FIRST XV RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AT LAUGHARNE

What a difference a week makes! Pembroke returned a magnificent win away at Laugharne last week in a game that delighted, excited and entertained both sets of supporters. Even the referee, Paul Richards (Llanelli), joined in by congratulating both teams on a tremendously exciting and well-contested encounter.

The game kicked off on a sunny, but breezy cold day and from the start it was clear that both teams were intent on playing an expansive game, with both sets of very skilful half-backs dictating play behind two very well-matched packs.

The outcome remained in doubt for the entire duration of the match, with both teams continually probing and testing each other’s defences; there were many phases of play started from deep, which involved some exciting and very skilful running and interplay from both teams.

After eight minutes, Laugharne made the first incursion, involving some good inter-passing in their forwards, which opened up the Pembroke defence for their centre to crash over wide out for an unconverted try.

Minutes later, after quick possession from a scrum on their opponents 10-metre line, Pembroke’s outside-half, Lewys Gibby, ran a set move, which put winger Barry Alderman-John into the corner for a very well-worked unconverted try.

Pembroke, soon after, went the full length of the field, after a counter-attack from deep in their half, only to lose possession on the Laugharne line. Very soon after, with their tails up, Pembroke were repelled again by some solid Laugharne defence.

Play then ebbed and flowed between the two halves for a good 10 minutes, but after some excellent interplay which took Pembroke deep into their opponents’ half, their young fullback, Luke Hartland, jinked his way through a packed defence to score an excellent team try, which went unconverted.

Laugharne then quickly replied with a swift attack, which saw the flat-footed Pembroke defence beaten by some good handling and a pacey Laugharne centre, who ran in a well deserved, unconverted try.

Minutes later, in this pulsating game, Pembroke mounted a concerted attack and from a scrum on the Laugharne 22, quick ball was fed to Gibby at numner 10, who skilfully delayed a pass, dummied his opposite number and ran in for an excellent individual try, converted by Hartland.

This left the score at half-time a breathless 17-10 to the visitors, in front of two sets of ecstatic supporters.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Laugharne scoring an unconverted try after nine minutes, when their flanker darted through a gap created by some good counter-attacking handling by his own backs and forwards.

Pembroke seemed to be stung into action and minutes later, after another counter-attack from deep in their own half, they released quick ball from a ruck 30 metres out, which passed through a number of hands before winger Matthew Lewis crashed over for a well-deserved team try.

Pembroke then made a number of substitutions and soon after, after concerted pressure, were awarded a penalty on their opponents’ 22-metre line, which was ably converted by Hartland, after it hit the post and bounced over off the bar.

As the game entered the last quarter, Pembroke put in a sustained period of attacking play, with substitute Sam Smith creating havoc with some strong runs.

However, after 22 minutes, Laugharne mounted a concerted counter-attack, which saw their pacey centre substitute race over for an excellent individual effort, which was converted by his co-centre.

Laugharne then lost their kicking centre, who was yellow carded for deliberate obstruction.

Soon after, with Pembroke on the attack, their second row Scott Powell stole a home lineout throw deep in home territory, which was seized upon by flanker Dom Coleman, who bullocked his way over for an important score, that went unconverted.

From the kick-off, Pembroke failed to field the ball and Laugharne were awarded a penalty, which was duly converted by their substitute centre.

The remaining minutes saw both sides throw everything into attack from all areas of the field, but neither could pierce the resolute defences.

Pembroke put up determined resistance and ran out deserved winners 32-25, in what supporters on both sides branded a hugely exciting and enthralling encounter, which had proved a tremendous advert for the game.

At the close, the referee praised both sides for their endeavour and willingness to play adventurous, expansive exciting rugby throughout the game.

Both teams retired to enjoy the hospitality provided by the Laugharne club and to reflect on their own excellent performances. Supporters on both sides also exchanged their own thoughts and reflections and were full of praise for both sets of players for putting on such an entertaining match, as they too enjoyed mingling afterwards.

Pembroke now move on to St. Davids at home next week, with the prospect of tough encounters, away in Tregaron (who they beat at home), home to Milford (who they beat in the league earlier in the season) and away to Cardigan (who they drew with) coming up soon.

YOUTH XV

Pembroke entertained a strong Neyland team, who began the game in fine style as they scored a try in the corner within the first five minutes. The conversion attempt was missed.

The Pembroke lads responded well and, after a number of good handling moves, were awarded a penalty on the 10-metre line directly in front of posts. The penalty kick was successful by flanker Billy Kinnear.

In an evenly contested first period, both sides had chances to score more points, but none was taken until the last minute of the half when, after a speculative kick ahead, Pembroke failed to secure possession and an easy try was scored by Neyland to make the half-time score 10-3.

After the break, Neyland dominated territory and possession, using their larger forwards to consistently break the ‘gain line’. As the Pembroke youngsters tired, they began to miss tackles, which in the first half had been made.

Eventually the ‘floodgates’ opened and Neyland scored several tries in the last quarter to make the final score 48-3.

Pembroke will need to regroup and concentrate on the positives from their performance of the first half and remember the game is played for 70 minutes and not relax or lose their shape and determination next week.

CLUB QUIZ NIGHT

Friday, January 27, starting in the clubhouse at 7.15 pm. Teams of four to six. All welcome.

Molson Coors presents a Worthington Wednesday

On Wednesday, February 22, starting at 7.30 pm (that’s seated at 7.30 pm promptly) Scrum V’s Phil Steele and internationals Ken Owens and Ryan Jones will be present for a Q&A session. There will also be a buffet. Tickets are £10 each and there’s a limited number available from behind the bar at the clubhouse on a first come, first served basis and paid for in full. We welcome people wanting to book tables of six. Tickets can be reserved by telephoning the club steward (01646 682209), but have to be picked up and paid for in full prior to the event.

CLUB DINNER

The club dinner to celebrate the 2016-17 season will be held at Beggars Reach on May 5. Please see Emma and Jayne for tickets, which will be on sale in the coming weeks, on a first come, first served basis for members.

SIX NATIONS RUGBY

Come and watch these games at the clubhouse. Members, family, friends and anyone interested in the game are all welcome to come along and watch in the company of rugby people.