Last Sunday saw Tenby Swifts U11s make the short trip to Pembroke to play in the first round (quarter-final) of this season’s knockout cup. This was an eagerly anticipated match which pitted together arguably the strongest two teams at this age group in the county.

Pembroke won the toss and decided to play with the slope and strong breeze at their backs, and immediately set siege on the Swifts’ line. Great defence by backs and forwards alike saw the Seasiders hold out, but when a turnover was won, they failed to clear their lines and the home side got the opening score, crossing in the corner.

Stung into action, the Swifts surged up field and resulted in Iorri R sniping over for the equalising score.

From the restart, the game swung from one end to the other, but after being turned over on the attack, the ball was kicked the length of the pitch to put the Seasiders back under pressure. Ollie defended well, but from the resultant lineout, the home team scored again.

The Swifts’ coaches would have been satisfied with this scoreline at half-time, but the boys had other ideas and from the restart the forwards won the ball, drove deep into the home side’s half for the ball to be recycled to the backs, who put Iori B over the try line. Half-time score 14-14.

With the elements at their backs after the break, the Seasiders went straight on the attack, looking to score early points, but a combination of solid defence and a few dropped balls meant they couldn’t initially break the deadlock.

But quick thinking from a tap penalty saw the ball spread wide and Fletcher side-stepped his way over the line. With their confidence growing, a second try soon followed, with Dylan showing determination to cross for a fine score.

If they thought the game was won, being two scores ahead, they were mistaken, as the home side responded well with two tries of their own to draw level again.

With the game evenly poised and entering the last five minutes, the forwards won ball inside their own half for scrum-half Dylan to kick long downfield. The home defence thought they had plenty of time, but a fumble saw Iori B pick up and dive over.

As the game entered the final stages, Tenby continued to press and after super work again from the forwards, Josh rumbled over for the final score of the game.

An enthralling game played in great spirit by both sides saw Tenby Swifts proceed to the semi-final by 42 points to 28.

Coaches man of the match was Josh, but all 13 players gave 100 per cent effort for the full 40 minutes.

Team was Cameron, Iori B, Kyle, Fletcher, Dylan, Duane-Lee, Josh, Jake, Ciaran, Miller, Ollie, Alex and Iorri R.