Police cop it at Crickmarren

6:20am Wednesday 1st October 2008

Pembroke 61.

South Wales Police 7.

Pembroke were far too pacy and powerful for a South Wales Police outfit which once occupied a place in Welsh rugby’s top 12 clubs but now finds itself in the doldrums and on the receiving end of a nine try thrashing at Crickmarren.

The only consolation for the police was that the scoreline was an improvement on previous displays since they had lost their other matches by 71-0 and 86-0 in division five (south central).

They received an early boost when scrum half Nathan Williams sliced through for a try which he also converted.

This set-back stung the Scarlets into raising the tempo and although there were uncontested scrums as the visitors didn’t have a recognised front row, Pembroke took control and Williams caught the eye at the back with his powerful bursts that caused chaos in the police defence.

Number eight Robin Badham started the Pembroke counter-offensive with a try and although Ross McNally missed the conversion the full back soon made amends with a well-struck penalty.

As the back row of Dan Williams, Badham and Tom Surtees played off quality ball secured by the tight five of John Jones, Dai Beynon, Tom Jones, Owain Johns and skipper Gareth Jones, it was only a matter of time before Pembroke assumed control and further unconverted tries from Beynon and Mark Williams were fitting reward.

The second period was one-way traffic as Beynon bullocked his way over from 20 metres for his second try and others following from Williams (a 70-metre effort), skipper Jones, Surtees and Badham.

McNally slotted a second penalty and three more conversions to leave the police looking bedraggled in defence, and Pembroke looking forward to the second round.