jordan Asparassa, Tom Lewis (Mark Heywood), Kieran Machin, Ethan Morgan, Dan Allen (Joe Poole), Dan McDermott, Luke Dedman, Wyndham Williams (Harry Bolton), Mike Davis (Charlie Patching), Barry Parsons, Alex Thomas. Rep. not used - Rob Clarke.