PEMBROKE First XV travelled last Friday evening to Tenby to play a friendly against their Athletic squad in warm conditions on a firm pitch perfect for running rugby, writes Darrell Willington.
A large crowd had turned out and they were thoroughly entertained by the two squads as they delivered lots of enterprising rugby throughout the whole game, despite a heavy shower at the start of the second half.
The visitors side struck after five minutes, after sustained pressure and many phases, with current top try scorer Lewis Davies running into the corner.
Tenby replied soon after and took a two point lead.
At the end of the first quarter powerful Pembroke No 8 Rogers scored after good interplay between forwards and backs and minutes later he scored his second to open up a big lead.
Tenby reacted and scored two quick tries to retake the lead in this fast-paced game, before Pembroke’s lock Edwards pounced on a loose ball to score an opportunist try and give his side a one point lead at the break.
The pacey, flowing play was continued into the second half and the home side’s forwards claimed an excellent try after five minutes to take the lead.
Pembroke’s lock Edwards, who had moved to No 8, picked up from a scrum close to the home line and crashed over on the blindside to regain the lead.
Both sides made changes and both continued to play at a high tempo.
Tenby scored their final try at the end of the third quarter to establish a four point lead and they stubbornly held the visitors at bay for a long period, before the visitors mounted a late attack and scored their final try to re-establish a three point lead, which they managed to hang onto to win this tremendously exciting match 31-34, to the delight of the players and their supporters.
The Youth played away in Llangwm at the weekend and showed marked improvement in their all round performance.
Earlier in the season they had been roundly beaten by the Wasps, but on this occasion they were more organized and determined in defence.
Both sides scored some really well constructed tries, but the home side dominated enough of the possession and territory to end up worthy winners by 34-24.
The juniors had a busy week, Welsh prop Kemsley Mathias ran a clinic with the U9s, which they really enjoyed and most of the age groups were in action on the weekend; there were wins for the U9s, 10s and 11s against Quins, the U15s lost to tourists Tonyrefail and the U16s won in Llangwm.
Four of the U11s travelled to North Wales on Friday to play for the county and won their match and then the whole squad were the Guard of Honour at the Scarlets v Stormers match on Saturday. The win secures a semi final place versus Ceredigion.
Whilst U16s scrum half Dafydd Killian has made the Scarlets U16s match preparation squad for the upcoming regional matches.
Upcoming fixtures include, Youth travel to Narberth this Saturday, First XV St Davids away April 5 and Neyland away April 12, U17s Haverfordwest home in Mike Fry Cup April 5, Panthers Morriston home April 6 and Tondu home April 27.