Narberth Youth 21 pts. Tenby United Youth 5

The young Tenby side travelled the short distance to local rivals Narberth, looking to consolidate, following last week’s win over Pembroke.

The team was, however, short of a number of key players through injury and illness, including captain Dan Machin, regular fly-half Harry Rossiter, Matt and Jamie Lawrence, Harvey Bowles, Trystan and Dewi Thomas and front row specialists and ball carriers Lucas Probert and Joe Simmonds.

It was therefore a somewhat makeshift line-up that ran out onto the pitch. With both props missing, it was uncontested at the scrums from the start, improvised props, Morgan Davies and Gethin Kelly joining regular front rower Ryan Jones in the front three.

As the game kicked off, it was Narberth who applied the early pressure, Tenby defending hard. With both sides playing committed rugby, the pattern of the game started to unfold. The Otters continued to exert pressure on the Seasiders, who battled hard to defend their lines. Great tackling from the Tenby defence and in particular the back row of Joe Cole, Sean Izzard and Wil Swales, was disrupting Narberth’s steady advance towards the line. Wave after wave of pressure from Narberth was repelled by Tenby’s stoic defence.

Deep into the half, a break down the left wing was halted by a last-gasp tackle from outstanding Tenby flanker Joe Cole. It was clear that the tackle had cost him and the game was stopped whilst he received treatment for a shoulder injury. The injury saw further re-organisation of the Tenby line-up as Caleb O’Neill moved from the wing to replace Cole at flanker and Dan Lewis came off the bench to play on the wing.

Play restarted with a Narberth scrum on Tenby’s 22. A neat move in the centre saw Narberth finally break through Tenby’s line and cross under the posts for a duly converted try.

The kick-off saw Tenby in unfamiliar territory, as they had a chance to apply some pressure on the Otters. The pressure told. Tenby were awarded a scrum on the Narberth 22. Scrum-half Evan Watson was able to feed the ball to ‘stand-in’ stand-off Jack Gooding, who linked with centre Ben Pugh to break down the Otters’ defence. With several defenders trying their hardest to drag him down, Pugh drove across the line to mark the Seasiders’ first points with an unconverted try.

With the half-time whistle, it was 7-5 to the Otters. It was chance for both sides, and the many supporters on the touchline, to catch their breath and regroup following an enthralling first half of great rugby.

The second half started at frenetic pace, with both sides working hard to gain an advantage. Tenby’s backs were at last able to run at the Narberth defence. Wings, Dan Lewis and Harvey John, ran some great lines to make headway into the Otters’ half. Joe Owen was again demonstrating is lightning pace and fine footwork in the outside centre position.

Shortly into the half, Alex Everall, who had put in an immense shift for Tenby, made way for Jay Brace, who now joined Lewis Catt in the second row. Lewis Catt, Gethin Kelly, Ryan Jones and Morgans Davies also put in some thumping tackles at the breakdown.

As the half progressed, it was clear, however, that Narberth were the stronger team, fullback John Mansbridge being called into action numerous times to halt the Otters’ forays down the wings. The pressure eventually told. A penalty was kicked to touch to give the Otters an attacking lineout deep in the Tenby half. Having won the ball, they drove Tenby back. An attempted chip was charged down and the ball regained by Tenby, only to have their relieving kick charged down as well. The resulting melee saw Narberth coming up with the ball and running in for their second converted try.

As the clock moved on, Narberth continued to apply pressure to try to break down the Seasiders’ defence. Tenby continued to put in the tackles and turned over possession several times in the final few yards of the pitch. Narberth drove forward over the line, only to be held up by an exceptional defensive effort. The resulting scrum-five gave the Otters a clear attacking chance to run for the line, which they took, to score their third converted try.

With time left on the clock, Tenby again tried to move forward but the defensive effort had taken its toll. Narberth continued to attack the Tenby lines. With great tenacity and commitment, the young, makeshift Seasiders team denied the Otters any further points and the resulting bonus point that with all their possession and territorial advantage should have been a formality.

With the final whistle blown, both sets of players came together to congratulate each other. They knew they had been in a great game of rugby and that they had earned respect of their opponents and the supporters along the touchline.

The game was played with the full commitment of both sets of players and, thanks to referee Steven Harries, it was also played with great spirit and fairness. His firm whistle and clear communication ensured he stayed in control at all times.

Tenby Youth team: Morgan Davies, Ryan Jones, Gethin Kelly, Lewis Catt, Alex Everall (sub Jay Brace), Joe Cole (sub Dan Lewis), Sean Izzard, Wil Swales, Evan Watson, Jack Gooding, Ben Pugh, Joe Owen, Caleb O’Neill, Harvey John, John Mansbridge

Coaches - Richard Rossiter and Leon Gooding; team manager and ambulance driver - Julia Gooding.