Eric Brown Memorial Cup:

 

 

Pembroke Development Squad 19  - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 7

 
Pembroke’s strong development squad showed the value of playing second team rugby on a regular basis as they took on oldest rivals Pembroke Dock Harlequins first XV and established a 19-point interval lead and restricting the opposition to just one converted try when they had the advantage of the elements.
 

High praise from Pembroke coaches Rowlands and Edwards

 
Small wonder then that second-team head coach Clive ‘Tosh’ Rowlands and his assistant coach Simon Edwards were delighted by the way that their relatively young squad played but were also quick to praise the battling qualities of their opposition in a match that brought out a huge crowd in the inclement weather.
 
“The Quins are going through a period of gaining experience and helped make this a day to remember a great servant of Pembroke RFC, who took pride in tending our pitch for many years before he sadly passed away.”
 
And the Quins showed what they can do as talented young outside half Euan McDonald was joined by Jake Griffiths, Aaron Cookson and Thomas Wheeler amongst their backs and skipper Harry Owen led by example up front alongside Jack Davies with Liam Scourfield, Danny Wilkes and Ben Gibby close behind.



 

Scarlets use the elements well . . .

 
But it was Pembroke who used the elements to good effect and took the lead as experienced prop Jamie Brayford and bustling back rower Billy Wood helped set up the platform from which teenage prop Evan Phillips, fresh out of youth, drove over from close range and scrum half Jarred Sharratt converted.
 
Full back Barry Alderman-John defended well but also showed his ability to counter-attack alongside centres Fraser James and Rhys Johns, with Morgan Owen, Darcy Langstone and Yori Roberts always ready to run at the opposition.
 
The Quins defended stoutly but Pembroke had a real ace up their sleeve in flanker Leon Stuart and he doubled their lead after 29 minutes as he burst away to score a try again converted by Sharratt.
 
Stuart then rounded off the first-half scoring right on half time when he rounded off another concerted pressure period for an unconverted try – and he might have been celebrating a hat-trick because sandwiched in between was another surge up the flank where he was recalled from a 50-metre run to the line where a foot in touch was spotted at the start.
 

. . . And defended well after the oranges

 
The Quins were determined to counter-attack after the interval and when they brought on talented runner Aaron James from the bench he showed he is still a major threat to any defence with a quality try which McDonald converted but, try as they might, the Quins were unable to add any further scores and so it was home skipper Dan James who received the silverware from club chairman Darrell Willington.
 
With the final word in his hands, coach Rowlands told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk
“We were delighted to win a hard-fought match and credit to the Quins’ team, their coaches and great band of former players who turned up and spent a long time in the clubhouse afterwards reliving old memories.
 
“Indeed, the whole place was buzzing and this is how local rugby should be – keen rivalry but getting to know the opposition over many years and building up huge respect, rather than trips up the line, a quick pint and back home without ever building up the rapport we had.”
 
Pembroke Development Squad: Barry Alderman-John: Morgan Owen; Fraser James; Rhys Johns; Darcy Langstone: Yori Roberts; Jarred Sherratt: Evan Phillips; Dan Gosnold; Jamie Brayford: Dan James (Capt); Theo Davies: Jack Millette; Leon Stuart; Billy Wood. Replacements: Rhys Mainwaring; Jimmy Biggs; Iestyn Cole; Sam Davies.
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Thomas Wheeler: Jamie Topp; Aaron Cookson; Jake Griffiths; Kobie Thomas: Euan McDonald; Josh Brown: Jack Davies; Rhys Roberts; Dan McCloud:  Ben Gibby; Mark Van Rhun: Liam Scourfield; Danny Wilkes; Harry Owen (Capt). Replacements: Hywel Baker; Jayden Walker; Jack Brown.