FIRST XV
With Pembroke at the top of the table and Aber in second place with a reputedly very strong pack and dangerous backs, the scene was set at Crickmarren for a titanic battle in lovely sunny, autumnal conditions, perfect for running rugby.
Aber started the game with confidence and were camped in the home 22 area for the first five minutes, unfortunately missing an early opportunity to score through a penalty kick. It was clear from the very early stages of this match that both sides had the personnel to play an expansive game.
Pembroke then broke out of defence to go the length of the field, only to be kept from scoring a first try, by strong defence, from a quickly taken tap penalty.
This set the scene for both teams to repeatedly stretch each other’s defences, with the speedy Aber backs looking dangerous from all areas of the pitch.
Then after pressurising the Aber line, Pembroke’s pack put on a huge shove from a five-yard scrum, allowingnumber eight Sam Smith to pick up and crash over from close in, for a well-deserved try converted by centre Sean Dalling.
Minutes later, Aber mounted an attack from their own 10-metre line, their centre made a break, offloaded and from the resulting ruck, quick ball allowed their scrum-half to pick up and weave his way in for a very good, unconverted team try; sending a clear signal of how dangerous they could be.
Pembroke’s scrum began to develop an early advantage over a much vaunted Aber unit, which delighted their coaches, but everyone was already aware of the threat posed by the visitors’ backs in counter-attack.
Towards the end of the first quarter, in a frenetic game, the home pack asserted themselves again and after a huge shove 10 metres out from the visitors’ line, number eight Smith picked up at the base, broke a few tackles and offloaded to his scrum-half Tom Lewis, who broke a tackle himself to crash over, for a well-taken try converted by Dalling.
Then 27 minutes in, after some good approach play, Aber were awarded a kickable penalty, but chose to kick for touch; from the resulting lineout, they lost possession and Pembroke broke out of defence, only to lose possession on their own 10-metre line.
The Aber forwards and backs then combined really well to put their centre in for a superbly taken, converted try, which clearly signalled their attacking potential.
Minutes later from another concerted attack, Aber forced an error in the loose from the home forwards and they slotted over the ensuing penalty to go into the lead.
Pembroke responded immediately; the forwards led the charge with some excellent handling and phase play, which released quick possession to number eight Smith, who bullocked his way through a number of defenders to complete and score a marvellous, unconverted team try.
The remaining 10 minutes of the half saw both sides move the ball wide and stretch each other’s defences with some scintillating interplay, but the home side were in determined mood and forced a penalty close to the Aber line, elected for a scrum, went through a number of phases retaining possession, until young lock Cyle Weatherall was fed at first receiver to throw a huge dummy and crash over for a fully deserved, converted team try; leaving the home side ahead by 26-15 at the break, in what had been a totally absorbing and wholly entertaining first half.
Both sides started the second half knowing that the result could go either way; Pembroke had gained dominance at the set-piece and the team had combined well to forge some excellent passages of play and scores, whilst the visitors’ pack and backs had combined well to create a number of scoring opportunities too.
Aber missed a penalty early on, then minutes later Pembroke broke out of defence, with skipper Scott Powell charging up field and kicking ahead, the ball was repossessed, the pack went through a few phases, quick ruck ball was fed to a charging Sam Smith, who stretched out to finish off a memorable team try, which was converted by Dalling.
Pembroke then had to toughen up their defensive work as the visitors responded with a number of dangerous counter-attacks, one of which led to home centre Toby Smith receiving a harsh yellow card for what was deemed a tip tackle. This in turn gave the visitors a boost and they mounted a number of attacks and after 15 minutes, after some excellent combined play involving lots of hands, their winger avoided some despairing tacklers and scored a very well-taken individual try under the posts, which was converted.
Pembroke knew they would have to improve their defensive work yet again if they were to keep this dangerous team at bay.
Pembroke then missed a penalty thirty metres out.
Soon after, near the end of the third quarter, the Aber number 10 was yellow-carded under his own posts for lying on the ball, which gave the Pembroke pack another opportunity to impose their dominance. After another huge shove, number eight Smith was provided with another opportunity to pick up and crash over from close in for his fourth score of the game, which again was converted by Dalling.
Pembroke then brought on their strong bench and all of these fresh legs made a very positive impact in attack and defence the remaining quarter, which saw no more scoring, but a huge amount of attacking intent from both sides.
The defences dominated the rest of the game, snuffing out repeated attacks all over the field, in what remained a totally absorbing contest and a credit to both sides.
Pembroke ran out deserved winners 40-22 and both teams left the field knowing they had been part of a thoroughly entertaining and hard fought encounter to the applause of a large and very appreciative crowd.
At the close, referee Davies (Ammanford) praised both squads for a highly entertaining match, whilst the respective coaches and players congratulated each other on a high tempo, exciting and hard fought battle.
Meanwhile, both sets of very appreciative supporters now eagerly anticipate two league matches, which could prove pivotal in their team’s aspirations for the season.
The coaches of both squads had great difficulty in naming their Man of the Match awards, as so many had put in huge shifts, but Pembroke named young loose-head prop Lloyd Davies, despite Sam Smith having scored four more tries in what had been yet another stunning performance from him, whilst Aber chose the youngster from their pack, Dafydd Lloyd, for his industry throughout the game.
Pembroke will await the draw for the next round of The Bowl, whilst they have a free Saturday this weekend and are then due to play St. Davids home on October 21, kick-off 2.30 pm.
SECOND XV
The ‘Tigers’ travelled to Haverfordwest, whose senior side was not involved in league action. Consequently, they met a strong home team, whose experience and pace eventually told on the Pembroke squad.
The visitors, however, gave a very good account of themselves and battled hard against a well-organised home side.
Haverfordwest ran out deserved winners 59-19, but praised the hard work and determination shown by the visitors.
The seconds have a break for a week, but will be playing Narberth away the week after and Milford home a week later.
YOUTH XV
The Youth travelled to Neyland, where they met a strong, mature side, which caused our younger side a lot of problems. The Pembroke lads stuck to their task and showed a lot of spirit against a well-organised and combative home side. The home side eventually ran out deserved winners at 35-0. The Youth now move onto play Crymych away next weekend.
JUNIOR SECTION
At the weekend, a number of age groups were active in county festivals.
The U15s were in Whitland, where they played exceptionally well, winning three group marches handsomely against some very good opposition.
Meanwhile, the U12s entertained 10 other teams at Crickmarren in beautiful autumnal weather; the day went very smoothly thanks to excellent organisation by the age group leadership team. Visitors were treated to a BBQ, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the players and parents alike, and the rugby served up by the youngsters was very competitive and of a high standard.
FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
The Former Players will be sponsoring the Haverfordwest (home) game at Crickmarren on November 4. Dilly Williams would like to hear from those wishing to attend and members can sign up for the day on the noticeboard inside the clubhouse in advance. Donations can be left behind the bar with the steward in marked envelopes. The ladies committee will be presenting a pre-match buffet in the upper lounge as usual for all involved.
RECENT BEREAVEMENTS
A number of people have recently passed away, they include Jan Beynon (mother of Dai and Sean and a former member of the ladies committee), Billy Griffiths (father of Rob, senior player and from St. Petrox), Huw Mason (very young ex player, son of Tim Mason ex-player) and there could be other ex-players and or members and friends we are unaware of at this time. RIP to them all.
The thoughts of the general committee and everyone else involved with the club are with their families and friends at this very sad time.
CLUB GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ
The first of a number of planned quizzes is taking place in the Club on Friday, October 27, starting at 7.30 pm, for teams of four to six. All members and friends are welcome to come along.