The First XV entertained Dreigiau Emlyn (Newcastle Emlyn Dragons) last Saturday in sunny, dry weather on a damp, soft pitch after days of heavy rain. Pembroke were bolstered by the return of some key players, whilst Emlyn’s bench benefited from the cancellation of their First XV match.
The home side started poorly conceding a penalty from a poorly collected kick off, which Emlyn pounced on to take an early lead. Pembroke struck back almost immediately after excellent phase play from their forwards lock Edwards powered over for a converted try. Pembroke lost No 8 Jones to a tallow and were forced to defend resolutely for ten minutes until Emlyn finally mounted a wide counter attack for their winger to cross wide out to give his side the lead. Within five minutes Pembroke struck back with another well constructed try to regain the lead; they maintained a high tempo, with their forwards building excellent field positions to keep the opposition deep in their half for most of the second quarter. Their hard work was rewarded with another try leaving them deservedly 19-10 up at the break.
Emlyn raised their game from the off and scored two quick tries very early in the second half to wrestle the lead. Pembroke’s energy seemed to drop and Emlyn built momentum as they brought on their influential bench, despite losing a forward to a yellow midway in the half. Emlyn kicked another penalty and their dangerous backs scored an excellent try to build a big lead, which the home side failed to challenge, even though Emlyn lost another forward to a yellow late in the final quarter, but a further late penalty saw the visitors claim a deserved victory by 19-35.
A strong Panthers played Newcastle Emlyn at home on Sunday afternoon in atrocious windy, rainy conditions. Very sadly after some robust play from both sides during forty eight minutes of play, after which the match was abandoned due to as very serious injury to an Emlyn player that required the attention of paramedics after careful removal from the field. At that point Pembroke were in the lead by 21-0. The club understands she is undergoing tests and await a further update.
The youth did not have a game and only a few Junior age groups performed well on Friday evening as it was Remembrance Sunday.
Upcoming fixtures include; Saturday the First XV play St Davids in leg one for the “Willington Slate” (there’s a big Raffle on the day, raising funds for the RNLI and Fisherman’s Mission, in memory of Gareth and son Daniel Willington lost at sea April 2016), Panthers Tumble away Sunday Nov 16. The Youth have drawn Porth Harlequins away in the WRU Shield on Dec 6, whilst the Panthers have drawn Blackwood away in the WRU Bowl on Dec 7. The U17s are hoping to play Tenby away on Nov 19. Friday Nov 28 First XV host Whitland in the Pembs KO Plate quarter final kick off 7pm.
Social events include, the very popular weekly Thursday Coffee morning, a Panthers Quiz and Karaoke on Friday Nov 21 KO 7pm, and Ladies Committee High Tea on Sunday Nov 23 (tickets on sale in the club).
Prop Jamie Brayford gives chase, whilst Zak Shaw after many yards carried throughout the game, offloads again at the breakdown. MOM for First XV was Lloyd Davies. A proud Chairman, saw his grand daughter place the Club wreath at the town Cenotaph Remembrance ceremony on Sunday.