Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup:

 

Pembroke Dock Harlequins 24 - Narberth Development Squad 19

 
Referee: Chris Oliver
Assistants: Richard McIntyre (Quins) & Bill Ridge (Narberth)
 
Venue: Bierspool, Pembroke Dock
 
Tom Donovan was the toast of his Pembroke Dock Quins’ team mates as the young winger marked his senior debut with an outstanding try in the final moments of the match as he received the ball in his own half and hared up the left touch line, beat two defenders and brushed off another and crossed in the corner.
 
It put his team 22-19 ahead and the excellent conversion by scrum half Morgan Rogers, who had a cracking game with his place-kicking, added the icing on the Quins’ cake because referee Chris Oliver, who had a good game, blew the final whistle straight afterwards.
 
It nicely rounded off a competitive game watched by a large crowd as both teams played pacy, open rugby, showed total commitment with some terrific tackling and nice breaks - although there were inevitably mistakes since it was the first game of the season for both squads.
 

Young otters get off to a good start

 
But it was Narberth’s development squad, with young players aplenty, who made by far the better start as scrum half Dylan Walsh opened their account when he darted through on the blind side and did well to reach the corner for an unconverted try.
 
Then good work up front by Sam Davies, Owain Hughes and skipper Kyle Williams set the platform for Ryan Scourfield to go close but there was no denying The Otters and No 10 Will Davies claimed their second score which Shane Rossiter converted via the left upright.
 
The Quins, with outside half Euan McDonald joined by Harry Lawrence, Thomas Wheeler and Kobey Thomas in posing a threat gradually came back into the game on the back of driving mauls by Hywel Baker, Harry Owen, skipper Jack Brown and their rugged tight five and there was some strong defence needed by Narberth.
 

The Quins claw their way back through hard work and commitment

 
And there was no denying The Quins just before the interval Rogers was credited with the try and he added the extras alongside a penalty soon afterwards so that the home side were 10-12 down.
 
They had the chance of taking the lead with a penalty early in the second period but opted for a set-piece which came to nothing – but their enterprise was rewarded from another period of pressure which saw powerful prop Dan McLeod plough over and Rogers notched an excellent conversion.
 

Tense finish where both sides had chances to win the game

 
Stung by these set-backs, Narberth came back with a series of raids that saw centre Will Davies and winger Steff Thomas go close but a feature of the home defence was their superb cover, led by centre Gethin Bradney and his brother Rhys – but just when it looked as if they had weathered the storm a loose clearance kick allowed Narberth left winger Ioan Crabb to race over from 40 metres as he ran through three would-be tacklers and crossed in the corner to tie up the scoreline – and Norcross’s splendid conversion appeared to give Narberth the verdict.

But they reckoned without the finishing power of Donovan as The Quins were delighted by their win and the fact that they had a large squad available – whilst for Narberth there were some very good players on view who will soon be pressing for first-team places if they continue their development!
 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins: Thomas Wheeler: Connor Ennis; Gethin Bradney; Harry Lawrence; Kobey Thomas: Euan McDonald; Morgan Rogers: Jac Davies; Dan McLeod; Connor Kitmal: Ben Gibby; Danny Wilkes: Hywel Baker; Harry Owen; Jack Brown. Replacements: Kieran Cookson; Jayden Webber; Jordan Millette; Rhys Bradney; Josh Palmer; Adam Jones; Morgan Owen; Josh Brown;  Ben Hathaway
 
Narberth: Shane Rossiter: Ioan Crabb; Will Davies; Ryan Scourfield; Steff Thomas: Will Lewis; Dylan Walsh: Richard Wilkins; Tom Clarke; Jac Norcross: Dan Owens; Harry Foster:  Kyle Williams (Capt); Owain Hughes; Sam Davies. Replacements: Charlie Phillips; Jordan Jones; Morgan Shell; Declan Cole; Rhys Jenkins;  Harri Rees;  Ieuan Barnes.