Seasiders Crush the Quins at Bierspool

Pembroke Dock Quins 3  Tenby United 40

Coastal Cottages sponsored Tenby United maintained their excellent run of recent league form, with a crushing defeat of local rivals Pembroke Dock Quins at Bierspool on Saturday.

But they left it until the dying minutes to seal the crucial bonus point that keeps hope of promotion to Division 3 West very much a possibility.

The United began poorly, a fumble from the kick off giving the home eight a scrum deep in United territory. A useful grubber from home scrum half Dean Lawrence pinned Tenby to within 5 metres of their line and a penalty was soon forthcoming, the visiting pack adjudged to be lying on the ball by referee Sayer.

Lawrence stepped up and slotted the ball between the sticks to give the Quins an ominous early morale boosting lead. But that was about as good as it got for the relegation threatened Dock outfit, as the visitors rallied and quickly seized control of the match to rattle up 40 unanswered points.

Starting at full back, Toby Smith had an outstanding game, counter attacking strongly and providing a resolute last line of defence. It was his straightening of the line that set up the first United try for winger Nemani Ratu, following a quickly taken tap penalty after the Quins had been penalised for hands in the ruck in the shadow of their posts. Tom Lewis made a formality of adding the extras.

The Seasiders looked to emphasis their dominance in virtually all aspects of play and a second try for the elusive Ratu was quick in coming. Smith gathered a high ball comfortably in his own 22 and having called the mark, took a quick tap. The strong running youngster carved through the Quins defences past half way before feeding Ratu who finished well on the left. Lewis stroked another superb conversion to give the Seasiders an 11-point cushion.

With the exception of the opening play of the match, the first 20 minutes saw a virtually flawless display from the United as they starved the Quins of possession and looked threatening whenever they had ball in hand. This called for some fairly desperate home defence and this eventually told as the home side was penalised for a high tackle on centre Pat Dravywa. Despite the cat calls from the home supporters, Lewis calmly slotted the penalty to put the United 17-3 in front with just over a quarter gone.

The pressure from the visitors was relentless and a superb flat pass from Lewis brought Smith into the line from full back at pace. From recycled possession, Lewis put through the grubber for Ratu to chase. The United eight regained possession once again and the frustration of the home side told as number eight and skipper Gareth Scourfield came in to the side of the ruck. Another fine Lewis strike put the United a further three points clear.

The only way for the Quins to try and stem the tide was to slow down possession and this only led to them conceding a stream of penalties and testing the patience of the referee. Yet another Dock infringement allowed Lewis to make it 23-3.

The home side made a rare sortie into United territory and earned themselves a penalty after the United three were guilty of offside in midfield. A decent kick to the corner from stand off Stuart Hay and a well organised line out set up a platform for the bulky home eight to attempt to drive towards the line. But the Seasiders defence held firm and the ball was fumbled thus relieving the pressure.

The last 10 minutes of the half became scrappy as the Seasiders seemed to relax a little too much. The Quins were given another penalty after skipper Harry Bolton broke too early from a scrum. Lawrence attempted to double his side’s tally with a shot at goal, but his attempt fell short and right of the sticks.

Scott Payne was replaced up front by Ben Cray, but this didn’t seem to disrupt Tenby and yet another penalty allowed Lewis to make the score 26-3 at the break.

Dai Meyrick made way for Dan Colley during the interval, but it was more of the same in the second half, Toby Smith again running powerfully to threaten the home defences. Another change saw the hard working Terry John make way for Timoci ‘Jim’ Kanmahotoya, with Nicky Guymer moving from the flank to hooker.

The United were close to picking up their third try, when Sam Smith, not to be outdone by his younger brother, linked well with Luke Dedman and Nicky Guymer, but the United were not there in numbers quickly enough to recycle.

Sam Smith was once again to the fore minutes later with a trademark bullocking run from a scrum. Making almost 20 metres, he set up a perfect platform for the threes, but for once Toby Smith’s pass was not sympathetic enough and ‘Big Jim’ was unable to gather.

To their credit, the Quins never gave up trying to play positive rugby, but an attempt to run from within their own half led to them leaking their third try. A midfield fumble was gathered well by Pat Dravywa who made it to within a couple of metres of the line. Tom Lewis was in support to gather and cross for a score that he went on to convert, putting the United 33-3 to the good.

Gavin Brace made way for Sam Katakai and Dan Colley moved to centre, the youngster immediately showing balanced running and a good side step before drilling a well-placed kick into the Quins 22.

Colley was soon in the action again, picking up a well placed Lewis chip and feeding Ratu who was brought down just short of the line and then penalised for holding on to the ball.

As the clock ticked down, the visiting United supporters were anxious that the vital bonus point was going to elude them. But relief came with 5 minutes left. Good work from prop Rob Clarke drove the United eight past half way, before lock Gareth Edwards picked up and went through the middle of the ruck, striding out before feeding fellow lock Luke Dedman, who did exceptionally well to be up in support, and he plunged over for the crucial fourth score, which Lewis converted to bring his total to an excellent 25 points.

Dedman almost picked up a second score at the death following a lung bursting 50 metres run from Sam Smith from the tail of a line out, but the ball was spilled and the opportunity lost.

This victory keeps the United in fifth, but they are just five points adrift from Milford Haven, who occupy the second promotion spot. The Seasiders will be eyeing their midweek home fixture with other local rivals Pembroke on Wednesday March 17th as another “must win” as they aim to keep their promotion charge on track

Tenby fielded: Toby Smith Nemani Ratu Pat Draywa Gavin Brace (Sam Katakai)
Dai Meyrick (Dan Colley) Tom Lewis Richard Rossiter Rob Clarke Terry John (Timoci ‘Jim’ Kanmahotoya) Scott Payne (Ben Cray) Gareth Edwards Luke Dedman Nicky Guymer Harry Bolton (capt.) Sam Smith.

 

 

 

Previous Match Reports:

Tenby V Cefneithin (22/02/2010)
Tenby V Milford Haven (12/02/2010)
Tenby V Trimsaran 23/01/2010
Tenby v Betws 12/12/09
Tenby v Pembroke 20/11/2009
Tenby v Pembroke (WRU Bowl)
Tenby V Pembroke Dock 17/10/2009
Tenby V Cefneithin 10/10/2009
Tenby V Hendy 03/10/2009
Tenby V Trimsaran 26-09-09
Tenby V Pontarddulais - 19-09-09
Tenby V Tumble - 12-09-09
Tenby V Pembroke - 05-09-09