National Bowl Round One:
Haverfordwest 24
Pembroke 31
THE much awaited cup clash between Haverfordwest and Pembroke didn’t disappoint – and it was The Scarlets who prevailed after outscoring their hosts by five tries to four.
It was actually The Blues who led early as in-form winger Ben Skudder surged over in the corner, but the visitors responded immediately as in-form No 8 Sam Smith touched down from a rolling maul, and centre Sean Dalling converted.
Dalling himself then crossed following a well-worked training ground move instigated by No 9 Tom Lewis, and he converted again before The Scarlets really took control with a second pushover try for Smith.
Trailing 19-5, the home side needed a spark and they found it after half time through elusive No 10 Matthew Davies, who cut through for a try that Skudder converted – but then Davies’ opposite number Simon Hooper responded in kind with a five pointer of his own for Pembroke.
And then Geraint Lewis’ men seemingly made the game safe as scrum half Lewis sniped over, and Dalling converted to open up a 31-12 lead.
But as The Scarlets tired, Haverfordwest stormed back through another Davies try that Skudder goaled, and then flanker Daniel John charged over to cut the deficit to seven points.
But Pembroke held firm late on, to the delight of head coach Lewis.
“We were outstanding up front today and our scrum and lineout made the difference,” he said.
“We were missing key players like Dom Colman and Toby Smith, but the boys who came in were brilliant and this shows the all-round strength of our squad.”
Rugby scores in games involving Pembrokeshire sides today (full reports in this week's Western Telegraph):
Championship:
Beddau 13-16 Narberth
Division One West:
Crymych v Gorseinon - postponed
Tenby United 17-20 Penclawdd
Division Two West:
Carmarthen Athletic 3-6 Whitland
Llanybydder 12-16 Fishguard & Goodwick
St Clears RFC 24-5 Pontyberem
National Bowl:
Cefeneithin 43-7 Milford Haven
Crymych 2nds v Newcastle Emlyn 2nds - match postponed
Ferryside v Cardigan - match postponed
Haverfordwest 24-31 Pembroke
Laugharne v Narberth 2nds - walkover to Laugharne
Llandovery 2nds 20-36 Neyland
Llangadog 36-5 St Davids
Llangwm v TSD Lampeter - Llangwm walkover
Pembroke Dock Harlequins RFC v TSD Carmarthen - Quins walkover
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