On the weekend of March 11, the Senior XV travelled to take on St. Clears, who after consistent performances find themselves at the top of the league table. Conditions were very wet underfoot, with a blustery wind, which made it tough for both sides from the outset.

Pembroke had to make some enforced changes and found it hard going against a heavy home pack that gained an upper hand and forged the opportunities to build a formidable score.

Pembroke’s young backs toiled hard on limited possession and, although they created a number of opportunities, they failed to cross the home line, which was protected by a very determined defence.

St Clears eventually ran out deserved 38-5 winners to keep themselves at the top of the table.

The First XV play Laugharne in their final home match this week in a rearranged league fixture (kick-off 2.30 pm) and still have Cardigan to play away on April 15, when there will be a players and supporters bus.

The committee would like to thank all of the match and ball sponsors, who have supported the club at home games throughout the season; their continued support has been much appreciated and highly valued.

The winners of League 3 West (A) will be decided in the next few weeks; at present Cardigan, with games in hand, look to be in pole position, but with all three top teams in the league still to play one another, it could be a very intriguing end to the season.

The Pembroke squad will reflect on missed opportunities to build their own challenge during this campaign, but as one England backrower recently said, “every day is a school day” and the best sides reflect on and learn from their experiences.

Consequently, the home squad and the coaches, having taken on board the experiences and lessons from this season, are already laying plans for next season.

SECOND XV

The team were due to play Narberth at home in the Pembs. Junior Union Cup competition on Tuesday, but due to severely adverse weather had to cancel the game. We are hoping this can be replayed in the near future.

A midweek return match with Tenby has also been scheduled for a week later on March 29 at home, kick-off at 7.30 pm.

YOUTH XV

On Saturday, March 11, the Youth took on Neyland at home. Despite close encounters earlier in the season, Pembroke’s young team knew they would be up against a strong Neyland outfit, who had narrowly beaten them in the league months before.

Both sides gave a good account of themselves and both played some attractive rugby, despite the heavy conditions, whilst both defences worked equally hard.

Pembroke lost their talented forward Jack Oliver to an ankle injury in the second half. However, as expected, the strength of the Neyland forwards particularly came to the fore as they made inroads into home territory and took their opportunities to score, ending up as deserved winners 40-0.

JUNIOR SECTION PEMBS. AGE GROUP

CUP GAMES

Last weekend saw all the age groups from U11 to U16 involved in the Pembs Junior Cup competitions. U11s played Tenby at home, U12s played St. Davids away, U14s and U15s played Crymych away, whilst the U16s played Tenby at home.

U11s: The Pembroke team put up a very spirited performance against a strong Tenby outfit. Having been 4-1 down on tries, the home side rallied to score three quick tries, but then the larger, more physical Tenby team asserted themselves and scored a few more tries to deservedly take the match and move into the semi-finals stage.

Pembroke coaches, Phil Greenwood and Hannah Eynon, paid tribute to the spirit and endeavour of their disappointed squad and wished Tenby success in the next round.

U12s: Received a bye as St. Davids could not field a side, so through to semi-finals, where they will play Whitland (A) on April 9, kick-off 11 am.

U13s: Received a bye as Whitland could not field a side, so through to the semi-finals, where they will play Fishguard (A) on April 9, kick-off 11 am.

U14s: Lost 44-0 to Crymych.

U15s: Unfortunately, due to withdrawals through illness, Pembroke were unable to fulfil this fixture, so Crymych get a bye into the semi-finals.

U16s: Pembroke U16s progressed to the semi-final of the Pembrokeshire U16s Cup on Sunday following a hard fought 23-7 victory over local rivals Tenby at Crickmarren.

Games between these two sides are always tough and Sunday was no different, with both sides competing hard, with no quarter given. The pitch at Pembroke was heavy underfoot and was a credit to the ground staff who worked hard all week to ensure the game went ahead. With a large vocal crowd filling the stand and creating a pressure-cooker atmosphere, both teams entertained the crowd from the first whistle.

Tenby won the toss and decided to play against the slope and wind in the first half and it was important for Pembroke to make use of the conditions to try and build a lead.

Pembroke, playing in a change kit of grey loaned from Crymych due to a colour clash, started like an express train with the forwards intent on getting the upper hand at the breakdown.

With some fierce tackling and counter-rucking, Pembroke soon went into an early lead with a 30-metre penalty from scrum-half Jared Sherratt.

The rest of the half was played mostly in the Tenby half, with half-backs Jared Sherratt and James Allen using the conditions well and forcing Tenby back at every opportunity.

Pembroke increased their lead with an excellent opportunist try from hard-running centre Rhys Griffiths, who took a quick tap penalty to score from 10 metres, carrying over two defenders in the process. Sherratt added a further penalty to give Pembroke a half-time lead of 11-0.

Playing against the elements, it was important for Pembroke to hold on to the slender lead, but after only five minute, a well-worked move resulted in the Tenby centre scoring under the posts and with a successful conversion the visitors were back in the game at 11-7.

It was at this point that the Pembroke team showed the character that exists within the squad, with the whole team putting in a performance that was a credit to themselves and the club.

The forwards of Geoffrey Hickey, Rhys Taylor, captain Shane Gwyther, Liam Brunton, Leon Steward, Ryan Gammer, Josh Axon, James Jones, Med Le Britton Booth and Theo Davies upped the tempo, made the hard yards and starved Tenby of any quality possession.

The backs started to spread the ball wide and move Tenby across the pitch. Centres Curtis Palmer and Rhys Griffiths mixed up play from deft offloads to abrasive runnin,g providing the ying to the yang of the work done by the forwards.

This allowed Jared Sherratt, James Allen, Douggie Whitbread, Joe Watkins, Rhys Richard and Harry Turner to run at Tenby and after an excellent counter-attack and off-loading by forwards and backs, Joe Watkins was denied in the corner by a covering tackle.

With Tenby now down to 14 players due to a yellow card, the pressure was beginning to tell. From the resulting scrum, Jared Sherratt pounced on a loose ball and scored an important try. With the conversion going just wide, Pembroke were now 16-7 ahead with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Pembroke continued to spread the ball wide at every opportunity and after five phases of play, with offloading of the highest quality, deft hands put Joe Watkins in space and he cut past three defenders to score an excellent team try, with Jared Sherratt adding the extras.

Pembroke closed out the remainder of the game and there was hearty applause from both sets of supporters on the final whistle, congratulating both teams on an excellent game of rugby played at a very high standard.

Well done to the lads, who now move on to the semi-final, which will be against Haverfordwest (H) on April 9, kick-off at 1.30 pm.

UNDER 16s TOUR

The U16s enjoyed an excellent tour to Gloucestershire recently, taking in the Wales v Ireland international in Cardiff on the way; a fuller report will be posted next week.

ANNUAL CLUB DINNER

At Beggars Reach on May 5. Tickets are going quickly, see Emma and Jayne Club opens at 6 pm, buses leave at 6.30 pm.

‘MONKTON OLD BOYS’ FLOODLIT YOUTH SEVENS

Friday, April 28, sees the annual Youth Sevens tournament at the club, between all Pembrokeshire clubs. Games start at 5.30 pm, refreshments and BBQ will be available for all supporters throughout the evening. Come along and watch the best local rugby talent express themselves in this exciting format.

CHARITY

FUNDRAISER QUIZ

Llanion Warriors are holding a quiz at the rugby club on Friday, March 31, starting at 7.30 pm. The club is taking part in the biannual Celtic Challenge Race, which sees teams rowing the 100k from Arklow (Eire) to Aberystwyth over the first May Day Bank Holiday weekend. The rowing club has a very proud tradition of raising funds for local charities, having donated over £26.5k during the last 10 years of this competition. Everyone is cordially invited to bring teams of four to six to this fundraising event; light refreshments will be provided during the interval on the night.