PemBROKESHIRE HC 4 Penarth HC 1

Pembrokeshire Hockey Club got back to their winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Penarth on Saturday.

Without Emlyn Williams to run the right half, but with Robbie Woods back to slot in for him, Pembrokeshire had a strong midfield, with Woods, Grant Cole, Bernie Wheeler and Tom Colley, and a fine defensive outfit in Martin Mumford, Craig Livingstone, Simon Mosely and Dave Hunter.

This gave Marcus Rackowe and captain Steve Kendrick the freedom they revelled in up front and it was this freedom that brought about a fine goal from Rackowe in beating the Penarth 'keeper to the ball and slotting it under him after a fine run through the defence.

Penarth, being in the top three of the division, were always going to give Pembrokeshire a hard game, but it was only with breaks from long ball clearances that anything was going to develop as Pembs. held the midfield.

After the first goal, Pembs continued to press and were awarded several short corners, from which a shot on goal was stopped on the line by a foot and a penalty awarded. Woods stepped up, but his flick was well saved by the 'keeper.

Penarth took heart from this and immediately struck back with a couple of short corners. Dave Miller made two outstanding saves from shots on target, but unfortunately could not keep out a further strike, which brought the scores level at 1 -1.

Further attacks from Pembs. saw another penalty awarded and this time Wheeler converted to make it 2-1 at the interval.

In the second half, Pembrokeshire moved the ball well down the right and should have made more of their opportunities.

Rackowe got his second from a run down the right and a cross into the circle by Woods, where Rackowe swept the ball into the net. His side's third came from a piece of individual skill from a short corner routine where the rebound from the initial strike on goal was picked up and flicked over the 'keeper by Woods. Dwayne Head came on for Rackowe with 10 minutes remaining and made several incisive runs into the Penarth circle. Penarth were determined not to let this game go without putting further pressure on the Pembs. defence, which stood up well. However, an unsavoury incident in the Pembs. circle saw 'keeper Dave Miller, having gone down to make a save, being struck in the head by several Penarth sticks in their eagerness to put the ball in the net. If it had not been for good umpiring, the game could well have deteriorated from here on. Pembs. finished strongly and retain their position on top of the division, with the Swansea Students in hot pursuit. Pembs 1st XI are away to Neath in their next game Team: D. Miller, M. Mumford, S. Moseley, D. Hunter, C. Livingstone, B. Wheeler, R. Woods, G. Cole, T. Colley, S. Kendrick (capt), M. Rackowe, D. Head. Umpires: Jane Wheeler, Keith Edwards.

PembS. 2nd XI 1 Penarth 3

This match was played immediately after the 1st XI game. As Penarth were unable to bring down a full complement of players, they used some of their higher level players, which made this a very hard game for the Pembs. Second XI, who coped well. Luke Smith, making his first appearance after some six years in the 'wilderness', and Martin Fieldhouse, at 40-plus making his debut appearance on a hockey pitch, both did well. It was Fieldhouse who could have opened the scoring for Pembs. when he found himself on more than one occasion in the circle with only the 'keeper to beat. Smith and Paul Morris controlled the midfield well in the first half and fed the ball to both Head and Colley on the wings, who in turn moved the ball up the field to the front pairing of Martin Fieldhouse and Phil Lewis. Penarth were strong in defence and their 'keeper was outstanding, stopping all the Pembs. attacks. The Penarth midfield was held well by the Pembs. midfield. However, the Penarth youngsters were a handful for the Pembs. defence and from a hard strike across the circle, a deflection saw them go one up. An indiscretion by the Penarth sweeper saw him yellow-carded 10 minues into the game and on his return he immediately gave away penalty. Colley stepped up and converted to make it 1-1. Pembs. continued to put together some good hockey, with young Rob Fieldhouse taking the ball down the line from the right-back position. The veteran pairing of Gary McKenzie and captain Dave Ferguson held the defence together well, with young Ollie Johnson making impressive tackles and clearances on the left of defence. Gavin Clayton made some great saves, but he was unable to continue to keep the ball out of his net as the Penarth experience came through and two quick goals were scored to make it 3-1. Pembs. battled on well and can be pleased to see a solid performance where they deserved to get at least a point.

Pembrokeshire 2nd XI's next game is home to Swansea HC.

Team: G. Clayton, D. Ferguson (capt.), O. Johnson, G. Mckenzie, R. Fieldhouse, D. Head, L. Smith, M. Colley, P. Morris, M. Fieldhouse, P. Lewis. Umpires: Bernie Wheeler, Martin Mumford.