FIRST XV

After the disappointment in the WRU Bowl semi-final last weekend, the senior coaches and squad were looking to bounce back in a home fixture against Cardigan last Saturday. Although Pembroke had made a few changes due to injury and unavailability; they were still confident, but knew there was no room for complacency, as Cardigan always pose a serious threat.

Cardigan had drafted in a number of Youth players on the day, to increase the energy and pace in their side and were equally confident of creating an upset, despite indifferent recent form.

The weather was dry, cloudy, with a slight breeze, with the ground wet, but in reasonable condition, ideal for two sides that traditionally like to spread the ball wide.

The game started at a lively pace, with both sides trading skirmishes. Then five minutes in, after some sustained pressure, Pembroke were awarded a penalty 20 metres out, which they elected to scrum; they asserted control allowing number eight Sam Smith to pick up at the base to feed scrum-half Tom Lewis, who set delighted winger Barry Alderman John free to score wide right. The try went unconverted.

Both sides continued to play at a high tempo for the next 15 minutes, testing each other’s defences, but making no further scores, whilst Pembroke’s forwards and backs began to put together some very good phases of combined interplay.

At the end of the first quarter, Pembroke’s dominant pack produced more scrum pressure deep in the Cardigan 22, which allowed burly Sam Smith to pick up at the base on the front foot and bullock his way through defenders to score his team’s second try, this time converted by centre Shaun Dalling.

Cardigan came straight back, but were denied by a last-ditch tackle near the Pembroke try line. Cardigan applied a further period of pressure and were rewarded with a John Lumb penalty, after 28 minutes.

Pembroke came straight back at the visitors and, whilst mounting an attack just outside the Cardigan 22, outside-half Toby Smith threw a long mis- pass that was intercepted by the Cardigan right wing Jenkins, who was tracked and tackled by winger Alderman John short of the home line, but he managed to feed fullback Lumb in support and he went over for an excellent try, which he also converted.

This exciting period of play continued, with Pembroke on the attack from the kick-off. They were awarded two consecutive penalties 15 metres from the Cardigan line, elected to scrum each time, but obdurate Cardigan defence denied them a score.

On 35 minutes, Cardigan won a defensive lineout, but their number 10’s clearance kick was deflected under pressure from the home forwards and it landed in the hands of Sam Smith, who touched down for another unconverted try to the delight of the large home crowd.

Pembroke continued to dominate territory for the final minutes of the half, producing some well-crafted positions through excellent handling and interplay between forwards and backs. However, they could not add to their tally and the half ended with them ahead 17-10, in what had been a pulsating and very entertaining first half.

Right from the re-start of the second half, Pembroke’s Toby Smith kicked deep into the visitors’ 22. Their clearance kick was again fielded by Smith, who made good ground before offloading to his forwards to continue their assault through a number of phases, which eventually saw the ball moved wide left to put hooker Jim Brace into the corner for another well-constructed score, which was unconverted.

Pembroke continued to dominate the third quarter, with their pack in total control at the set-piece. Centre Shaun Dalling made some lovely breaks and one ended with a scrum to Cardigan near their line, which Pembroke won against the head to allow the rampant Sam Smith to pick up and drive through defenders to score his third try, which went unconverted.

Minutes later, Pembroke were on the attack again and after poor discipline at the loose by the visitors, and from the second of two quickly taken tap penalties, home skipper Scott Powell fed his backs, who quickly moved the ball wide left to put Barry Alderman John in for his second try, which also was unconverted.

Cardigan then retaliated and their dangerous backs were denied by desperate home tackling on their own line.

Pembroke then put on a raft of fresh legs as the pace of the game took its toll. However, they did not sit back and continued to create further pressure and possession through their hard-working forwards; Sam Smith scored his fourth try of the game after some excellent phase play, which took them the length of the field.

Shortly afterwards, Pembroke’s domination of the third quarter was confirmed when, after excellent phase play and quick ball from the forwards, Sam Smith threw a flamboyant long pass to sub fullback Ryan Wilkins to go over in the left corner to top off a marvellous team try, which was unconverted.

The 22 points in this quarter sealed a comfortable lead for the home side. However, Cardigan were not defeated and they struck back and mounted a number of determined attacks during the final quarter releasing their dangerous backs.

After 23 minutes, fullback Lumb finished off a great movement on a long pass wide out for an unconverted try, after hard work and good handling by his fellow forwards and backs.

Pembroke soon answered the visitors. Great teamwork took them downfield, created quick possession, which was moved wide where centre Fraser James broke through the defensive line, only to be tackled short of the line; the ever present scrum-half Tom Lewis picked up the loose ball to free up sub lock Cyle Weatherall, who scored a really popular final, unconverted try, to rapturous applause, for the home side.

But back came Cardigan to have the final word; they forged a position deep in the home 22, forced a penalty from the home forwards in the loose, which was taken quickly by their scrum-half, who fed his number eight Hughes to crash in for the final score of what had been a scintillating second half, leaving the final score at a well-deserved 49-20 to the home side.

Pembroke’s coaches were delighted by the spirit, determination, resolve and resilience of their team, who had bounced back with great style after their disappointment of the previous weekend for another bonus point win and declined to single out particular performances, but preferred to give high praise to their whole squad.

Referee Mr. Greg Morgan congratulated both sides on a “magnificent game, played in great spirit”.

The seniors are due to play Laugharne at home tomorrow (Saturday), Haverfordwest away April 21, then Aberaeron home on April 28, all kick-offs are 2.30 pm. Llangwm are the visitors on Friday, May 4, and it is most likely that the remaining two league fixtures against Cardigan away and Milford home will be played on May 12 and 19, respectively. The midweek fixture in the Pembs KO Cup semi-final against the Quins away has yet to be confirmed.

WRU BOWL

SEMI-FINAL

Two weeks ago, the first team squad travelled to Dunvant RFC to play against Cardiff University, a totally unknown quantity, in this premium Division Three/Divisison Two (North) national competition, accompanied by a huge contingent of loyal supporters. Sadly, despite some excellent play of their own, they lost 35-12 to a strong, fit, well-organised squad of students.

However, after the event, it has emerged that there are serious questions over the eligibility of some of the student squad and this has now been referred to the WRU’s competitions committee, by our club’s general committee.

Consequently, we now await the outcome of an official appeal process, which could take place in the coming weeks.

The final will take place at the Principality Stadium on April 29.

YOUTH

The Youth entertained a strong Crymych outfit a week ago last Tuesday, in good weather and on a firm ground, which was in good condition. Both teams played very well and exchanged multiple attacks throughout a very entertaining and exciting encounter.

However, Crymych were the stronger, more accomplished squad, scoring three very good tries in the first half, whilst putting up a stern defence of their own line to deny Pembroke any opportunities to reply.

Pembroke seemed a little flat after their more polished performances of previous weekends and came to half-time with only a penalty for all of their hard work.

The second half followed much the same pattern, with Crymych dominating possession and creating a number of opportunities, only to be met with obdurate home defence.

Pembroke, meanwhile, were made to work hard to forge territory; they did create some opportunities, but only managed to penetrate a determined Crymych defence to score one try during the half, leaving the result a well-deserved win for Crymych at 24-8 in front of a large, well-entertained crowd.

Young referee, Tom Carew had controlled the game well and complimented both sides on their good discipline and determination to play an exciting style of play.

The Youth are due to travel to the Principality Stadium on April 21 to take on Tondu in the WRU Youth Plate Final, kick-off 1.15 pm. Supporters wanting to travel on the club buses, should add their names to the lists inside the clubhouse by Monday, April 16, to ensure adequate provision can be made to accommodate everyone.

We all wish the coaches and players every success at this historic event for the club.

ANNUAL ‘MONKTON OLD BOYS’ YOUTH SEVENS TOURNAMENT

This annual tournament will be taking place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7, starting at 2 pm. Teams from all over the county annually challenge each other over an exciting series of matches for the ‘Monkton Old Boys Trophy’ and the ‘Pembroke Plate’.

Every year this provides an opportunity for all local talent to come to the fore in this exhilarating version of the game. On the day there will be a BBQ and refreshments available for all supporters and visitors.

UNDER 17s

Pembroke U17s entertained Neyland U17s in the quarter-final of the Mike Fry Cup at Crickmarren on Sunday on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

The Pembroke youngsters began well and stretched the Neyland defence at all opportunities with some excellent handling and interplay, which eventually resulted in a try for speedy wing Johnathan Smith, converted successfully by scrum-half Jared Sherratt.

Pembroke continued to press and again after good handling by backs and forwards, livewire flanker Med Le Britton-Booth scored wide out; this was again converted by scrum-half Jared Sherratt.

With Pembroke becoming ever-more dominant, the next try came from hard-working second row Leon Britton, who found himself with unexpected space to crash over under the posts; he converted it himself to give Pembroke a well deserved 21-0 lead.

The very young plucky Neyland team then got a try of their own, when after confusion in the Pembroke defence, they kicked through to gather and score under the posts and the conversion was successful. 21-7.

The Pembroke lads responded instantly and scored further tries from flanker Le Britton-Booth and two for fullback Harry Turner, two of these were converted by Jared Sheratt. 40 – 7 to the home side.

The last Pembroke try of the half came straight from a kick-off when strong running centre Rhys Griffiths saw space behind the Neyland defenders and launched a kick to land in their 22; he then showed a surprising turn of pace to chip ahead and dive on the ball to claim the try. 45-7.

Neyland then showed good skills and power to score again after some weak tackling from the Pembroke side to score close to the posts. They again were successful with the conversion, leaving the half-time score at 45-14 to the home side.

The third quarter was well-contested, with the Neyland lads showing great determination in defence to prevent the Pembroke lads scoring.

Eventually Pembroke did break their stubborn defence, when burly forward Liam Brunton powered over to make the score 50-14.

Pembroke were now throwing the ball around with great confidence, well-orchestrated by half-backs James Allen and Jared Sherratt, and with backs and forwards inter-passing, another try came when speedy winger Joe Watkins beat the despairing cover to score wide out, making the score 55-14.

The biggest cheer of the day came when towering second row Josh Axon, who had an outstanding game in the rucks and mauls, showed great determination and drive to crash over for his first ever try at any level to make it 60-14.

The final try of the day came from Harry Turner, who claimed his hat-trick after chasing a clever grubber kick through, to cap an outstanding individual and team performance, Pembroke winning finally by a well-deserved margin of 65-14.

Centre Curtis Palmer, making his debut for the season, showed some great skills and more will be expected of him in matches to come after this great first showing. The coaches and players all said it was great to have him back.

The squad now progresses into the semi-final of this new Mike Fry U17 Cup competition, named after the recently deceased Tenby county official.

JUNIOR SECTION

The U11s played Aberaeron away in the cup last Sunday and drew a very exciting game 14-14, but went through on the away team rule.

The U8s were performing in a festival at Whitland last weekend. They played a large number of games throughout a long afternoon of competition, against Llandeilo, Whitland, Reading, Laugharne, and performed really well (see picture of the squad below).

CLUB ANNUAL DINNER

The club’s annual dinner will take place at Carew Aerodrome pavilion on Friday, June 1. Tickets will be £25 and these will be available from Jayne and Emma at the club from tomorrow (Saturday, April 14), on a first come, first served basis, to all club members. The price includes transport home from the event only from the pavilion to Pembroke.