PEMBROKE DOCK QUINS 5 pts.

PEMBROKE 22

In this local derby played in front of a large crowd of about 400, both sides gave a totally committed display, with the result in the balance until the closing stages.

With the wind at their backs, the Scarlets put early pressure on the Quins and were determined to hold on to their 100 per cent record.

The visitors soon forced two kickable penalties, which surprisingly they didn't take on, going for lineouts instead, which came to nothing.

It was not until there were 20 minutes on the clock that the first score came. The Quins were caught offside at a ruck right in front of their own posts and this time the opportunity to put points on the board proved too great, outside-half Josh Davies slotting his kick easily.

The Scarlets started to step things up, realising they needed more points on the board as the elements in the second half would favour the Quins.

On the half-hour the Scarlets struck again when captain and hooker Max Hayward burrowed his way over the line. Josh Davies onverted to put his side 10 points in front.

With 10 minutes of the half still remaining, it was vital that the Quins did not concede any more points to their lofty neighbours and, in fact, it was Pembroke Dock themselves who were to strike next when a rare visit into their opponents half produced a fine individual try for scrum-half Nathan George when he took a quick tap penalty and after a superb 'show and go' dived over in the corner to haul his side back into the match at 5-10.

The visitors were stunned and went straight back on the offensive, and as the half drew to a close they spurned two glorious chances to score after creating overlaps, but white line fever in a local derby is a terrible disease and the chances were gone.

At the start of the second half, the Quins had the bit between their teeth and it was now their turn to put on the pressure. A strong run from right wing Chris Harries could easily have resulted in a try for his side and with number eight Stefan Halwood, arguably the best all round player on the pitch, leading from the front, the Scarlets were clearly rattled.

It was the Quins' turn now to turn down kickable penalties as confidence was growing in their ranks, but unfortunately for the home side nothing materialised.

As the game moved into the final stages, the outcome was still very much in the balance. But it was the Scarlets who were to get a crucial score when ex-Quins scrum-half Elliot Lewis took a quick tap penalty well inside his own half and, after the ball had passed through at least a doizen pairs of hands, number eight Sam Smith finished the move for a outstanding try.

With Pembroke now two scores in front at 5-15 and with only 10 minutes left, the Quins would have to pull out all the stops if they were to get anything from the match.

Five minutes from time, however, a second try for Sam Smith finally sealed their fate, with Josh Davies converting to end the scoring.

As for the two teams, the Quins were no doubt disappointed not to have got something from the game as their slow improvement continues, while Pembroke were probably disappointed not to have got the bonus point following some missed chances and some, at times, heroic defence from the Quins.

The commitment from both sides could not be faulted in a game that was a credit to them both on a day which was a huge advert for local rugby on and off the pitch.