FIRST XV

As always when Pembroke play the Quins in the local derby, there is tangible tension and expectation around both camps, because no matter where the teams are in their season, these eagerly anticipated encounters are contested as one-off, cup matches.

Pembroke came into this match, the first leg for the Eric Brown Cup, after an emphatic win at home to Neyland, whilst the young Quins squad had achieved a creditable result, but nevertheless suffered a loss at Cardigan.

The game was played in warm, overcast and slightly breezy conditions on a very good surface, in front of a healthy, very partisan crowd.

This season the Quins have a young squad with a sprinkling of older experienced individuals forming a determined group, who will on this showing become a force to reckon with in the future.

Pembroke, meanwhile, after a run of tough matches looked a well-drilled, fit and confident outfit, who after a slow start commanded large portions of the match.

The Quins started very strongly and after an early stalemate, with both sides testing each other’s defences, forced the first score of the match. The Quins forwards forced their way deep into the visitors’ territory, gathered loose ball, forced a ruck, which yielded quick ball to their scrum-half Bradley James, who fed number 10 Jake Griffiths as he cut a great line to crash over, to a rapturous reception from home supporters; the try was converted.

The Quins had dominated the first quarter in terms of territory, but the score seemed to galvanise the visitors, who then began to put together some good phases of play. After 25 minutes, repeated phases started on the halfway line, Dom Coleman charged in midfield and from the resulting ruck, scrum-half Tom Lewis fed Sam Smith, who crashed over for an unconverted try.

Minutes later, again from a halfway scrum, Pembroke’s number eight fed his scrum-half, who passed on to winger Elliott Evans (who had a very good all round game), who raced 30 metres, forced a ruck and the resulting quick ball was picked up by Tom Lewis, who fed Pembroke centre Coleman to crash over for another unconverted try.

The visitors now began to exert concerted pressure on a determined Quins defence and after 34 minutes, from a Quins clearance kick, winger Evans again gathered and made good ground before forcing a ruck, from which centre Toby Smith cut a good line to make yards, before feeding his charging skipper Scott Powell, who weaved across the line for a very well worked try, that was converted by fullback Luke Hartand.

Then, just to rub salt in these wounds, from the Quins kick-off, Pembroke flanker Jordan Evans fielded the ball, made good yardage, fed Toby Smith, who gave a long pass to winger Barry Alderman John, which sent him clear to sprint 35 metres to score an unconverted try wide left.

Almost on half-time, Quins lost skipper Doyle to a yellow card for unnecessary chat. From the resulting penalty kick and lineout deep into the home half, flanker Jordan Gwilliam leapt high to give his team possession, which was moved wide to Coleman, who charged on and fed Sam Smith, who barrelled his way over through a crowded defence for a try converted by Hartland, leaving the half-time score at 7-29, to the delight of the visiting players and their supporters.

Minutes after the resumption, Quins, who had been stung into action after a second quarter dominated by the visitors, were awarded a penalty try, after Pembroke’s centre Coleman was deemed to have high tackled their left winger as he made a last-ditch tackle to snuff out what would have been an excellent Quins attack.

Pembroke then dominated possession and territory for the bulk of the second half and applied huge pressure, which was repelled on a number of occasions by determined Quins defence.

Inevitably, after 15 minutes, from a scrum close to the Quins line, Sam Smith picked up and crashed over for a well-taken, unconverted try.

Pembroke then made changes and used their whole bench; fresh legs invigorated the team still further and after 37 minutes, after persistent pressure from the visitors’ forwards, flanker Billy Woods was fed near the line and crashed over for the final, converted Pembroke try.

Quins, however, mounted a late surge, but were kept at bay by an equally determined Pembroke defence; leaving the final score a deserved win to the visitors by 14-41, in front of a large, appreciative crowd.

Both coaches were equally effusive about the efforts and determination of their respective squads and home supporters had been especially pleased to see their young, inexperienced squad perform so creditably against a well-drilled, commited and skilful Pembroke outfit.

Jake Griffiths was named Quins man-of-the-match, whilst the Pembroke players chose flanker Jordan Gwilliam as theirs.

Tomorrow (Saturday) sees the First XV playing in Haverfordwest in the first round of the WRU Bowl competition, kick-off 2.30 pm.

SECOND XV

Last Wednesday the ‘Tigers’ (as they like to call themselves) entertained a very strong Narberth XV made up of players from a number of clubs. The coaches had agreed to use all of their squads and this led to a very entertaining game, despite the final score suggesting it was a one-sided affair.

The floodlights had to be turned on quite early, but the playing conditions were dry, cool, with only a slight breeze.

Both teams signalled from very early, that they were going to throw the ball around and so each tested their opponents defence from the off. Pembroke started the scoring, after their forwards secured possession from a lineout, went through the phases near the visitors’ line, for flanker Rhodri Waters to pick up and crash over for a well-worked, unconverted try.

Pembroke continued to do well throughout the first quarter, but Narberth, after a shaky start, began to get more organised. Then after 21 minutes, from an attacking scrum on the home 22, Narberth moved the ball right, put it through the hands for their number eight to cut an acute angle and crash over for a deserved, converted try under the posts.

Pembroke’s pack were showing some dominance at the set-piece, but failed to convert some good field positions. Then after 32 minutes, from loose play, the visitors’ dangerous backs moved it wide left and their centre again cut a good angle, which took him through the defence and over for a converted try.

Soon after, Narberth repeated the feat, by picking up loose ball and quickly taking it wide for their wing to run over for another converted try, leaving the half-time score at 5-21 to the visitors.

During the break, Pembroke were left to reflect on their inability to capitalise on their opportunities, but after a stern word from the coaches and some changes of personnel, they made a very good start to the second half, scoring after three minutes when, from a period of sustained pressure, some excellent mauling set up prop Jamie Brayford to crash over in the corner for a well-deserved, unconverted try.

Two minutes later, Narberth went through the phases, covering a lot of ground, then released their number eight, who weaved past a number of defenders to score a clever, converted try, wide left.

This try seemed to invigorate the visitors, who realised that quick ball from repeated phases moved wide was a means of unlocking the home defence.

Five minutes later, they went through the phases from 40 metres out and after some excellent speedy, interplay, released their number seven and captain, who crashed over for another converted try.

Just before the end of the third quarter came the pick of the visitors’ tries, scored by their scrum-half, who picked up loose ball in his own 22, outpaced a few defenders, kicked ahead and raced to scoop up to score a magnificent individual effort wide out right; the try was converted.

Pembroke retaliated a few minutes later when, gaining possession on the halfway line, they went through the phases, second row Will Edwards picked up and fed winger Darcy Langston, who weaved his way past defenders to score an unconverted try wide left.

This proved to be the home side’s final score, despite a number of forays deep into their opponents’ half throughout the remainder of the last quarter.

For the remainder of the game, the visitors adopted a policy of running at pace from all over the pitch, which proved too much for a tiring home defence and this brought them a further four, converted tries, which were all the result of some excellent handling and off-loading at pace; the scorers were their number eight, centre, prop and number seven.

The final score was 15-70, but despite this gap, both sides had acquitted themselves very well in what had proved a very entertaining affair for the large crowd, who were equally appreciative of both squads.

The squad takes on Haverfordwest at home on Saturday, kick-off 2.30 pm.

YOUTH XV

The young home Youth squad entertained a strong Narberth outfit at home last Saturday, in warm, overcast, slightly breezy conditions on a superb surface.

Pembroke came into the game off a very enthusiastic, determined performance at Haverfordwest, where they demonstrated an excellent team spirit.

Both teams from the start signalled their intent to play an open, adventurous style of rugby. Narberth proved the more potent force in the first half scoring tries, whilst the home side could only manage one penalty before the break.

Pembroke, however, bounced back and started the second half very strongly, testing the visitors’ resolute defence. Narberth counter-attacked and were the next to score a try, before Pembroke mounted a concerted attack to score one of their own, after good work from the forwards, allowed Tom O’Neill to put his skipper Tom Harding Jones into a gap, which allowed him to weave his way past a number of defenders for a very good try.

The game ended with a deserved Narberth win 10-29, which as the Pembroke coaches acknowledged was a fair reflection of the performances of both teams.

This Saturday the Youth will be playing old rivals Pembroke Dock Harlequins away, kick-off 2.30 pm.

PEMBS. KO CUP

Pembroke are due to play Fishguard at home in the second round. The date for this match has yet to be confirmed; members and other supporters should contact the clubhouse steward for further information.

UNDER 17 SQUAD

This season under WRU guidance, the club put out its first ever Under 17s squad to play away against Narberth. The idea is to combine the younger members of large Youth squads and the Under 16s players of clubs to provide some dedicated game time. The fixture list will be displayed inside the clubhouse once it has been confirmed; dates are flexible so sometimes these matches may take place during weekdays.

On a cool, dry evening, Pembroke’s young squad took on a strong Narberth outfit and gave a very good account of themselves, even though they lost on try count 7-2.

The visitors’ coaches were pleased with the endeavour and spirit the lads showed against a well-organised home team, that possessed two extremely quick and dangerous wings, who once given any space used their pace to score the bulk of the home points.

The Pembroke lads demonstrated a lot of resolve and were only kept from scoring on many occasions by an equally determined home defence.

The Pembroke squad included: Harry Turner, Leon Stewart (try scorer), Adam Butland, John Smith, Cameron Tallis, Shane Gwyther, Liam Brunton, Rhys Taylor, Dewi Roberts, Med Le Britton-Booth, Theo Davies, Ethan Stewart, Evan Phillips and Andy Lin.

JUNIOR SECTION

The section begins its Matrix Fixtures this Sunday, September 17. The respective coaches of all age groups will inform parents/carers of the match details. Any players who have not as yet registered for their age group must do so prior to the first match, so please contact your coaches for the relevant information. Unregistered players will not be allowed to participate.

The club committee requests all parents/carers and visitors to park in the main club ca rpark and not in the lower field car park; this reduces hazards to the children.

The season’s fixtures for all age groups are displayed on the Junior noticeboard in the club foyer.