The Senior XV entertained Laugharne last Saturday in their final home league fixture, sponsored by local building firmWoodenbale.

Prior to this rearranged fixture, both teams had very similar playing records and the league table data also showed that their scoring records mirrored each other very closely, because both are always keen to play an expansive, exciting brand of rugby.

Pembroke had narrowly won the previous very competitive encounter; consequently, both teams and their supporters were eagerly awaiting this rematch.

Conditions could not have been better; after a very wet start to the week, a few days of beautiful spring sunshine and steady breeze had dried out the pitch, which was in great condition.

In beautiful warm sunshine, both teams started well and immediately it was clear both were going to continue to play an expansive style. After testing each other’s defence and after just three minutes, Laugharne’s number eight Mike Williams pounced on a poor clearance by the home fullback to weave his way through a flat-footed defence to score a well-taken, converted try.

Three minutes later, Pembroke responded as young fullback Luke Hartland gathered a loose ball and evaded a few tacklers to score their first points, which he converted himself.

Very soon after, Pembroke’s forwards supplied quick lineout ball, which was moved wide to a charging number eight Sam Smith, who made a crucial breakthrough in midfield, before feeding supporting centre Tom Kinnear , who crashed over for a well-earned try converted by Hartland.

A period of 20 minutes then elapsed, during which both sides continued to test each other’s defences, with some exciting plays to entertain the large crowd.

Thirty minutes into the half, Pembroke’s forwards secured possession just inside their own half and, after some excellent handling and interplay, lock Scott Powell picked up the loose ball and sprinted in to finish an excellent team try, which went unconverted.

Just before the half-time break, Laugharne mounted a concerted attack and from loose play close in their scrum-half fed big centre Ben Lloyd, who crashed over for a deserved try, which he also converted, leaving the interval score in a very competitive match at 19-14 to Pembroke.

The second half saw Pembroke gain a huge degree of dominance in most phases of play, despite determined breakouts by the visitors.

Pembroke asserted their authority and the crowd witnessed some excellent handling and interplay, which resulted in the home side scoring seven tries to the visitors’ two.

Pembroke scorers included, Sam Smith, who crashed in from close range after a lineout steal, Simon Stanford, who had three by clinically finishing off some very well-executed moves, lock Scott Powell, who claimed his second with a truly outrageous dummy prior to a 25-metre dash, fullback Luke Hartland, who weaved his way through a flat-footed defence having been put into space by centre Daffy Lewis, and lock Will Edwards, who chased up a kick through by the backs to score a real opportunist effort.

To Laugharne’s credit, they took their own opportunities very well and their try scorers were wing Gavin John, who scored a tremendous individual effort wide out having been freed by his inside backs on the halfway line, and the very talented number eight Mike Williams, who claimed his second of the match, with a speedy, weaving effort from 30 metres out to close the match, leaving Pembroke very worthy winners at 62-26, in what had been a very entertaining and exciting encounter.

Referee Colin Phillips, of Cardigan, complimented both sides on their sportsmanship, effort and determination to persevere with an open game plan, in conditions which had suited both sides.

Pembroke named young centre Tom Kinnear as their man-of-the-match, whilst as expected, Laugharne named their number eight Mike Williams for his huge contribution and double try-scoring performance.

Both sides still have some league games to complete, with Pembroke travelling to Cardigan on April 15 as their final league fixture.

Both will also be competing in the Division 3 West (A) Cup competition and could, if fortunes go well, contest a further match in the final.