Youth 5 pts.

Tenby United Youth 34

Tenby United’s youth side made the long trek up the coast to Aberystwyth on Saturday, looking to get back to playing rugby after a long break due to recent bad weather and waterlogged pitches.

With a bright sunny afternoon, the stage was set for some good flowing rugby. And so it was. Tenby came out of the traps flying. Having kicked-off, the Seasiders applied the early pressure. With the ball turned over deep in the Aber half and recycled several times, fly-half Harry Rossiter made a half-break. His half-back partner, Jack Gooding, provided the support and forced his way over to open the scoring. Rossiter stepped up to add the two points with a great kick.

The restart saw Tenby in the ascendency. Good work from the forwards meant that the Seasiders were dominating the early exchanges. With ball secured from a ruck on the halfway line, Gooding made use of a narrow blindside. Releasing the ball to centre Ben Pugh, a clean break was made. Pugh lit his afterburners and was away to run in from 40 meters. The try was duly converted to bring the score to 14-0.

Tenby continued to dominate the half. They moved the ball down the line to release right wing Ollie Brown. Brown made 20 yards, before being pulled down on the Aber 22. With the Tenby forwards winning the breakdown, the ball was made available. Rossiter had time to place a delightful chip over the Aber defence for fullback Oakley Milton to run on to and cross for Tenby’s third try.

Aber were reeling from the early setbacks, but were not about to give up. They started to get into the game, applying prolonged pressure to the Tenby defence. This was helped by the penalty count, the Seasiders repeatedly straying offside.

Tenby, however, were not only dynamic going forward, they were also resolute in defence. Despite their best efforts, Aber were not able to break through the Seasiders’ defensive line.

Having weathered the storm, Tenby again pushed deep into the Aber half. Loose ball at a ruck was picked up by flanker Joe Cole. Cole made a break and, with number eight Will Swales running the supporting line, the back row pair evaded the Aber defence, Swales crossing for Tenby’s fourth try.

The conversion unsuccessful, the half-time whistle saw Tenby lead the home side 24-0.

The second half kicked off with both sides playing good expansive rugby. Aber had regrouped and their defensive effort meant that the Seasiders were not as dominant. Both sides worked hard to make progress, with an extended period where neither side was able to create a chance.

Eventually Tenby were, however, able to break the deadlock. With the ball won at the lineout by the ever-imperious Lewis Catt, Rossiter again was able to make a half-break from stand-off. The break saw a neat offload to centre Joe Owen, on the Aber 10m line, who took the ball at speed. With his blistering pace, he was able to elude all efforts to bring him down, crossing the try line to bring the score 29-0 in favour of the Seasiders.

At this stage, a lesser side may have capitulated, but Aber were not about to give up. They pressurised the Tenby line, with the forwards repeatedly picking up and driving. The Seasiders defended their line bravely, but eventually Aber crossed for a well-deserved try.

As the game played out, both sides continued to push for more. It was Tenby, however, who had the last word. A move down the right wing saw scrum-half Gooding cross for his second, bringing the final score to 34-5 in the Seasiders’ favour.

Both sides had produced an entertaining game of rugby helped by referee Paolo Tedaldi’s efficient stewardship. Whilst the result appeared to be a comfortable victory, Aberystwyth made the Seasiders work hard for all their points.

Tenby fielded: Oakley Milton, Dan Machin (capt), Joe Owen, Ben Pugh, Ollie Brown, Harry Rossiter, Jack Gooding, Lucas Probert, Ryan Jones, Joe Simmons, Lewis Catt, Gethin Kelly, Harvey John, Joe Coles, Will Swales. Replacements - Dylan John, Ryan Bolton, Morgan Davis.