Champions

Pembrokeshire Cup 2017/2018 – Final
Aberystwyth 44 – 21 Pembroke
On paper, this clash between Aber, a National League West Division 1 club, and Pembroke, a side two divisions below them, should have been a one-sided formality. But the ‘Scarlets’ have had a very successful season and reached the final of the WRU National Bowl, losing very narrowly to Porthcawl. Aber too have closed their season with a string of impressive results. So, as expected, the blue and blacks had to fight hard and had to be at their best to win the cup for the first time in many years.
Although the two packs looked comparable in height and weight, Aber’s superior technique enabled them to dominate the scrummages and gain an advantage in the lineouts and mauls too. Behind the scrum, Pembroke were a constant threat and often created gaps in Aber’s defence. In the absence of the injured Lee ‘Truck’ Evans, Aber were captained by Carwyn Evans who led by example in scoring two tries.
The first of these came after Matthew Hughes had made a typical weaving run through the middle before feeding Evans to score under the posts. Steffan Rees converted and Aber were 7 – 0 ahead. Their second try soon followed after an Arwel Lloyd charge. When he was stopped, Llyr Thomas dummied his way over the line from the ensuing ruck. The conversion failed but Aber were 12 – 0 up. Pembroke then showed what they were capable of and attacked strongly down the middle into Aber’s 22metre area. Good support and offloading saw impressive full-back Tom Harding-Jones cross in the corner for a try that was very well converted by outside half Toby Smith to close the gap to 12 – 7.
Aber hit back with more good breaks by Lloyd and Carwyn Evans. They found touch on Pembroke’s 22m line and were awarded a penalty which Steffan Rees put over to widen Aber’s lead to 15 – 7. This was increased just before half-time after more good breaks by Lloyd with Tom Evans and Bryn Shepherd, and continued with a 30m run by Matthew Hughes. He offloaded to the ever-supporting Owen Bonsall who charged on for another 20m to score. His try was well converted by Steffan Rees and the teams changed ends with Aber 22 – 7 ahead.
The first ten minutes of the second half were closely contested with both sides fighting hard for possession and territory. Aber broke the deadlock after another break from Carwyn Evans. He fed Hughes, up in support from full-back, who rounded the defence for a try which Steffan Rees converted to extend Aber’s lead to 29 – 7.
Aber seemed to be coasting to a comfortable win; but as Pembroke showed in the Bowl final, they are very capable of fighting back. This started when they won a scrum 35m from the Aber line and after some close inter-passing, scrum half Tom Lewis scored under the posts. A conversion from Toby Smith brought the score to 29 – 14. Although Steffan Rees then extended Aber’s lead with another penalty Pembroke would not give up and from a lineout 10 metres out, winger Luke Harland went over on the corner. Smith again converted and the gap was closed to 32 – 21.
Aber then upped the pace and Carwyn Evans crossed for his second try with Rees’ conversion taking the score to 39 – 21. The final try came after Evans made another blistering break before feeding Hughes to score his second try, closing the score at 44 – 21.
The highlights of the game up front were Aber’s devastating scrummaging and the powerful breaks made by the forwards in the loose, Arwel Lloyd in particular. Behind the scrum, penetrating bursts by the centres and by Hughes at full-back were a constant threat. Pembroke’s, was a very impressive team performance and with their never-say-die approach they were always a threat. Both sides also fielded strong benches.
Undoubtedly the star of the show was Pembroke’s young, diminutive full-back Tom Harding-Jones. Playing just his third game for their 1st XV, he made a number of dangerous breaks down the middle that split Aber’s defence and created scoring opportunities for his team.
Aber can now relax and look back with satisfaction on a season that has had its ups and downs but has finished with a healthy league placing and the bonus of some silverware as well.