A young yet strong Pembroke squad travelled to Milford for their final fixture of the season, against a full strength opposition.

With the weather set fair and good conditions underfoot, supporters on both sides were anticipating a tough encounter, for the Ian Jones Cup (played for over the two league fixtures), especially as Pembroke had unexpectedly produced an excellent performance a month or so before to beat Milford 48-24 at Crickmarren.

Pembroke started with a real flourish, with Jack Parkinson crossing for the first try after some good inter-play after only three minutes.

Milford then mounted a sustained period of 10 minutes of pressure, but could not capitalise due to making too many mistakes.

With Pembroke’s pack becoming dominant, they also pushed hard at the Milford defence. Both sets of backs looked dangerous and Milford’s particularly wanted to play a wide game to take advantage of the pace of their wingers.

Then the Milford back row struck after 28 minutes from short range, after some excellent inter-play, which started well down the field.

Pembroke suffered a setback when their young fullback was yellow-carded in loose play, but fortunately for them, Milford could not capitalise before half-time.

Pembroke then missed a penalty just before the break, leaving the score 7-5 to Milford.

Milford started the second half strongly and only a last-ditch tackle in the corner by young centre Jack Parkinson, very early in the half, prevented Milford going further ahead.

However, Milford kept pressing and scored after five minutes, due to a Pembroke defensive mix-up, to make it 12-5.

During the next 10 minutes, with the Pembroke pack now dominant in the set-piece, they created a number of chances, which were squandered due to poor passing.

Milford were the dominant attacking force in the third quarter, but had failed to add significantly to their scoreline.

Then, after some good build-up play, a 30-metre charge by Rob Jones (back row) for Pembroke and some determined pressure, Sam Smith, the Pembroke number eight, went over from close range and brother Toby Smith converted to draw them level at 12-12.

With 15 minutes to go, Milford’s outside-half transgressed at a breakdown and was yellow-carded, but Toby Smith failed to convert the penalty.

A second yellow card for Milford a back-rower, for tripping an opponent, shortly after saw them reduced to 13 men. From the resulting lineout, Pembroke pressed and Toby Smith crossed for a well-earned try from close in, taking the score to 17-12 to the Scarlets.

Then, in the dying minutes of the half, Pembroke mounted a determined attack and after some really good inter-play and handling, right winger Barry Alderman-John showed strength to go over in the corner with two defenders hanging onto him, to nail the game for Pembroke at 22-12.

A well-deserved win for Pembroke, much to the delight of a large travelling support, who had witnessed the second leg of an unlikely double over Milford.

The referee, Tony Pratt, praised both teams for their positive attitude and intent to play a high standard of attacking rugby.

After the game, Milford chairman, Steve Holmes, paid tribute to both sides for an excellent and entertaining game and handed over the Ian Jones Memorial Cup to the Pembroke skipper, Scott Powell.

The Pembroke players were well pleased with their day’s work and even more pleased to take their ‘unbeaten run in 2016’ into next season.