PEMBROKE XV travelled to St Davids in the second leg for the Willington Slate trophy, with the Saints holding a five-point advantage after their narrow win back in September, writes Darrell Willington.

Prior to the match St Davids held an inauguration ceremony for a new electronic scoreboard in memory of recently deceased Patron and stalwart John James. The day was also graced by the attendance of Sir Gerald Davies and his wife and Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan.

The game was played at a constant high tempo and proved a very competitive, exciting encounter, just like the previous match.

Both sides played open rugby and the lead changed hands throughout the whole game.

Saints scored two tries to the visitors’ one in the first half to hold a four point lead at the break.

At the start of the second half Pembroke went ahead with a penalty, which was short lived as Saints also kicked a penalty soon after.

Then quick tries from both sides brought the scores level at 24-24, with the visitors gaining in confidence and looking like they might snatch the victory.

However, with minutes to go, a brilliant solo effort from the Saints full back Morgan Griffiths, saw him swerve and evade tacklers as he covered 40 metres to score the match clinching score to the delight of home supporters.

After the match there was the usual fundraising, via an auction and raffle, for the RNLI and Fisherman’s Mission, which is standard when these teams play each other for the Slate; over £1500 was raised.

The high-flying Panthers played Morriston at home last Sunday in their penultimate League fixture.

The Panthers scored six tries to their opponents’ three to win a thrilling game by 38-21 in glorious spring weather, which cements them at the top of the West Wales table on equal points with the West Swansea Hawks.

The U17s played Haverfordwest at home in the Mike Fry Cup last Saturday, in a one-sided game the visitors proved too strong and the game finished early.

The U15s hosted Bedlinog on Sunday afternoon; the match was a very intense and exciting one with the lead changing hands multiple times.

The home side scored some memorable tries, but the visitors eventually ran out winners.

The U7/8, 9 and 10s groups were all at festivals and performed really well.

The U13s will represent the club at County Junior Finals day, whilst the boys playing for the County U11s squad have reached the Welsh Final in Newport after beating Ceredigion.

Upcoming end of season fixtures include, First XV away to Neyland this Saturday, Panthers home to Tondu on Sunday April 27, Youth away in Crymych April 12 and Aberystwyth home April 26.

A new innovation kicked off at the club last Friday, with the first opportunity for members and guests to participate in the weekly walking/running section outing.

People of all ages and abilities are very welcome to come along at 6.15pm every Friday April, May, June for exercise, good company and a drink; then in June, July, August the very popular social rugby sessions return at the same starting time. April 9 sees the club’s new Pool team in their local Final.

May 14th sees the club holding a BBQ fundraiser at the Cresselly Arms, starting at 5pm.