Pembroke 38 pts.

Pembroke Dock Quins nil

Last Saturday the club hosted Pembroke Dock Harlequins for the return League fixture, when both teams were also playing for the Eric Brown Cup (Eric having been a club stalwart of many years), which is awarded to the side that scores the highest aggregate score over the two League fixtures (the score after the first fixture being 14-41 in Pembroke’s favour).

The game was sponsored by Guy Thomas and played in a rare period of dry weather, on a heavy pitch, in front of probably the largest festive crowd seen at Crickmarren for many years.

The Quins fielded a young side that has grown in confidence and experience as the season has progressed, whilst the home side, with a full squad available, came to this match brimming with confidence having only lost one League fixture during the season and being in the middle of an excellent Cup run.

However, as all regular supporters appreciate, form in these local derbies is not always the best indicator of the potential outcome. So the large, partisan, holiday crowd assembled with huge expectations of their respective squads.

The home side started well and were camped in the Quins half for most of the first ten minutes, testing their defensive resolve.

The Quins forwards battled hard in the loose and managed a number of early defensive turn overs to deny the home side opportunities to press home their territorial advantage.

Then at the end of the first quarter, Pembroke were awarded a penalty for an infringement in the loose; from the ensuing scrum the ball was moved and after a number of phases, quick ball was fed to Sam Smith on the charge and he pierced a crowded defence to score near the posts, to a crescendo of noise form the home supporters.

The try was converted by Sean Dalling. Both sides then lost a player a piece, after Dom Coleman and Quins hooker Neil Brace had a brief altercation mid field and were yellow carded by referee David Emmanuel. Over the next ten minutes the Quins pressed into Pembroke territory, but could not pierce an equally aggressive and determined home defence.

With only five minutes to go in this half, Pembroke pushed forward through a number of well constructed phases, which saw prop Lloyd Davies link and make good ground in mid field before passing to the backs to move it wide; from a ruck close to the Quins line, quick ball was scooped up by Sam Smith, who fed a hungry Lloyd Davies on the charge to crash over for an unconverted, team try.

With their tails up in the last seconds of the half, Pembroke then created another opportunity, after counter attacking from deep in their half, winger Simon Stanford was put into space and he nimbly, swerved and sped past a number of defenders to score a superb individual effort from 35 metres out, which was ably converted by Toby Smith; leaving the score at half time deservedly at 19-0 to the home side.

The third quarter started much the same as the first, with Pembroke pushing the Quins into rear guard action and missing a golden opportunity to increase their score only minutes in, when Pembroke’s winger Barry John dropped the ball crossing the line, after a superb counter attacking drive from their own half.

After fifteen minutes both sides made a number of changes to put on fresh legs as the heavy ground took its toll.

Then right at the end of the third quarter, after a sustained attacking period, Pembroke’s dominant pack released quick ball from a ruck in the Quins twenty two, this was scooped up by replacement flanker Rhodri Walters, who made ground and fed scrum half Tom Lewis, who burst through a flat footed defence to go in under the posts for a well taken, unconverted try.

Minutes later Quins denied the hosts another try opportunity, when after No 10 Smith had kicked a Pembroke penalty deep into Quins territory, the visitors stole Pembroke’s lineout five metres out. Pembroke maintained the pressure and minutes later were awarded a scrum five metres from the visitors line; scrum half Tom Lewis picked up the quick ball, broke wide and flat, fed Toby Smith running an acute angle and he ran through a bewildered defence to score from this training pitch move, which he duly converted himself.

The teams then lost another player each to yellow cards, as Cyle Weatherall and Hywel Baker were dismissed for their part in a short brawl.

Then with five or so minutes to go, Pembroke’s adventure was rewarded with another excellently constructed final try; from broken play in the middle of the field, the home side gathered possession, moved it wide, then back into mid field and finally wide again to replacement full back Ryan Wilkins, who gleefully crossed wide right for a converted try to cap a dominant, bonus point home performance.

Given the heavy ground, which had taken its toll on all of the players, both sides had served up a very entertaining spectacle for the large festive crowd, who showed their appreciation for both teams at the end of the game, which saw the home side victorious by 38-0.

After the game the coaches, players and other older adversaries and friends enjoyed the usual warm welcome and hospitality, and reflected on what had been a very organised and polished performance by the home side, who had shown composure, pace and patience in taking the ball wide and building excellent phases of play; their talented bench also had a big impact on the game.

The young Quins pack had competed very well, whilst the whole team had shown great fortitude and determination in defence, but they were never really allowed the space and possession to mount concerted attacks, by an equally obdurate and determined home defence.

Lock Will Edwards was named Man of the match for the home side and young Hywel Baker for the Quins; Simon Smith-Wrench (ex-Pembroke player) publican at the Charlton Inn, sponsored an overall ‘Man of the Match’ award and his bottle of bubbly was awarded to Will Edwards for his outstanding contribution.

Pembroke team: Luke Hartland, Barry Alderman John, Sean Dalling, Dan Colley, Simon Stanford, Toby Smith, Tom Lewis: Lloyd Davies, Jonny Palmer, Seamus Wiseman, Will Edwards, Scott Powell (captain), Dom Coleman, Sam Smith, Jordan Evans. Subs; Rhodri Walters, Ryan Wilkins, Elliott Evans, Cyle Weatherall, Max Hayward.

Pembroke Dock Quins: Charley Deardon, L.Hargreave-Dickson, Daffy Lewis, Aaron Cookson, Tom Doyle, Lewis Davies, Jake Griffiths: Dean Wilcox, Neil Brace, Rob Hearne, Alex Pearce, Sam Jones, Harry Owen, Hywel Baker, Stefan Halward . Subs: Arron Bos, Tom Clarkson, Tom Barrass, Rhys Bradney, George Bellmayne.

The senior side move on to play Milford Haven at home tomorrow (Saturday) kick-off 2.30 pm in a top of the table encounter. Both sides have equally impressive form and records going into this massive game. Pembroke will be looking for revenge and a confidence boosting win against the only side to have beaten them this season, prior to moving onto their WRU Bowl away game the week after.

BOXING DAY

EXILES MATCH

A large group of ex-players assembled under the leadership of head coach Luke Hamilton to take on a Club XV for the annual Boxing Day match.

The game was played in atrocious weather, but the players thoroughly enjoyed a slightly truncated match in heavy, very wet muddy conditions.

The Club XV eventually came out the winners, after a well fought battle and all retired to the warmth of the clubhouse for a well-earned shower and refreshments.

The club wishes to thank Luke for taking the time to travel home in between important Leicester holiday fixtures to lead the Exiles and to all of the players for turning out in such difficult weather conditions.

YOUTH XV

The Youth entertained Cardigan on Saturday, December 23, on a heavy pitch in challenging weather. The home coaches were full of praise for Cardigan for travelling with a small squad, which was bolstered by some home players, who performed very well in their new colours.

The ensuing game was hotly contested and young James Allen (returning after injury) and Tom O’Neil combined very well as a half-back partnership for the home side.

Pembroke forwards and backs combined well throughout the first half and scored three well-constructed tries to lead 17-5 at the break.

Cardigan started the second half more strongly and scored some excellently crafted tries of their own. Pembroke, however, came back very strongly after words from their captain and scored another five tries to end up worthy winners at 47-17, much to the pleasure of their coaching team.

The Youth are due to play Whitland at home tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 2.30 pm.

WRU BOWL

LAST SIXTEEN

The 1st XV are due to travel to Cobra (near Newtown) to play this match on Saturday, January 13, kick-off 2 pm.

The supporters’ bus will leave the clubhouse at 8.30 am promptly, with those wishing to travel having until Monday, January 8, to add their names to the list inside the clubhouse.

WRU NATIONAL

YOUTH CUP

The Youth have drawn Cwmtwrch (Swansea valley side) at home in the last eight of this competition in early February.

150+ CLUB DRAW WINNERS

Congratulations to the December winners who have won the following prizes: £80 - Mrs. Stella Davies; £50 - Mr. Robert Williams; £25 - Mr. Richard Johns.

Anyone wanting to join this draw should see Mary James on match days for the relevant mandate forms.

NB. Every other month a £500 prize is awarded.

TRIBUTE to

CHARLIE WEBB

The club received the very sad news of Charlie’s passing on the morning of December 29. Charlie was a huge supporter of the club and a generous sponsor, who very rarely missed a home game over many years and he will be missed by many friends at the club.

Everyone at the club sends their sincerest condolences to his family and close friends at this sad time.

The club president and chairman would like to wish all coaches and players at all age levels, members and their families, friends, sponsors, volunteers and our loyal supporters, a happy, healthy, prosperous and successful 2018.