Pembrokeshire Youth League:

 

Strong second half sees Wasps overcome Scarlets

 

Llangwm Youth 30 - Pembroke Youth 10

 
Three second half tries in a seven-minute purple patch saw Llangwm Youth claim victory against a young Pembroke team who deserve great credit for their part in a competitive league encounter. The large crowd was treated to some excellent rugby under the lights at Pill Parks as both teams sought to play open rugby.
 
Pembroke coach Phil Greenwood was rightly quick to praise his squad afterwards for their tremendous spirit, highlighting the performances of George Jones, Tommy Oakley and particularly young Ollie Davies, stepping up from the Under 16s and coming off the bench to have a real impact.
 

Tight first period

 
The first half proved to be a tight affair as Pembroke had the better of possession thanks to their dominance in the set pieces but strong Llangwm defence denied them any scoring opportunities.
 
The Young Wasps struggled to build any phases as Pembroke competed strongly at the breakdown, securing several excellent turnovers from George Jones and Rhydian Eynon. Danny Davies, Max Boswell, Lewis Scourfield and the tireless Oakley carried well throughout presenting a constant threat. Liam Topp showed his pace with several strong runs but the home defence held firm.
 
For Llangwm, Jake Thomas and Ioan Hawkridge-Jones led the first-half defensive effort, stopping Pembroke on the gain line with several solid hits whilst Dom Asson was a constant thorn with his tackling and competing at the breakdown. Fullback Harry Makepeace played his part in easing the pressure, putting in several superb kicks out of defence.
 
In attack Seb McIntosh and Charlie Wilson led the way with some strong bursts and it was a series of forward carries after 19 minutes that saw the deadlock broken. Pembroke transgressed at a ruck and Iwan Davies notched the penalty. Ten minutes later Davies doubled Llangwm’s lead to 6 – 0 with another successful penalty kick. On the stroke of halftime Llangwm built into the Pembroke 22 and a series of forward carries looked like bringing the first try of the evening but Max Boswell secured an excellent turnover to bring a tight half to a close.
 

Pembroke strike early in second half

 
Llangwm unloaded the bench at halftime with Arwyn O’Loughlin, Aled Rogers, Sam Rickwood, Kieran Sinclair and Evan Thomas, returning after a 12-month absence, all joined the fray.
 
The Young Wasps started strongly, beginning to win quick ball at the breakdown. The first attack of the half saw Llangwm squirm over the line but referee Edward Howells, who controlled the game well all evening, saw a double movement and Pembroke were able to clear their lines.
 
Two minutes later and another strong carry from Joe Phillips in a prominent display set Aled Rogers free but a last-ditch tackle from TJ Jones saw the ball lost forward. 
 
Pembroke moved play up-field and Llangwm transgressions saw them establish a platform in the 22. A lineout drive had Llangwm on the back foot and it was hooker Danny Davies who crashed over to give Pembroke a deserved unconverted score.
 
At 6 – 5 the game was in the balance but it was at this point that Llangwm started to gain the ascendancy. Sinclair made a superb 30-metre burst upfield, quick ball was moved wide and with an overlap created a try beckoned but the ball was spilled forward.
 

Llangwm pull clear

 
Pembroke found themselves under constant pressure and their efforts to run out of defence were met with stern opposition from the Llangwm midfield, led by the excellent Ieuan Gray, quickly closing down any opportunities. Another strong carry from Phillips resulted in a penalty and Davies made it 9 – 5 with his third successful kick.
 
It was at this point the Llangwm attach really clicked to see three tries in seven minutes to put the game beyond Pembroke. The forwards set the platform deep in the 22 and it was Davies who spotted a gap to snipe over for a try he also converted.
 
From the kick off Llangwm secured possession and O’Loughlin took a short pass to burst through the defence, wrong-footing the last defender and going in for a superb try from 50 metres, again converted by Davies.
 
A few minutes later and Llangwm scored the try of the evening. Liam Rees, who controlled the game really well all evening, took the ball in his own 22, spotted space and put in a superb cross kick. Fergus Reynolds gathered and burst through to halfway, slipping a great offload to Makepeace who showed excellent pace to make the line. Davies again converted to take his personal tally for the evening to 20 points and take the scoreline to 30 - 5.
 

Pembroke have the final say

 
Great credit must go to the young Pembroke team as they refused to throw in the towel and finished the game strongly. They continued to attack and were rewarded from the last play of the game. A penalty was kicked to the corner and another impressive catch and drive saw Danny Davies crash over for his second try of the evening.
 
The game was another excellent advert for youth rugby played in a good spirt. Llangwm coaches Dafydd Bowen, Geoff Asson and Jon Whitticombe were rightly pleased with the performance. For Pembroke, Phil Greenwood recognised that his young squad are on the right track and with the spirit in the squad the future looks really positive.
 
Llangwm Youth: Charlie Wilson, Seb McIntosh, Mathew Cole, Jake Thomas, Flynn Tjoonk, Alfie Elrick, Dom Asson, Joe Phillips, Ioan Hawkridge-Jones, Owen Phelps, Fergus Reynolds, Liam Rees, Ieuan Gray, Iwan Davies, Harry Makepeace  Replacements: Kieran Sinclair, Sam Rickwood, Arwyn O’Loughlin, Aled Rogers, Evan Thomas.
 
Pembroke Youth: Billy Jones, Danny Davies, Tommy Oakley, Ethan Brown, Max Boswell, Rhydian Eynon, George Jones, Lewis Scourfield, Josh Greenwood, Owain Turner, Jack Nunn, Charlie Shields, Taylor Gullam, Liam Topp, TJ Jones. Replacements: Dessie Williams, Ollie Davies, Bailey Owens.