The Tigers entertained Crymych last Saturday, who answered the call late on Friday, after Tenby had withdrawn Friday mid-afternoon, citing inability to field a side. Robin Davies and his team of coaches brought a strong outfit to Crickmarren, whilst Pembroke’s coaches Tosh Rowlands and Simon Edwards put out an equally mixed side, which contained a number of older Youth players, getting their first taste of senior rugby, playing alongside more experienced regulars and some senior team fringe players.

The weather was dry and breezy, with ground conditions excellent underfoot and a large crowd turned out to watch this fixture, prior to watching Wales versus Italy afterwards.

The visitor’s forwards made a very positive start and were on the attack from the kick off; they maintained pressure in the Pembroke last quarter for the first five minutes through some very good tactical kicking from their No 10 Arwel Davies and only determined defence kept them at bay. Pembroke did however concede an early penalty, which Davies coolly converted from close in, after a transgression by the home forwards. After twelve minutes and repeated scrums near the home line, Crymych attacked and their able No 10 chipped a flat defence, only for the try to be disallowed, because the scorer was in front of the original kicker. Crymych then remained on the attack right up to the end of the first quarter, forcing Pembroke to defend constantly but effectively. Pembroke then lost No 10 James Davies after an infringement in the loose. Soon after, the very well organised and drilled Crymych side mounted a concerted attack, with their forwards going through multiple phases, which eventually allowed scrum half Owain Rees to run in for a well deserved score, which was converted Mark Jones. Minutes later, Pembroke broke out of defence, their forwards and backs combined really well to put centre Elliott Evans into space, he ran forty metres and was hauled down yards short of the line, but obdurate Crymych defence denied Pembroke a score and cleared the danger. This seemed to invigorate the home side, who dominated the last ten minutes of the half, pressing continuously through their hard working forwards and skilful backs. The home forwards again combined well in the closing minutes, provided quick phase ball on the twenty two, which was moved right and a lovely delayed pass from James Davies was accepted by full back Lewis Davies, who cantered in for a valuable score wide right, which he failed to convert, leaving the half time score at 5-10 to the visitors.

Literally minutes into the second half, Pembroke lost prop Jamie Brayford for an indiscretion in the loose, which disrupted their scrum with it having inflicted serious damage in the early encounters. Sub Dom Coleman moved into the front row and then minutes later he too was dismissed to the side lines for a misdemeanour, leaving the home side with thirteen players. Crymych then made substitutions to bring on fresh legs, whilst their accurate defensive kicking kept a revitalised Pembroke at bay. For the next ten minutes both sides forged territory and pushed into each other’s halves, but dogged defence meant the score remained static throughout the third quarter. Pembroke then brought on lock Luke Williams and the experienced hooker Sean Beynon to replace the hard working Matthew Washbourne and Jim Brace respectively in order to add fresh legs of their own in this pacey match. Pembroke threatened again, getting close to the visitor’s line, but once again determined defence kept the home forwards at bay. As the game entered the last quarter, both sides were at a stalemate, regularly swopping attacks. After seventy two minutes, Pembroke mounted a number of persistent attacks, which was as always met with determined Crymych defence, but eventually Pembroke’s persistence paid off and after good combined work, young prop Liam Brunton gave a beautifully timed pass to Dom Coleman and he bullocked his way through a packed defence to score a well deserved try, which went unconverted, but levelled the score. In the dying minutes, the home side maintained the pressure on the Crymych line, experienced centre Dave O’Leary made a dart for the line, but unfortunately suffered mild concussion and had to leave the field after being heavily tackled. Soon after referee Dave Byrne blew no side to end a thrilling match, that had been a great advert for second fifteen rugby, leaving the final score at 10-10.

Both sets of coaches congratulated their players and each other after the match, and agreed that this had been a truly enjoyable, exciting and memorable encounter, which was endorsed by referee Byrne and many of the large enthusiastic crowd. Both squads then retired to watch the Wales v Italy international.

Pembroke: Lewis Davies, Darcy Langston, Elliott Evans, Dave O’Leary, Simon Stanford, James Davies, Rhys Cadogan, Jamie Brayford, Tim Sharpe, Owain Johns, Harry Dawe, Matthew Washbourne, Billy Wood, Jim Brace, Aaron Williams (Capt). Subs: Sean Beynon, Dome Coleman, Liam Brunton, Tommy John, Luke Williams.

NEW WOMEN’S SQUAD FIRST MATCH

Having secured their playing license, the “Pembroke Panthers” played their first ever fixture last Sunday afternoon, away at Tondu RFC (near Bridgend), the picture alongside shows the ladies in their new kit, which has been jointly sponsored by Miss Jones Salon, Price & Kelway Solicitors, The Shipwright Inn, The Arch Kitchen (Tenby), Pembroke Dock Cricket Club, and The Cork & Bottle Co.

Coaches Rob Griffiths, Martin Mathias and Jamie Barallie were delighted to see them take the field after months of delay, which had seen their squad work very hard in training to establish good basic skills and a better knowledge of tactics. Many of the ladies were novices to the game from the start and so their combined input has developed the squad and brought them to a stage where they are confident to take the field. Travelling away for the first match has also taken a little pressure off them, however they are really looking forward to playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in weeks to come.

The team lost a very hard fought game 32-15 and unfortunately lost No 8 Isobel Duffresnoy with a broken nose, but she has been seen and is fine, apart from an accompanying “shiner”. The coaches reported that everyone thoroughly enjoyed their first competitive match, showed great spirit, performed very creditably and are eagerly looking forward to the return, which is planned for Sunday March 3rd.

Pembroke: CARYS Slack, Rhiannon Griffiths, Naama Geula, Chloe Beynon, Chloe Jones, Kate Thomas, Chloe Tysoe, Jaime Mosely, Angharad Scourfield, Leanne Panton, Anna Mae McBeth, Vicki Weatherall, Pearl Griffiths, Isabelle Duffresnay.

Scorers: Tries: Naama Geula, Pearl Griffiths and Carys Slack.

Meanwhile, Natasha Smith, who was the initial driving force behind the formation of the club’s newest section back in Spring 2018, ably assisted by Chloe Jones and a number of others, has been unable to be involved, as she has undergone recent and been recovering from surgery; everyone at the club wishes her a speedy and full recovery. Recently however, Natasha notified the club that she had been informed that she was nominated for and had won a Pembrokeshire Radio Local Hero Award for her dedicated effort and perseverance to recruit the squad and get the essential sponsorship to clothe them. Consequently, she, her partner, Chloe Jones and the Club Chair will be attending the awards ceremony at the Wolfscastle Hotel on Thursday February 21st. The Club Committee, players and members are delighted that Natasha and the ladies have been recognised in this way and look forward to this newest section going from strength to strength in the coming seasons, as it provides a pathway for young women in the area, who aspire to play in the burgeoning women’s game.

YOUTH

The squad are due to play Narberth home tomorrow Feb 16th, KO 2.30pm.

Under 17s MIKE FRY CUP MATCH

The young squad travelled the short distance to take on a strong, more mature Tenby outfit in this new Cup competition (inaugurated last season) at Heywood Lane under lights last Friday, in wet, windy conditions. Both sides were missing a number of key players due to Scarlets commitments.

From the start it was clear this was going to be a close contest between two evenly matched teams. Tenby opened the scoring after fifteen minutes had been played with an unconverted try. Pembroke pressed hard from the restart with long periods in the Tenby twenty two metre area. Following prolonged pressure, Tenby were penalised within yards of their own posts, Pembroke believing momentum was with them opted for the scrum rather than take the three points. Against the run of play Tenby secured ball from the scrum and cleared their lines. Pembroke continued to press and were rewarded with a penalty on the 22 metre line, which was beautifully struck by Kyran Grey, bringing the scores back to 5-3.

The second half started with Tenby using their back line to good effect and kicked another penalty within 15 minutes of the restart, making the score 8-3 in Tenby’s favour. The Pembroke pack certainly had the edge and forced a further penalty within striking distance, but this time the referee had to make a ruling, as the two linesmen disagreed as to the success of the kick; this decision went against Pembroke but seemed to spur on the team, who were putting in one of their best performances of the season to date. Following further Pembroke pressure Tenby were penalised again and Pembroke’s very able kicker Kyran Grey, stepped up, but his kick hit the upright and bounced back into play. Shortly after yet another Pembroke penalty attempt dropped a yard short and the chance to be ahead had been lost for the visitors. Despite this Pembroke continued to perform well with their determined defence again halting Tenby’s attacks time and again. With only 10 minutes to play Tenby crossed for a further, converted try making the result 15-3. Whilst very disappointed with the result, the young Pembroke side showed great commitment and their coaches were extremely proud of their overall performance against a more mature, eclectic Tenby side.

JUNIOR SECTION

The County Junior Cup matches have started this weekend and all age groups between U11-U15 will be engaged in matches in the coming weeks; the County Finals Day is at our club on Sunday May 5th this season, so we are hoping that some age groups are represented on that day. Only a few age groups were active at the weekend; the U11s beat the Quins in their Cup match and the U12s won their match, whilst the U8s suffered a narrow defeat at Fishguard, having played so well throughout a very exciting match.

The County U11s squad will be playing two matches at the club tomorrow, the A squad will KO at 10.30am, with the B squad following at 11.15am