After the events in Cardiff, the squad returned to league duty, with two games in three days, which started with Aberaeron home on Wednesday, May 2, and Llangwm home on May 4, a tough assignment for the players after the energy sapping and very emotional final at the Principality Stadium.

Their coaches were aware of a possible dip after such an event, but were confident that the players would respond very positively, given that they have a very realistic chance of winning the league and promotion.

The Aberaeron game was played on a beautifully sunny, cool, breezy evening in front of a very healthy crowd, who greeted their players onto the field with a rousing round of applause.

This was Aberaeron’s final game of the season and they also were greeted favourably by the crowd, as they had made the long journey to play midweek.

Pembroke had previously beaten the visitors twice away from home by the same score 40-22, in the league and Bowl, but knew that they presented a real threat to their ambitions, as the conditions suited both sides’ game plans equally well. Both teams looked sharp during their warm-up routines and so the scene was set for a tough encounter.

The game was played at a lively pace right from the start and Aber showed their credentials, as they monopolised territorial advantage and scored two, excellent, converted tries in the opening 10 minutes, against a leaden-footed home defence.

Pembroke seemed to settle to their task after this shot in the arm and winger Elliott Evans picked up a chip to the corner by Toby Smith to go in wide out.

Pembroke’s pack dominated in the set-piece from the outset and set a solid platform for their backs. Aber, however, played at a high tempo, mounted frequent attacks and forced a penalty in the loose, which was converted after 22 minutes to extend their lead.

The game flowed and twenty nine minutes in, Aber scored another excellent, converted try, after a great break by their fullback in midfield.

Pembroke seemed stung by this and pressed hard, with forwards and backs combining well for the next 10 minutes; they scored two very well manufactured tries by Dan Colley and Elliott Evans, which clawed them back to 17-24 at the break, in what was an exciting affair.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Pembroke soon on the attack, providing quick ball for Sam Smith to crash through a packed defence for a converted try.

The next 15 minutes saw both sides mount unsuccessful attacks and demonstrate their determination to keep each other from scoring; then after 19 minutes, Pembroke’s Dan Colley gained possession, after some excellent handling and offloading between his forwards and backs, to sprint 30 metres to score an unconverted try.

Both teams were now making changes regularly as the pace of the game took its toll.

The home side now seemed to take control of the match and kept the visitors under a lot of pressure. Twenty-seven minutes in, Dan Colley picked up loose ball at the breakdown to dive over for an unconverted try, from apposition forged by his forwards.

Aber, however, were not going to lie down and they mounted a number of attacks, but these were snuffed out by strong, determined home defensive graft.

Pembroke then scored the final try of the game on 35 minutes, when centre Shaun Dalling took the ball at pace in midfield and swerved and jinked past four defenders to go 50 metres for a superb individual effort, leaving the final score at a fully deserved 41-24, bonus point win to Pembroke, in what had been a dominant second half performance by the home side, in a thoroughly absorbing match, where both sides had played an exciting, expensive style.

On Friday last week, still jaded after the Aberaeron match, the senior squad entertained their old rivals Llangwm in dry, mild, slightly breezy conditions on a perfect surface. Llangwm, as always, were up for a battle, as they were keen to retake the ‘Palmer Cup’ from the home team, despite having had another very challenging, fruitless league season. Pembroke, meanwhile, had rotated their squad and were confident they could wrest another bonus point win.

The match was a well contested affair, which, as predicted, saw the home side win a sound victory 11 tries to one, despite some very tired legs by the end.

However, Llangwm not only scored first, but they had the last word as they deservedly scored their solitary try right at the end of the second half, much to the delight of their supporters.

Pembroke’s forwards laid the foundations for the win with some excellent work in the tight and they also combined really well with their backs in loose play. However, Llangwm to their credit tackled relentlessly in the face of constant pressure.

The final score was 71-8 to the home side, who now have a mathematical opportunity to cement their title aspirations, if they can secure a similar bonus point victory away to Cardigan next weekend.

One highlight at the end of the game was a drop-kick conversion by lock Cyle Weatherall.

Pembroke scorers were: tries - Cyle Weatherall, Tom Lewis, Dom Coleman (2), Sam Smith, Fraser James(2), Jim Brace, Rhodri Walters, Dan Colley(2). Cons - Tom Lewis (4), Cyle Weatherall (1), Shaun Dalling (1) and Ryan Wilkins (2).

PEMBS KO CUP

SEMI-FINAL

Last Tuesday evening, Pembroke travelled to play Pembroke Dock Quins in the Pembs KO Cup semi-final. The match was played in front of a large, typically partisan crowd, in sunny, cool, breezy conditions. Pembroke were trying to reach their first Cup Final since 1961, when a young Mike Knill kicked three penalties to secure the cup against Llangwm, at Bierspool, in a side that was captained by Derek Hayward.

Quins fielded a very young, inexperienced team, but without props had to declare uncontested scrums from the start, which certainly removed an advantage Pembroke had hoped to gain, as their pack has been dominant all season.

Pembroke, meanwhile, were at full strength and confident they could forge a win, despite their players being jaded after so much rugby late in the season and with the prospect yet more to come.

The Quins lads put up a very spirited performance and pushed the visitors hard at times, but despite putting on lots of pressure and defending very strongly, they failed to penetrate an equally determined Pembroke defence.

Both sides lost players to yellow cards in both halves, as the referee kept a tight rein on ill-discipline. Pembroke also used their full bench, as the pace of the game took its toll on some of their weary players.

Young Yori Roberts came on second half at No 10 and had another very good game, whilst winger Elliott Evans had another outstanding game, demonstrating some excellent finishing and scoring the try of the game, with a strong run from 50 metres, early in the second half.

Pembroke eventually ran out clear and deserved winners 0-46, scoring eight well-crafted tries, to the delight of their well-travelled supporters.

The Quins outfit are a young, inexperienced group at present. However, they demonstrated that they have real potential, which with continued hard work could see them rise again as a force to be reckoned with in the future.

Scorers for Pembroke included, tries by Seamus Wiseman, Elliott Evans (2), Dom Coleman (2), Cyle Weatherall, Barry Alderman John, Yori Roberts; cons, Luke Hartland (3).

The remaining fixtures, in what has been a long season, are as follows: Saturday, May 12, Cardigan away, KO 2.30 pm, Wednesday, May 16, Haverfordwest away, KO 7 pm; final league match, Milford home, Saturday, May 19, KO 2.30 pm.

The Pembs KO Cup Final is to be played at St. Davids RFC, Wednesday, May 23, KO 7 pm, and will be another hotly contested match between Pembroke (Division Three) and Aberystwyth (Division One).

WOMEN’S RUGBY

The new women’s rugby team has started summer training. Anyone interested in trying out a session and or joining full time should contact Natasha Smith - see contact details in the clubhouse.

YOUTH SEVENS TOURNAMENT

The annual Sevens extravaganza took place at Crickmarren last Monday Bank Holiday, when a number of local teams battled for the Jimmy Hulbert Memorial Trophy (donated by the Monkton Old Boys Association) and the Pembroke Rugby Club Plate.

The matches were played in very warm, beautifully sunny conditions on perfect surfaces, in front of a large, interested and passionate crowd.

All of the visitors were treated to a BBQ and refreshments throughout the day; the organisers would like to thank Nash Farm Shop for their donation of a large number of really tasty sausages for the BBQ.

The organisers would also like to thank the main sponsors for their continued, generous support, which helped to make the event such a great success; they included, South Meadows Homes Ltd, Sealand (Pembroke) Ltd, Monkton Old Boys Association, Upton Farm Frozen Foods, Molson Coors Brewery and P.I. Scaffolding.

Also thanks to the team of officials led by Chris Oliver, Mike Watts groundsman, Dr. Owen Cox and all First Aiders on duty and all other club volunteers, without whom the day could not have been facilitated.

The teams played in a round robin, before the top two, Pembroke A and Tenby, played for the Jimmy Hulbert Trophy, with Pembroke coming out on top by 52-26 in a totally enthralling and exciting contest.

The other teams to compete were, Haverfordwest, Pembroke B, Quins, and the organisers would like to thank their coaches and players for attending and entertaining the crowd with some excellent matches during the afternoon.

UNDER 17s win place in MIKE FRY CUP FINAL

The U17s squad travelled to take on Tenby on their patch, on the evening of Wednesday, May 2. The Pembroke coaches anticipated a tough challenge and the match turned out to be nothing less (see picture of squad below).

Team: Evan Phillips (capt), Shane Gwyther, Liam Brunton, Josh Axon, Jonathan Woods, Theo Davies, Med Le-Britain Booth, Dewi Roberts, Jarred Sherrat, Kyren Gray, Jonathan Smith, Rhys Griffiths, James Jones, Joe Watkins, Harry Turner. Subs Curtis Palmer and Leon Stewart.

This turned out to be a hard fought game played by two evenly matched sides. First try saw Pembroke run the ball from our own 22, with Kyren Gray putting James Jones through a gap on the 22. He got to the 10m line, where he drew the covering defence and put Rhys Griffiths away. Good strength by Rhys saw him hand off the last tackler to cross the line. Conversion missed, 5 - 0 Pembroke.

Soon after, Pembroke were defending their line, Tenby’s outside-half got the ball, sold a wonderful dummy and crossed from 10m out to score under the posts and then kicked the conversion, 5-7 Tenby.

Some time later, Pembroke gained possession on the halfway line, moved the ball along the backline and, following good interplay by the forwards, Harry Turner put a kick over the defence for left wing Joe Watkins to chase; showing good pace he beat the turning defenders to the ball, kicked on from the 22, saw the ball roll nicely over the try line and Joe beat the covering defence for a second try. Conversion missed, 10-7 Pembroke.

The next try went to Tenby, who gained possession in the Pembroke 22, with their forwards working hard and making some strong runs, their forward power took them over the line. Conversion was missed, leaving the half-time score at 10-12 to the home side.

Early in the second half, Tenby built pressure in the Pembroke 22, with a number of phases by the forwards, eventually releasing their backs to score a nice try in the corner, with the backs putting it through the hands. Conversion missed, 10-17 Tenby.

Pembroke then started to get on top; good play from the forwards with some good inter-passing, strong running and clever off-loading, but in the tackle a defender was penalised for holding on.

Eventually, the visitors managed to get back into the home 22, good passing by Pembroke allowed backrower Dewi Roberts to break through, only to get tackled just short of the line. The ensuing ruck ball was won by Pembroke and hooker Shane Gwyther picked up and dived over from a metre out. Conversion missed, 15-17 Tenby.

Six minutes to go, pressure by Pembroke, Tenby conceded a penalty just outside their 22 to the right of the posts. Pembroke changed their kicker and scrum-half Jarred Sherratt stepped up. The kick looked like it was going wide, only for it to curl in, hit the inside of the upright and go over, leaving the visitors the winners by a very close margin of 17-18, in what had been a really good, hard game, played in the right spirit, and a great advert for Pembrokeshire rugby at this age level.

Pembroke now play Narberth in the inaugural Mike Fry Cup Final at Heywood Lane, Tenby, on Friday, May 25, KO 7 pm. Everyone at the club wishes the squad every success for this match and no doubt there will be a huge support for the lads on the night.

COUNTY JUNIOR FINALS DAY

The U11s and U14s represented the club at this annual tournament end to the junior age groups’ season.

The U14s were hoping to win to continue a marvellous run in Finals Day as they had won the three previous cups consecutively.

The U11s were appearing in the finals for the first time and were relishing the opportunity to bring home some silver.

Both squads were accompanied by a very large contingent of parents and supporters, who travelled with huge expectation of their teams.

Unfortunately, both sides were runners-up in their respective finals, but their coaches were full of praise for the effort they put in to try to wrestle a result.

Both squads had a great day and gave everything in their matches; their coaches were very proud of their players and delighted with their positive attitudes, discipline and effort demonstrated in these matches, they all said they were a credit to themselves, their parents and the club.

The U11s would like to thank their sponsors for the season, Allan Jones, of Brightshine, Haven Engineering and Cridland Builders.

ANNUAL CLUB DINNER

The club’s annual dinner will take place at Carew Aerodrome pavilion on Friday, June 1. Tickets are £25 and tare available from Jayne and Emma at the club, on a first come, first served basis, to all club members. The price includes transport home from the event pavilion to the Pembroke club.

150+ CLUB DRAW WINNERS

Congratulations to the winners of the draw prizes for April, who were: £80 - Brian James, £50 - Micky McNally, £25 - Max Hayward.