The First XV travelled to St Davids in beautifully warm, blue-sky conditions to try to claim the “Willington Slate” back from their hosts, who had held it for the last two seasons. The trophy played for in memory of Gareth and Daniel Willington, who had tragically perished in a freak fishing accident off St Davids in April 2016. Prior to the main event, the U8s teams from both clubs put on an excellent exhibition match.
Pembroke’s young side made a very slow start allowing the Saints to pressurize their line for the fist ten minutes. Eventually the Saints pack provided quick ball twenty yards out and centre Voyce broke through to score a great individual, converted try. Ten minutes later having dominated territory Saints forwards broke stubborn defense to score another try to establish a good lead. The second quarter saw the visitors get into the game more purposefully; they were held up over the try line, then handling errors lost them a couple of good chances to score. In the dying minutes of the half, Pembroke’s forwards mounted a determined multi-phase attack, which provided centre Johns a chance to step defenders to register a well taken converted try, to get them back into the match.
The second half turned into a fast moving try fest, with the home side scoring two very good tries and the visitors scoring four. The match seesawed throughout the half and when Saints lost a forward to a yellow card, Pembroke took advantage to score, but Saints came back strongly to lead going into the final minutes in a thoroughly absorbing contest, enjoyed by a very large crowd. However, Pembroke kept pressurizing in the last minutes and excellent interplay between forwards and back was rewarded when lock Edwards slipped a deft pass inside to supporting full back Davies, who crashed over for the try that claimed the win for the ecstatic visitors by 24-27 in what had proved an exciting and very entertaining match. Lewis Davies was voted MoM for Pembroke for his excellent tactical kicking and control of territory for his team throughout the match. After the match the “Slate” was presented to Pembroke’s very pleased skipper Lloyd Davies.
The Panthers travelled to take on Tumble last Sunday afternoon, keen to keep their place at the top of their West Wales WRU League. The whole squad performed at a very high level in a high tempo match, which they emphatically won by 68-26, with the forwards supplying lots of ball for their eager and skilled backs to use to create a really great impact on the match.
Huge congratulations to the Panther’s Pearl Griffiths, who recently had a very successful appearance for the Welsh Women’s Police squad, when they played a strong Scottish Police at the Cardiff Arms Park. Wales won 48-24 and Pearl was voted Player of the Match for Wales.
The Junior section were out in good numbers across the County over the weekend with lots of success.
Up-coming fixtures include: First XV home to Neyland tonight Ko 7pm in the Pembs KO Plate semi-final and on Saturday they welcome Llanybydder KO 2.30pm. Panthers are due to play Morriston at home on Sunday 29th KO 2.30pm. April 1, U17 v Tenby away KO 7pm and Crymych home on Friday April 17 in Mike Fry Cup. The Youth return to action Friday April 10 v Narberth home in the Pembs KO Plate, Ko 7pm and Wed April 22 v Tenby home (if not in the Plate Final) KO 7pm.
Last Friday the club raised over £1400 for Sarcoma UK as the result of a very well supported and hugely successful Curry & Quiz night. Everyone is welcome to come along to the weekly Thursday Coffee morning between 10am and Midday, on April 2 there will be further fundraising for Sarcoma UK. April 11 sees the return of the very popular Bottomless Brunch, which is already sold out.
