Tenby United 15 Cardigan 22

Cardigan gained another league win as they fended off a strong challenge by Tenby United at Heywood Lane.

The Cardis lead 12-10 at the break to leave the Seasiders pondering on a number of missed chances caused by a lack of confidence and over-eagerness - but the visitors held the edge after the break and scored two further tries before Tenby grabbed a late consolation score as reward for working hard with coach Gary Price and showing commitment to the club cause.

It was Tenby who made the more positive start and powerful centre Paul Luger went close with a burst down the left that was continued by Gavin Brace before Cardigan conceded a penalty and fly half Neil Powling duly pouched the three points.

The visitors lost fly half Aled Thomas, with Alun Williams coming on as a winger so Chris Liptrot could take on the pivots role and there was inevitably a period where Cardigan took time to resettle.

The Seasiders maintained the momentum and went close from another forward drive involving Paul Broaders, Simon Griffiths, Matt Cammock and skipper Nicky Allen - and a penalty which Powling drilled into the left corner.

It seemed the right platform for the first try but it went to Cardigan after Kevin Hurley had stolen the ball at the throw in, Andrew Phillips made a superb break down the middle. Captain Barry John was up in a flash to release Gareth Davies and his perfectly timed pass saw winger Johnnie Mathias skate in at the opposite left corner to round off a 90-metre move. It was a blow for Tenby but they had another chance as No 8 Justin Richards went close with a strong thrust that involved Lee Tucker, Richard Rossiter and Chris Brace.

But Cardigan again snuffed out the danger, returned to the attack and scored their second try after Chris Liptrot had twice been involved in a move that swept left.

Johnnie Mathias seemed to have beaten Dean Bowen but the Tenby last line of defence managed an ankle tap that temporarily saved the day. But Eurfyl Davies, Chris Gale and the ubiquitous Wyn Thomas set up a surge to the line to earn a scrum from which Togo Phillips picked up, brushed off a tackle and gave scrum half Eurig Lloyd the scoring pass on the blind side. Chris Liptrot added the extras to put his side 12-3 to the good.

Tenby reduced the deficit right on the interval as Powling kicked them into the right corner from a penalty and things went to plan as Broaders won the line-out to set up a drive from which prop Lee Tucker emerged with the ball for Powling to add the extras with a fine kick.

Cardigan second row Darren Morgan had been sin-binned just before the score but Cardigans 14 men made a fine start to the second half as Mike Grota ran a ball back out of defence, made a half break and quick hands did the rest as Barry John sped to the posts for Liptrot to convert.

Neil Powling missed a penalty for Tenby and Alun Williams seemed sure to score for Cardigan but was recalled for a forward pass.

But after missing a penalty chance Liptrot landed another attempt to put Cardigan into a healthy lead - and although Tenby scored a good try late on by Justin Richards it was a case of too little, too late, as Cardigan went home with their third win of the season, but with Tenby knowing that they had played well and with the prospect of a couple of experienced players joining them in the next couple of weeks.

The Tenby United sponsor was Lloyd Evans, Penally Court, while the match balls were sponsored by Derek Lloyd; Robs Disco and John Holland.