With a fifty percent win rate in the League from their first four matches, the squad travelled to Penclawdd for another tough assignment against the present League leaders. Pembroke were almost at full strength and included their new prop signing Jamie Kaijaks on a very strong bench, whilst their opponents were in a similar position after their very positive start to the season.

Pembroke started very well and established a solid advantage at the set piece, which provided a string of early ball for their backs to exploit. After maintaining early pressure on the home line and following a strong scrum close to the Penclawdd line, Sam Smith picked up and crashed over to give the visitors an early lead. Soon after, the visitors to their bemusement, had what they thought was a perfectly good try from a lineout and driving maul, disallowed by the referee, after another period of good pressure. The home side then kicked a penalty to get on the scoreboard. Pembroke’s solid start was then undone as the home side’s backs pressurised the Pembroke line and managed to snaffle two consecutive interception tries in a short space of time, which swung the momentum their way and as their confidence increased so Pembroke seemed to go into their shell and loose the self belief and energy that they had demonstrated during the first quarter. The visitor’s lineout had come under severe pressure and the home side took advantage of this extra possession to maintain pressure on their opposition for the rest of the half, to finish a creditable 25-5 lead at the break, with the visitor’s coaches, players and supporters very disappointed after their good early showing.

Both sides made changes at the break and the Pembroke forwards substitutes particularly had an immediate and positive impact on the game, which gave the visitor’s set piece and loose play even more go forward. However, the home side defended very tenaciously and were forced to work really hard up front against a resurgent Pembroke pack. Some of the visitor’s play however lacked coherence at times and chances were squandered at times. The Pembroke pack created a lot of possession and opportunities that allowed Sam Smith to score a further two tries from close in to raise the hopes of his players and supporters. Substitute No 10 James Davies, who came on at half time, soon after his forwards had provided a position and from a quickly taken tap penalty he scored a well taken try to bring the score to 39-24. Penclawdd then cynically, it seemed after they had been under seriously sustained pressure in this department, went uncontested at the scrum and took away the visitor’s superiority at the set piece. However, the Pembroke pack continued to make some inroads in the loose and their momentum allowed substitute lock Dom Coleman to find some space close in to crash over for the visitor’s fifth try. Pembroke defended well, but the home side then scored two tries against the run of play from their own twenty two area, which took the wind out of the visitor’s sails and sealed their victory late in the half, by 51-29.

Although bitterly disappointed to lose, Pembroke’s coaches were very pleased with the team’s overall performance, especially in the second half, when they showed glimpses of their potential. The Penclawdd back three had posed a threat all game and were the istigators of the team’s win. However, the Pembroke players and coaches accept that their strike rate in finishing off the many opportunities they are creating and a big reduction of the error rate are paramount, if they are to keep themselves in the top half of this tough division.

The squad will now take on Tumble at home next weekend, KO 2.30pm. Tumble, have had a mixed start to their season and are in the bottom half of the table. Consequently, Pembroke’s coaches and squad will hope to return to winning ways next Saturday.

SECOND XV

The “Tigers” travelled to take on Llangwm’s First XV in the first leg of the Palmer Cup, which maintains the link between these old rivals. The Pembroke group were shorn of a few players because of injuries and late call ups to the senior side, and played with a number of breakaway forwards in their backline. Llangwm meanwhile, under new coach Bruce Evans, were at near full strength and eagerly awaiting a chance to forge a lead in this Cup contest. The match was played in beautifully calm, balmy autumnal weather on a lush surface.

The match started at breakneck pace and both teams tested each other’s defensive resolve from the outset, with play seesawing into both halves. Then after fifteen minutes, Pembroke’s No 10 Rhys Johns scored first for the visitors, after confident approach work by his forwards released quick ball, which he snapped up and drove over into the right hand corner from ten metres. Pembroke’s determined defence kept the home team at bay for the first quarter, but then Llangwm’s forwards took charge for the rest of the half, producing a long string of excellent possession, which their eager backs took full advantage on the front foot. Llangwm were awarded a penalty at the start of the second quarter and conerted to kick start their scoring effort. Soon after good combined work from the home forwards and backs yielded three well taken tries from open play, which saw them establish a deserved 22-5 lead at the break.

Pembroke were under the cosh for the majority of the second half and a number of unfortunate, serious injuries robbed them of a number of key personnel. Llangwm sensed their chance and seemed determined to keep their foot on the accelerator, something according to their coach, they had not been accustomed to in League matches, where they were invariably the team under immense pressure. Llangwm produced some very good passages of play and lots of pressure on the tiring Pembroke defence as the game progressed; eventually the constant pressure told and the home side ran in three more well deserved tries to take them well clear. Pembroke to their credit were not to be out done and very late in the half, Rhys Johns popped up again to score the final try of this very entertaining encounter, leaving the final score at 43-10 to the home side.

Pembroke’s coaches praised the home team for their performance, whilst congratulating their own squad, who had given of their best despite the string of injuries that had disrupted their plans. The team do not have a fixture next weekend, but hope to be back in action on October 20th at home.

YOUTH XV

Pembroke Youth returned to league fixtures on Saturday welcoming Milford Haven to Crickmarren. Due to a mix up with appointed referee the kick off for the match was delayed for some time. Both clubs would like to thank Mr. Kenny Davies who stepped in last minute to ensure the match could go ahead.

The match began well for Pembroke and after concerted drives by the forwards young loose head prop Evan Phillips crashed over to take a 5 – 0 lead. The conversion was missed. After this try Pembroke tight head prop Liam Brunton sustained a nasty injury to his knee and was replaced by Dan Grove. Pembroke continued to dominate the forward exchanges and after good approach work by centre James Jones, exerted a long period of pressure in the Milford twenty two, which resulted in hooker Shane Gwyther scoring close to the posts, the conversion was added by Kyran Gray; 12 – 0 to Pembroke. A further try was added when from a lineout just outside the Milford twenty two, the Pembroke backs produced a lovely move, which resulted in pacey winger Joe Watkins bursting through to touch down out wide. The conversion was missed, 17 – 0 to Pembroke at half time.

The second half continued as the first with Pembroke forwards to the fore, with skipper Billy Kinnear and back rower Tommy John making strong inroads into the opposition midfield well supported by Josh Axon, Jonathan Wood and Theo Davies. After good work on the left wing by Med Lebritton-Booth, Pembroke again set up camp in the Milford last quarter and again after good patience Evan Phillips showed great strength to power over the line for his second try, again the conversion was missed; 22 – 0 to Pembroke.

Pembroke now attempted to play a more expansive game but far too often obvious overlaps were wasted and players ran back into traffic. As the Milford youngsters, who had defended with great determination, began to tire Pembroke scored a further try when a 5 metre lineout was held up just short No. 8 Billy Kinnear picked up and scored a well deserved try; 27 – 0 to Pembroke. Then from the kick off, strong surging runs from Shane Gwyther and Billy Kinnear put the Pembroke team under the Milford posts, quick ball and good hands from half backs Jared Sherratt, Kyran Gray and centre Tom O’Neill put winger Aaron O’Neill over in the corner for an excellent try; 32 – 0 to Pembroke. This proved to be virtually the last action of a very well contested match as one of the Milford players injured his neck and it was agreed to complete the game a few minutes early, because he required medical attention. The lad was taken directly to Glangwilli Hospital. The good news is that he suffered a badly bruised neck and strained ligaments in his shoulder but hopes to be back in action after a few weeks recovery.

Pembroke’s next fixture is a tough one home to Crymych tomorrow, 13th October. 

UNDER 17s

Last Sunday morning, the club’s age group entertained Ennis RFC (County Clare) Under 17s, on a beautiful autumnal day, with excellent dry, ground conditions for both teams to exploit.

The visiting squad we were told had been together since a very young age and had been very successful throughout their regional competitions over many years; they had won their U16 Munster regional final at the end of the previous season, which had provided an opportunity to play in the All Ireland semi-final, where they lost narrowly. Prior to the game, the home coaches and players could see that the Ennis squad contained a large number of very large athletic, physically mature forwards and they were told that a number of both their forwards and backs were presently part of the Munster regional U 18s squad. Ennis had played Bryngwyn School (Llanelli) the day before and recorded a big win. Consequently, with the majority of the home side being sixteen years old or younger, the home coaches knew the squad would be in for a very challenging match.

The game turned out to be a huge spectacle in front of a large crowd, with ninety six points scored in total, from some very exciting and enterprising play by both sides, who demonstrated real ambition at all times throughout the entire match. Ennis started with their strongest team and put the home side under severe pressure from the start, scoring their first try after four minutes, when their very polished No 10 Tony Butler, put in a marvellously weighted cross kick for his wing to pick up and feed centre Seanie Keane to run in for an unconverted try from twenty metres. Minutes later, strong running centre Brian Crowley Hayes picked up loose ball in the final quarter, after an attempted clearance kick was charged down and he scored a converted try. Ennis maintained their pressure and minutes later, after good handling from both forwards and backs, prop Hope McCarthy was put into space and he scored a converted try. Right at the end of the first quarter, Ennis’s pack created good ball, their No 10 put in a beautiful cross kick, which full back Colum Kearney caught to drop over for another unconverted try. Whilst the home team were putting up some stern defence, they showed some real ambition in creating a number of opportunities of their own, but some poor handling at critical moments and obdurate Ennis defence kept them at bay. In the second quarter Ennis maintained their momentum and scored another three well crafted tries, with pacey, left wing Sean McGrath running in from thirty metres after good work from his forwards, scrum half Ethan Coughlin looping round his forwards to score wide out and their very talented No 10 Butler scoring the pick of these tries from his own twenty two, after a great show and go provided space for him to demonstrate his amazing balance and acceleration, which took him the length of the field for a classy individual score to leave the tourists deservedly 0-41 up at the break.

Both teams made changes at the break, with Ennis taking off their more experienced and talented players in order to involve all of their large, eager squad. The half witnessed lots more action and ambition from both sides, with the home players rallying and producing some exhilarating play of their own. Pembroke immediately pushed deep into Ennis territory live wire centre Harvey Oakley, after good interplay from his forwards and backs, picked up loose ball to run in from 25m, the try was converted by scrum half Matt Lewis. Minutes later, a miss timed pass in the home midfield was intercepted by the Ennis No 12 Keane, who ran in unopposed. Pembroke responded immediately, when centre Oakley seized on more loose ball twenty five metres out and ran in for an excellent opportunist score. The home side were still having to work very hard in defence at times, but the scores seemed to galvanise them and increase their confidence. Within the next fifteen minutes they scored another three unanswered tries. Firstly, centre Dillon Prestcott was cleverly put in space after a planned midfield move provided an avenue to score under the posts, secondly, Prestcott got a second after speedy full back Coby Thomas made a tremendous break out from his own twenty two, to feed his forwards and backs who combined really well to allow Prestcott to score; thirdly after a few more personnel changes by the home side and two very good carries by fellow prop Evan Phillips, live wire prop Eljay Taylor (who had already made some very good carries) who powered his way through a sprawling defence. The home side were now sensing a real change in fortunes and continued to pressurise, whilst holding out their opponent’s attempts to score for a long period. With the home side improving their score, Ennis brought back on a number of their players and they had an immediate impact, scoring a further three well deserved tries instigated by their very talented No 10 Butler, who scored the first after a scintillating break from half way to score a superb personal effort; then after good work by his forwards, he produced another pinpoint cross kick for his wing to drop over the line and finally he worked a position for his forwards to score just before the final whistle, in a breath taking last quarter, which had witnessed a superb home fight back to take the second half honours by 33pts to 22pts, but left the visitors worthy winners by 33-63.

Home forwards Dewi Roberts, Evan Sheldon, Eljay Taylor and Evan Phillips were the pick of the hard working home pack, who had had to work exceptionally hard against a larger, more mature and experienced group, whilst the whole back line were praised by the coaches for their work ethic, ambition, creativity, tenacious tackling, resilience and never die attitude, which had yielded their scoring victory in the second half; the home coaches also paid tribute to the marvellously exciting, talented Ennis squad and more especially the very polished performances of their exceptionally talented half backs, who had controlled the bulk of the match for their side. In reply, the Ennis management team paid their tribute to the home squad, who they thought had proved a tenacious, talented, skilled and determined group, who had given them a few jitters in the second half, despite their lead and eventual final score. Meanwhile the large crowd showed their appreciation, by applauding both sides off the field after what many regarded as a highly entertaining match.

After the game the usual formal pleasantries and club memorabilia were exchanged and the players tucked into their well earned, customary, generous hospitality. It was very interesting to hear that the Ennis No 8, 9 and 10, although only just sixteen, were presently the holders of those positions in the current Munster U18s team on merit, whilst No 10 Butler was also being targeted for international recognition. The Pembroke coaches and players wished the Ennis squad every success in the future prior to their departure.

JUNIOR AGE GROUPS

The Junior age groups had another full matrix of matches last weekend.

MONTHLY 150+ CLUB DRAW WINNER

Congratulations to ALEX SHERRATT on winning September’s £500 PRIZE.

QUIZ NIGHT DATES

The club’s general knowledge quiz nights are as follows for the coming winter months; October 26th, December 7th, February 15th. All are on Fridays, starting at 7.15pm, everyone is welcome to come along and make up teams of 4-6, a small entry fee is charged per head to cover the light refreshments provided and all Raffle proceeds will now go towards a Defibrillator Machine for the clubhouse.

EGM NOTICE

On Thursday October 25th, at 7.30pm, an EGM will take place, which all members are invited to attend. This meeting has been called by the Management Committee in order to inform members and ask them to vote on and confirm the final stages of the Incorporation process, which will see the club change its status and become a Limited Company. Officers of the Management Committee have been working on this for some time and see this as the best way of protecting the whole club for future generations.

RUGBY CLUB CHAPLAINCY

Mr Norman “Butch” Gilbert has agreed to act as the Club’s Chaplain in years to come, his role will be to provide pastoral support to anyone attached to the club should this be required. The Management Committee would like to thank him for taking on this important role.