Last Saturday, the squad travelled to Dunvant RFC’s ground at Goodacre, in Swansea, to take on Cardiff University in the semi-final of the WRU Bowl, accompanied by huge support, many who had also travelled from home and scores more from all over south Wales.

The weather was dry, cloudy, cool, with a slight breeze blowing on this wooded, valley ground. The squad, coaches and supporters of both sides were given a warm welcome by the host committee.

The Pembroke squad, having performed so creditably throughout the league season and previous rounds of this competition, had prepared really well and were confident that they could mount a stern challenge against a University squad, which were a totally unknown quantity.

The pitch was a large one, with the host club having been in the top flight many years ago and ground conditions were excellent; so the scene was set for a titanic battle for a place at the Principality Stadium final on April 29.

The university side looked a well-drilled unit during their warm-up, their forwards looked strong, tall and athletic, as did their backs, who also had obvious pace out wide.

In the first five minutes, both sides traded skirmishes into each other’s halves. Pembroke’s forwards then forced a kickable penalty position, after an infringement in the loose, but they chose to kick for position deep into the university 22. However, they lost possession at the lineout and the danger was averted.

The university then lost their hooker to injury.

The Pembroke pack had produced excellent early effort in the scrum and put the students under some pressure.

After nine minutes, the university forwards won possession on the halfway line, the ball went through many hands one way then the other as they utilised their pacemen out wide, stretching the Pembroke defence, until after further good handling, their centre Harry Griffiths crashed in for the game’s first try wide left; this went unconverted.

Minutes later, Pembroke gained territory through good combined work and forced a mistake from the university forwards at the breakdown at kickable range, but again chose to kick into the corner, only to lose possession at a critical time.

For the next 10 minutes, the two sides traded territory, but both defences remained intact; then after some good forwards handling, Pembroke were awarded another kickable opportunity, only to go for the corner for a third time. They secured possession from the resulting lineout, only to lose it to a turnover, which was cleared by the students.

Minutes later, Pembroke, although awarded a penalty on their own 22, broke out of defence and scrum-half Tom Lewis gathered a loose ball in the clear and started to run for what should have been a clear score, only for the referee mystifyingly, to take them back to the original penalty mark, having allowed advantage.

Shortly after, on 33 minutes, the university gained possession, went through a number of phases, gaining ground each time, before they released their hooker Hosteler wide left, with quick ball, to score a try in the corner, which again went unconverted.

The university number 10, Robjohn, was beginning to dictate play with some excellent kicking out of hands to put them into attacking positions; on 38 minutes from a scrum 10 metres from the Pembroke line, quick ball was fed to centre Griffiths, who broke a tackle and fed his flanker Waller, who crashed over near the posts for a deserved try, which Robjohn converted.

The Pembroke players were disconsolate at this time, but determined to reply in order to keep themselves in the match. Minutes later and in the last play of the half, the Pembroke forwards and backs combined well, Sam Smith drove deep into the students’ 22 from a lineout, where after a few phase, centre Shaun Dalling made a jinking run, only to fall short of the line, but scrum-half Tom Lewis picked up and stretched to score an excellent sniping try, which was converted by centre Dalling.

This score certainly provided encouragement for the team, after a stressful first half, leaving the half-time score deservedly at 17-7 to the university.

Two minutes into the second half, Pembroke transgressed under their posts and Robjohn added another three points from the penalty kick.

Then a few minutes later from a lineout 30 metres out from the Pembroke line, the students moved it wide, their centre broke a tackle in midfield and fed his lock Stonehill, who crashed through tacklers for another well-taken try, which Robjohn converted.

Pembroke were desperate to respond; then after 10 minutes, a number of phases and carries by the forwards, lock Toby Edwards made good ground and fed ouside-half Toby Smith supporting at pace, who crashed through defenders wide right to score an excellent team try, which went unconverted, to ecstatic scenes amongst their supporters, who were doing everything to encourage their team.

Poor handling at times from attempted offloads that went awry were costing Pembroke dearly and prevented them from building any real momentum.

Pembroke then made a raft of changes around the 50-minute mark, using most of their bench to add fresh legs, as the pace and physical nature of the game began to take its toll.

As the teams entered the final quarter, the score was at 30-12 to the students, who looked more comfortable at this stage, as their fly-half Robjohn was proving a thorn in Pembroke’s side, as he was doing the simple things well and kicking his side deep into Pembroke territory to relieve pressure.

On 27 minutes, the university were awarded another penalty, which Robjohn kicked deep into Pembroke territory; but they were denied a score by the determined Pembroke defence.

Shortly after, after 29 minutes, the students were awarded a penalty in the Pembroke 22, in kickable range, but they elected to scrum, with their scrummage having gone very well and time beginning to wane for Pembroke; from the scrum they took the ball up right side, and from loose play, quick ball was fed to their centre Forbes, who crashed through to score the final try of the game; this was unconverted.

Minutes later, a final, determined Pembroke attack, which involved forwards and backs, was halted when they again lost possession deep in the students’ 22 and Robjohn cleared.

The referee then blew the final whistle to confirm the students as the winners by 35-12, to lots of applause from the huge contingent of respectful Pembroke fans, who had seen their side beaten by a better team on the day.

On reflection, after the game, the Pembroke coaches, whilst being disappointed, were extremely proud of their squad’s run in the competition and quick to acknowledge that on the day the better side had prevailed. Whilst some of the Pembroke supporters were left wondering if the kickable penalty opportunities in the first half had been taken, how this might have impacted on the result. The students had played a typical varsity style, using their strengths, by repeatedly moving the ball wide to utilise their pace and continually stretching the Pembroke defenders. Whilst Pembroke, whose pack had done so well in previous rounds, had had a real battle against what proved to be a very accomplished student scrummage, that had demonstrated sound skills, athleticism and durability.

Young Tom Harding Jones, who made his debut for Pembroke off the bench in the second half, had shown a lot of confidence, pace, agility and skill, and he will no doubt figure strongly when he appears twice at the Principality Stadium in weeks to come, for both Tenby School and Pembroke Youth in their respective finals.

After the game, Stuart Vanstone, head of sport at Cardiff University, was quick to praise the Pembroke squad, whilst acknowledging the superiority of his own squad. The students acquitted themselves very well and demonstrated the organisation, discipline, pace and excellent handling skills that had been anticipated by the large crowd, made up largely of Pembroke supporters.

After thanking the Dunvant committee for their welcome and hospitality, the Pembroke squad, coaches and supporters enjoyed their own celebrations on their return journey, via the Fox & Hounds in Bancyfelin, which witnessed some excellent renditions of old songs by the whole brigade, on what turned out to be an old style post-rugby trip.

On returning to the clubhouse and after a ‘clapping tunnel’ for the squad and coaches, the chairman reminded them, that everyone associated with the club were so proud of their achievements and run of success in this competition, and the other two that they would now be able to concentrate on, i.e. the Division Three West A National League and Pembrokeshire KO Cup.

Pembroke: Luke Hartland, Elliot Evans, Shaun Dalling, Dan Colley, Simon Stanford, Toby Smith, Tom Lewis, Lloyd Davies, Tim Sharpe, Jonny Palmer, Scott Powell (capt), Will Edwards, Rhodri Walters, Billy Wood, Sam Smith. Replacements - Jamie Brayford, Cyle Weatherall, Alex Thomas, Jim Brace, Alex Wilkes, Barry Alderman-John, Fraser James, Tom Harding-Jones.

Referee - Nathan Davies; assistants - Richard Nuth and Anthony Kavanagh.

The firsts now await the arrival of Cardigan tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 2.30 pm. They are also due to play Laugharne at home the week after, again with a 2.30 pm kick-off, while Llangwm are due to visit on Friday, May 4, kick-off 7.15 pm.

The date and time for the match versus Pembroke Dock Harlequins, away, in the semi-final of the Pembs KO Cup is as yet to be finalised.

The dates for the remaining league games against Aberaeron (H), Haverfordwest (A), Milford (A) and Cardigan (A) are also yet to be confirmed.

YOUTH XV

The squad was not in action last weekend. They played Crymych at home last Tuesday evening in the U18s Griffiths Cup (report next week) and are due to play Whitland away on April 14, KO 2.30 pm. There might yet be a game against Neyland tomorrow - supporters should contact the club to confirm if this will be going ahead.

The squad are due to play in the WRU Plate Final at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, April 21, kick-off 1.15 pm. There will be a list in the clubhouse for a supporters bus, so anyone wanting to travel should add their names by Monday, April 16, to ensure adequate provision can be made.

150+ CLUB

DRAW WINNER

Congratulations to Mr. Mike Webb, who won the £500 March draw. If anyone wishes to join this draw, they should see Mary James on match days for the relevant mandate forms.