Tenby U17s

Tenby U17s travelled up to St. Clears on Sunday to play against a very strong home side (writes Matty Busby). Both sides fought a gruelling game of rugby and in the names of several players ‘was on of the toughest games of rugby that we have played this year.’ The front rowers Joe Andrews, John Mansbridge and Matty Busby had a strong game, keeping a solid defensive line and making carries, Kieran Johnson and Rhys Grigg in the second row both had outstanding games with both players making hard hits and making lots of ground while carrying. Captain Jake Roberts and Henry Lees were a great back row partnership working as hard as they could to make breaks and were a nuisance in the breakdown area. Cam Broadhurst was excellent at scrum half making great decisions and setting up several tries. Morgan Grieve made some good kicks from fly half, was also great at organising the team using verbal communication. Dylan Johns and Oakley Milton were a solid centre partnership with Oakley scoring one and Dylan making lots of ground. The back two of Aaron O’Neil and Evan Watson made great yards, with Aaron scoring two outstanding tries and Evan also getting one. Everyone in the side played amazing, it was definitely a stand out performance by all of the boys.

Tenby U12s

Last weekend saw Tenby Swifts Under 12s play their first home game of the season against a combined team from Whitland/Laugharne. On a fine sunny autumn day at The Clicketts, the young Seasiders knew they had to be at their best against a competitive away team with a big pack of forwards.

Kicking-off, the Swifts were straight on the attack and superb work by the whole team saw two quick tries scored to give them the early advantage. Continuing to attack, a loose pass was intercepted by the away team and they ran in from half-way to reduce the deficit. This saw the young Seasiders lose a bit of their composure as they dropped off a few tackles and the away side found a spring in their step to bring the score back to 19-19 as the half drew to a close. A few harsh words were said as the team gathered under their own posts and they drove up field from the restart and great handling by forwards and backs alike saw the ball spread wide for a converted try to leave the half time score 26-19 to the home side.

As the second half started, the away team tore into the Tenby pack and drove up to the try line in an attempt to get back on equal terms, but were held out by the razor sharp defence of the young Seasiders. Turning defence into attack after winning turnover ball, they made their way up field to score a fine try. As the second half continued, the superior fitness of the home side began to tell and the Tenby pack began to dominate providing front foot ball for the free flowing backs, resulting in three further tries. The referee blew his whistle for full-time with Tenby Swifts winning by a margin of 52-19. A game in which the coaches were very pleased with the teamwork shown by all the young Seasiders especially keeping the away team from scoring any points in the second half.

The Swifts squad in the photo together with try scorers were Dylan, Max J (1), Alex, Fletcher (1), Cameron, Jake, Duane-Lee, Iori B (5), Archie, Tristan, Kyle, Harri, Iorri R, Cairan, Max H, Joe and Ollie (1).

Tenby U10s

Last Sunday, Tenby Under 10s were home to Whitland. With the sun shining, the setting was perfect for a running game of rugby. Tenby looked strong from the first whistle. Some fantastic work in the breakdown from the forwards saw Owen steal possession and set-up the backs whose quick hands allowed for the ball to move along the line and find Alfie on the wing who scored the opening try. After his vital role in winning the ball in the first try, Owen was presented another opportunity soon after to gain possession, this time though picking the ball up himself and a lovely individual effort saw him rewarded with a try. Tenby were looking good and continued to work hard. The third try of the morning came after Carter stole ball in the breakdown to give the Seasiders possession once more, the ball then moved quickly into the hands of the waiting back line and this time Rowen was to see the gap and presented the chance to score. The Seasiders collectively were looking a solid unit. The forwards were fighting strong in the breakdown and presenting good ball to the backs who were using every opportunity given to them to run the ball. The forth try came after a huge team effort. A big tackle by Rhys saw the Whitland attack halted, the forwards with the hands of Lewis stole possession and the ball was then passed across the line of waiting backs to reach Alfie who crossed for his second. With momentum building for the Seasiders, play soon moved back up to the Whitland line. With a penalty awarded to Tenby, Rocco was quick to pick up the ball and dive over the away teams try line. Soon after, the ball found its way back in the hands of Tenby’s attacking line and move out wide to Alfie who crossed for the sixth try of the morning. Whitland started to push forward and try to break through the Seasiders defence, but a loose ball and some strong running yet again from the Tenby backs saw play quickly move back into Whitland’s half and this time give Carter a opportunity to score. Tenby kept building on the pressure mounting and were looking sharp with the ball in hand. A fantastic run by Carter was to create space for Rhys to cross in the corner and this was quickly followed from the restart with an individual effort from Connor to run the length of the pitch to score his first of the day. With the clock ticking down on the first half, the Seasiders looked to score once more after a strong run by Harry saw good territory gained and play back down on Whitland’s line and Carter nipped over just as the half-time whistle blew.

Whitland came out looking very determined second half and soon gave their supporters something to cheer as they crossed the line for their first well-deserved try. But Tenby hit back quickly, after some strong forward power enabled Jayden to find a gap in Whitland’s defence and cross the try line. Tenby were to regain possession from the restart and hit the Whitland line hard. Once ball was in Alfie’s hands, he was to slice through Whitland’s defence to score his fourth of the day. With both teams forwards battling hard, a scrum on Whitland’s line was to provide Connor the chance to pick up the ball and to cross for the Seasiders 13th try of the morning. Some strong play by Whitland followed and pushed Tenby back onto their own line. But Tenby’s defence stood strong and a loose ball was to allow Louie to pick up and switch momentum back to the Seasiders, and after some clever running by Carter, a last minute pop pass saw Rhys touch down for his second. A lovely running phase followed which saw Tenby push forward and once he found the ball in his hands a determined Rocco pushed over for try 15 of the day. The forwards work rate continued at a high level and this in turn was to provide Jayden with a chance to cross for his second. Soon after, another forward was to follow suit when Owen found himself on the receiving end of some quick ball creating space for him to cross the try line.

Teamwork had been key in this performance by the Seasiders and their support of one another had been excellent. This resulted in possession staying in their hands and soon Connor was to spot a gap in a tiring Whitland defence and score. Tired hands from the away team on the attack would see a interception from Connor who ran the length of the field to score again. Whitland tried their hardest to put a last push on the Seasiders, but a loose ball yet again would allow Tenby to have the last play and put Rowen over the try line in the final seconds. Final score was 100-5 to the Seasiders. Well done all.

Tenby U9s

Tenby Swifts Under 9s hosted Whitland RFC this weekend, and with the sun shining, the Tenby Swifts put on an excellent display of running rugby. Led by captain Will Hilling, the Swifts got off to a great start with Evan Christen flying over for two try’s, captain Will H wasn’t far behind scoring two more with Iori Hart and Thomas Prince adding one more each before the half-time whistle. The Swifts came out in the second half and put in a defensive display that Warren Gatland would be proud of, Will Day leading the defensive effort with Alex Stock, Cory Stephens, Ethan Lewis and future Welsh full back Rhys Barnes alongside him making sure the Whitland attack couldn’t find a way through. Two more tries each from Will Hilling and Iori Hart, with Thomas Prince adding one more to his total, alongside Madoc Evans, Iestyn Barrellie and Rhys Barnes all getting on the score sheet. The final score was 14-2 to the home team, an excellent display of team work throughout and great respect to the opposition and officials just show how much this team has grown over the years.

Special mention to Thomas Prince, Oli Tucker, Will Day and Alex Stock who all helped Whitland out for 10 minutes each as they were a player down. This also made the decision of man of the match very easy for the coaches who gave it to Will Day for not only helping Whitland, but also never giving up in defence.