After a very demanding few weeks the senior squad had to raise themselves mentally and physically for their first appearance in the Pembrokeshire KO Cup Final since 1965, at St. Davids RFC, last Wednesday evening, against the very strong Aberystwyth outfit of Division 1 West. A very determined Aber squad came to this final after four, successive failed attempts, whilst Pembroke knew they had a titanic battle on their hands to rest the trophy from a highly motivated and very capable opposition.

The St. Davids ground, which was hosting the final for the very first time, looked a real picture in the sunny, breezy and cool conditions that evening. The conditions suited both sides as they have become renowned for playing an open, fluid style, based on two very good packs of forwards. A large crowd had also turned out to support their teams and a large number of interested neutrals also attended.

The match proved to be the titanic battle that had been predicted. Aber’s pack power, pace and physicality proved the decisive factor and they dominated for the majority of the game. Both sides played an expansive style as expected and the two sets of backs seemed equally matched, however, the Aber backs were provided with a greater amount of possession and they utilised this to full advantage, scoring some well taken tries. Pembroke mounted regular, well-structured assaults of their own on the Aber line, but some handling errors and obdurate defence kept them at bay for most of the game. However, they did drag themselves back into the match with two excellent team tries midway through the second half, which forced Aber to reassess their options and move up another gear. Both teams made their last changes and Aber scored their final two tries in quick succession late in the game, against a stressed and stretched defence.

The eventual try count was six to three in Aber’s favour and they fully deserved to be up 22-7 at half-time and eventually secure a well deserved win; their final two tries against a very tired Pembroke defence (not unsurprising after the demands of their last four weeks, two matches a week schedule) in the last ten minutes, meant the score flattered them and did not give a true reflection on Pembroke’s contribution to an exciting and entertaining match, which had seen Aber having to defend more than they had had to in some of their League encounters. The final score ended at 44-21 to Aber, who seemed relieved and delighted to have got the monkey of failure in this final off their backs. The crowd showed their appreciation for both the squads as they left the field, after they had been royally entertained, by two committed, tired squads, who had given everything.

After the match, Aber were very effusive about the effort the whole Pembroke squad had put in to make their task so difficult and they acknowledged that Pembroke’s recent exertions had obviously taken their toll. The match officials too, reiterated similar sentiments and congratulated both teams on their cultured performances. Aber lock Arwel Lloyd was very deservedly voted man of the match, after a marvellous personal performance. Pembroke were left to reflect on what might have been, had they been allowed the rest and space to prepare properly for this match; however, their coaches and supporters were extremely proud of their commitment and performance on the night, and particularly the personal performances of the many teenagers in their young squad.

The squads retired to the warm welcome of the Saints clubhouse, where they shared the generous hospitality laid on by the sponsors H.N.O. Hughes &Associates and discussed the match with the Aber players, coaches and their own supporters. Despite the gulf in terms of position in the National Leagues, Aber were very quick to assert that they expected the Pembroke squad to more than hold their own in Division 2 next season. The Pembroke lads, after a very tough last month, were genuinely looking forward to a very well earned rest and time with their families, after their historic season.

The Pembroke club and squad, wishes to thank St Davids, the sponsors, The County Rugby committee and especially the Aberystwyth club for a truly memorable occasion.

UNDER 17s

The young Pembroke squad travelled to Tenby to take on a very strong Narberth squad, knowing they would have a huge battle to rest the Cup from such an eclectic mix of players. The match was played in mild, overcast and almost windless conditions on a firm pitch, in front of a healthy crowd.

Narberth proved to be exactly what had been expected, a well drilled, strong running and physical team. Whilst the younger Pembroke team put up very spirited resistance and showed glimpses of their true potential, particularly in the second half. The Narberth forwards laid a solid platform, supplied a constant stream of possession and linked well with their backs, which provided ample opportunities to make inroads into Pembroke territory. Narberth scored very early on through their very accomplished No 12; they continued to dominate throughout the half, despite excellent defensive work from the Pembroke lads and scored a further three tries to end the half 24-0 up.

Pembroke struck the first blow of the second half, when No 10 Kyran Gray, after very good work by his forwards, chipped past defenders close in to pick up and dive over to score a very well-taken individual try. Pembroke also elected to go to uncontested scrums at the start of the half, because one of their props had been injured just before half time. Narberth’s power and strength however came to the fore as the half progressed and they forged another try after thirteen minutes, when they put their right wing into space. The game then went into a period of stalemate, where Pembroke mounted a number of determined attacks, which were met with equally determined defence. Then after thirty four minutes, Pembroke fullback Harry Turner, picked up a loose kick out of defence 40 metres out and jinked past a number of flat footed defenders to score a marvellous individual try, to the delight of his players and supporters alike; this was converted by Jared Sherratt. Narberth however, then imposed themselves through excellent combinations between forwards and backs to score two late tries against a tiring Pembroke defence to round off the match and a well-deserved win by 41-14.

The Pembroke coaches whilst proud of their squad’s effort, were quick to acknowledge the superiority of the Narberth outfit in what had been an absorbing game. The officials congratulated both sides on their performances, prior to the presentation of the Mike Fry Cup to Narberth and medals to all of the players on both sides.

The Pembroke scorers: Tries: Kyran Gray, Harry Turner. Cons: Jared Sherratt (2)

Pembroke’s squad: Evan Phillips, Shane Gwyther, Liam Brunton, Josh Axon, Jonathan Wood, Dewi Roberts, Med Le Britton Booth, Theo Davies, Jared Sherratt, Kyran Gray, Johnathan Smith, Rhys Griffiths, James Jones, Jo Watkins, Harry Turner; Subs, James Allen, Ethan Stewart, Curtis Palmer.

The squad will now join the Youth players for the annual dinner at the clubhouse, when they will all celebrate all of their accomplishments from the past season. Everyone at the club is extremely proud of both squads and their historic successes during the last season.

150+ CLUB winner

Congratulations to Julie Cooper on winning the £500 cheque for the monthly draw for May.

CONGRATULATIONS to SIMON STANFORD

Many congratulations from all at the club on his completion of the recent Barcelona Ironman challenge in a very good time.

ANOTHER ADDITION to THE FAMILY

Everyone at the club wishes Kyle Davies (senior coach) and his wife Jessica, all best wishes as she is due very soon to give birth to their second child.

WOMEN’S RUGBY

The ladies are now training weekly and anyone wanting to join in should contact Natasha Smith, her details are displayed on the Women’s Rugby noticeboard inside the clubhouse.

ANNUAL FIELDS RENOVATIONS

All of the club’s fields will be out of use for the whole of June and first two weeks of July to allow grass seed germination and other work to take full effect, prior to the start of pre-season training at the end of July and pre-season fixtures in August.

ANNUAL CLUB DINNER

The club’s annual dinner will take place at Carew Aerodrome pavilion tonight (Friday) The transport home from the event pavilion to the Pembroke club will leave the venue at 1 am. Over 150 people have already committed to attending, what should be a huge celebration of success across all sections of the club.

ANNUAL SPONSORS BBQ

The club is holding the annual sponsors BBQ on Friday, June 22, starting at 7 pm; this is the event where the club’s main committee and the senior and youth players, give thanks to all coaches, volunteers, match, team, kit and match ball sponsors, and other people who have supported the club throughout the past season. The club’s main committee, ladies committee, Youth committee, junior committee, all players, coaches and many volunteers, as always, would like to give their sincere thanks to all sponsors across all of the club’s sections for their continued, generous support. We look forward to a great evening, when we hope to announce the coaching groups for pre-season training and next season.

FORMER PLAYERS REUNION

On Friday, July 27, the Former Players Association is holding a Former Players Reunion night at the clubhouse. This event occurs approximately every three to four years and it allows many old friends to be reunited and to share stories from their own eras, with some of their old team mates and some of their younger counterparts. There will be a lot to talk about this season, because of its historic nature for our own club, but other topics might include some of our alumni, with Luke Hamilton getting his first Scottish cap, Jonny Thomas’s part Bristol getting promotion, Rhys Fawcett playing at Regional level with the Scarlets, just to mention a few things.

CONGRATULATIONS to JONATHAN THOMAS

Jon recently was a coach to the victorious Barbarians RFC team that beat England at Twickenham, inflicting the eighth successive defeat on the host nation. We also send our congratulations on his being a central part of Bristol’s marvellous league season, which has seen them promoted back into the Aviva Premiership (see photos).

NEW FLOODLIGHTS

After the loss of this facility on our main pitch last Christmas, the sub committee given the responsibility for securing funding for this big project has begun their work. In the near future, we hope to secure WRU grant funding and will also be looking for sponsorship and other forms of funding to complete the construction of a new, upgraded system, which is likely to cost around £50-£60,000 in total.

RECENT BEREAVEMENT

Our condolences and sincere thoughts go out to the Gibby family, of Windmill Hill Farm, after the recent loss of Jayne’s sister ‘Rosie.’