SECOND XV

On Wednesday evening last, Pembroke entertained a Bluestone XV in the first of two annual fixtures against this local works team. The weather was dry and very calm, although the ground was very wet following heavy afternoon rain.

A large crowd had assembled to witness what turned out to be a very entertaining and exciting match, between two evenly matched sides.

Bluestone started very positively, kicking long out of defence, after just three minutes, they followed up in numbers, their speedy backs hacked on wide out on the right side and managed to regain possession, put it through the hands to release centre Chris Morgan who ran under the posts for a well-taken, converted try.

Two minutes later, Pembroke were straight on the attack from the kick-off, forcing a position deep in the Bluestone half; they were awarded a penalty for an infringement in loose play, which was taken very quickly, allowing number nine Rhys Johns to run in for an unconverted try.

The game then had a 20-minute stoppage due to a serious injury to a Bluestone forward, after which Bluestone pushed hard for an immediate score, only to be kept out by a superb last-ditch tackle by young centre Tom Harding Jones, allowing Pembroke to clear their line.

Both sides were playing expensive rugby and testing each other’s defences for the next 15 minutes. Then Pembroke produced a well-constructed driving maul from a lineout 25 metres out from their opponents’ line, from which skipper Ben Hughes broke away to crash over for a well-deserved, unconverted try.

Pembroke then repelled a few charges from the Bluestone forwards, who won a scrum, fed the ball wide and from a ruck the number 10 chipped through for their flanker to pick up and crash over for a deserved team try, which was converted again by outside-half Kial Keane.

From a lineout minutes later, Pembroke broke forward forcing a penalty in the loose, which again was taken very quickly and fed to lock Cyle Weatherall, who bullocked his way through a packed defence to score an unconverted try; leaving the half-time score at 15-12 to the home side, in what had been a very entertaining half.

Both sides made changes at half-time as some legs tired due to the pace of the game.

Within four minutes, Pembroke forwards took the ball to the halfway line, quick ball released Tom Harding Jones, who with great pace, jinked his way to within 10 metres of the visitors’ line (for what would have been a great individual try), where it was quickly recycled and fed to winger Barry Alderman John, who ran in for a memorable, unconverted team try.

The score remained at 20-14 for the next 20 minutes, as both sides traded territorial advantage, without penetrating each other’s determined defences. Then nine minutes into the last quarter, the visitors conceded a penalty try, by pulling down a superb Pembroke maul that had made 30 metres up to the Bluestone line. This seemed to take the game away from Bluestone and Pembroke reinforced their advantage by breaking quickly out of defence and after a kick-chase, speedy winger Simon Stanford regathered to race in for a superb individual effort, which was not converted, to cement the win for the home side.

During the remaining few minutes, the teams again exchanged attacks, but, despite some very good handling in greasy conditions, neither side added to their scores and the defences reigned supreme, leaving the final result deservedly at 32-14 to the home side.

Afterwards, referee Chris Oliver congratulated both teams on a really enjoyable, well-contested game and the large crowd showed their appreciation with a resounding cheer and round of applause.

Bluestone skipper Dan Gosnold praised his team for their efforts, whilst the Pembroke team managers were delighted with the effort from their squad. The teams will meet again in the New Year.

The Second XV (The ‘Tigers’) will be playing Narberth at home this (Friday) evening, kick-off at 7.15 pm.

YOUTH XV

The Youth travelled to play Fishguard at their exposed secondary school pitch last weekend, in very wet, windy and wintery conditions. Pembroke had a depleted squad through injuries, whilst Fishguard were at full strength.

The match kicked off early to allow everyone to watch the Welsh international match.

Pembroke started the game really well, pushing deep into home territory and after a number of phases and good retention, were awarded a penalty at a ruck, which was taken quickly by scrum-half Jared Sherratt, who crashed through a disorganised defence for a score converted by skipper Tom Harding Jones.

Play then flowed between both halves as the teams tested each other’s defences.

Then after 10 minutes, Fishguard’s forwards forced a penalty from the visiting forwards, 25 metres from their line; the penalty was taken quickly and was fed to their tall flanker, who ran well and pierced some frail tackling to score a converted try under the posts.

Minutes later, Fishguard’s lively forwards went through a number of phases and their very aggressive number eight picked to crash through tacklers for a well-taken, unconverted try.

Fishguard then lost a player to a yellow card for a tackle misdemeanour as the visitors unsuccessfully pressed the home line.

With five minutes remaining in the half, the home side’s backs and forwards combined well to take them deep into Pembroke’s 22, where they recycled to allow their very lively, tall flanker to score his second, converted try.

Pembroke’s poor tackling had cost them on a number of occasions during the half, whilst the aggression of the home forwards and the interplay with their dangerous backs made the difference and had given them a real edge on the visitors.

Both teams had demonstrated adventure and a willingness to go wide, but the home side’s key players had provided the advantage, leaving the score at half-time deservedly at 19-7 to the home side.

Pembroke changed a few personnel around and altered their tactics after the break as they were now playing with the slope in their favour; skipper and number 10 Tom Harding Jones kicked well in attack, pegging the home side deep in their half for most of the half.

After exerting lots of pressure, the visitors scored a super try straight off the training pitch; the pack delivered good ball from a lineout 25 metres out, went through the phases, released quick ball and freed their skipper at outside-half, who ran a great line and fed inside to Tommy John, who sprinted through the gap opened up for him to dive in for a wel- crafted, converted try, to bring the score to 19-14.

Pembroke seemed invigorated and they pushed hard for another score, only to be met with a very determined and resilient home defence, that remained intact despite huge pressure.

Fishguard only made one more incursion into the Pembroke half and broke their hearts, when they went wide right, retained possession in the loose, freed their numbre eight, who fell short, yet managed to pass to their number four, who expertly dribbled the ball over the line to drop on it to score a hard-earned, converted try.

Soon after, referee Ken Davies blew to end what had been a very entertaining and exciting encounter, despite the conditions and leaving the home side victorious by 26-14.

Whilst Pembroke were left to rue some poor defensive work in the first half, which had proved quite costly, the home side’s aggression in both attack and defence had proved the decisive factor in their win. Both sides were congratulated by the referee for their willingness to play some attractive rugby in very challenging conditions.

The Pembroke Youth squad move on to play their next game in early December due to international matches. The Youth have, however, drawn Nelsoin RFC Youth in the WRU National Youth Cup competition. This game is due to be played on December 9 at home, kick-off 2.30 pm.

REGGIE JONES

SHIELD AWARD

Reggie was a local referee, affiliated to the Pembrokeshire Referees Society, who died some years ago after many years of service, officiating particularly in the Pembrokeshire Junior Union and Youth Leagues. The shield is awarded to the club that that the referees vote in as the most hospitable, sporting and respectful towards the match officials for that season.

The society has awarded this shield in memory of Reggie for many years and Pembroke’s Second XV has been awarded this for last season 16-17; this is the fourth time Pembroke has been given this award.

The picture at the bottom of the page shows Chris Oliver (referee) presenting the shield to Pembroke captain Ben Hughes, accompanied by the two Pembroke team managers, Dai Gwyther and Nigel Cole.

PEMBS KO CUP

ROUND TWO

Just to confirm that Pembroke play Fishguard at home on Thursday, November 30, kick-off at 7.15 pm in the cup competition.

WRU BOWL

ROUND FIVE

Pembroke travel to Laugharne on Saturday, December 9, kick-off 2 pm, in their quest to make the last 16 of this year’s competition. Supporters please contact the club steward on or after Tuesday, December 5, to confirm transport arrangements in advance. Buses will leave the club on this day at approximately 11-11.30 am.

SECOND CLUB GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ

This will take place in the clubhouse on Friday, December 1, starting at 7.30 pm. All members and families, friends and visitors are welcome to come along in teams of four to six for a fun evening. Light refreshments will be served at the break.

CHRISTMAS TURKEY TROT and LADIES DRAW

The winners of turkeys can pick up their birds from the clubhouse on evening of Saturday, December 23. The ladies’ committee Christmas Draw will take place at the clubhouse on the evening of Friday, December 8. Everyone is welcome to come along on these festive evenings for a friendly Christmas drink and music.

BOXING DAY

EXILES MATCH

This annual reunion game will go ahead as usual on December 26, kick-off 2 pm. Any players wishing to participate are asked to get their names to Nick Shiels (on Facebook) or to the club captain or to other senior players well in advance, so that teams can be formulated.