Division One West: Tenby United 15-14 Fishguard & Goodwick

Harry Rossiter was again the toast of his Tenby United team mates as his late penalty took The Seasiders to victory by a single point against a Fishguard a Goodwick that had led 14-9 ahead at half time.

But The Seasiders took the initiative after the oranges and not only prevented the visitors from adding further points but had the better of the chances and spent a lot of time pinning Fishguard back into the left corner.

Rossiter leads the Seasiders’ fight-back:

Rossiter not only directed operations in this intense time spell but kept his composure when the kicking chances came, linked well with skipper Lloyd Thomas and after slotting a penalty to take his side to within two points midway through the period, shrugged off the disappointment of hitting the left upright from another wide-angled kick.

He also hit the other post from a snap drop-goal chance safe in the knowledge that the referee had already signalled a penalty and this time fired a successful three-pointer between the woodwork to give his team a welcome win that lifts to fourth in the table.

Seagulls make the brighter start:

Yet it was Fishguard who made the better start as James Griffiths kicked them into the bottom right corner and after hooker Liam Wilkes was held up, from the resultant scrum it was No 8 Mark George who claimed the try, which Mark Jones wasn’t able to convert.

As Tenby gained parity up front through the efforts of veteran flankers Harry Bolton and Luke Hansford alongside Jack Broadhurst, No 10 Rossiter was just off target with a penalty but then notched two easier efforts to put his team 6-5 ahead.

Mark Jones landed a Seagulls’ penalty but a good run out of defence by Tenby full back Max Brindley earned him a penalty which Rossiter kicked – but Brindley had to leave the field with a knee injury.

Another Jones’ penalty allowed the visitors to go back in front and although The Seasiders threatened via Jack Gooding, Ben Pugh and Harry Tucker it was The Seagulls had the final word when Jones landed his third kick on target right on the interval.

Typical local derby contest:

In a typical local derby the second half was also played with total commitment but The Seasiders lost influential No 9 Matthew Morgan (ankle), prop Rob Luly (shoulder) and hooker Dan Allen (head injury) but brought on Wyndham Williams for his 203rd game for the club, and the dogged resistance of Huw Evans and Tom Barrass helped repel the rare forays into their territory as Simon James and Gavin Walsh came on to pep up the Seagulls performance.

Home No 8 Jack Broadhurst also caught the eye as he smuggled the ball, powered his was downfield and only just lost the race for his own kick ahead – but with time running out The Seasiders looked destined for another narrow defeat.

It was then that Rossiter took a hand and after his missed penalty and drop goal attempts failed to bring any reward – and his kick put Tenby United into the narrowest of leads before they managed to tuck the ball up their jumpers for a deserved win.

Quotes:

Jonathan Evans (Tenby United Coach): We were delighted to win against strong and experienced opposition as the pitch stood up well and we played at real pace. We had several players with injuries but our bench stood up to the pressure – and a pleasing aspect of our play with such a young team bolstered by old hands Harry Bolton, Luke Hansford and Wyndham Williams was our game management”

Nathan Jenkins (Fishguard & Goodwick Coach): To be honest we were rubbish because after scoring a try in the first few minutes we rarely threatened their line and allowed them to claw their way back in the last quarter when we should have tied things up.

Steve Buncombe (Match referee):

It was a long trek down from Llandrindod Wells but it was well worth it because the pitch was in terrific condition after all the recent wet weather, both teams played at pace and within the laws of the game, and the crowd was in good hwyl too!

Tenby United:  Max Brindley, Jack Gooding, Ben Pugh, Lloyd Thomas, Jack Tucker, Harry Rossiter, Matthew Morgan, Rob Luly, Dan Allen, Ethan Morgan, Huw Evans, Tom Barrass, Harry Bolton, Luke Hansford, Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Rob Clarke, Jim Brace, Wyndham Williams, Joe Poole, Joe Owen.

Fishguard & Goodwick: Robbie Jones, Rhys Evans, Geraint Jones, James Griffiths, Ed Bendall, Mark Jones, Dan Evans, Ryan McVeigh, Liam Wilkes, Andrew Morrillo, Ben John, Gwil Evans, Luke Freebury, Chris Shousha (capt), Mark George. Replacements: Gavin Walsh, Richie Hunter, Will Delaney, Scott Riches, Simon James.

Referee:  Steve Buncombe (Llandrindod Wells).