Pembroke welcomed nearest neighbours Pembroke Dock Quins to Crickmarren on Saturday (Sep 12) in the opening fixture for both teams in Division 4 West, the Pembrokeshire Scarlets emerging 27-17 winners, a result built on the key axis of their 8, 9 and 10, Lloyd Evans, Iolo Williams and Jarad Sherratt who contributed 12 points with his right boot in difficult kicking conditions due to a strong wind blowing from the Clubhouse towards Lamphey.
Playing with the wind the home sides game plan saw them turn the visiting fifteen at every opportunity, Sherratt astute with his kicking of the Kevin Watts sponsored match ball, although Williams at scrum half, making his senior start in a Scarlets jersey made key decisions when to release his back division or use the skills of number 8 Evans flanker Danny Davies and hooker Rhydian Eynon to made the hard yards to gain superiority.
Sherratt opened the scoring in the fixture sponsored by the former Pembroke players, who have former Wales stars Jonathan Thomas, Dominic Day and Rob Appleyard to call their own, after referee Rob Brookes of Swansea penalised the visitors for offside, the response from the Quins, who were formed in 1880, a year before the Welsh Rugby Union, was admirable as within ten minutes they had crossed for the games opening try, second row Liam Baker touching down following a quick tap penalty from 10 meters out.
The young Pembroke XV came back with a well worked try of their own, the back division releasing wingman Zach Evans after a controlled and weighted pass from full back Lewis Davies who made the extra man in the attack line count, which gave Evans a clear run in from 15m, Sherratt’s controlled conversion with the ball wobbling on his kicking tee worthy of the added two points and a 10-5 lead.
As may have happened during bygone days around the ‘War of the Roses’ the Quins showed their mentality to make the next score which was crucial before half time in this keenly contested but fair derby encounter. Morgan Rogers meticulously controlled the offensive play, as the ball moved between forwards and backs, creating space from a pass from winger Tom Donovan, for the outside half to skate over and his captain Ben Hathway added the conversion.
The large crowd of partisan but most importantly, respectful spectators of all ages and gender were expecting the Quins to take the game by the scruff of the neck with the wind in their sails for the second half, but sport is anything but straight forward as the home pack delivered an impressive second forty minutes, even when second row Wil Edwards was sin binned for ten minutes for not allowing the ‘flying boatmen’ to play the ball in a promising attacking position.
Referee Brooks was required to keep a keen eye on proceedings and did so with admirable fitness to keep up with play and have a feel for the game to allow an advantage to develop if he could, Hathway missed a difficult penalty, the Bierspool bunch frustrated with some perceived inconsistencies from Brookes, which cost them yardage as they voiced such concerns.
It was from one such indiscretion that the platform was laid for the games crucial score, full back Lewis Davies ploughing over after Pembroke secured vital possession from the penalty, Williams showing guile and tenacity which belied his young shoulders, but will bode well for his club as the season progresses, centres James Allen and Jack Nicholas the beneficiaries of his astute game management, the former crossing for a try to extend the lead, Sherratt also adding a second penalty for a 27-12 lead.
The Quins had the final score of the game, centre Jack Price, who showed a good turn of pace as he was a constant thorn in the side all second half for Pembroke, with his direct running, crossing for a consolation try.
The end result saw them leave Pembroke with nothing to show for their endeavours ahead of next weekends home encounter with Llanybydder who lost 104-3 at home to Pontyberem.
Pembroke came into the game on the back of a 34-10 Pembrokeshire cup defeat at the end of August to Narberth Athletic, and now travel to Heywood Lane next weekend to take on Tenby Athletic, who defeated Llangwm 50-10.
Match ball sponsored by Kevin Watts.
Match sponsored by the former players of Pembroke.
Pembroke
Lewis Davies; Zach Evans; James Allen; Jack Nicholas; Tobi Pratt; Jarad Sherratt; Iolo Williams; Zac Shaw; Rhydian Eynon; William Edwards; Cyle Weatherall; Jonny Palmer; Dan Davies; Lloyd Davies ©️.
Impact Players
Seamus Wiseman; Deryn Williams; George Jones; Scott Powell; Rhys Jones.
Pembroke Dock Quins
Ben Hathway ©️; Josh Brown; Jack Price; Rhys Marchant; Tom Donovan; Morgan Rogers; Adam Cawley; Harry Owen; Dannie Wilkes; Lewys Scourfield; Liam Baker; Mark Van Rhyn; Alfie Ball; Jack Hagan; Jack Davies.
Impact Players
Jason Keight; Callum Jones; Sam James; Jake Griffiths; Owain Turner.
Referee
Rob Brooks (Swansea)
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