The senior squad entertained top of the table Penclawdd last weekend in an eagerly awaited top of the table clash. The visitors, who had been relegated from Division 1 last season, arrived with an enviable record and reputation to date, however the home squad, after some excellent recent form and four consecutive wins, were confident that they could cause their opponents more than a few problems. The weather was dry, calm, overcast and mild, whilst the pitch was in excellent condition, despite twenty four hours of torrential rain; and so the scene was set, in front of a very large crowd, for another tough encounter for valuable League points, in a game that could influence the race for the title. Pembroke’s coaches, after recent recruitment had a fully fit, eager squad to select from for this important fixture and were confident that they had the quality to create opportunities to win this match. We also had Jo from “Deadball”, an independent podcaster, present during the day; he has recently become quite a phenomenon in Wales, as he produces short video sequences on Twitter to promote grassroots rugby across the Principality.

Pembroke started the game well and created pressure forcing the visitors to defend resolutely from the off. The home pack made a huge statement from the word go at the set piece, where they demonstrated the ability to put the visitors under very early pressure. After five minutes, during which both sides traded territory, Pembroke won a lineout thirty metres out from the Penclawdd line, went through phases and released quick ball, which was moved rapidly wide left, where a marvellously timed, long miss out pass from No 10 Toby Smith put winger Fraser James into the left corner, to open the scoring; the conversion by Toby Smith was unsuccessful. Penclawdd came straight back and forced a number of errors from the home defence at the breakdown, but Pembroke’s defence stood tall on a number of occasions as the visitors tried to impress themselves on the game. After twenty two minutes and opting to kick a number of penalties to touch, Penclawdd decided to go for goal and full back Tom Howell duly slotted a goal to get the visitors onto the scoreboard. Pembroke then sadly lost centre Dan Colley to injury and he was replaced by Sean Dalling, who went onto the wing, leaving Fraser James to into the centre, alongside Jack Parkinson. The game was being played at a high tempo by both sides and Pembroke were looking threatening as their pack’s dominance grew and their backs were given license to utilise the flow of possession; No 10 Toby Smith had also dictated a lot of the play with some very good tactical kicking, which kept the Penclawdd back three very busy, whilst the visitors were proving to be very efficient at the breakdown. Some sloppy handling at times by the home team undermined their attacking play, whilst Penclawdd were putting up a stern defence and mounting the odd attack. After thirty minutes, the home side were awarded another penalty, for an infringement in the loose, just outside the visitor’s twenty two and Smith converted. The remainder of the half saw Pembroke on the attack and after a sustained period in the Penclawdd twenty two and repeated technical issues at scrum time right on their line, the referee rightly awarded a penalty try after a number of collapsed scrums, as the home pack turned the screw. This was just reward for their efforts and gave the home side a huge confidence boost just before the whistle was blown for the break, leaving them deservedly 15-3 leaders, much to the noisy delight of the home support. The Pembroke coaches were delighted and felt the score line reflected their dominance during what had been a very frenetic and enthralling first half contest.

The start to the second half saw a change of fortunes and a big swing in favour of the visitors, who had been stung by the home side’s ability up front and the attacking abilities of their backs in the first half. Pembroke were still dominating at the scrum, but the visitors were now showing a different side to their game, by moving ball wide, whereas in the first half they had tried to make ground more through their forwards. The Penclawdd scrum half was a catalyst at times, whilst the No 13 Jedi Evans and No 15 Tom Howell combined well with their wingers to display their talents in open play. Penclawdd began to dominate the third quarter, with their loose forwards gaining more possession and pouncing on loose ball to make territory. After ten minutes and some combined work between forwards and backs, the Penclawdd forwards released quick ball, went left and some good handling saw left wing Rhys Eaton go over for a well constructed try in the corner; this went unconverted. Pembroke then brought on skipper Scott Powell for young lock Cyle Weatherall, who had got through lots of effective work in the tight and loose. As the game continued at high tempo, Pembroke were now defending for sustained periods as the visitor’s forwards secured more ball, allowing their backs particularly to demonstrate how dangerous they could be and it was this defensive work, which was the hallmark of their determination to keep the visitors from scoring. After twenty minutes, Pembroke made more changes as the pace of the game and injuries began to take their toll; injured Sam Smith was replaced by Jordan Gwilliam, who had shown up so well the week before, and dynamic, young flanker Jack Smythe replaced a weary Rhodri Walters, who had had a marvellous match. Penclawdd continued to press and put the home defence under severe pressure; however, Pembroke repulsed all threats. As the game went into the final quarter, Pembroke began to reassert their authority on the game, forging more territory especially through some accurate kicking from hand by No 10 Smith, which added more control to the home side’s effort and forced the visitors onto the back foot. The home pack also began to regain the upper hand in the tight and loose, allowing the backs to express themselves and create pressure. On one visit to the visitor’s twenty two, they forced a transgression at the breakdown and Smith slotted a welcome penalty. Thirty one minutes into the half, after some scrappy play in mid field, which saw both sides gain and lose possession, Pembroke’s centre Parkinson dispossessed his opposite number, hacked loose ball forward and won the footrace to score a marvellous individual try that was converted by Smith, to rapturous applause and cheering from the very large crowd of home supporters. Undaunted, Penclawdd continued to mount incursions, but the strong, determined home defence denied them any opportunity of scoring. The final ten minutes, saw Pembroke bring on young Rhys Mainwaring to replace hooker Seamus Wiseman and the team demonstrate their resolve through more totally committed defensive work. Eventually, minutes later, referee Julian Thomas (Pontyates) blew the final whistle and Pembroke, who had stifled Penclawdd’s ambition for the bulk of the game had secured a hugely deserved victory against the League leaders, in what had been a truly exciting, enthralling, entertaining and hard fought battle between two very good sides.

Referee Thomas congratulated both sides on a marvellous match, whilst the large crowd showed their appreciation for both teams as they left the field. The Pembroke players and coaches were ecstatic at not just the win, but the level of commitment and performance from their whole, fatigued squad, who had given everything to secure a massively influential victory. The Pembroke bench too had played an important part in ensuring this victory as confirmed by comments from Head Coach Geriant Lewis after the match. Young loose head prop Lloyd Davies was named Pembroke’s Man of the Match for his superb effort in the tight and ball carrying abilities throughout the eighty minutes.

Jo from Deadballline, making his first ever visit to Pembroke, was quick to congratulate the Pembroke coaches and players, and commented that he and his son also had had a very enjoyable day; he complemented the officers of the home club on its facilities, efficient match day routines and excellent welcome for himself and Penclawdd. All of the interviews and match analysis he told us would appear on his Twitter page straight away.

Pembroke: Luke Hartland, Barry Alderman John, Jack Parkinson, Dan Colley, Fraser James, Toby Smith, Tom Lewis, Lloyd davies, Seamus Wiseman, Jonny Palmer, Will Edwards, Cyle Weatherall, Sam Smith, Rhodri Walters, Alex Thomas. Subs: Sean Dalling, Jack Smythe, Jordan Gwilliam, Rhys Mainwaring, Scott Powell (Capt).

Pembroke now play Tumble away tomorrow, KO 2.30pm. Any supporters wanting to travel on the team bus should be at the club for 11.30am. The weekend after, they play Tycroes at home KO 2.30pm.

SECOND XV

The young “Tigers” squad travelled to Carmarthen to play Carmarthen “Druids” at the Athletic’s ground on a dry day, after very heavy rain that had turned the pitch into a heavy sticky surface. Pembroke welcomed new signing, winger and centre, Geraint Powell, who had recently transferred from Tenby. The Athletic’s senior team’s match had been cancelled, however, Athletic fielded mainly their second string, which contained a number of older, experienced players.

The larger, more experienced Athletic pack started very well down the slope and gained an advantage over the visitors from the outset in the set piece and loose play, as the conditions favoured their bulk. The younger, lighter Pembroke pack responded well in the loose, where their tenacious tackling held the home side at bay in the first quarter, which ended with neither side scoring. Pembroke then scored first, against the run of play and this was adjudged by all present as the try of the game; the visiting forwards forced a turn over in their own twenty two, swift hands saw No 10 Yori Roberts feed centres Billy Wood and Geriant Powell move it wide and a deft pass out of a tackle by Powell put full back Simon Stanford into space, he ran to the Druids ten metre line, fed inside to Stanford, who in turn fed Powell in support and he went under the posts to cap a magnificent passage of play. The try was converted by Roberts, to give Pembroke an unexpected, but well deserved lead. Minutes later, after some very good combined play involving the Druids forwards and backs, their winger scored out wide, when the visitors seemed to have prevented the score, but the referee had been unsighted and awarded the try, which was very ably converted. Pembroke were then put under the cosh by the home forwards for an extended period and forced to defend. However, the dangerous Pembroke backs did cause a few problems, with Wood, Powell and Stanford in particular making the Druids work hard to keep them out. As the heavy ground began to tell on the visitors, the Druids used their experience and power to forge more opportunities to score. After thirty minutes, again after more good work from their forwards from a lineout drive, they went through the phases, eventually providing an opportunity for their flanker to drive over from close in for a well taken, converted try. A few minutes later, with half time beckoning, the home side against the run of play, forced a turn over in the Pembroke last quarter, moved the ball to the No 10, who gave a long miss pass to their outstanding No 8, who galloped under the posts for another converted try, leaving them 21-7 up at the break.

The second half saw the home forwards take even greater control of the set piece and get the upper hand at the breakdown. Pembroke’s forwards despite being under constant pressure continued to work hard and on many occasions stifled the Druids ambitions, whilst their backs remained dangerous despite being starved of possession and forced to constantly tackle the waves of offensive play, as the more experienced Druids old heads commanded the game. To their credit, Pembroke’s determined defence kept the score static for the bulk of the half, but eventually, the pressure told on the visitors and after some good handling, a Druids prop popped up on the wing to score a very late try wide out, leaving the home side deserved winners by 26-7, in what had proved an entertaining fixture and a great advert for second team rugby.

Pembroke’s coaches were delighted with the attitude, commitment, tenacious tackling and overall performance of their young squad and they and the Pembroke players congratulated each other as they left the field; they also pointed out that this experience of playing against far more experienced players had provided some important lessons for their young forwards especially. The squad also had a marvellously warm welcome and the usual top hospitality from the home club after the match, when the Pembroke coaches were also delighted to field some complements about their young squad from ex-Druids players, who had witnessed the game.

Pembroke: Simon Stanford, Matthew Lewis, James Skeels, Billy Wood, Geriant Powell, Yori Roberts, Rhys Cadogan, Aaron Williams, Danny Janes, Jim Brace Harry Dawe, Luke Williams, Tim Sharpe, Dan Gosnold, Jamie Brayford.

Subs: Liam Brunton (40 mins for Tim Sharpe), Tommy John (50mins for Danny James), Mark Jones (65 mins for Matthew Lewis), Darcy Langston (65 mins for James Skeels) and Ryan Wilkins (70 mins for Yori Roberts).

On their return and the usual stop at the Fox & Hounds (Bancyfelin), the squad enjoyed a sing song with the Llanelli Wanderers, who were returning from a narrow League victory at Tenby RFC.

YOUTH

The squad were due to take on local rivals Tenby in the newly constituted Cup competition, but the fields at the Clicketts were waterlogged. The Youth will now play Haverfordwest away tomorrow, KO 2.30pm.

Advance notice of some important fixtures: Jan 26 no game, Feb 2 Crymych away, Feb 16 Narberth away, Feb 21 no game at the moment, March 2 Cardigan home in quarter final of Pembs Youth Cup.

UNDER 17s

The squad entertained Neyland last Sunday morning on a calm, dry day on a damp but very good surface, in front of a large crowd in only the third home game of the season for this age group. This was an eagerly awaited fixture following the disappointment of losing away to Neyland on the last kick of the game, when the teams last met in November 2017.

From the kick off it was clear that Neyland were looking to complete the double over Pembroke with a spirited start, regaining possession from their own kick off. Pembroke Coach Geraint Lewis had made things clear in the dressing room that Pembroke had to start strongly and not give Neyland any sort of early lead and to be committed to wearing the shirt. The team took this fully on board and defended strongly, which is becoming a trademark feature for this group of players, with some "big hits " going in against  the big Neyland ball carriers .

Following a period of play camped in the Neyland 22 metre area, Pembroke were rewarded with a first try after ten minutes, after good work by forwards and backs, by No 10 Kyran Gray. Within ten minutes Pembroke had crossed for a second time by prop  Eljay Taylor, which was  converted by Kyran Gray, to give Pembroke a 12-0 lead . A few minutes later Eljay Taylor crossed the line from open play for his second, which again was ably converted by Gray .

Full credit to Neyland, after a torrid first 20 minutes, they started to play some committed rugby and following some uncharacteristic missed tackles by home defenders, centre Will Hughes scored a very good individual try, which he also converted to bring the scores to 19-7 at the interval, in what was now proving to be a real contest.

Following the restart Neyland started strongly and pressurised the Pembroke line. Pembroke took the penalty option to relieve pressure, moved into the visitor’s territory and following a Neyland infringement in the loose, Gray struck another marvellous penalty kick to take the score to 22-7 to his side. Neyland however, bounced back again and continued to put pressure on Pembroke; then again from open play the Neyland number fifteen was put into space and ran well to cross for a well taken try, which was converted again by Will Hughes bringing the scores to 22-14.

With Pembroke losing some territorial domination to a galvanised Neyland side, the option to capitalise on a Neyland infringement, thirty metres out from their own line, saw Gray step up and strike another excellent penalty kick, to take the score to 25-14. Some of the Neyland players became increasingly more frustrated by their inability to pierce a very determined home defence and when allied to some ill discipline and inappropriate behaviour by one of their back row forwards, which cost him a yellow card at a critical juncture for his team, these factors cost them dearly on a number of occasions in promising positions. However, they persevered and with five minutes to go, developed a good attack involving forwards and backs, which lead to a well taken try on the hour mark, which was converted again by Hughes, bringing the scores to 25-21 and setting up a very tense final period. At this point momentum was with Neyland, but the Pembroke team supported by a vocal home crowd dug deep. However, the fitness and determination of the home group not to let things slip, saw them finish strongly and cling onto their lead, so earning them a well deserved victory by 25-21, much to the delight of their coaches, the whole squad and vocal home support, in what had been a very exciting, enthralling, entertaining and hard fought battle. The home coaches gave high praise and much credit to the Neyland squad for playing their part in a great advert for rugby at this age grade.

The team are due to play Tenby away on Feb 8 in a Cup match and Fishguard at home on Feb 10.