The First XV entertained local rivals Quins last Friday night in the Pembs KO Plate quarter final, on a dry, cold evening. The pitch was in very good condition and ideal for running rugby. A huge crowd, the biggest for years at Crickmarren, covering all age groups, turned out to watch what turned out to be a tense, noisy, passionate and epic encounter.
Both teams started very strongly, with the defences of both sides being tested during the first five minutes. The visitors struck first after being awarded a kickable penalty after six minutes. The home side then created an opening for young wing Davies to cross. The next twenty saw the game seesaw and both sides having to defend resolutely. The home side then struck from a ten-metre scrum, when scrum half Greenwood fed centre James to crash over. Minutes later Quins winger Miller gathered a lose kick, chipped his opposite number and regained to dive into the corner. Pembroke’s forwards then forged a position, which eventually saw lock Edwards put into space to crash over to give his side a 17-8 lead with only minutes to the break. Quins built pressure and after their backs combined well with their forwards to gain territory, they scored a vital try to reduce the deficit to four points at the break.
After the break, it became evident that the dangerous Quins backs were going to take the ball wide as many times as they could and this eventually paid huge dividends as they scored only minutes in, to take the lead. Another pressure penalty minutes later extended their lead. The game then entered a short period of intense pressure for the home side and they defended well, but after twenty minutes the Quins forwards produced a multi-phase attack that ended with another well taken try to give them a sizeable lead. Ten minutes later, with the Quins gaining lots of possession and creating more pressure, a chip kick from their backs was regained and another try scored. Pembroke then broke out of defence and after excellent work from both forwards and backs scored a late try, but failed to break down the visitor’s big lead and the Quins duly won what had been a totally enthralling, exciting and entertaining local derby to the delight of their vociferous support to win a place in the semi-final away to Cardigan.
Neither the Panthers or the Youth had matches at the weekend. The junior section played against Tenby on Sunday; there were wins for the U10 and thirteens, whilst all other teams performed very well.
Up-coming fixtures include; First XV play Llangwm at home Ko 2.30, Panthers travel to take on Taffs Well (Cardiff) on Sunday 16th in their second successive WRU National Bowl semi-final KO 2.30pm, everyone at the club wishes them every success in their quest to reach a Cardiff final for the first time. Upcoming social events include, the extremely popular weekly coffee morning on Thursday 10am to midday and Friday Feb 21 sees the final Winter Quiz for teams of 4-6 starting at 7.15pm.
