PEMBROKE RFC First XV welcomed Tenby’s second string the Seasiders to Crickmarren for a friendly on Saturday, writes Darrell Willington.

The Seasiders hope to play enough games to meet the requirements of the WRU this season in order to qualify to enter the league next season; to date they have now played seven games.

Pembroke had some key players rested, but the match offered the bulk of the squad an opportunity to run off the festive excesses, in front of a very healthy crowd.

The ground was wet and despite rain in the second half the pitch held up well.

With no real pressure on either side regarding the result, both expressed themselves. Pembroke’s forwards and backs combined very well, constantly building multiple phase plays that allowed them to score six tries to nil and a big lead in the first half.

The Seasiders to their credit combined well to build some determined attacks, but they were met with equally determined defensive work from the home side, which kept them scoreless throughout the half.

The Seasiders started the second half with a bang, scoring from the kick off, after excellent work from their forwards.

Pembroke had made wholesale changes at the break and these fresh legs helped them to maintain the pressure on a tiring opposition.

The home side scored two more very well constructed tries, before the visitors put together another determined thrust from a scrum close to the home line, which brought them their second try.

The home side asserted control for the remainder of the game and scored one more try to end up worthy winners by 55-10 in what had been an entertaining match.

Upcoming fixtures include, First XV home to Narberth Athletic this Saturday (a battle between second and third in the league), Panthers have a free week before their WRU National Bowl quarter Final versus Tondu at home January 19, ko 2.30pm when we hope to see lots of local support for the women on the day, Youth play Fishguard at home this Saturday KO 2pm.

The junior age groups resume their fixtures and in the weeks ahead teams will also be trying hard to win cup matches as well, good luck to them all.

Five of the U15s players played in two squads at a recent schools’ festival in Cross Hands.

The matches against regional teams from South West Wales provided an opportunity for the Pembs Schools coaches to see their charges in action, prior to building their squad to challenge in next season’s U16s Dewar Shield.

Congratulations to a number of the Panthers, who participated in the annual New Year’s Day Saundersfoot swim, raising funds for local charities.