The club registered and celebrated a rare treble last Saturday evening, as the First, Second and Youth XVs all won their respective games. All of the players mingled with members back at the clubhouse to share their memories from three memorable victories.

FIRST XV

The senior XV travelled to Haverfordwest in the first round of the WRU Bowl competition, full of confidence after a great start to the season, but fully aware of the threat Haverfordwest would pose, after their equally good start to the season.

The new Haverfordwest coaching team, led by Bruce Evans, were equally confident that they could upset their early season top-of-the-table opponents.

In dry, cool, overcast weather, on a new surface, the game started briskly, with both sides pressurising each other, and the home side scoring after just three minutes. From a scrum 20 metres out from the visitors’ line, the ball was moved quickly, through confident hands wide left to winger Skudder, who crossed for an unconverted try.

Pembroke retaliated and after minutes of concerted pressure, number eight Sam Smith picked up from a scrum close to the home line and crashed over for a well-deserved try, converted by fullback Hartland.

After a period of see-saw rugby, the visitors mounted another concerted attack and after a number of phases, the ball was moved for the backs to execute a training ground move, which opened up a gap in midfield for centre Sean Dalling to score unopposed near the posts, which he converted himself.

Haverfordwest then missed a kickable penalty at the end of the first quarter, which had seen Pembroke’s pack dominant in the set-piece and both sides demonstrating an appetite for playing a running game.

Then after29 minutes, the visitors mounted a sustained attack, which saw some excellent interplay and handling by backs and forwards, and ended with Sam Smith crashing over for his second, but unconverted try.

Haverfordwest seemed to be stung into action and from a lineout 10 metres out from the Pembroke line, moved the ball quickly through the hands to create space for number 10 Matthew Davies (who had an outstanding game) to run in near the posts through some despairing tackling for a well-worked, converted try.

Just before half-time, the home side missed a second penalty opportunity, which left the score at 19-12 to the visitors in a very entertaining game between two ambitious sides.

Changes were made by both sides regularly throughout the second half as the pace of the game was maintained. The visitors started very strongly, scoring a try after two minutes; after a lineout on the halfway line ( a phase of the game that Pembroke had struggled with in the first half), number eight Smith made a 25-metre charge and fed number 10 Hooper, who took the ball at pace and touched down wide right for an unconverted try.

Pembroke maintained the pressure for the next 10 minutes of the third quarter and forced a scrum 10 metres from the home line and after a huge shove, number eight Smith picked up and from the resulting ruck, scrum-half Tom Lewis picked up to dive through a packed defence to score a well-taken try, converted by Hartland.

More changes were then made by the visitors as legs began to tire.

Haverfordwest, led by the impressive Matthew Davies at number 10, then seemed to spring into action and dominated the last quarter, making many forays into Pembroke territory. They scored two excellent tries, the first after 23 minutes, from a lineout 30 metres out, when the ball was put through the hands and Davies latched onto a good inside pass to race through a tiring defensive line for a converted try.

The second, scored by flanker Daniel John, was the result of a superb team effort when, from 50 metres out, the ball was moved through the hands wide left and then reversed for John to crash through a disorganised defensive line; the try was unconverted.

Pembroke managed to maintain a solid defence for the remainder of the game and after a few minutes the referee blew the final whistle to end a thoroughly entertaining and exciting encounter, which saw the visitors victorious by a close margin of 31-24.

Pembroke will, however, rue not making more of the dominance of their pack throughout the game and for the lapses of concentration in the last quarter, which could have been so costly.

The referee congratulated both sides for their endeavour and sportsmanship, and the coaches commended their respective squads of players for having given of their utmost in an excellent match, played in a great spirit.

Matthew Davies was declared man-of-the-match for the home side, while Sam Smith received the accolade for the visitors.

Pembroke are hoping young flanker Jordan Evans can recover quickly from an ankle injury, as he again made a huge impact alongside his fellow back row whilst on the field.

Pembroke move on to play Milford away next week, kick-off 2.30 pm at the Observatory ground.

The draw for the next round of the WRU Bowl should be declared next week and is due to be played on Saturday, October 7,

SECOND XV

The ‘Tigers’ entertained a keen Haverfordwest outfit on a dry, overcast day, with a large eager squad keen to impress.

Pembroke 2nds recorded their first win of the season against Haverfordwest on Saturday in a very entertaining match played in a great spirit.

The home side scored the first try after a period of concerted pressure when young second row Michael Eddison dived over; the conversion was not successful.

Pembroke then added another try shortly after when skipper Ben Hughes crashed over to make the score 10 -0.

After a period where both teams played an attacking style of play, Pembroke’s fullback David Baggs made the crucial break to run in from the halfway line to score under the posts; the try was converted by Rhys Johns.

Haverfordwest then ‘upped’ their game and scored a try of their own to make the half-time score 17-7 in the home side’s favour.

The second half continued with both teams trying to play expansive rugby and move the ball wide whenever possible.

David Baggs added his second try to increase the lead. Rhys Johns, Pembroke’s experienced number 10, then scored a try of his own and converted after good interplay between backs and forwards.

Haverfordwest then fought back and scored a try of their own and threatened to make a comeback. However, as the game went on the ‘boys in blue’ tired and Pembroke added further tries from James Skeels, replacement prop Kynon Jones (making his senior debut) and Rhys Mainwaring charging over from 30 metres to complete the scoring, leaving Pembroke as winners by 44-12.

The Pembroke coaches were extremely pleased by the performance of their side, which contained a large number of ex-Youth players, who adjusted very successfully to the physicality and pace of senior rugby.

Next week, Pembroke 2nds are home against Whitland, kick-off 2.30 pm.

YOUTH XV

The young, eager Youth squad travelled the short distance to play against their old, arch rivals the PD Quins. The Quins, due to their First XV not having a game, were able to include some players who had performed well the week before against the Pembroke senior XV.

The Pembroke team played some excellent rugby and showed a huge team spirit, which was instrumental in this well-deserved win. Both sides showed real endeavour, but Pembroke’s desire and determination carried the day.

The coaches did not want to single out any one member for special praise, as this was such a resilient and skilful team effort, which left them deserved winners by 36-19.

The next game is at home this weekend against Aberaeron, kick-off 2.30 pm.

JUNIOR SECTION

Most of the Junior age groups began their season’s campaign last Sunday in glorious weather, by playing the Quins home and away.

It was good to see the new U7s playing their first match and all of the children thoroughly enjoyed their first experience of playing in front of a large crowd of supporters.

The club wishes all of the teams every success this season and a huge thank you to the many ex-players and other helpers, who give of their time to coach, support, lead and provide hospitality for all of our Junior teams and their visitors.

FIRST CLUB GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ

The club will be holding the first of three Autumn/Winter quizzes at the clubhouse on Friday, October 27, starting at 7.30 pm. All members and friends are welcome to come along to make up teams of four to six.