Gowerton 40 pts. Tenby United 24

With eight players who were in the squad for last week’s game either injured, unavailable or being rested, the team that took on Gowerton included several new or returning faces on the bench, all being given an opportunity to show what they could do at first team level.

Ironically, Gowerton were the last team Tenby played when they had their fateful season in Division One West, in 2015/16, losing all 22 games, and ended the season going down to Gowerton 33-31 at Heywood Lane. In that match they were dead and buried at 26-0, only to claw their way back into the game at 24-26, and then miss out on that elusive win as both sides scored late converted tries.

In ideal conditions, although hampered slightly by a smaller pitch than Heywood Lane, and playing with the slight slope and gusty breeze, Tenby Tourers sponsored Tenby United managed to put several phases together, only for the momentum to be totally diluted by a spate of unacceptable errors presenting the ball to the opposition.

At scrum time, Tenby gained parity with the opposition, but due to poor throwing in, this parity was not repeated at the lineout, although of the eight on show, Jack Clancy handled well and Rob Luly dominated his opposite number in the set-piece.

Scrum-half Matthew Morgan was a livewire with five 40-metre breaks, but lacked support at times to make the most of his efforts, while at the back, brother Jonny put in his usual determined and organised performance and in line with his current form, winger Jordan Asparassa was always threatening and eager to get involved.

The inept performance and lack of game management in the first half was maintained up to half-time, with Tenby lucky only to be trailing by 21-3, restricting the home side to just two tries.

Whatever was said at the break by coach Andy Morgan had the desired effect, as within 10 minutes of the restart the score had been closed to 21-17, through tries by Jonny Morgan from a quick tap-and-go and Ashley Sutton from just inside the Gowerton half, both of which Sutton converted.

But the revival was short-lived as the home side rattled up an additional 19 points, which included three tries, while all Tenby could muster, due to lack of positive field position, was one converted try by Ashley Sutton, ending the game a well-beaten side at 40-24 and coming away with no league points again.

The honeymoon period is definitely over for Tenby United as coach Andy Morgan, along with Cone who missed this sad performance, surely told the players at the Monday training session.

The missed tackle comment has figured in nearly all the match reports this season, along with failure to carry out very basic handling skills, and this combination nullified the fightback that spasmodically kicked in on Saturday to be eventually replaced by the straight running and swift handling skills of the home side who ran in five tries against what appeared to be a Tenby United side that simply didn’t want to be at Gowerton at all.

Scorers: Tenby - tries by Jonny Morgan, Ashley Sutton (2); conversions - Ashley Sutton (3); penalty - Ashley Sutton.

Gowerton - tries by Bleddyn James (3), Charlie Jones, Paul Hennessey; conversions - Josh Hamer (3); penalties - Josh Hamer (3).

Tenby fielded: Jonny Morgan, Jevon Barnes (Yannic Parker), Jack Guerreiro (Craig Barnett), Moritz Neumann, Jordan Asparassa, Ashley Sutton, Matthew Morgan, Rob Luly (Ethan Morgan), Kyle Hamer (Ryan Jeramias), Lewis Davies, Mike Davis, Jack Clancy, Barry Parsons (Charlie Patching), Roy Osborn, Andrew Cooke.