PEMBROKE LOSE OUT IN LOCAL DERBY

After a very close encounter at the start of the season, the post Christmas return fixture against Neyland was always going to be a difficult assignment for the Pembroke squad; especially as they arrived off the back of an unexpected loss to the Quins before Christmas, which had dented their confidence.

Consequently, the Pembroke supporters arrived in good numbers anticipating a more determined and structured performance from their young squad.

The game began in mild, damp, misty conditions and it soon became clear to both sides that the referee was determined to keep a firm grip in this local derby.

The first half saw both sides thrust and counter-attack, without piercing each other’s determined defence. However, after seven minutes, as the result of sustained pressure from their pack, Pembroke forced and secured their first score, a penalty from young fullback Luke Hartland.

From the outset, Pembroke’s pack established total dominance in the set-piece, but their young backs, despite creating good field position on a number of occasions, lacked accuracy and spurned a number of try-scoring opportunities.

Neyland, too, produced a number of forays deep into their opponents’ territory, often led by their number eight charging off the back of retreating scrums and causing the Pembroke defence real problems; one of his charges eventually yielded their only score, a penalty kicked by number 10 Toby Haman, just before half-time, leaving honours even at the interval.

The second half saw a repeat of the see-saw nature of the first half, with both teams desperate to get the first score and establish a meaningful lead. The dangerous Neyland backs began to demonstrate their pace and ability on the counter-attack, whilst the Pembroke team seemed frustrated at their inability to be effective in attack and finish their sporadic opportunities.

Then 17 minutes into the half, the Neyland forwards, after some concerted pressure, released quick ball, which their outside-half Toby Haman took at speed and ghosted through a flat-footed Pembroke defence to score an excellent individual effort under the posts, which he also converted.

Five minutes later, after another burst from their number eight from loose play, Neyland were granted a penalty, which was gratefully converted by Haman.

Pembroke, despite a lacklustre performance, then responded by breaking out of defence and after some excellent inter-passing, released fullback Hartland, who was high tackled by the desperate Neyland number eight, just short of the line, when a score seemed certain. The referee immediately red-carded the Neyland player and granted a penalty try, which Hartland converted, taking the score to 13-10 to the home team and setting up a very tense last final period.

Pembroke second row, Dai Beynon was also yellow-carded for intervening at the same time.

Shortly afterwards, Neyland suffered their second red card, when their scrum-half was deemed to have verbally abused the referee.

Both teams then threw everything they had at each other for the remainder of the game. After 31 minutes, Neyland’s backs counter-attacked, their forwards combined to force themselves deep into Pembroke territory and eventually their young prop Dawes crashed over to a huge roar from home supporters for a converted try to put them into a lead at 20-10.

Pembroke tried hard to respond and made a number of thrusts deep into their opponents’ territory, but were frustrated by excellent home defence and failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority, leaving an ecstatic Neyland team and their highly vocal supporters deserved winners.

Toby Haman was deservedly declared man of the match by the majority of supporters on both sides.

Pembroke’s pack was left frustrated after a dominant display, whilst their young backs Lewis, Hartland and Kinnear again proved they possess the ability to operate very effectively at senior level.

Meanwhile, the referee paid tribute to both teams for their commitment, in what he felt had been a very hard fought local derby.

After good early season form, Pembroke’s players and coaches know they have a lot of work to do to regain the level of performance required to tackle another tough assignment away at Laugharne next week.

UNDER 16s

The Under 16s produced an excellent display of running rugby in St. Davids, to come out 53-0 winners.

Pembroke U16’s were back on the road after the Christmas break and won an entertaining game in difficult conditions at St.Davids.

Games between these two teams at this age group have always been competitive and played in the right spirit and Sunday was no different, with Pembroke lending the Saints a number of players.

Pembroke were captained by hooker Shane Gwyther and from the first whistle both teams were intent on playing attacking rugby.

The large vociferous crowd were treated to a spectacle of entertaining rugby, with non-stop running from all parts of the ground.

Pembroke ran our eventual winners with tries from Harry Turner (4), Liam Brunton, James Allen, Douggie Whitbread, Theo Davies, Curtis Palmer, Johnathan Smith, Shane Gwyther, Liam Brunton and Rhys Richards, with thrtee conversions from Jared Sherratt.

After the game, St. Davids coach and fixture secretary Adrian Davies thanked the players from both teams for an entertaining game.

UNDER14s

In a full-blooded encounter, which saw both sides giving their all, there were some wonderfully exciting passages of play, which produced a number of excellent tries.

St. Davids, the home side, held the upper hand in the first half, ending it 10-0 up.

The Pembroke team then came into their own in the second half and, after some very exciting handling, scored some well-constructed tries of their own.

St. Davids also produced many attacks, but these were repelled by some very determined Pembroke defence.

Eventually the Pembroke youngsters triumphed 14-10 in what had proved a very entertaining and exciting second half.

junior cup

draw 2017

U11s: Sunday, March 19 - Tenby at home in quarter-final.

U12s: By Sunday, March 12 - Llangwm at home, prelim round; Sunday, March 19 - St. David’s in next round.

U13s: Sunday, March 19 - Whitland away in quarter-final.

U14s: Sunday, March 19 - Crymych or St. David’s away in quarter-final.

U15s: Sunday, March 19 - Crymych away in quarter-final.

U16s: Sunday, March 19 - Tenby at home in quarter-final.

QUIZ NIGHT

January 27 starting at 7.15 pm in the clubhouse, teams of four to six, everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the evening.

SIX NATIONS

MATCHES

Members, friends and anyone interested are cordially invited to come to the club to watch this exciting series of matches in February and March. Beer is discounted during the duration of the matches each weekend.