FIRST XV

The squad travelled the short distance to take on Neyland on a wet, heavy surface on a typically cool, but thankfully rainless, wintry day. Despite the difference in league form and position prior to the game, the Pembroke squad knew that Neyland would present a difficult challenge on their home patch.

The first five minutes saw a lot of unforced errors and solid defence from both sides as they sparred for possession and territory. After a few minutes of sustained pressure, Pembroke took clean lineout ball 20 metres out, put in a concerted driving maul and released the ball to their backs, who forced a penalty from the home defence under their posts; the Pembroke pack put in a huge drive, number eight Sam Smith picked up, but failed to score a try due to determined defence, which allowed Neyland to successfully clear their line.

The visitors lost centre Sean Dalling to a leg injury after 10 minutes and he was replaced by Barry John.

Pembroke continued to dominate territory for the next 10 minutes and after a number of phases released quick ball, which was fed along the backline, freeing winger Elliot Evans to score wide out on the right; the try was converted by Toby Smith.

The visitors continued their assault and only determined home defensive work prevented further scores. However, after 30 minutes, a Neyland clearance kick was collected by fullback Simon Stanford 40 metres out, he put in a long jinking run, linked to Toby Smith, who put centre Dan Colley into space to race under the posts for a well-taken try, converted by fly-half Smith.

Pembroke then also lost fullback Luke Hartland to injury, forcing a reshuffle, which saw flanker Billy Wood move to the wing.

A few minutes later, having missed a clear chance to score, Pembroke maintained pressure on the home line, with their pack having established dominance in the set-piece and eventually Sam Smith was able to pick up and crash over near the posts for a try, converted by brother Toby.

Neyland, however, did not lie down, they built a period of pressure late in the half and after securing ball from a quickly taken lineout, moved it wide to skipper Martin, who made a great break and created space for his backs to put in winger Craig Gryce for a really well-taken, unconverted try; leaving the half-time score deservedly at 21-5 to the visitors.

Pembroke started the second half in equally determined mood and Neyland continued to prove to be a difficult side to break down.

After 10 minutes and a sustained period of pressure, the visitors went through a number of phases, released quick ball, which was accepted by scrum-half Tom Lewis, who put number 10 Toby Smith in for a well-taken try, that he converted himself.

A few minutes later, Pembroke, thanks to their dominant pack, were again camped on the home line and number eight Sam Smith was able to pick up loose ball to crash through a wall of defenders for a try, which was not converted.

Neyland found it difficult to gain any real foothold in Pembroke territory during the rest of the half and determined defensive tackling kept the home side pinned back. Pembroke’s players conspired to create a number of scoring chances without finishing them off; the most bizarre, was when number eight Smith took the ball over the deadball line, to the amusement of his team-mates and the large crowd of supporters.

Then, after 35 minutes, the visitors went through a number of phases in midfield, released ball to Sam Smith, who, after a strong charge, released replacement winger Billy Wood to finish off a really good team try, converted again by Toby Smith.

To their credit, Neyland came back very strongly in the final minutes; they broke out of defence, skipper Steve Martin expertly chipped the Pembroke defensive line for his fullback to collect and pass back to Martin who showed a clean pair of heels to race over for a very well-deserved try wide left, which went unconverted, leaving the final score a well-earned 40-10 win to the visitors.

The Pembroke coaches were very happy with the result and the squad’s continuing ability to convert pressure into another high try-scoring performance, whilst they respected the belligerent and determined performance of the opposition, for whom a number of young players had performed very creditably alongside the usual displays from their more experienced team-mates.

Pembroke now move on to play Pembroke Dock Harlequins at home in the league on Saturday, December 30, kick-off 2 pm. There will be music during the evening after the match to create a real party atmosphere, as the club will be shut on New Year’s Eve.

In early January, Pembroke play a top-of-the-table match against Milford at home on January 6, kick-off 2.30 pm, and then travel to Cobra in the WRU Bowl competition a week later (see information below).

SECOND XV

The ‘Tigers’ entertained a strong Narberth outfit on a typically wintry day at Crickmarren. With both teams fielding much changed teams from previous encounters, from early on in the game it was obvious that both were very determined to carve out a win.

The match began well for Narberth, who after a period of sustained pressure opened the scoring with a well-taken try, which went unconverted.

After 20 minutes, Pembroke came back into the match and began to put together a number of good phases with strong running from forwards, Owain ‘old timer’ Johns, Luke Clarke, Gareth Jones and Danny James.

Eventually Pembroke managed to cross the ‘whitewash’, when outside-half Yori Roberts made a clean break, showed ‘good hands’ and fed his support from young lock forward Michael Eddison (returning from university) for him to charge over wide out.

In the second half, the match increased in ferocity, with some hard-hitting tackles from both sides becoming the norm. Pembroke managed to get a foothold in the Narberth 22 and after several penalties and scrums close to the line, home centre Rhys Johns dived over to give the home side a 10-5 lead.

This lead was not to last long and Narberth scored a good try of their own close to the posts, which was duly converted to give them the advantage 12-10.

In the last quarter, Pembroke’s youngsters managed to put the opposition under increasing pressure and after many promising attacks super-sub James ‘JD’ Davies took a quick tap penalty and went over for the all-important try (which was not converted) to give Pembroke a narrow victory by 15 points to 12.

The match had been a well-contested game, with both teams trying to play ‘open’ rugby in very heavy conditions.

The club is very proud of the ‘Tigers’ as their eager squad has completed a magnificent 10 matches this year before the start of the New Year and are looking forward to playing many more before the end of the season.

A huge thank you, too, to the team management, who work so hard to get fixtures and ensure the smooth transition of talented Youth players into senior rugby.

The next match for the Pembroke lads is on Boxing Day in the annual traditional fixture versus the Exiles (see below for details).

WRU BOWL DRAW

LAST SIXTEEN

The seniors have been drawn against Cobra (near Newtown, Powys) in the last sixteen of the WRU Bowl competition. The game is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 13 ,kick-off 2 pm. Supporters will travel on a separate bus to the team, a list has been put up in the club, so people wishing to travel should add their names at latest by Monday, January 8, so that the committee can assess its viability. All club members and supporters are eagerly looking forward to the game, wish the team good luck and the look forward to witnessing our entry into the quarter-final draw.

YOUTH NATIONAL

CUP DRAW

The Youth squad, after their memorable win against Nelson at home, have been granted another home drawn against Cwmtwrch (Swansea valleys), scheduled to be played in early February, details will follow in the weeks to come.

The Youth will be playing Cardigan at home tomorrow ( Saturday), kick-off at 2.30 pm.

BOXING DAY EXILES MATCH

The annual Exiles match will be played at the club on Tuesday, with the Exiles eagerly awaiting their opportunity to test the Club XV. New Scottish cap Luke Hamilton will be leading the Exiles again this year as head coach and he is keen to keep his one hundred percent record in this role.

Players wishing to participate need to have communicated their names in advance to the club captain, first team manager and or senior coaches. Again we welcome all members, families and friends to come along and enjoy the usual warm welcome and seasonal joy on this day.

WELSH U15 CRICKET CAP

Congratulations to Tirion Eynon, daughter of Hannah Eynon (Junior Section secretary) on recently being awarded her Welsh U15 cricket cap; Tirion has also played rugby for our club and we look forward to seeing her gain further honours in the future.

TURKEY TROT and WALL DRAW EVENING

Tomorrow (Saturday), starting at approximately 7.30 pm, the winners of the weekly Turkey Trots will be able to pick up their beautifully fresh birds from the clubhouse. Simultaneously, the annual ‘Wall Draw’ will also be made and prize winners will be presented with their prizes. Everyone is welcome.

The committee would also like to thank the ticket sellers and organisers of both competitions for their hard work and to the turkey suppliers for the beautifully presented Christmas Birds; we hope all of the winners appreciate them to the full.

THANK YOU

The club’s president and chairman would like to take this opportunity to say a very sincere thank you to all of the many sponsors of our Senior, Youth and Junior sections, the general committee, ladies committee, youth committee, junior committee, steward and bar staff, groundsman, the players at all levels, club coaches at all age levels, first aiders, team assistants, secretaries, fixture secretaries, and all other volunteers, who have given so much selfless, commitment and dedicated service to this club throughout the last year, without which it would not be the vibrant and welcoming place that it has always been. We also wish everyone involved and associated with the club a wonderful festive period and a happy and healthy start to the New Year with their families and friends. We also share a thought to those who have lost loved ones and want you to know our thoughts are with you all at this time.

CLUBHOUSE CLOSURES

During the festive season, the clubhouse will not be open for business after 3 pm on Christmas Eve and all day Christmas Day, and after 3 pm on New Year’s Eve and all day on New Year’s Day.