FIRST XV

The 1st XV were denied a game, as Haverfordwest withdrew from this rearranged fixture, at very short notice on the Friday, because they could not raise a squad. The postponement of yet another match, when weather and ground conditions were perfect, puts added pressure on the home squad’s attempt to chase a league title, who now will have to squeeze in a large number of games prior to the WRU determined end of season, which falls on May 19.

PEMBS. KO CUP

SEMI-FINAL

After a recent District H hearing, it has been confirmed that the club will play the Quins at Bierspool on May 8, kick-off 7.15 pm, in the semi-final of the Pembs KO Cup, and the winners will play Aberystwyth at St. Davids RFC ground, on Wednesday May 23, kick-off 7 pm.

YOUTH PUT UP A GALLANT CHALLENGE IN CARDIFF

Last weekend, the squad travelled to play at the Principality Stadium in the WRU National Plate, against Tondu RFC, for their first appearance ever, in a national competition final. The weather was glorious and set fair, as the four, full coaches left the clubhouse early on Saturday morning, for a 1.15 pm kick-off. After a hearty breakfast, the nervous, apprehensive, yet calm players and coaches disembarked inside the stadium and experienced the walk up the players’ steps into those famous changing rooms.

Prior to kick-off, Jonathan Thomas (67 cap ex-Welsh international and a former Youth player of Pembroke) spoke and gave advice to the lads, and gave out their commemorative kit, which they were allowed to keep; the team management were extremely grateful to the following sponsors for their generous support, AV Tankers, Locl Bros and Mill Forge.

Afterwards, the squad were allowed a short period of warm-up on the margins of the hallowed ground in beautiful sunshine, coming through the open roof; as they took to the pitch, they were greeted by a huge roar from their families and massive travelling support assembled in the middle tier of the stand.

After 20 minutes they returned to the changing rooms for the final words from their coaches and then took the field to another rousing cheer from the expectant crowd, on a pristine pitch, ready to embrace and enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

Due to injuries and the lack of props, Pembroke were forced to declare uncontested scrums from the outset; as it turned out, this did not have a negative impact on what became an intense and exciting battle. Play started at a frenetic pace right from the kick-off and the Pembroke forwards combined with their backs to drive into the Tondu 22, where they were awarded a penalty for an infringement in the loose. Sadly, skipper Tom Harding Jones pulled the strike wide.

For the first 10 minutes, Pembroke were deep in Tondu territory, but were repelled by determined defence. Tondu retaliated and made their first foray, but were held up on Pembroke’s try line, again by committed defence.

Then after 11 minutes, Tondu’s powerful pack made inroads, forged a position near the Pembroke line after multiple phases, opening up a gap, which their livewire scrum-half took to score wide left; this went unconverted.

Play then see-sawed for five minutes, with Pembroke having to defend against the bigger, more mature Tondu forwards. Fifteen minutes in and Pembroke repelled another attack, with desperate defence, on their own line. The momentum was beginning to build against Pembroke, who were a younger, smaller, lighter outfit and right at the end of the first quarter, Tondu, despite determined defence from the Pembroke backs, managed to free up ball and their wing forward crashed over for a converted try.

This score seemed to galvanise Pembroke and they mounted a few well-constructed attacks, but were repelled; then with only a couple of minutes until the whistle, the Pembroke forwards forged a position 20 metres out, under the posts, Tommy John was fed by his scrum-half in space, he jinked right and created space for number eight Billy Kinnear in support inside and fed him a beautifully timed pass, which allowed him to crash through two defenders to score, to rapturous applause and cheers from the crowd.

The whistle went for the break, leaving the score at 12-7 to Tondu, in what had been an exciting and tense first half, where the older, more mature Tondu team had imposed themselves; Pembroke, meanwhile, had been under a lot of pressure and had defended very well, but were also left to reflect on a number of crucial mistakes at critical moments. Despite these they had put themselves back into the contest.

The start of the second half followed the same pattern as the first, frenetic pace and determined defence, as both sides pressed for further scores. The Tondu scrum-half, who had proved dangerous all game with sniping runs, came to the fore again when after five minutes his big forwards forged a position in the Pembroke 22, went through a number of phases to create a little space that he exploited well by sidestepping Pembroke’s forwards in midfield at pace to crash in near the posts for a well-taken try, converted by their centre.

Pembroke’s coaches then put on some fresh legs, as Tondu built on their forwards successes and gained fresh momentum. Pembroke were working very hard, but whilst they did make some inroads, they were making too many handling errors and finding it hard to break down a determined defence.

Then after 13 minutes, Pembroke broke out of defence, centre Rhys Griffiths got possession just short of the halfway line, made a good break and kicked ahead into the left corner, where skipper Tom Harding Jones showed his pace by outflanking the Tondu defence to pick up, swerve past two defenders and crash over for a great unconverted try, heralded by a cacophony of cheering from the stands.

This seemed to lift the Pembroke lads, who worked hard and began to make a bigger impact as the heavier Tondu players seemed to tire a little, whilst Tondu also began to make changes as they recognised Pembroke’s increased influence.

Then after 20 minutes, a hammer blow for Pembroke, as Tondu’s winger was put clear, after some poor Pembroke defence, to score what the Pembroke coaches referred to as ‘a soft try’ wide out on the left; this went unconverted, making the score 24-12 with 10 minutes to go.

Pembroke were not overawed and came back into the match, their forwards took them into the Tondu 22 area and were awarded a scrum after excellent loose play and a defensive knock-on. From the scrum, number eight Billy Kinnear picked up, fed scrum-half Jared Sherratt, who in turn put skipper and number 10 Tom Harding Jones into a gap, which he exploited with his pace to go over for a great try and converted it himself, to massive applause from the stands.

Pembroke then came under intense pressure as Tondu’s forwards got very close to scoring, but were repelled again by really determined defence.

With only two minutes to go, Tondu’s big forwards pounded away, creating and retaining good phase possession time and time again, before they moved the ball right to put their winger in for the final score of the game, which was also unconverted, leaving the final score at 29-19 deservedly to Tondu, who had proved too big and strong for a really gallant Pembroke squad.

The crowd showed their appreciation for both sides as the whistle was blown, by standing to give rapturous applause, as both teams received their medals from the WRU representatives. Referee Johnathan Edwards and his officials also added that they had been extremely impressed by the positive attitude, good discipline and sporting spirit that both teams had shown throughout the match.

The squads then had their photographs taken prior to attending the post-match hospitality provided by the WRU, when the two skippers exchanged club ties and the club’s chairmen spoke of their respect and admiration for the teams and their performances on the day.

Pembroke and all their supporters then returned to the club for a buffet and to celebrate what had been an historic, memorable day for all of the young players, their coaches, the management team, parents and supporters.

The team’s coaches were keen to thank the kit sponsors on the day, the youth committee (especially Dai Gwyther), all of the supporters who had travelled and most especially their young squad, who had performed with much credit on the day, made the day so special for everyone involved at the club and were commended for their exemplary conduct on and off the field by the WRU, opposition and other neutrals.

UNDER 12S

The squad entertained Merthyr RFC last Sunday morning and had a thoroughly absorbing and exciting match, which saw lots of endeavour, pace and skill from both sides.

The home side was captained by Meg Cole and she was very proud of her team, as they had to defend bravely for most of the game against a strong Merthyr team. Equally, her team proved very resilient and managed to score some excellent tries.

Eventually, after a titanic battle, the spoils were shared, with the match ending in an honourable and well-deserved 35-35 draw.

Home coaches Phil Greenwood and Hannah Eynon were very proud of their players, who they said had shown a lot of resolve to earn a draw against a very strong, athletic Merthyr outfit.

UNDER 14S

This age group will represent the club at the forthcoming County Finals Day at Haverfordwest, on May 6. Matches kick off at 11 am, with the U11s finalists on first. Everyone at the club wishes them success.

UNDER 17S

Pembroke will now play Tenby away in the semi-final of the new Mike Fry Cup, after Tenby beat Haverfordwest recently. Date, venue and KO time are yet to be confirmed.

YOUTH SEVENS TOURNAMENT

The annual Monkton Old Boys (Jimmy Hulbert) Youth Sevens competition will take place at Crickmarren on Monday, May 7, starting at 2 pm. There will be a BBQ and refreshments available on the day, when we traditionally see all of the county’s talent on show, in this marvellous form of our wonderful game.

WOMEN’S RUGBY

The newly formed ladies rugby team trained for the first time last Monday, under the guidance of head coach Rob Griffiths, assistant Martin Mathias and club head coach Geraint Griffiths.

Natasha Smith has been the driving force in forming this new section of the club, ably assisted by Chloe Jones and Emma Munshill.

We wish all of the squad every success in the future and it’s great to see that our club now offers girls in the junior section and other adults a pathway to possible international recognition, in an area of the game that is growing so fast across the Principality. (see picture attached of the initial training squad)

ANNUAL DINNER 2018

The annual dinner will take place at Carew Aerodrome pavilion on Friday, June 1. Tickets will be £25 and these are available from Jayne and Emma at the club 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.