The senior squad entertained Kidwelly at home last Saturday afternoon, in their final pre-season friendly match. The match kicked off early to allow everyone to watch the Wales v Ireland match on TV afterwards. After a deluge early morning, which softened up the pitch, the day was warm, with broken cloud, sunshine and a stiff breeze, whilst the pitch was in immaculate condition, the scene was set for a tough battle between two sides determined to demonstrate their capabilities. Kidwelly had dropped into Division 2 West at the end of last season and so our coaches and players were aware of their pedigree and the stern challenge they presented to our own credentials for the season ahead. A good sized crowd turned in to watch, with both sets of supporters full of expectation.

Referee Ross Grieve, started the match with Pembroke playing towards the Lamphey end, with wind behind. Both sides traded territory in the early skirmishes, both sets of forwards looking well matched and both sets of backs willing to spread the ball wide, using set plays off quick possession. Pembroke forced the first opportunity after four minutes; No 10 Toby Smith kicked a penalty out of hand, deep into touch in the Kidwelly twenty two, only for the forwards to lose possession at the lineout and a good chance to open the scoring. Two minutes later however, after some excellent work by the forwards, the home side went through quick, successive pick and drives, quick ball was moved wide and No 10 Toby Smith used his bulk to crash through a number of defenders for the first try of the match, which he failed to convert. Kidwelly mounted a few counter attacks, but solid home defence kept them at bay. Pembroke’s forwards were combining well and forging good possession for their exciting back line. Then fifteen minutes in, Pembroke winger Stanford was injured in a tackle as he sped for the line; he was replaced by the experienced Barry Alderman John. The home forwards continued to yield good possession in the loose and after another flurry of pick and drives, pushed into Kidwelly’s twenty two, where centre Dan Colley was able to pick up from the base of a ruck and crash over for an opportunist try, converted by Toby Smith. Toby Smith was also using some very accurate tactical kicking from hand to force the visitors onto the defensive. Pembroke skipper Scott Powell was then held up shortly after another concerted forward charge at the end of the frenetic, first quarter.

Twenty five minutes in and Pembroke continued to pressurise their opponents. A Kidwelly drop out was gathered by young centre Tom Harding Jones forty metres out, he produced a scintillating, long, winding run and hand off, before feeding inside to Barry Alderman John, who accelerated and crossed unopposed for an excellent try, converted again by Smith. Kidwelly then replied and mounted a concerted attack of their own, their forwards combined well to take the ball to the home last quarter, before a pin point kick from their No 10 was very ably taken out of the air by winger Alan Squires, who crossed unopposed; James Owen then slotted a truly marvellous effort from the touchline to give the visitors their first points. Play then see sawed between two halves for ten minutes, before Dan Colley got on the scoresheet again, after more excellent work by his forwards and a superb opportunist break from a ruck on the halfway line by livewire scrum half Tom Lewis, who after making twenty metres, very adeptly slipped an inside pass to the supporting Colley; the try was converted by Smith, leaving the half time score very deservedly at 26-7 to the home side, who had dominated play in the half.

The second half started very dramatically. Two minutes in, Toby Smith was given quick ball and threw a huge miss out pass to Tom Harding Jones, who accelerated from under the stand, handed off a number of opponents and ran a weaving line, dodging grasping defenders to score a truly marvellous individual try, converted by Smith and roundly applauded by the appreciative home support. Kidwelly replied a few minutes later, when their centre Aaron Foley intercepted a pass during another Pembroke attack in his own twenty two and ran the full length to score a marvellous individual effort; this was again magnificently converted by Owen from the touchline. Pembroke’s coaches made a number of changes in the next ten minutes, using all of their bench to ensure that as many had the opportunity to impress for selection, prior to the first League match next weekend and to cover another injury, this time to winger Geraint Powell. The game see sawed between both halves for the remainder of the match and the visitors were certainly the stronger side in the last quarter, but were still unable to break down a very determined and well organised home defence. Late in the game two players received yellow cards after a minor fracas and the two defences won the day as there were no further additions to the score line, in what had been a thoroughly entertaining match, between two good sides, which was well received by all of the supporters from both sides, who had been kept well informed by the new match announcer at the ground in Mr John Parsons (well known local solicitor).

Pembroke’s coaches were well pleased with the performance from their squad, as were the Kidwelly coaches, who congratulated each other at the finish; however, the injuries to both Pembroke wings was a concern.

The match had certainly given the Pembroke squad a clear window into the type of performance, concentration and skill level required to be effective at Division 1 level. Both teams then retired to watch the international match and enjoy the usual warm hospitality in the clubhouse.

After a good pre-season this year, which has tested our lads, the coaches feel they have had a good preparation, in anticipation of the opening League match away at Aberystwyth next Saturday, KO 2.30pm. If any supporters wish to travel on the team bus, they should contact the club later in the week to confirm coach departure time on Saturday morning.

The first home League match is against Whitland, our old adversaries, on September 14th, KO 2.30pm. The weekend after we travel to Carmarthen Athletic for Round 1 of the WRU National Plate competition, KO 2.30pm.

TIGERS

The Second XV are due to open their first season in the new WRU Conference West on Saturday September 7th at home against Crymych, KO 2.30pm.

Experienced coaches Tosh Rowlands and Simon Edwards and the squad are looking forward to starting what should be a very challenging League campaign, which will see them travel extensively throughout West Wales.

The WRU are also looking at proposals for a National Cup/Plate competition to be played after the completion of all League fixtures, which would involve teams from the three conference regions (ie. West, Central and East, made up of twenty three clubs in total) playing a KO Cup style competition.

However the details of such a competition have yet to be fully discussed and confirmed.

CLUB CAPTAINS

Season 2019-20

Congratulations to SCOTT POWELL, who was voted in by his peers to be Club Captain for his third consecutive season; he will be supported by his Vice Captain Toby Smith, who is starting his second consecutive season in this important role. Meanwhile SEAN BEYNON has been voted in as the Tigers (Second XV) skipper for the coming season. Everyone at the club wishes them all every success during the coming season.

YOUTH

This season the Youth squad are being sponsored jointly by Guy Thomas and Castle Homes and the new coaching group of Gareth Jones, Nicky James and helpers are extremely grateful for their support in their first season in charge. Fixtures start on September 7th, when they play Crymych away KO 2.30pm. All of this season’s fixtures are displayed in the clubhouse.

The WRU National Youth Plate draw this year was declared an open draw from the start this season, whereas in past years it has been regional for the first two rounds. In Round 1, Pembroke have drawn Abercynon at home on Saturday September 28th, KO 2.30pm.

WOMEN

The women will play their first match of the new WRU National Merit Table season away at Tondu on Sunday September 8th, KO approximately 2pm. The whole squad are very keen to start their campaign and everyone at the club wishes captain Chloe Jones and her whole squad, and coaches Rob Griffiths and Neal Spencer, every success in what will be a testing season, with a number of journeys to East Wales.

The Women’s Committee has secured multi-sponsorship to produce a very attractive, new away strip, which has been provided by Olorun Sports; the club’s and section’s thanks goes to Barti Ddu Rum, Altus Financial, Pembrokeshire Holiday Connections, M&M Windows, JOP (Jenkins of Pembrokeshire), PEPS Plumbing & Heating, Media to Motion and Towergate for their generous support.