The senior squad travelled to League leaders Felinfoel, knowing that they would be in for a very tough assignment against the team that had been Division 1 West Champions in the previous two seasons. Frustratingly for our two sets of senior coaches, a growing injury list, late withdrawals due to illness and other absences, meant Pembroke’s two teams were well below full strength. Meanwhile, Felinfoel were at full strength and determined to demonstrate their full repertoire and provide a lesson to the League newcomers. The weather was sunny, mild and the ground in very good condition, given the incredibly persistent wet weather at the end of the week and the scene was set for a battle for League points. Pembroke had secured some very valuable bonus points on previous away trips and were keen to do so again.

The first five minutes of the game saw both sides move the ball wide to test each other’s defences, without scoring any points. Foel’s powerful scrum gained early dominance and this provided quality possession to their dangerous backs, lead by their very accomplished No 10 George, who controlled their early play with some good tactical kicking from hand. After seven minutes and a huge scrum by the home side, they were awarded an early penalty, which was kicked deep into the Pembroke twenty two. Foel won possession and Pembroke were forced to defend before stealing possession and clearing the danger. Pembroke then made some positional changes in the scrum and this seemed to improve their efforts in this department. The home side maintained the pressure and only skilful work by lock Kinnear, who stripped the ball during a concerted home attack, allowed Toby Smith to clear his lines again. Fifteen minutes in Foel won a lineout thirty five metres out from their own line, moved the ball swiftly and accurately across their backline and very adeptly put their winger into space; he ran in unopposed to complete an excellent team try, this was not converted. Pembroke then mounted a short period of pressure, which took them deep into the home half, where they kicked a penalty deep into the home twenty two. Unfortunately they lost possession at the critical time and Foel kicked upfield, where Pembroke’s backs picked up loose ball and released winger Hartland, who ran well but was stopped twenty metres out wide left. Possession was lost then regained in a resulting ruck, where a Foel player was penalised for offside twenty metres out in front of the posts and Pembroke’s No 10 Toby Smith confidently slotted the penalty to get the visitors on the scoreboard. The next ten minutes again saw both teams trade territory and defend resolutely as both sets of backs tried to craft a score. Pembroke then maintained another short period of pressure, but indecision and a lack of accuracy cost them a couple of good opportunities. After thirty four minutes Pembroke lost hooker Gwyther to a shoulder injury and had to go uncontested (due to lack of cover), much to the derision of the home supporters, who saw this as a rouse to take away their undoubted advantage at the scrum. In the dying minutes of the half Pembroke mounted a number of forays into the home twenty two, but strong defence again thwarted them. However, on one occasion a Foel back rower again transgressed at the breakdown and No 10 Smith slotted another penalty to give his side an unexpected lead at the break, as the referee blew for half time soon after. The Pembroke coaches and players were delighted to be on top points wise at the break, given that their side had been under the cosh for most of the half and forced to defend for long periods. Foel meanwhile appeared totally frustrated at their own inability to finish many well crafted opportunities and to be behind at the break.

Foel seemed even more determined to exert some authority on the game as they started the second half very strongly, with their prop being held up over the line, after good phase play, right from the kick off. Soon after, Foel’s No 9 Marsh picked up loose ball in broken play, thirty metres from the Pembroke line, he made some ground and put his No 15 Daniel into space; he raced past a number of flat footed Pembroke defenders to run in for a well taken score, converted by his outside half George. Minutes later, again from the kick off, Foel were on the attack with their No 10 kicking deep into Pembroke territory, he chased regained possession and fed flanker Ford, who crashed through defenders to score an unconverted try, to give the home side a big, well deserved, advantage on the scoreboard. Pembroke’s lack of concentration in that short period eventually cost them dearly, as the home side gained huge confidence and continued to maintain the pressure. Pembroke made changes to bring on fresh legs as Foel increased the pace of the game. Fifteen minutes in and Foel again kicked deep into Pembroke’s half; from the resulting lineout their driving maul made lots of ground, before ball was released to their backs, more phases then saw a Foel centre crash through defenders to score another try, converted by their full back, to establish a really big lead. Pembroke lost prop Brayford to a nasty facial injury and young sub Sam Brown came on onto the wing for his senior debut. As the teams battled their way into the last quarter, the visitor’s forwards were still working hard and combining well with their backs and this lead to a marvellously well taken try. The forwards released quick ball forty metres out, which was transferred wide right, where No 10 Smith made a break, fed centre Lewis Davies, who very adeptly gave a one handed pass to young full back Kyran Gray (making his senior debut) to crash over to the delight of his players, coaches and large travelling support. Foel however, were continuing to dominate most of the play and after thirty five minutes, they kicked up field from broken play in their own twenty two, regained possession and fed their No 10, who in turn fed his supporting scrum half and he ran in from twenty metres to score the final try of the match, converted by the Foel No 10. Seconds later the referee blew for no side and the home side had deservedly won the fixture by 31-11, after dominating much of the second half. Pembroke’s coaches congratulated their counterparts and praised their own squad for their resilience and determined defensive work, but were very disappointed not to have threatened enough to earn at least one bonus point. The match had certainly provided an insight into the levels of performance required to be competitive at this level.

After the game Pembroke’s Head Coaches Geraint Lewis and Kyle Davies congratulated young Kyran Gray, who was making his first XV debut, on a tremendous all round performance in a tough match.

Pembroke will play Newcastle Emlyn at home tomorrow KO 2.30pm. The match is sponsored by ex-player George John (SGJ Agri Services CYMRU) and the Match Ball is sponsored by The Old Kings Arms Hotel (Pembroke).

TIGERS (Second XV)

The Tigers had also travelled with the senior fifteen to take on Felinfoel, who they knew were going to be a young, accomplished outfit. Pembroke’s side was much changed from the previous match, because of First team requirements and absences due to illness and injury. This meant that forwards Richard Jones and Nathan Rowlands, usually back row forwards, having to be drafted into duty as an emergency centre pairing.

Pembroke got off to best possible start with good thrusts by their forwards, which saw Arron Williams score under the posts after only 2 minutes; the score was converted by Rhys Johns. Soon after, Felinfoel’s young players gained territory in and pushed into the visitor’s twenty two and from a scrum ball was moved blind where Foel’s No 15 scored wide out; the try was not converted. This was very quickly followed by a close range, converted try by a Foel prop, close to posts, after numerous pick and drives by their energetic pack. The score stayed same for twenty minutes. Then an attempted interception by Pembroke was not converted into points; however, this left a hole in the visitor’s defensive line, which Foel’s No 15 exploited to score under the posts; this was converted by their kicking prop. Pembroke tried hard to retaliate, but elementary mistakes let them down and these were quickly ceased upon the eager Foel forwards, who had gained in confidence and were playing with aggression and skill. There next try from broken play was scored by their young prop, who also converted his try to give his side a sizeable lead over a shell shocked opposition. Then to compound matters, from from the kick off, Pembroke attempted to run ball, they got to half way, lost the ruck and possession was seized by the home forwards; this was kicked over Pembroke’s winger, who failed to touch down, thanks to a tough bounce and Foel’s winger scored to give his side a well deserved lead at 31-7 as the whistle was blown soon after for the break.

The second half started as first had finished with Foel’s forwards combining well with their backs to score a good team try after only 5 mins. Pembroke made changes as a few of their players suffered leg injuries, Rowlands went into No 8 for Williams, which saw Yori Roberts go to No 10 and Rhys Johns moving to centre. Despite Pembroke’s forwards Wilkes, James and young Collinson were making inroads at times, but Foel’s forwards were a more cohesive unit and continued to build pressure and create possession for their backs. However, more poor tackling by the visitors let in Foel’s No 8 for another converted try to increase their now substantial lead. Pembroke however, raised themselves and strong carries by Collinson and Rowlands put captain Sean Beynon over for a well taken try, that was converted by Rhys Johns. Pembroke continued to mount a come back, but inaccuracies and some poor decision making undermined their attacks and during one of these Foel’s players seized loose possession and combined well to put their very tall, athletic, full back in for a well taken team try. With time running out Pembroke really tried and again numerous thrusts came to nothing but finally prop Timmy Sharpe crashed over for an unconverted try. Despite the huge lead, Pembroke continued to strive and push for a fourth try to get a bonus point, but they lost possession during a final attack, which allowed the Foel players an opportunity to combine well to score their final try, leaving them worthy victors by a resounding score of 55-19.

Pembroke’s coaches congratulated their counterparts, whilst their players reflected on the lessons learned from this tough match. Despite this heavy defeat Pembroke’s coaches were upbeat about some of the individual performances by some of their players, whilst thanking the host club for their warm welcome and hospitality.

The Tigers play away in Crymych tomorrow, KO 2.30pm.

PANTHERS

(Women)

Sadly for the squad their scheduled match away at Rhydyfelin was cancelled early in the week due to the pitch being unplayable. The squad will take on Tondu at home on Sunday, KO 2.30pm.

YOUTH

The Youth entertained Haverfordwest last Saturday afternoon, in breezy, dry weather on a marvellous surface ideal for running rugby.

Pembroke began well with early surging runs from prop Evan Phillips and No. 8 Dewi Roberts establishing great positions deep in the Haverfordwest twenty two. The youngsters kept their patience and eventually tighthead prop Liam Brunton showed good strength, which allowed him to drive over from close in for the opening try; the difficult conversion was missed by fly half Jared Sherratt. Right from the kick off, half backs Matt Lewis and Sherratt pinned the Haverfordwest team back with clever positional kicking. The next Pembroke try came from a clever cross kick from Sherratt, which enabled winger Joe Watkins to show off his footballing skills and pace to score in the right hand corner. The conversion was again missed. The Pembroke lads were now gaining confidence and strong running from centre Rhys Griffiths again set up good territorial position. They secured possession from a lineout allowing the Pembroke backs to enact a set move (straight off the training park), which allowed captain James JJ Jones to sprint through unopposed to touch down under the posts; this time the conversion was successful giving Pembroke a big lead at 17 – 0. A second try for skipper Jones came soon afterwards; this time from a misplaced clearance kick from Haverfordwest defenders went across field and he showed quick feet to again score under the posts. Sherratt was again successful with the conversion to extend the lead still further. Soon after, young fullback Morgan Owens collected the ball deep in his own half and went on a mazy run showing great pace to beat several defenders before touching down to crown a wonderful individual effort; another successful conversion for Sherratt gave the homesters a comfortable 31 – 0 lead. With their tails up, the Pembroke youngsters continued to dominate in all facets of the match confidently moving the ball from all areas of the pitch with forwards and backs showing excellent handling skills. The next try fell to livewire flanker Theo Davies, who as he had done all game, ran good support lines to score; the conversion was missed. Minutes later, it was the turn of fellow flanker Eljay Taylor to break the whitewash, by finishing off another excellent move with a dive over close to the posts; Sherratt again was successful with conversion. After more pressure created yet more possession, a final try came when another powerful surge by Pembroke prop Brunton, lead to another adept offload to Owens, who showed great hands to feed replacement Harvey Oakley who drew the final defender and passed to skipper Jones, who sprinted over for his ‘hat trick’ of tries. Once more Sherratt’s conversion went over leaving the home side deservedly winning by 50 – 0.

Pembroke’s coaches Jones and James were delighted with the overall performance, fitness support work and skills displayed by their whole squad in crafting such a comprehensive victory. The Youth play Aberystwyth away tomorrow, KO 2.30pm.

JUNIOR SECTION

Despite the very wet weather and the World Cup matches, a number of the Junior age groups played matches last Friday evening at Whitland and Quins. All age groups recorded wins or a draw. Well done to all of the squads on these results.

Last Monday evening the mini’s section were visited and coached by Scarlets players, one of whom was Haverfordwest’s Rob Evans. The children enjoyed a marvellous evening with the two Scarlets coaches and the age group coaches, parents and Club’s Junior and Management Committees are very grateful to the Scarlets for providing this special event for our youngest squads.