The First Xv entertained Crymych in the second round of the Pembs KO Cup last Friday, on a lovely dry, warm, slightly breezy evening, with conditions perfect for rugby, in front of a large crowd.
Crymych started very strongly, but could not pierce a solid home defence. The home side settled and their pack began to dominate at the scrum, providing regular ball for their speedy, hard running backs.
Pembroke missed early opportunities for press hard, but their persistence paid off when they were awarded a penalty try after twenty minutes, whilst Crymych lost a prop to a yellow card.
The home side took full advantage of their numerical superiority and scored two tries; one, a superb solo effort from No 10 Alderwick beating multiple defenders in a mazy run from seventy metres. Despite a home yellow card, a further penalty just before half time saw the home side lead 24-0 at the break.
The game seesawed between the halves, but Pembroke maintained their pressure and dominated at the scrum throughout the second half; this brought another try after ten minutes, when great work from the pack allowed Alderwick to put a neat cross kick for Rhys Bradney to score wide out.
Another yellow card for Pembroke in the third quarter did not deter their efforts and after being held up over the line, minutes later No 8 Robin Badham crashed over for a late score to round off a commanding squad performance from the home side to cement an emphatic win by 38-0.
On Sunday, the eager Panthers squad and supporters made the long journey to Wrexham in the first round of their WRU National Bowl competition.
The match was fiercely contested, with the home side holding a one point lead until the final minutes, when the visitors mounted a final onslaught and scored a converted try to take the honours, to the delight of their whole squad and travelling support.
The Youth squad travelled to Crymych last Saturday for an early kick off; the match became a rather one sided affair with the visitors leading 0-48 at the break. Soon after resumption the match was halted as Pembroke broke the 50 point rule and won the encounter.
The First XV match in Cardigan on Saturday is postponed, the Youth will play Llangwm away on Friday night KO 7 pm, whilst the Panthers travel to Morriston on Sunday KO 2.30 pm.
Congratulations to Mrs Lynne Jelley on winning the £500 150 club draw prize for September. There are still places available anyone interested should contact Mary James.
The directors and management committee would like to publicly thank Valero for their very generous sponsorship of the recent Quins derby match (see picture alongside, Pembroke RFC chair Richard Jelley is pictured gratefully receiving the cheque from Steve Thornton, Valero public relations director).