Tenby United (8) 20 Llangennech (23) 44

Coming off a poor performance up at Aberystwyth a few weeks ago, Tenby Tourers-sponsored Tenby United welcomed Llangennech to Heywood Lane taking the field with several changes from the Aber game, all being forced through injury or unavailability, while others had been made to strengthen the team.

Returning from injury, Rob Clarke made a welcome return to the front row, while on the bench, Big Jim made one of his rare appearances against the club he represented last season and ironically last turned out for Tenby when we played them away earlier in the season. Still missing from the line-up was prop Lewis Davies and in the back row Cookie and skipper Luke Hansford, all out with long-term injuries and the Blood and Thunder were prepared for a physical challenge - hence four forwards on the bench.

As Flanders and Swann had it, ‘February’s ice and sleet, freeze the toes right off your feet.’ But the weather had relented slightly compared to earlier in the week, but there was still a gusty breeze blowing toward the scoreboard end that freshened as the match progressed.

Kicking-off, Llangennech set the scene for what was to follow as they stormed away right from the off with the instructions from their coach ringing in their ears and Tenby did well to defend several early sorties in their 22 and via Roy Osborn and permit player Matthew John also tested the visitors defence. From a scrimmaging offence, Llangennech snatched an early lead with Josh Hammett slotting over a penalty, albeit with aid of the upright, with what proved to be a very successful day with the boot come the final whistle.

Straight from the restart, Tenby made inroads into the Llangennech half and instigated by a break from Matthew John tested the Llangennech defence which was being stretched to breaking point, ending with Roy Osborn taking the final pass to score wide out. Craig Barnett failed to add the extras as the home side trotted back content with their 5-3 lead. Their contentment didn’t last long as knocking on from the restart, Luke Dedman presented the visitors with an attacking platform deep in their half which was compounded with a high tackle from Jonny Morgan as Llangennech threatened the Tenby line and from the penalty awarded by referee Rhodri Morgan they retook the lead 5-6, and as far as the match was concerned they had not only regained the lead they had also snatched the momentum off Tenby and showed signs of the skills and organisation necessary to make it a very uncomfortable afternoon for a Tenby side that were struggling.

Try as they might, Tenby could just not get into their usual purposeful style of play and despite good clean lineout procession from Jack Clancy and some attacking flair from Jack Guerreiro and Matthew Morgan, they were mainly on the back foot as Llangennech put some basic, but effective, attacking moves together. One attacking move that was cobbled together by Tenby involving Matthew Morgan, Roy Osborn, Rob Luly, Matthew John, Jonny Morgan, Jack Guerreiro and Mike Davis disappointingly ended with a penalty offence and came to nothing. A huge clearance to touch by Hammett strangely ended with Llangennech extending their lead as from the quickly taken throw in, Tenby were penalised by referee Morgan and from the move that followed Ieuan Thomas went over and with Hammett adding the extras Llangennech extended the lead to 5-13.

This lead was very quickly reduced and then re-established as initially Roy Osborn forced the visitors to give away a penalty and Craig Barnett obliged reducing the lead to 8-13 only for Jack Clancy to offend from the restart presenting Hammett with the opportunity to match the Tenby score, which he did, taking the score out to 8-16. Maintaining their momentum, Llangennech were putting pressure on the home side, and from a series of short range attacks close to the Tenby right hand corner flag, a hurried clearance by Matthew Morgan was eagerly pocketed by Llangennech who quickly set their threes into attack mode freeing wing Ieuan Thomas to score his second try of the afternoon in the left hand corner. With the accurate Hammett adding the conversion, Llangennech trotted off for oranges comfortably leading 8-23, while Tenby sought the advice and guidance off their coaching team.

Whatever was said during the Llangennech half-time team talk certainly got carried onto the field as the second half got underway with two attempted attacks put together by Tenby ending with penalties to Llangennech with first Yanik Parker, to be quickly followed by Matthew Morgan, both getting isolated and being pinged by referee Morgan who had been very hot on awarding penalties at the breakdown for holding on to the ball. The penalties allowed Llangennech to get camped on the Tenby line and as they tried to break through the stretched Tenby defence, the inevitable penalty and/or try was only seconds away and to really rub salt into the wound, all three came one after the other - penalty for infringing at the breakdown, resulting in a yellow card for Kyle Hamer and a try for Ieuan Thomas - his third of the afternoon and with Hammett obliging with the extras Tenby were left looking down the barrell of a fully loaded shotgun at 8-30.

Tenby attempted to threaten the visitors line with a superb break by Roy Osborn, but replacement, Jordan Asparassa attempted to take the pass one handed and dropped the ball only to see his opposite number Tom Barnes scoop the ball up and scythe his was through some very flimsy Tenby defence to run virtually the length of the field for the bonus point awarded fourth try and with a successful conversion, Tenby were now badly trailing 8-37.

With victory a formality, and the bonus try extra point bagged, Llangennech took their foot off the accelerator and Tenby were allowed to put in one or two concerted attacks and from a series of pick and gos close to the Llangennech line, second row Luke Dedman at last showed some sign of aggression as he forced his was through the Llangennech defence for a good team try and as the conversion sailed over, making it a 15-37 game, the faithful home supporters started to think this was potentially the start of the Tenby recovery. Wrong - it was Llangennech who took the necessary action following this score as Tenby went into mistake mode again and a dropped ball offered Hammett the opportunity to send Tenby back to their own 22 with a huge clearance kick and an infringement by Parker in defence saw him sent to the naughty step and from the penalty awarded and Hammett coolly stroked the ball across the field, to the opposite corner, for unmarked winger Tom Barnes to snatch his second try of the afternoon with Tenby in total ‘switch off’ mode. Slotting the conversion, Hammett took his contribution for the afternoon to 19 points and stretched the score out to 15-44.

Game won and game over - well nearly - as Llangennech brought the remainder of their bench on as Tenby tried to gain some respect by at least ending the game on a high. A series of combined attacks involving Jack Guerreiro, Matthew John, Jonny Morgan,, Luke Dedman, Roy Osborn, Joe Poole, Jim Kaumaitotoya and Ethan Morgan forced Hammett to infringe at the breakdown and get yellow carded by referee Morgan. Showing some ‘dog,’ which had been strangely missing for the bulk of the match, Tenby nearly crossed the whitewash as Roy Osborn seemed to have scored - but referee Morgan thought otherwise - and it was left to replacement Jordan Asparassa to cross wide out to close the score to 20-44 in what was a match where Tenby were somewhat embarrassing with a total lack of desire at times highlighted by a lack of attitude to rectify the many mistakes they made.

With seven games remaining, the survival in Division One is a target Tenby must focus on, as all the opposition that they will be lining up against will either be seeking points to maintain their promotion hopes (Dunvant, Gorseinon and Felinfoel), while the remaining four (Tycroes, Llanelli Wanderers and Crymych - twice) will be in the relegation mix and desperate for points.

Speaking to backs coach Andy Morgan - Mogs - after the match he was disappointed and added this was the first time in his coaching career that a side he coached had lost by more than 40 points and was critical of the lack of desire and respect for the jersey. He added that Llangennech didn’t dominate through push over tries or driving lineouts, they simply capitalised on Tenby mistakes - and there were many of them, with the culprit then not even bothering to chase back and/or help rectify the situation. Head coach Cone was on the same page as Mogs and endorsed the uncharacteristically high number of unforced errors and that the performance was totally unacceptable.

Should be an interesting post-match review of the game involving coaches and players during the week.

Scorers for Tenby: tries -Roy Osborn, Luke Dedman, Jordan Asparassa, conversion - Craig Barnett, penalties - Craig Barnett. Llangennech: tries - Ieuan Thomas x 3, Tom Barnes x 2, conversions - Josh Hammett x 5, penalties - Josh Hammett x 3.

Tenby: Craig Barnett, Yanik Parker, Jack Guerreiro, Matthew John, Oliver Wingfield (Jordan Asparassa), Jonny Morgan, Matthew Morgan, Rob Luly (Ethan Morgan), Kyle Hamer (Joe Poole), Rob Clarke, Jack Clancy (Charlie Patching), Luke Dedman, Roy Osborn, Barry Parsons, Mike Davis (Jim Kaumaitotoya).

Llangennech: Kris Vaughan, Ieuan Thomas, Cai Morris-Daniels, Richard Thomas (capt.), Tom Barnes, Josh Hammett, Scott Taylor, Ryan Davies, Iestyn Jones, Steff Jones, Geraint Williams, Jordon Price, Tom Jenkins, Rhys Phillips, Ben Collard. Reps: Alex Jones, Drew Jones, Morgan Phillips, Carwyn Richards, Ryan Nunes.