Seasiders squander vital chances (From Western Telegraph)

Seasiders squander vital chances

Rugby Division Three (west) Tenby United 8 Aberystwyth 14

Tenby United produced some excellent rugby against Aberystwyth but failed to turn their marked territorial advantage into points and went down to a disappointing defeat.

The Seasiders had already lost by a single point when the teams met in Mid Wales and this was another example for coaches Gareth Thomas and Phil Sutton of the inexperience which is inevitably costing their young charges key wins.

It was perhaps summed up perfectly in the opening five minutes, as Tenby's excellent flanker Rob James intercepted at a lineout and sped away, with support from outstanding captain Nicky Allen.

Quick rucking by man of the match Mark Brace, Nicky Guymer and Scott Payne allowed Will Crockford to spin play left but Neil Powling ignored a three-man overlap and was caught inches short of the line.

Worse was to follow because from the same passage of play Gavin Brace did the same thing on the other flank, ignoring two men outside him and being pulled down just short before Aber broke clear and scored a try from No 8 Deri Williams, who shrugged off two tackles before Craig Williams added the extra points.

Powling was off-target with a difficult penalty chance and Williams missed an easier kick at the other end - but Aber doubled their advantage with another gift.

Will Crockford tried a short pass on his own 22 and allowed Aber skipper Gareth Roberts to scamper over from his centre berth, Williams again converting.

Tenby showed grit as they kept plugging away and were at last rewarded just on half time as Wyndham Williams, Chris James and Allen set up a penalty chance which Powling goaled from the last kick of the period.

The Seasiders made an excellent start to the second period as Mark Brace stormed through the middle after four minutes and from the resulting ruck a neat chip by Scott McLaughlin allowed full back Alex Watt to claim the touch-down for an unconverted try.

Tenby had other chances, none more so than at a scrum five where they had runs by Crockford and Chris James - but they were thwarted by the Aber cover orchestrated by veteran scrum half Griff Jones.

Williams pushed a penalty wide for Aber but it ate up some valuable time and at the end of a hard and entertaining match they were still ahead by six points, leaving Tenby to reflect on another match lost which they could well have won.

The match was sponsored by Broadfield Caravan Park & B.B's Restaurant, plus the Saundersfoot League of Gentlemen.

The match ball was sponsored by Mike Rossiter and Sons, with Ben and Aaron Roberts as the Tenby team mascots.