The senior side entertained Fishguard & Goodwick at Crickmarren last weekend in the Division 2 West, festive local derby. With the ground conditions damp, but firm underfoot for the time of year and the weather dry, mild and slightly breezy, the scene was set for another titanic battle after an excellent match earlier in the season, which Pembroke won with a penalty just before the final whistle.

Pembroke started really well and thrust themselves onto the visitors try line two minutes in, only for prop Jonny Palmer to be held up; from the resulting scrum Fishguard took one against the head and cleared the danger. The game then seesawed for many minutes and Pembroke were forced to defend resolutely. The Fishguard pack looked very strong at the set piece which allowed them to exert some pressure on their opponents in the early exchanges; they were also proving a very tenacious and aggressive unit at the breakdown. After fourteen minutes and a period of pressure in the Pembroke last quarter, the visitors missed a very kickable penalty. A poor drop out that went straight into touch, yielded the visitors a scrum on the twenty two in a good position; a quick heal and pick up by No 8 Shousha, created space for their scrum half on the loop and he cantered in unopposed under the posts to the delight of his players and large travelling support. Pembroke struck back immediately and after kicking a penalty to the left corner and going through some phases were unable to convert pressure into points due to a determined defence from the visitors. Fishguard then lost their No 5 to a yellow card, when he transgressed at the breakdown and additionally showed misplaced aggression to his opposite number. Pembroke now capitalised on the numerical advantage, by repeatedly pressurising the visitors line; from a scrum in the twenty two, quick ball was moved right, No 10 Toby Smith feinted outside and gave a well timed reverse pass to centre Dan Colley, who crashed through defenders to score under the posts, converted by Toby Smith. Lewys Gibby playing at full back on his first appearance for the club this season, then made a sensational seventy metre individual run from his own half, but was adjudged to have given Dan Colley a forward pass on the visitor’s twenty two line, when a try seemed inevitable. Minutes later, after thirty one minutes, the home side were on the attack again from deep in their own half, with the forwards going through a number of phases, which eventually allowed live wire scrum half Tom Lewis space to make a break from a ruck on the Fishguard ten metre line; he made good ground and when eventually tackled inside the twenty two he deftly gave a very skilful and well timed one handed pass to skipper Scott Powell to race over to complete a marvellous team try, that went unconverted. Fishguard bounced back straight away and forced themselves deep into the home twenty two, where they were awarded a penalty, they elected to go for goal and No 10 Keane ably slotted it over. Soon after referee Michael Bullpitt (Bynea) called an end to the half, leaving the score at 12-10 to Pembroke, in what had been a hard fought, absorbing and entertaining half, that witnessed some very good attacking play and equally resolute defence from both teams; whilst Pembroke had been trying to play their normal expansive game plan, the visitors had forged territory through their hard working forwards and the boot of No 10 Keane. The defining difference in this pulsating half however, had been the loss of a player to a yellow card, which Pembroke had exploited to the maximum.

The second half proved another totally absorbing contest, with both sides showing real endeavour and a determination to take the honours. Pembroke went straight on the attack and created a number of good attacking positions, from open play and penalty kicks to the corner, but they failed to capitalise due to some errant handling at critical times. Fishguard too created a marvellous opportunity after tem mniutes, when from a lineout move their hooker sprinted fifty metres along the touchline, handed on to his No 8 Shousha, only for him to be stopped short of the line by some committed defensive tackling. Fishguard maintained their territorial position for the next few minutes, but failed to penetrate obdurate home defence. Both sides started making substitutions as the pace and physicality of this totally absorbing encounter took its toll. Fishguard were making the home side work hard to get out of their own half, as Keane pegged them back through his accurate kicking from hand. Pembroke elected to kick some mid field penalties to the corners, but failed to make these count, as they frustratingly lost possession at critical times. Pembroke’s dangerous, pacey Gibby was then set free once more deep inside his own half and made a sixty metre, weaving run past despairing defenders, only to be hauled down outside the twenty two. Fishguard then responded, made deep inroads and eventually won a penalty just outside the home twenty two, which Keane slotted over to take the visitors ahead for the first time, to the noisy delight of their support; this score raised their expectations and energy levels with ten minutes remaining and Fishguard began to mount a series of attacks, which were repelled by determined Pembroke defence. Final substitutions made by both sides, in an effort to invigorate their frantic efforts to secure the win. Both sides traded territory for the next five minutes, with defences firmly on top, despite some very tired legs. Pembroke then kicked a penalty to the corner, with only minutes remaining; from the resulting lineout, they knocked on and Keane cleared the danger from the scrum. Tensions were now running very high, with the visitors sensing an opportunity for a win against the odds. Pembroke secured possession from the lineout on the twenty two, moved the ball wide and created a first phase ruck, from which Toby Smith attempted a drop goal. However, the referee had awarded Pembroke a penalty against a despondent and incredulous Fishguard forward, who had transgressed at that ruck, on their twenty two metre line, allowing the home side and kicker Toby Smith an opportunity (as he had done at the death in the match earlier in the season) to win the match for his side; he duly stroked the ball through the posts to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Consequently, Pembroke’s resilience, determination and energy was rewarded with a well earned win by 15-13, much to the evident disappointment of the crest fallen Fishguard players, coaches and supporters, in what had been a truly marvellous, festive local derby. The large crowd showed their appreciation for both teams as they left the field, whilst the delighted Pembroke coaches commiserated with their counterparts, in what had turned out to be a carbon copy finish to a thoroughly exciting, full blooded encounter, reminiscent of matches past, between these old foes.

Whilst congratulating their squad for a great steal, after the match the Pembroke coaches reflected on too many lost opportunities to make territorial advantage pay throughout the match. Consequently, despite a last minute win, they were quick to point out that to remain in the upper half of this very competitive League, their squad would need to improve on a number of basics in readiness for some of the tough upcoming fixtures.

The Club had granted the Angle Lifeboat Association an opportunity to carry out a bucket collection on the field and in the clubhouse at the match. A report from them about the day is attached.

The club will entertain Carmarthen Athletic here tomorrow, KO 2.30pm.

SECOND XV

On Boxing Day, the “Tigers” played their annual match versus the Exiles XV, comprised of many ex-club players, who enjoy running off some of their Xmas excess against the new crop of club players.

The match was played in mild, dry weather on a very good pitch, given the very wet weather over the last few weeks, in front of a large festive crowd. Both squads were eager to play an expansive style from the outset and entertain the many family, friends and supporters, who had turned out. After twelve minutes, which saw both teams seesawing between each other’s territory and the effects of too much festive cheer were obvious, the stalemate was broken for the Tigers, when young centre Yori Roberts was fed quick ball from loose play and created a little space for himself to go over wide right for the first score; this was very ably converted by No 10 Ryan Wilkins from out wide. Both sides continued to manufacture good field position, but the Tigers defence kept the Exiles from scoring on numerous occasions and one particularly effective lineout drive. After twenty six minutes, it was Roberts again, who hacked through loose ball forty metres from his opponents line, only to be denied by an illegal tackle, leaving the referee Dave Byrne no option but to award a penalty try to Roberts. Two minutes later, after the Tigers broke out of their own half against the run of play, some excellent handling and offloading between forwards and backs, put the ever present Roberts in space wide left on the Exiles ten metre line and with a beautifully timed shimmy and side step he sprinted away from the despairing defence to race in for his third score of the half, which was again converted by Wilkins. Soon after the referee, blew for half time, leaving the Tigers ahead by 21-0 and to the delight of the players, who all looked as if they needed a short respite after some entertaining and high tempo action.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw a number of substitutions for both sides as the pace of the game took its toll and both teams pushing into each other’s territory. The Tigers took their first chance, with the forwards going through a number of phases and releasing quality ball, which was moved wide to allow Wilkins space to crash over for a well constructed score, that he failed to convert. This score seemed to galvanise the Exiles, who synthesised a superb score from their own half; some marvellously inventive, skilful handling and offloading between forwards and backs, created space for Luke Clarke to crash over for an unconverted try wide left. The Exiles gathered confidence and began to exert a little more authority during the last quarter, creating lots of possession and opportunities, only to be thwarted by some belligerent Tigers defence. However, after twenty five minutes, ubiquitous flanker Rob Jones gained possession close to the Tigers line, after repeated phases and was able to crash through tacklers to score to the delight of his comrades; this went unconverted. The Exiles maintained the pressure for the remainder of the match, but were unable to add to their score, leaving the Tigers the eventual winners 26-10, in a very entertaining and well fought match, which was well received by the large crowd, who roundly applauded the teams from the field.

During the game two sets of father and sons played, Lee Roberts and son James playing for the Exiles, and Nigel Cole and Iwan in direct opposition on the wing (a decision as to who got the upper hand is left for them to discuss).

After the game there was the usual welcoming hospitality in the clubhouse, where the club Chairman thanked referee Dave Byrne, all of the Exiles and the Tigers players for their tremendous entertainment and more especially the Exiles players for making their annual pilgrimage, before he asked the apprentice linesman Dawson Davies (picture attached) to present the Cup to Dan Gosnold the Tigers captain. The players enjoyed their reward, supplied by our sponsor Molston Coors Brewery and everyone enjoyed a very convivial evening, where many stories and memories were shared between old friends.

The coaches are hoping to have a run of matches on weekends leading up to and during the the Six Nations, so players are reminded to let them know their availability and to attend training as regularly as possible.

FINAL QUIZ NIGHT

This will be held at the club on Friday February 15th, starting at 7.15pm. This is the final fundraiser for the new Defibrillator machine to be placed outside the club or community use. We hope this will be in place very soon in the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the newly INCORPORATED CLUB

After nearly two years of very thorough work behind the scenes, the Directors of the new Pembroke RFC Ltd and Pembroke RFC Holdings Ltd, General Management Committee, President and Chairman, would like to wish all players and coaches at all age levels, members, supporters and friends, and not least the many sponsors of our club a very Happy New year, with a hope it brings happiness, health and success to all.

The Club wishes to publically thank Ian Martin, Mary James, Keith Nicholas and Chris Thomas and Caroline at Bevan & Buckland Accountants for all of their time, effort and expertise in completing this arduous exercise. Successfully achieving Incorporated status, means that the officers, members and assets of the club are much better protected moving into the future. Also the club wishes to thanks the former Trustees, Dai Williams, Eddie Lewis, John Jones and Eifion Powell for their contribution to the efficient stewardship of the club over many years, as their role is now at an end too, as the Directors now take over the oversight of our club under the new Articles of Association.