PEMBROKE SECOND XV

Last Saturday, with the weather dry, very mild and windless, the ‘Tigers’ (as the second team players like to call themselves) took the field in Haverfordwest against a strong home squad. Prior to the game, both captains were confident that they could win this encounter.

Throughout the first half, both teams created pressure and probed each other’s territory through some excellent handling and kicking.

Haverfordwest were the first to score a converted try after 15 minutes, as the result of some good interplay in midfield, a kick ahead and a lapse in the Pembroke defence.

Pembroke then, through some excellent combined play, retaliated and scored two tries within the space of five minutes, through their hard-working and skilful forwards, who set up Dalton Howson and skipper Ben Hughes; both were converted by Simon Hooper, making his debut after two years out of the game through injury.

Haverfordwest bounced back soon after when they mounted a concerted attack and kicked through, but for the second time the Pembroke defence made a similar mistake, allowing the home forwards to score, in a move that had taken them from their own half.

Haverfordwest then kicked a penalty from a Pembroke infringement in defence.

Pembroke bounced back and drove deep into Haverfordwest territory to see Dalton Howson go over for a second unconverted try wide out.

Then minutes from half-time the Haverfordwest number eight picked up the ball 25 metres out from loose play, eluded many tacklers and charged over for a good individual unconverted try, leaving the score at half-time on 22-19 to the home side.

Both teams at the restart were keen to stamp their authority on this very open and exciting match, which had already produced some excellent end to end rugby.

Pembroke started the second half in very determined mood and after a midfield infringement by the home forwards, Hooper (who had a very good game at outside-half for Pembroke) kicked them into a threatening position deep in the home 22 area. Second row Dai Beynon, making a welcome return to action, leapt high to take a clean ball in the middle of the lineout and, on dropping to his feet, swivelled and made a determined surge into a few defenders, which took him over the line for a great opportunist, but unconverted try.

Pembroke, having taken the lead, then continued to keep the pressure on their opponents and made a few changes.

However, the home side, after making a few changes in personnel, forced field position through some very good combined play and converted this territorial advantage by scoring a series of three unconverted tries in the last quarter, to win this extremely enjoyable and well-contested match by 37-24.

Although disappointed to lose, the Pembroke captain, Ben Hughes, and his players complimented their opponents on their win in what had been an expansive and highly competitive game.

Referee, Eirian Edwards, who had an excellent game, thanked both captains and paid tribute to the players on both sides for an entertaining match played in great spirit.

Both teams retired for a well-earned shower and the Pembroke captain and team officials thanked their hosts for their warm welcome and generous hospitality.

Dalton Howson was named man of the match for Pembroke for his outstanding display and two tries, while Matthew Brayford was given a special presentation on his first appearance for the club.

QUINS YOUTH TAKE THE HONOURS

In unseasonably dry, mild conditions, on a first class surface at Crickmarren and in front of a large vociferous crowd, the young Pembroke Youth squad hosted their closest rivals, Pembroke Dock Harlequins, who this year have a larger, older, more mature squad.

Both teams were aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses and were equally confident that they could win this eagerly-awaited dual. Pembroke welcomed three players back from first team duty in Jordan Evans, Tom Kinnear and Tom Lewis, who had shown they were more than capable of operating effectively at that level.

Quins went ahead early through a penalty, Pembroke responded with a well-worked try by Jordan Evans, converted by Billy Kinnear. The Quins pack then dominated for a sustained period and, although Pembroke’s defence held out bravely, Quins eventually scored a well-deserved try wide out, which was converted, leaving the half-time score at 11-7 to the visitors.

The second half started well for Pembroke and some excellent handling created the overlap for number eight Aran Williams to crash over and Billy Kinnear kicked the conversion. The Quins pack then dominated for another sustained period and, although Pembroke continued to staunchly defend their line, the Quins forwards forced a try in the corner, which they also converted.

Then for the remainder of the half, Pembroke put together some concerted attacks, which involved some determined, mazy runs from Tom Harding-Jones.

The next try came from Pembroke centre Tom Kinnear when, after beating several defenders, he dived over to score, but the difficult conversion from wide out was narrowly missed.

Consequently, Pembroke went into a late lead by 19-18 and it looked as if they were in control going into the last minutes of the match. However, from the resulting kick-off, they did not control the ball and gave away an agonising penalty, which was duly converted by a jubilant Quins outside-half, who had won the match and the bragging rights for his ecstatic team and supporters, against the odds, by 21-19.

As it turned out, the game was a real spectacle from start to finish, with both squads straining every sinew to win. Afterwards, both sets of supporters expressed their pride for their respective groups of players, whilst the Quins squad exuberantly celebrated an unlikely victory.

Although feeling despondent at losing such a tight match, the Pembroke coaches were full of praise for their squad, who had played so well and come so close to taking the honours on the day.

Everyone left eagerly awaiting the return match in the new year.

OCTOBER QUIZ

A large number of people attended the first autumn quiz, held at the clubhouse last Friday. Teams were tested with 10 rounds, which included questions on the world’s iconic buildings and nine alternate question and picture board rounds.

Scoring was very high across the bulk of the teams taking part, but the Wooden Spoon winners were the players team, who took away the consolation prize of a coffee sponge provided by Mrs. Mary Willington.

The Llanion Warriors Rowing Club team, under the apt name of the ‘Rattling Rollocks’ (seen in the picture left) took the honours and the first prize of wine donated by Lee Smith, of MSS marine chandlers, based in Pembroke Dock.

UNDER 16S TAKE TONNA TO TOWN

Pembroke U16s made the long journey up the Neath Valley and into the Ospreys region on Sunday to play Tonna U16s at the Memorial Ground. Prior to this game, Tonna boasted a proud home record and a few Osprey region players, coached by Rob Skeels, nephew of Pembroke stalwart John Colley.

As expected up in the Neath Valley, the game started at a fast pace and was very physical throughout. Pembroke players opened the game (showing no signs of the previous night’s Hallowe’en celebrations) received the ball from the kick-off and, after moving the ball through 10 pairs of hands, were unlucky not to score.

The game continued in the same vein, with both sides playing hard and at times ferocious rugby, with no team giving an inch in front of a large and vociferous crowd.

Pembroke settled quickly into their rhythm and deservedly went into the lead through a well-worked try between forwards and backs, with captain Theo Davies scoring out wide and Jared Sherratt adding the conversion.

Further pressure from Pembroke led to another try from blindside flanker James Jones, again with Jared Sherratt slotting over the conversion from the touchline.

With a 14-0 lead at half-time, Pembroke continued to play fast and open rugby and scored three more tries after the break. Med Le Britton-Booth scored a typical poacher’s try with a jackal five-yards out, Jonathan Smith finished off the try of the match in the corner after forwards and backs counter-attacked from deep in their own half, and Rhys Griffiths scored an opportunist solo try from the halfway line to complete a good day for Pembroke.

Tonna never gave up and were rewarded with a consolation try with the last play of the game, leaving the final score 31-5 to Pembroke.

The reception from the Tonna club was first class; with the host club putting on a specially prepared buffet for the players, parents and supporters. The coaches of Pembroke thanked Tonna for their hospitality, both on and off the pitch. The Pembroke team managers, meanwhile, issued an open invite to Tonna to travel for a return game before the end of the season.