FIRST XV

Haverfordwest were the visitors last weekend in a top-of-the-table clash. Before the game, Pembroke sat atop the table whilst ‘Harfat’ were lying second. In the previous game earlier in the season, in the WRU Bowl, Pembroke had come away with the win, but the visitors arrived with a strengthened squad, who clearly had a belief and confidence, that they could take the spoils on this occasion.

The game was played in beautifully sunny, dry, breezy conditions on a tremendous surface, in front of what turned out to be a very large, noisy, highly partisan crowd containing lots of supporters for both sides.

Pembroke were forced into a few key changes prior to the match due to injuries, whilst Harfat were at full strength.

The visitors started in a very positive and aggressive manner, imposing themselves particularly in loose play, whilst their backs demonstrated a lot of pace and showed they would be a real threat.

Pembroke mounted an early attack, but were dispossessed deep inside the visitors’ half; the Harfat forwards released the ball and after some very good handling, their backs scored a very good, unconverted try through their right wing Liam Manwaring to take an early lead.

For the next 15 minutes there was a stalemate, with both sides testing each other’s defences, whilst Harfat’s early aggression in the loose particularly, became ill-disciplined on a number of occasions, thus causing the penalty count to rise against them.

After 23 minutes, Pembroke, who had raised the intensity of their own performance, kicked a penalty to touch, deep inside the visitors 22; from the resulting lineout, the home pack drove at the line and released lock Will Edwards to crash over for a well-worked unconverted try.

Minutes later, the visitors built an attack through a large number of phases, released the ball to the backs, who made a very good break and released their left wing to crash over for a well-taken, converted try.

Soon after, and in the very last minutes of the half, the referee dismissed the Harfat number nine on a yellow card for a tackle misdemeanour during a Pembroke attack close to their line. Pembroke put the ball into touch close to the visitors’ line, from the resulting penalty, then from the lineout, a combined drive released number eight Sam Smith, who crashed through multiple defenders to score a try, converted by centre Sean Dalling, to leave the score 12-12, after a tense, exciting, enthralling first half battle, which had witnessed some excellent attacking play and a lot of defensive grit from both sides.

The third quarter saw the home side build a period of sustained pressure, forcing the visitors to defend against numerous thrusts, but Pembroke failed to penetrate an obdurate and very determined defence.

However, the Pembroke forwards did force defenders into conceding an early penalty, which was converted by centre Sean Dalling.

Home supporters and coaches were certainly concerned at the home side’s inability to score during this early territorial advantage and there were signs that the exciting and speedy visiting backs’ confidence was building as they began to become a real force for change in fortunes as the half progressed.

After 20 minutes, both sides made final changes as the pace and intensity of the game took its toll, with Pembroke bringing on young flanker Alex Thomas for his first appearance for the club.

The visitors then broke out of defence, forcing a penalty for a home misdemeanour in the loose after 23 minutes, which was converted by centre Gareth John.

Pembroke responded immediately and when awarded a penalty deep in the visitors’ half, elected to scrum; however, Harfat regained possession and broke out of defence, only for their dangerous, speedy backs to be denied after going the length of the field, by excellent home scramble defence.

With only 12 minutes remaining, the visitors mounted another raid and forced yet another penalty at the breakdown, which was converted by Gareth John, giving Harfat a deserved lead and leaving the home side to rue their inability to score more points in the third quarter.

The visitors’ confidence and self-belief that they could pull off a prized win increased and on the balance of play in the last quarter they deserved their lead.

With only a few minutes left, the home team responded and after a concerted attack forced a penalty, 10 metres out from the visitors’ posts. Under immense pressure, the visitors’ pack conceded further penalties and then made a very controversial decision to go uncontested at the scrummage, much to the amazement and consternation of the home coaches and supporters.

The crowd at this stage was really animated and the partisan nature of the vocal support became ever more audible, as the tension increased and eventual outcome of this titanic battle was suddenly in doubt, after it looked most likely that the visitors were going to hold out.

Fate however, is often decided by bold decision making. Scott Powell in consultation with senior players remained very focused and determined to pluck a win after what they saw as sheer brinkmanship and audacity from the visitors’ coaches.

After electing for the fourth and last, uncontested scrum of the game, the ball was fed out to number 10 Sean Dalling, who fed Toby Smith running in on an acute angle at pace to penetrate a packed Harfat defence and score the decisive, converted try near the posts to cement the win with a score of 22-18 from a very disconsolate opposition, but much to the delight of the large, vociferous home crowd, which applauded both teams from the field as the final whistle was blown almost straight after the conversion.

The game had fully lived up to its billing, providing a really high intensity spectacle and great advert for rugby at this level. The Pembroke coaches were delighted with the perseverance and determination of their squad, who had pulled off a Houdiniesque feat on the day, against the odds and a very accomplished and aggressive Haverfordwest squad, who genuinely felt that they had done enough to take the spoils.

However, the players and the coaches are also aware of the need for improvements in the execution of specific aspects of their play, if they are to progress in both League and Cup competitions.

Pembroke’s coaches pointed to some excellent individual performances on the day from a number of players, some of whom had played out of position, then named captain Scott Powell as their man-of-the match for his all-round contribution and cool head when deciding the strategy to win the game under severe pressure.

Young scrum-half Tom Lewis was awarded the October Player of the Month (sponsored by Tim Mable) by Dilly Williams (chairman of the Pembroke Former Players Association). The club would like to thank all of the former players for their generous sponsorship of this match day.

The squad moves onto an away fixture at Llangwm tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 2.30 pm (but could be 2 pm because of the Wales v Australia match starting around 5.15 pm, so please check with club steward in advance).

WRU BOWL

ROUND FOUR

The club has drawn Laugharne (away) in the next round, which is due to be played on Saturday, December 9, kick-off 2 pm. The club hopes to run a supporters bus again and a list will be put up in the clubhouse for those wishing to travel to add their names. A final decision on the viability of a supporters bus will be made on Monday, December 4, so people on the list can check with the steward by phone on Tuesday evening.

YOUTH XV

The Youth travelled to take on their close rivals Tenby in beautiful autumnal conditions. Tenby proved a very useful outfit scoring some very good tries and a deserved win by a three-point margin in a tight finish, whilst Pembroke’s squad made too many errors, failed to capitalise on their opportunities and reach the level of performance seen in recent games.

The Pembroke coaches were disappointed with their young charges, but are convinced that they will bounce back as they have demonstrated real potential and a great spirit against older, more experienced opposition to date this season.

The squad are due to play Aberystwyth at home on Saturday, kick-off 2.30 pm.

UNDER 17s

The U17s entertained Haverfordwest last Tuesday. The Pembroke lads have blended well over the few matches they have played together and become a more experienced and cohesive unit.

In this game they put up a very creditable and much improved performance. However, Haverfordwest proved to be a very obdurate team, who gave nothing away and scored some good tries of their own.

Pembroke’s team did, however, score some well-crafted tries of their own and to their credit showed huge spirit and determination in defence.

Pembroke eventually ran out winners by a seven-point margin, at 19-12, in what turned out to be a very entertaining match in front of a very healthy crowd.

UNDER 14S v TENBY

The team entertained a strong Tenby outfit last Sunday on the main pitch, in beautifully sunny, dry, cool, breezy conditions, in front of a large crowd of vociferous supporters.

Pembroke were missing a few key personnel, whilst Tenby’s lads were keen to avenge a loss from earlier in the season.

The match proved a very entertaining affair, with 11 tries scored in all, Pembroke claiming four and Tenby seven. Both teams scored three in the first half and though Pembroke took an early lead, the Tenby lads fought back to level the score at 19-19 at the break.

Both sides moved the ball really well and both defences had to work hard at all times. Tenby possessed a couple of big ball carriers in their number eight and number 12, who regularly made inroads into Pembroke territory.

Pembroke’s lads worked hard, too, and combined very well, with Zac Stewart, Jack Jones and Jake Wright showing their skills and pace throughout the half and winger Josh Smith regularly making jinking runs and breaking tackles to make good ground.

The second half saw the Tenby main ball carriers create more opportunities to score a further four tries, whilst Pembroke, who were on the defensive for long periods, only managed a single try from centre Jake Wright, who ran in an excellent individual effort from 50 metres.

Both teams played some really exciting expansive rugby throughout the half and both had to make huge numbers of tackles, all of which entertained the very enthusiastic crowd.

Pembroke then lost their main threat with five minutes remaining, when Jake Wright left the field; however, his team-mates continued to work hard, but in the end Tenby thoroughly deserved their win by 45-26, which makes it a one win each between the sides this season.

Pembroke squad: Dylan Evans, Rhys Doyle, Tom Cabbott, Zac Stewart, Bobby Jones, Lewis Boswell, Jack Morgan, Travis Mathias, Josh Smith, Jake Wright, Tom Donovan, Jack Jones, Evan Daniels, James Brunton.

Pembroke scorers: Tries, Zac Stewart, Jake Wright (2), Jack Jones; conversions, Tom Donovan (2), Jack Jones.

CARDIFF HALF MARATHON

In response to a call for help from an ex-player, Joff Mackett (Australian vet here in the 80s)at the end of October a merry band of runners and walkers took to the Cardiff Half to raise funds for Joff’s daughter Lily. Lily was involved in a very serious road accident, which has left her with a number of serious health issues and needs.

Our group, organised by Simon Edwards and Dilly Williams, all completed their personal challenge of completing the distance. The team, which was pictured soon after the event, in this newspaper, raised a total of £6,933, which will be passed to the Mackett family to help provide for Lily’s needs.

A fantastic effort, which just exemplifies how compassion, love and endearing sporting friendships, can help in times of crisis. The family recently expressed their sincere thanks to all involved via emails.

TURKEY TROT and XMAS DRAW

Tickets for the weekly Turkey Trot are on sale at the club and around the pubs of Pembroke right up to Christmas; the winners will be able to pick up their beautifully fresh, succulent ‘birds’ just before Xmas,on the evening of Saturday, December 23.

Also, the ladies committee’s Christmas Draw evening will take place on Friday, December 8, starting at 7.30 pm.

All turkey trot winners, prize winners, members, guests and friends are welcome to come along on both evenigs.

FAWCETT MAKES SEASON DEBUT AT SCARLETS

Young loose-head prop Rhys Fawcett, a product of our club Junior and Youth system, made his debut for this season last Friday, when the Scarlets entertained and beat Benetton Treviso at Parc y Scarlets. Rhys came on for the last 10 minutes and showed the potential that has been recognised by the Scarlets coaching team.

We will be watching his progress with interest and all at the club hope to see Rhys’s career blossom in the coming years, as he is a very dedicated and hard-working young professional sportsman, who deserves to be successful.

SECOND WINTER GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ

This is due to take place on Friday, December 1, but will be confirmed at a later date.

PEMBS KO CUP

ROUND TWO

The First XV have yet to confirm their home fixture against Fishguard, in the second round of the Pembs KO Cup. Once confirmed, the date/time of KO will be advertised here and in the clubhouse.

AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS

The club will be screening all of the forthcoming Welsh (and other home countries’) international matches on the big screen. All members, guests and visitors are welcome to come along to view what we hope will be a series of exciting encounters.