Last Sunday saw the culmination of the 2017/18 season for Tenby Swifts under 12s team with a prestigious day out playing on the main pitch at Parc Y Scarlets.

As the champions of Pembrokeshire they were to play against the best team in Carmarthenshire, Burry Port, at the Scarlets Community Cup Final Day.

A large contingent of supporters travelled east to Llanelli to cheer on the young Swifts on a sunny spring day, full of expectation. There was an early start by bus leaving Tenby for a 10.30 kick off, the ground was in perfect condition as the referee and his officials lead the two teams out from the tunnel and onto the pitch.

After winning the toss, The Swifts kicked off and were soon under pressure. A clean break in midfield lead to the speedy and dangerous Burry Port centre crossing for the opening try. A little shell shocked from this early score the Swifts looked nervous and another uncharacteristic mistake lead to the same player crossing again to leave the Swifts trailing by 14-0 after only 5 minutes.

With the vociferous Swifts supporters cheering them on the boys found their composure and began to settle into their surroundings with the forwards making good ground up field. A super backs move saw them enter the opposition 22, and a neat chip saw Max J gather to power over for a well-deserved try. With their confidence growing the Swifts were back on the attack and continued to dominate possession for the rest of the half. As time was running out Iori B spotted a gap in the defensive line to beat a number of defenders to dance his way over to score a super try to leave the half time score 14-10 to the Carmarthenshire side.

The second half began with the Swifts having to defend their line which they did so well and eventually won turnover ball to turn defence into attack. The pre-planned ‘truck’ move saw them enter the opposition half and as the ball was spread wide Iori B spotted a gap, he chipped the ball and regathered to win the race to the line..... he was engulfed by his team mates as unbelievably Tenby Swifts now lead by 15-14.

With their tails well and truly up they were straight back on the offensive with the forward pack again getting on top of their opponents. However a number of harsh penalty decisions in quick succession by the officials saw them soon defending their own line and eventually a try was scored. At 19-15 behind the game was far from over and the Swifts mounted wave after wave of attacks to try and regain the lead. However as they became more desperate to force a winning score a mistake took play deep into their half. A number of penalties were given away but the defence held firm, but in the last play of the game, from a quick tap penalty a further try was scored. The referee blew his whistle to bring the game to an end with the Swifts losing by 24 points to 15.

The team sunk to the ground, devastated to be defeated after giving their absolute all in a fantastic game of rugby. As the players made their way up to collect their medals the whole crowd stood to applaud a wonderful game played in great spirit by both teams and a fantastic advert for junior rugby in West Wales.

Coach Jamie was so proud of all 20 boys in the match day squad who gave it their all, but on the day was not quite good enough for victory.

As the players made their way to the after game lunch they were left to reflect on a wonderful experience which will live long in their memories. It certainly has been a terrific season for the whole team. The young Swifts wound like to thank the great travelling support on the day of mums and dads, brothers and sisters and other relatives who cheered them on throughout the game with the chants of ‘seasiders’.

The squad pictured with coach Jamie was Joe, Josh, Cairan, Tom, Will, Cameron, Dylan, Jake, Duane-Lee, Kyle, Freddie, Archie, Fletcher, Iori B, Alex, Harri, Max J, Iorri R, Max H and Miller. The only member of the team this year who unfortunately missed the game was Tristan due to illness. All his team mates wish him a speedy recovery.

Under 10s

Last Sunday Tenby Under 10s got to play two touring teams, Pencoed and Gwernyfed.

The seasiders took on Pencoed and from the first whistle came out firing and the first try was scored very quickly when the back line moved the ball out wide to Alfie on the wing whose injection of pace couldn’t be stopped by the waiting defence.

The seasiders quickly followed this with a second try, after Rowen spotted a gap to breakaway down field, with Alfie once again in support to cross for a try.

Tenby were looking strong, the forwards were working hard to secure ball and when loose ball was reclaimed by Rocco the platform was set for the ball to move through the hands of the waiting back line this time finding Alfie W on the opposite wing who showed great strength to dive over for try three.

Tenby’s backs were looking good, quick hands were helping to create space and the next try came when a perfectly timed pass by Connor found Alfie and had him cross for his third.

After a number of phases a ball secured by Alex on the floor would provide Connor the opportunity to nip over for the Seasiders’ fourth try. Tenby were put under a lot of pressure and just before half time Pencoed were to turn the pressure into points with their first try, to leave the half time time score at 25-5 to Tenby.

As the second half got underway, a loose ball secured by Owen would allow for Alfie to create his own space to cross in the corner.

Tenby were quick to attack the Pencoed defensive line again this time Connor using his pace down the touchline to score.

Another try for the Seasiders quickly followed after a strong run from Jack set up Connor to score his third. With the match nearly at an end Tenby were to have one last go at a score, Connor seeing a gap kicked the ball up field, Alfie took chase and with great control scooped the ball up and ran in the last try of the game, giving his side a 45-5 victory.

The Seasiders were to remain on the field to play the next game against Gwernyfed.

With Tenby needing an extra player to field 10 Pencoed stepped up and offered Ethan Wyatt to join them in the first half.

Tenby came out quickly looking to get the first score and it was to be Alfie who would weave his way through the Gwernyfed defence to score the opener.

Eventually the touring team would turn the pressure into points to equal the try count, and Gwernyfed were quick to build on this and in quick succession crossed for their second try.

It was at this stage in the first half the Seasiders started to find their rhythm again, and quick hands by the backs saw the ball reach Connor who crossed for Tenby’s second.

For the second half Pencoed offered up the talents of Sam Bilgramcoats to help in the Tenby attack, and the opening try of the half would fall to them, with Sam securing some loose ball to allow possession to find it’s way to Connor who ran in the corner for his second.

Gwernyfed hit back straight away and scored a well worked try to once again equal the score. The next try came for Tenby straight from the restart, with Sam from Pencoed showing great strength in a run down the touchline to score.

Tenby were quick to follow this up with two tries in succession for Alfie.

Gwernyfed were soon to turn pressure into points and score closing the gap, but Alfie wasn’t quite done yet for the Seasiders, and with the support of his team he was able to weave his way through the tiring opposition defence to score once again.

With the game nearly at an end it was to be the touring team who would have the last say with a try in the corner leaving the full time score at 35-25 to the Seasiders. Huge thank you goes to Ethan Wyatt and Sam Bilgramcoats who helped in the Seasiders victory.

Pencoed went on to play Gwernyfed in the final game and win 3-1. Another thank you goes to both touring teams for coming down and giving the Under 10s two hard but enjoyable games.