Willington Slate Trophy: St Davids 23-43 Pembroke 2nds

St Davids and Pembroke Tigers (2nds) played out an entertaining 80 minutes on Saturday in memory of Gareth 'Spike' Willington and his son Daniel.

The pair sadly died in a tragic fishing accident off the St Davids coast in April 2016, and the sides honoured their memories by playing for the inaugural Willington Slate Trophy.

Prior to the game both Pembroke Chairman, Darrell Willington (the brother of Gareth) and St Davids President John Williams spoke to a large crowd and underlined the day was about a celebration of the lives of two dedicated professional fishermen. 

Conditions were perfect for running rugby and the visitors were more clinical wide out, taking a 26-8 lead at the break.

There were two excellent tries from centre Yori Roberts, one from livewire flanker Tommy John after a well timed slip pass from his No 10 Lewis Davies, and one from winger Darcy Langston, who again finished off another team try wide out.

Davies added three conversions but St Davids kept themselves in it with a try from No 8 Josh Strangward, and a penalty from centre Dylan Davies.

And the second half saw St Davids make a determined response and the try count ended up at three apiece, with both sides showing good ambition.

The Saints had another score from Strangward while prop Dan Murphy and full back Luke Brooks also touched down.

For Pembroke, Davies finished off some slick handling to score while Richard Jones fcame off the bench to go over twice, with the former adding another conversion to round off an entertaining win for his team. 

Referee Martyn Williams (Saundersfoot) had a good match in the middle, and it was fitting he had the whistle given he knew 'Spike' and had a real empathy for the situation and ethos of this occasion.

After the game, family member Jonathan Willington spoke emotionally on behalf of his family and Daniel’s eldest daughter, Roxy,  presented the Willington Slate trophy to Sean Beynon, the Tigers captain.

The host club then laid on hospitality and club stalwart Jack Dudley led the post match activities and helped raise funds for the Fisherman’s Mission Charity.

The day yielded £986, as St Davids donated the gate and a sum of £210 collected prior to the day.

"The whole family and all of the friends that travelled to St Davids would like to sincerely thank the host club for a marvelous day," said Darrell.

"For their generosity and to agreeing to play these fixtures in the coming years serves to cement the rugby links between these communities and keep the memory of these two sportsmen and fishermen alive."

St Davids squad:  Will Davies, Rhys 'Loshin' Price, Rhys Owen Price, George Raymond, Adam Williams, Ben Evans, Daniel Jenkins, Chris Jenkins, Josh Strangward, Dan Murphy, Gethin Bateman, Morgan Weale, Aled Rowlands, Harvey Godkin, Luke Brooks, Zak Morgan, Rhys Morgan, Mark Wilson, Dan Ridge, Dylan Davies, Patrick Smith, James Atherton, Ben Evans, Lewys James.

Pembroke: Simon Stanford, Darcy Langston, James Davies, Yori Roberts, Barry Alderman John, Lewis Davies, Rhys Cadogan, Jamie Brayford, Sean Beynon, Owain Johns, Harry Dawe, Nathan Rowlands, Dan Gosnold, Aaron Williams, Tommy John. Replacements: Timmy Sharpe, Rhys Mainwaring, Richard Jones, Iwan Cole.