The club entertained Carmarthen Athletic last weekend on a dry, mild, slightly breezy day, with ground conditions soft, but excellent for running rugby. A large, expectant crowd assembled to see if Pembroke could reverse the result from earlier in the season, when the Athletic made Pembroke pay for their inability to make the most of their creativity. Whilst Pembroke have carved some very pleasing results in recent weeks, Athletic slipped up badly the previous weekend, frustratingly, losing to lowly St Clears at home. Both teams have the capability and personnel to play attractive rugby and so the scene was set for another battle to secure valuable League points.

Athletic started well and looked a very well drilled and organised side, with a very capable No 10 in Tom Gravell, who caught the eye of home supporters from early on, with some very good kicking out of hand. Pembroke also created short periods of pressure and worked hard to gain territory, mainly through the long boot of No 10 Smith, whilst the defences of both sides were truly tested during the early skirmishes, with Pembroke particularly having to defend very resolutely. Eventually, Pembroke forced their way upfield, forcing an error from the home defence and Toby Smith, after five minutes, promptly kicked a penalty from thirty metres for the first score of the match. The visitor’s speedy and sure handed back three proved very adept at making ground on the counter-attack and this allied to some very poor first up tackling by the home chasers, allowed the visitors to get onto the front foot and dictate passages of play and build pressure during the first twenty five minutes. Play then seesawed between the two halves, with Athletic winning the territorial battle and after twenty seven minutes of stalemate and more very good combined interplay winger Josh Watson scored the visitor’s first try, which was very ably converted by Gravell. Pembroke were desperately trying to pierce an obdurate defence, but as in previous matches some of their handling broke down at critical times, robbing them of the continuity to utilise the space and opportunities they were creating. Athletic were then awarded a penalty at the breakdown after another good passage of play involving their backs and forwards, and No 10 Gravell stepped up to slot home the kick to extend their lead. After a players get together under the posts, Pembroke changed their approach, with less attacking kicking, a determined effort to keep possession and greater use of phase play to create field position, in order to build scoring opportunities. After thirty two minutes, starting near the halfway line, the home forwards went through a number of phases and quick ball was moved right through a number of hands, before speedy centre Fraser James was put into space and he sprinted twenty five metres to score and complete a tremendous team try, which went unconverted. Athletic then lost their livewire No 7 Howells to a yellow card offence. Minutes later, after yet another bustling run from Pembroke’s No 8 Sam Smith, who drew a number of tacklers, more phase play and quick ball was adeptly moved wide to wing Shaun Dalling, who showed his pace to round defenders to dive into the corner for a well taken try (which went unconverted) to give the home side the lead for the first time, to the delight of the large home support. Soon after the referee, Richard Jones (Neath) blew up for half time, with both sides showing tiredness after a frenetic, pacey and hotly contested physical battle, which had delighted both sets of supporters. Although ahead, the home side knew they were going to need to up their game if they were to maintain a lead and get a result, but their change of tactics in the second quarter had certainly seemed to reap dividends.

The second half started much like the first, with both sides trading territory, but Pembroke seemed to have garnered confidence, began to settle to their game plan and assert a little more authority as the minutes ticked by. Both sides began to make changes early in the third quarter as the pace of the game took its toll. After forty five minutes and a period of sustained pressure, Pembroke’s No 8 Sam Smith made yet another determined charge and made ground, after which there were a number of phases and quick ball was moved through the hands just inside the visitor’s twenty two to Toby Smith, who cut a marvellous line off scrum half Tom Lewis to break tackles and crash in for a vital score, which went unconverted and extended the home lead. The home side now began to dominate play, forging more territory and putting the Athletic defence under sustained pressure. Near the end of the third quarter Athletic lost another player to a yellow card for a stupid trip of a Pembroke forward in open play. Pembroke then also lost substitute prop Jamie Kaijaks, who had made a huge impact in the short time he had been on the pitch, to a horrible finger break and dislocation, due to an accidental kick as he went to secure loose ball. Meanwhile, all of the home substitutes, which included forwards Jordan Gwilliam, Will Edwards, Jack Smythe and scrum half Rhys Cadogan, brought even more energy to their teams’ effort and similarly made a huge contribution to the continuing improvement in the last twenty five minutes, which saw Pembroke take control of the game from the tiring visitors. Seventy minutes in, after a penalty was kicked deep into the visitor’s twenty two, the home forwards secured lineout ball, produced a very effective driving maul, which centre Dan Colley joined and he found himself in possession as they drove across the line for another well deserved try; this went unconverted, but extended the lead still further. Minutes later, after another indiscretion in the loose by the visitors, No 10 Smith slotted another penalty to take the match completely away from the visitors. Athletic then lost another player to a yellow card, which effectively sealed their fate and Pembroke ran out very worthy winners by 26-10, having kept their dangerous opponents from scoring for the whole of the second half.

Pembroke’s coaches, players and supporters were highly delighted with the bonus point victory and more especially the change of tactics and level of performance from the squad in the second half, which they had dominated for long periods. The Pembroke coaches praised every player, but especially Sam Smith, who had made a large number of carries and yardage and a hugely impactful match, whilst centre Fraser James was also singled out for his magnificent defence and pace in attack. The only downside for the home side was the serious injury to prop Kaijaks, that sadly could see him require surgery and most likely, very sadly end his season. Athletic meanwhile, must have rued their yellow cards, inability to capitalise on the yardage provided by the skilful, pacey counter-attacking of their very dangerous back three in the first half and below par second half performance.

Pembroke now play Burry Port away next Saturday, KO 2.30pm. Any supporters wanting to travel on the team bus should be at the club for a 11.30am leave.

SECOND XV

The coaches are hoping to secure fixtures in the coming weeks, prior to a WRU sponsored District H second team Cup competition, which should see local clubs competing for a new Trophy during the months of February/March; fixtures are yet to be confirmed.

YOUTH

The Pembroke youngsters made the long trip north to Aberystwyth on Saturday to play a revitalised Aberystwyth Youth XV. The game began with both sides showing attacking intent and both could have scored early on; Pembroke’s best chance came from close range, when livewire scrum half, Jared Sherratt, showed good strength to reach the line only to lose possession. Aberystwyth then attacked from deep and scored a well worked try by their right winger, who touched down in the corner, the conversion was missed. After some loose kicking from the Pembroke team, Aberystwyth again put pressure on the Pembroke line and after a period of dogged defence used their bulky forwards to crash over close to the posts, this time the conversion was successful. The Pembroke lads were galvanised into action and took control. After powerful work at both scrum and lineout they were able to score a well worked try; a well timed pass from prop Liam Brunton putting strong flanker Dewi Roberts over in the corner, Kyran Gray took the difficult conversion from wide out, but was unsuccessful. Pembroke immediately scored again through good combined handling skills from forwards and backs, which enabled skipper “JJ” Jones to storm over the line near the posts; the conversion, by Gray, was successful, leaving the score at half time at an interesting 12 – 12, with both sides capable of claiming a win.

Due to an arm injury to Dewi Roberts Pembroke were forced to make a change at the break, allowing debutant back rower Evan Sheldon to slot seamlessly into the team. Pembroke were first to score after the break, when good work by winger Morgan Owens and fullback Aaron O’Neill allowed opposite winger Joe Watkins to show his paces and dive on the ball to score, after the kick ahead; unfortunately Gray missed the the conversion. In this see-sawing match, Aberystwyth came right back at Pembroke and scored again wide out despite a tremendous covering tackle of Tommy John, who was unlucky not to save the try. The conversion was missed, keeping the score at a tie. With the Aber lads tiring, Pembroke gained control and the ‘front five’ of Evan Philips, Shane Gwyther, Liam Brunton, Josh Axon and Jon ‘Judo’ Wood starting to dominate affairs. After a period of sustained pressure and strong running from the back row unit of Theo Davies, Tommy John and Evan Sheldon resulted in replacement prop Dan ‘LJ’ Grove diving over under the Aber posts to complete a marvellous team try, which was converted by Gray to give the visitors the lead for the first time. Pembroke again applied pressure from the restart and after a strong running from speedy centre Tom O’Neill, the Aber forwards were penalised within kicking distance and Gray very ably slotted it over to extend the lead was successful. For the remaining period of the game the Aber youngsters showed great intent, but were held out by the determined Pembroke defence, who although down to 13 players, after two yellow cards, were intent on protecting their lead. Eventually, the referee blew and the exhausted but jubilant Pembroke youngsters returned home with the ‘laurels’ after a very entertaining, hard fought, and totally enthralling match, between two committed and skilful sides.

The Pembroke lads would like to express special thanks to Alex and Rachel Sherratt, who stepped in at last minute to assist the coaches with the medical bag. 

Pembroke’s next fixture is Tenby away in the play off, Cup competition on 19th January, KO 2.30pm.

JUNIOR SECTION

The whole section will resume fixtures this coming weekend after a well earned rest for coaches and players over the festive break. The Junior Committee’s planning for their hosting of the County Junior Finals day on Sunday May 5th is continuing and the club looks forward to providing the platform for this marvellous window on junior talent across our District. More details about this day will emerge as the season transpires.

WOMEN’S SECTION

The ladies are hoping to secure fixtures in the coming weeks and get their season’s friendlies under way. Anyone wanting to join the section should get the contact details for the Women’s Committee from the noticeboard inside the clubhouse and come along to training under their three qualified coaches.