The weather forecasters for once got it wrong and, despite one very hefty squall during the game, the match was played in sunny, cloudy, very windy conditions.

St. Davids, in previous weeks, had shipped large numbers of points in a number of heavy defeats, whereas Pembroke arrived brimming with confidence after a solid start to their league campaign.

In a very one-sided affair, Pembroke came out winners by a large margin, as expected. However, their players, coaches and supporters were full of praise for a plucky St. Davids team, who contested in all phases of the game for the full 80 minutes, despite going down 98-0.

Pembroke’s forwards were very efficient in all aspects of their play and they set up lots of clean ball for their talented backs to exploit. There were phases of exciting interplay, which saw excellent handling leading to Pembroke scoring 16 unanswered tries, 11 in the first half and five in the second and as the tally indicates, the St David’s defence was far more resolute in the second half.

For Pembroke, young fullback Luke Hartland showed amazing skill and accuracy in slotting over eight conversions from all angles in very difficult conditions in the first half and then he and Lewis Davies (playing at outside-half) continued this good form, slotting more kicks over in the second half.

The try scorers for Pembroke included, Lewys Gibby (3), Billy Wood (3), Dom Coleman (2), James Skeels (2), with Luke Hartland, George Kenniford, Barry John, Harry Owen, Tom Kinnear and Jonny Palmer also crossing the line.

St. Davids, however, did mount sporadic attacks of their own during the game, but they could not penetrate a strong, determined visitors’ defence.

Pembroke’s head coach Geraint Lewis was particularly pleased with the performances of some of the younger members of his squad, in particular Tom Kinnear in the centre, Jim Brace at hooker, Luke Hartland at fullback, Harry Owen at openside flanker and Billy Wood in the centre, all of whom have come out of the Youth system in recent years and added real sparkle to the senior side. Whilst he was equally effusive about the hard work the whole squad was putting in at present, as competition for places becomes more intense.

After the game, the Pembroke coaches paid tribute to the St Davids pack, which scrummaged and contested in the loose very effectively throughout the match, whilst praising their own players for an excellent display of skilful interplay, which demonstrated their abilities to the full.

Jack Dudley (St. Davids coach) also paid tribute to Pembroke’s efforts and his own players for their continued dedication and commitment, given their challenging recent run of results.

Pembroke next week, move onto the second round of the WRU Bowl against Milford Haven away, when they know they will face a much sterner test at the Observatory ground.