On a remarkable day in the Gwendraeth valley at sunny, but cold Pontyberem, Pembroke achieved an historic second, consecutive League promotion, which will see them perform in Division 1 West against Whitland and Crymych amongst others, who they will now play for the very first time after many years. Amidst jubilant post-match scenes, the ecstatic squad celebrated their success alongside equally joyous families, team’s coaches and the huge, loyal travelling support that had spilled onto the pitch.

The home team had laid on a very warm reception and generous hospitality for the Pembroke Committee and supporters before the game, in response to the welcome they had received on their visit to Crickmarren. The day was set fair, the pitch in great condition, both squads had prepared very thoroughly and decided on their strategy in readiness for this titanic battle, which could provide the points for either to achieve their goal of League promotion. Whilst having great respect for each other, after an exciting encounter in Pembroke earlier in the season, which resulted in a fully deserved win for Pontyberem, both were fully aware of the significance of the result for their respective clubs. The tense look on the faces of both teams as they took the field, reflected each other’s awareness of the situation and determination to secure the win, in a winner takes all game.

In a very convivial, yet tense atmosphere, both sets of coaches greeted one another before the warm ups started. Pembroke were at full strength, whilst Pont had made a few positional changes, but were also almost at full strength, as they took the field in front of Pont’s largest and most vociferous crowd of the season, which had been swelled by the huge Pembroke support. Nigel Owens and Geraint John (WRU Community Rugby Officer) were also present to witness this battle, whilst experienced referee Darren Randall of Llanelli had been appointed to officiate.

The initial exchanges saw both sides impact on each other’s territory and the packs battle to secure early dominance at the set piece; in the previous match Pont had disrupted Pembroke’s scrum and lineout, and so the visitors knew they had to be faultless in these aspects of their game if they were to secure good quality first phase possession. The early scrums saw Pont’s heavier pack establish a slight advantage, but the visitors showed that they had learned from the previous encounter and settled to their task. After five minutes, during a foray into the Pembroke half, the visitors transgressed in the loose and centre Mike Sauro stepped up to slot an early penalty. Minutes later, young Pembroke full back Tom Harding Jones fielded a clearance kick on his own ten metre line, made ground and his forwards produced some quick phase ball, which was moved quickly left, a huge cut out pass from No 10 Toby Smith to centre Jack Parkinson saw him make ground before some adept inter-passing between Tom Lewis and skipper Scott Powell put flanker Jack Smyth in for a marvellous try, which was ably converted by Toby Smith. This seemed to invigorate the visitors and four minutes later, phase ball in midfield was booted deep into the home twenty two, which lead to a Pembroke lineout after a poor clearance kick; the Pembroke forwards gained possession, fed Toby Smith, who put in a deft chip kick into the left corner, where Smyth was able to pick up loose ball to run in unopposed for his and the visitor’s second, converted try, to rapturous applause. With their tails up, Pembroke maintained their strategy of moving the ball wide; after sixteen minutes Pembroke secured possession under their own posts after a Pont attack, Smith cleared, the ball was regained at the breakdown on half way was moved wide left and another long cut out pass from Smith gave winger Lewys Gibby an opportunity to show his skills and speed, as he cut past a few flat footed defenders to cross for a marvellously exciting score, which Smith very ably converted from wide. Thus leaving a bemused Pont 21-3 down. However, in the dying minutes of the first quarter, Pont mounted a concerted attack through their industrious forwards, who eventually won a scrum in visitor’s twenty two. After repeated pick and drive tactics and some heroic Pembroke defence, Pont secured possession and after some good handling, experienced No 8 Wayne Williams crashed over for an unconverted try, to leave the home side trailing 8-21 at the end of a fraught and frenetic first quarter. Minutes later, Pembroke’s Smith, landed a superb forty five metre penalty to extend his team’s lead. Pont’s backs rarely ran out of defence, preferring to kick for position, but this was providing the very dangerous Pembroke back three of Harding Jones, Gibby and Hartland with opportunities to counter attack; whilst No 10 Smith was kicking very well for position to keep his team on the front foot. Pont then seemed to rally in the second quarter and began to build pressure through their forwards, putting the Pembroke defence under increasing strain. Pont centre Mike Sauro then made a dramatic interception on the half way line, as Pembroke mounted an attack; when a try seemed inevitable and to the astonishment of both sets of supporters and the admiration of his own, left winger Gibby made a remarkable fifty metre dash to tackle Sauro just short of the line, dislodge and secure the ball to provide time for his forwards to assist and clear their line. The game continued to see saw, but Pont were now gaining momentum and putting the Pembroke defence under ever increasing pressure. Repeated Pont attacks were repelled; on one visit to the visitor’s twenty two late in the half, when quick ball from the loose would have seen an inevitable score, Pembroke denied them and this was the case on a number of other occasions too. This frenetic, tense and exciting half ended with the visitor’s with a well deserved lead at 8-24.

Pontyberem started the second half determined to make a statement and continued to exert pressure on their opponents line. Only three minutes in and a concerted pick and drive attack by the highly motivated Pont pack ended when the referee adjudged a very disappointed Pont player to have been held up over the line. A similar attack minutes later, resulted in the same outcome. Pont were now in the driving seat with their heavier pack were really creating serious pressure against obdurate Pembroke defence. However, eventually after yet more similar offensive play, prop Matthew Lloyd was put in space after some good handling and he crashed over to noisy scenes amongst the home support; the try was converted by Sauro. Soon after Pont were awarded a penalty forty two metres out in front of the posts, but Sauro failed to convert. Pont were in charge throughout the start of the third quarter, whilst Pembroke were forced to defend for long periods. Then ten minutes into the half, Pembroke moved the ball from a lineout, went through a number of phases, quick ball was fed to centre Parkinson on an angled run, he made ground and fed winger Gibby, who scooped up the ball, swivelled and ran twenty metres to score an unconverted try, to scenes of delirium amongst the Pembroke coaching team and substitutes. Pembroke then made the cardinal sin of providing Pont with a soft opportunity to score, after failing to secure the immediate kick off, the home forwards picked up loose ball, fed centre Sauro, who made ground to feed his lock Rosser in support to crash over for an unconverted try, to the total dismay of all Pembroke players and supporters. Minutes later Pont were on the attack again and this time excellent interplay between forwards and backs put No 8 Williams into the corner for another unconverted try, to bring Pont within four points at 25-29, to the delight of their supporters. The game had now entered a really tense, nervy and exciting phase, with both sides sniffing the opportunity to snatch a victory, they made a number of changes to bring on fresh legs. Pembroke, after having been under intense pressure for most of the half, now took control for a good period, with their forwards retaining possession through a concerted pick and drive campaign, which saw them go deep into Pont territory. Eventually after thirty two minutes, these tactics yielded Pembroke an opportunity; the visitor’s forwards went through a couple of phases, good offloads from forwards and backs, with substitute Jordan Gwilliam putting centre Dan Colley through unopposed, under the posts. Smith converted to the rapturous delight of everyone from the Pembroke club. With seven minutes still remaining and two scores to the good, the Pembroke squad knew they had to maintain their focus. Pont came back on the attack straight away, winning a five metre penalty and electing to scrummage; only a huge effort from the Pembroke eight near their own line, which saw the Pont pack retreat for only one of a few occasions in this match, allowed Pembroke to deny them another opportunity to score and clear the ball into the home half. Pont kept up the pressure and Pembroke were repeatedly able to deny them through totally committed defence. Pembroke then failed to convert a late penalty kick, before referee Randall called a halt to play, leaving Pembroke deserved victors by 25-36, in what had been an epic encounter. Delirious scenes of unbridled joy followed, which saw Pembroke’s players celebrating a famous win with their ecstatic coaching group, families and friends, and supporters, whilst the coaches on both sides congratulated each other on a pulsating match, described later by both Geraint John and Nigel Owens as a “tremendous advert for community rugby, played in great spirit.”

Independent Joe from Deadballine named Lewys Gibby as his Man of the Match for his “epic” try saving tackle in the first half (see the picture); whilst the Pembroke coaches were effusive about the effort of their whole squad, the impact of the bench yet again and their joy at such a fabulous victory, against a very accomplished Pontyberem side, who had given their all in a truly memorable match. The Pont coaches very respectfully and magnanimously congratulated the Pembroke squad and coaches on their victory, whilst praising their own squad for their tremendous performance.

Everyone then returned to the home clubhouse for yet more superb hospitality, giving the Pembroke squad and their coaches a chance to reflect on what they had achieved. The disappointed Pont Chairman thanked everyone involved in the day, which he said was one of the most memorable in his time at the club, for all of the right reasons. The squad and supporters then enjoyed further celebrations at their usual stop at the Fox & Hounds in Bancyfelin, before returning to their home club to complete a marvellous evening.

Pembroke now play their final League fixture away to St Clears on Saturday April 27th, KO 2.30pm. A list is up in the club for a supporter’s bus, names must be there by Tuesday before, when a decision on its viability will be made, so people should contact the club to confirm if it will be available. There will be a celebration of the season at the clubhouse starting at approximately 8- 8.30pm, when the squad returns.

SECOND XV

The “Tigers” are due to play ST DAVIDS away tomorrow April 20th, KO 2.30pm, for the first ever playing of the “WILLINGTON SLATE TROPHY”, which is to be played for annually between the clubs, in memory of Pembroke ex-player Gareth “Spike” Willington and his son Daniel, who tragically died whilst fishing professionally in their vessel “THE HARVESTER” in April 2016. We hope to see a large support for the family and friends of the pair on the day. Spike’s mother and sister will be organising a Raffle on the day and all proceeds will be donated to the Fisherman’s Mission (Milford Haven) along with a large donation of £200+ from the St Davids club that has already been collected. The Willington family are extremely grateful to both clubs for their support in agreeing to play this match annually in memory of their loved ones. BBC SCRUM V has indicated to the club that they will be airing a piece about this match on their programme on Sunday April 21st.

YOUTH

Pembroke Youth welcomed a strong Narberth side to Crickmarren on Saturday in the semi-final of the Pembrokeshire Youth Cup.

Narberth began the game well and with a very strong wind at their backs and dominated early proceedings, with the Pembroke youngsters struggling to clear their lines as kicking from hand was near impossible in the windy conditions. Eventually, Narberth’s burly inside centre brushed off several tacklers to charge over the Pembroke line for an unconverted try to open the scoring. Another try followed in quick succession for the visitors, when they utilised their powerful runners after Pembroke had lost possession from a twenty two drop out; the try went unconverted. The depleted Pembroke squad, clawed their way back into the game and retained possession well for short periods, with hooker Shane Gwyther, makeshift prop Jack Mallitte and No. 8 Theo Davies making strong runs into their opponents half. Pembroke really needed to score during this period to build confidence, but resolute defending by Narberth held them out. After some good approach work by industrious lock forward Leon Stewart, the Pembroke backs moved the ball fluently and returning winger John Smith was hustled into touch right on the corner flag; from the resulting lineout Narberth were able to clear their lines. Another good move involving Pembroke’s backs and forwards, resulted in fullback Harry Turner being held up just short of the line by the scrambling Narberth defence. At half time the Pembroke lads were well in the game and believed that with the wind behind them, they could gain more momentum and upset their rivals.

However, Pembroke’s hopes were soon dashed, when in the first five minutes of the second half Narberth’s heavier forwards and forceful backs began to dominate play and they combined very well to score two quick tries with excellent off-loading from their aggressive forwards; both went unconverted. The day got worse for Pembroke when speedy winger Joe Watkins had to retire with a shoulder injury. The Narberth forward domination continued, whilst the Pembroke lads began to tire under the weight of their defensive work. Narberth then forged another position and added a further try under the posts to take them clear at 31 – 0. Narberth then added to further two tries, when from successive five metre lineouts they used their beefy pack to surge over the line, only one conversion was successful. The plucky Pembroke lads continued to fight to the end and got their just rewards, when scrum half Jared Sherratt spotted a gap on the blind side and showed good pace before passing to the supporting flanker Tommy John, who spun away from one tackler before touching down. Sherratt was successful with the touchdown. This was the final score of the game and left the Pembroke lads reflecting on what could have been if the chances in the first half had been taken.

Narberth now play Crymych in the final, which is to be played on 3rd May at Haverfordwest RFC, kick off at 7pm.

Pembroke coaches would like to say farewell, a huge thank you and good luck in their senior careers to three of the lads, Tommy John, Tom O’Neill and Jack Mallitte, who had played their last youth games.

The Youth are due to play their other semi-final, in the U18s Griffiths Cup against Tenby at home, on Wednesday evening of next week, KO between 6.30-7pm, supporters should ring the club in the days before to have the time confirmed as at time of printing this had not been confirmed.

JUNIOR SECTION

The Under 9s squad had a hugely enjoyable and memorable day at Scarlets last weekend, when they played at half time on the main pitch during the interval of the Zebre PRO14 match. All of their players performed well and enjoyed the experience.

A number of the squads were playing in Cup semi finals during the last weekend; sadly the U16s and U15s were unsuccessful, whilst the U12s and U13s were successful and will now play in Finals Day at our club on Sunday May 5th. Well done to all age groups, as the club is very proud of all of you. The line up for Finals Day age group matches is as follows:

U7 Quins v St Davids, U8 Fishguard v Neyland, U9 Milford v Neyland, U10 Tenby v H’West, U11 Narberth v Neyalnd, U12 Pembroke v H’West, U13 H’West v Pembroke, U14 Whitland v Narberth, U15 Cardigan v Fishguard, U16 Crymych v Aberystwyth.

Matches on May 5th will start at approximately 11am. There will be additional parking available outside the club’s normal car parking areas, whilst we ask visitors to park carefully and thoughtfully to maximise access, freedom of movement and space inside the ground throughout what will be a very busy day. Entry on the day will be £3, which buys a programme with full details of all matches and the squads involved. The Club wishes in advance to thank all of its Junior section committee and many volunteers for their work in organising and facilitating the day, the many generous sponsors who have underwritten the hospitality for everyone and we hope that the weather remains fine to allow the players to express themselves fully and all visitors to have a thoroughly enjoyable day.