Pembroke v Porthcawl

Pembroke: Luke Hartland, Elliot Evans, Sean Dalling, Dan Colley, Barry Alderman-John, Toby Smith, Tom Lewis, Lloyd Davies, Seamus Wiseman, Jonathan Palmer, Scott Powell (captain), Will Edwards, Dom Colman, Rhodri Waters, Sam Smith.
Replacements: Jamie Brayford, Owain Johns, Cyle Weatherall, Billy Wood, Alex Thomas, Alex Wilks, Simon Stanford, Fraser James.

Road to the final:
Round One: Haverfordwest 24-31 Pembroke; Bridgend Sports 10-31 Porthcawl.
Round Two: Pembroke 40-22 Aberaeron; Pontcymmer 7-49 Porthcawl.
Round Three: Cefn Cribbwr 30–42 Pembroke; Wattstown 10-16 Porthcawl.
Round Four: Laugharne 22-32 Pembroke; Porthcawl 52-9 Trimsaran.
Round Five: COBRA 3-34 Pembroke; Porthcawl 29-0 Newport Saracens.
Quarter finals: Pembroke 24-7 Deri; Penygraig 13-18 Porthcawl.
Semi finals: Pembroke 12-32 Cardiff University (match awarded to Pembroke); Porthcawl 23-20 Abercwmboi.

Once in a lifetime:

Whatever the occasion, whatever the level, it is a special day for every player involved.

When I was growing up it was the old Cardiff Arms Park, it later became the Millennium Stadium, and now it goes by the name of the Principality. But regardless, running out at the home of Welsh rugby is what every youngster dreams of when they first put on a pair of boots.

And for those involved with Pembroke RFC and Porthcawl on Saturday, that dream becomes reality. For the majority on the field, it will be a once in a lifetime experience that they won’t want to throw away.

Pembroke will become only the second senior side from our county to grace the venue after Fishguard and Goodwick who also made the Bowl final in the 2012/13 season, where they were beaten by Wattstown.
After a controversial build up, Telegraph Sport assesses their chances of bringing the Bowl home to Pembrokeshire and looks at the critical factors surrounding the big day…….

Focus needed after student saga:

Been on another planet? No. Then it won’t have escaped you that Pembroke, originally beaten 32-12 by Cardiff University in their Bowl semi final in Dunvant, were then re-instated back into the competition after the students were deemed to have fielded ineligible players.

On the one hand, it seemed inconceivable the University could have gone through, having used players assigned to Principality Premiership clubs and a host of individuals who were technically cup tied.

On the other, their selection apparently related to back dated verbal agreements with the WRU that allowed them to play anyone they wished to fulfil cup fixtures.

But any dwindling sympathy I had for them evaporated this week when their director of rugby, Alun Wyn Davies, came out with: “We were told by the Union we had special dispensation to play any of our students in the competition.

 “We could have selected our first team and if we had done that it would have been telephone numbers.
“But in the spirit of what is a Division Three competition we chose not to do that.”

The arrogance of that statement was only outweighed by its inaccuracy. The Cardiff University RFC social media accounts openly appealed for any ‘former’ players willing to play to contact them before their quarter final with Nantgaredig – and if the ‘spirit’ of the Bowl was considered, they wouldn’t have picked players who had already featured in higher tier Cup and Plate fixtures. There is considerably more that could be added and the saga isn’t over yet, but enough of that for now.

Because regardless of what I or anyone else thinks – for Pembroke now what’s done is done. They are officially into the final so any original frustration must be banished, and jibes and complaints from those who disagree must be ignored.

There focus must be on Sunday, and Sunday only.

Momentum maintained:

What has been critical is the Scarlets have had a Division Three West A title to fight for – so what they thought was a heartbreaking semi final defeat has not de-railed their season.

In fact, since March 31^st, they’ve notched bonus point wins over Cardigan (49-20) and Laugharne (26-12), and 14 points from five games will now see them promoted as champions.

Had their league season been petering out off the back of two poor results, as it does for many at this stage, it would have been very difficult to pick themselves up and be in top gear for the Principality at just seven days’ notice.

But Porthcawl are hardly floundering themselves. Like Pembroke, they have lost just once in the league this season and sit second with 16 wins from 17 games.

Their April results have seen away wins at Swansea Uplands (5-0) and Bryncoch (34-13), and two home demolitions of Neath Athletic (83-3) and Briton Ferry (87-0).

Both sides are in serious form and if they take that into Sunday, we will have a hell of a game on our hands.

Nice to meet you:

Ahead of a Bowl, Plate, or Cup final, it’s common for the sides involved to do some digging.

Many send representatives to watch their opposition, or utilise contacts to report back on performances.
The beauty of this final is neither side has had time to do either. The Scarlets will simply have to find out on Sunday what Porthcawl will throw at them – and vice versa.

There has been no great secret to Pembroke’s style of play in Division Three West A this season – and yet it has been more than effective.

They play with structure and have powerful runners up front – and while the try scoring of No 8 Sam Smith has grabbed many headlines, he has reaped the rewards of a solid tight five in front of him. The Scarlets will also look to flanker Dom Colman to break the gain line, while back row partner Rhodri Waters, who has come into his own in the latter part of this season, will work in wider channels.

Like any clash, the set piece will play a big part. A big factor in Pembroke’s league form has been there scrum and lineout - and Lloyd Davies, Seamus Wiseman, Jonathan Palmer, Will Edwards and skipper Scott Powell all know they have the job to do. All five are capable ball carriers themselves, but more importantly if they can give Smith and co the platform, Pembroke will be hard to stop.

And when Geraint Lewis’ side are on the front foot – they have the weapons behind to do damage. The additions of Toby Smith and Dan Colley this season have given them an extra dimension. Smith gives composure at 10, and has the ability to throw long passes when it’s on out wide.

Like the semi final against Cardiff Uni, young scrum half Tom Lewis will keep the Porthcawl back row honest, while in Colley, centre partner Sean Dalling, wingers Barry Alderman-John and Elliot Evans, and full back Luke Hartland – there is pace in abundance.

 As its stands, Pembroke have no fresh injury worries, but spare a thought for young hooker Max Hayward who was a first team regular before sustaining a broken ankle at St Davids in January. He will however, be there on the day with other squad members and part of the whole experience.

Neither set of players however, would be human if there were no nerves and tension. They are playing in a prestigious arena, on live television, in front of bus loads upon bus loads of supporters. A cliché I know – but whichever side remains the more composed and focused will be at a major advantage.

The view from Pembroke:

Geraint Lewis (head coach): “I’m immensely proud of the boys. We’ve been the length and breadth of the country on the way to the final.

“We have embraced the competition and really brought into it – and all the travelling and difficult games has strengthened us as a squad.

“All the hard work that has gone into the club on and off the field has paid off. We have made a big effort at junior and youth level and have pushed and developed players in our first team. And this season the young boys who have come in have made a big difference to us.”

Scott Powell (captain): “The news last weekend (about Cardiff University) came as a real surprise to the boys but we soon switched our focus to Sunday - starting with training Tuesday.

“Although it is not how we imagined we would get to the final but we feel after the tough cup run, including long bus trips to North Wales and Bridgend, that we deserve the opportunity to play at the Principality.

“It will be a proud occasion for everyone associated with the club and it is nice to finally put Pembroke RFC on the map. We have worked hard this season and it is all starting to come together at the right time.”

Darrell Willington (chairman): “We were delighted with the decision of the panel both for ourselves and grassroots rugby as a whole.

“For our players and coaches this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and everyone at the club is looking forward to the day.”

Buses for supporters will leave the club at 9am Sunday morning, and anyone wanting to travel can book their seat by contacting the club house on 01646 682 209.