Division Two West: Pembroke 25-8 Penclawdd 

Pembroke made a big statement in the race for promotion by topping league leaders Penclawdd.

The Scarlets stay third in the table, but now just six points separate them and their visitors at Crickmarren, and Geraint Lewis’ team have a game in hand.

Fraser James had to switch to the centre early on as Dan Colley limped off with a hamstring injury, but he slotted in well to run onto a long cut out pass from Toby Smith to score.

The Donks responded with a penalty from Tom Howell but Smith, who along with half back partner Tom Lewis controlled matters with his kicking out of hand, wiped that out with three points of his own.

And before the break it became 15-3 after a series of close range scrums, and eventually the pressure told as the Penclawdd pack infringed and the referee went under the posts for a penalty try.

But early in the second half the away side enjoyed their best period and grabbed a deserved try through Kristian Corbisiero.

Pembroke also lost No 8 Sam Smith to injury but brother Toby added another penalty, and then in the final quarter the fitness and power of the Scarlets told as man of the match Lloyd Davies excelled in the front row, while club captain Scott Powell and Jordan Gwilliam added impetus off the bench.

And they sealed a great win with a superb individual try from Jack Parkinson, who won a turnover on halfway and then hacked the ball ahead before regathering and scoring.

Toby Smith inevitably converted, and Pembroke perhaps showed a measure of their progress since losing to the same side 51-31 in October.

As an added bonus for the home players, the match was featured by the popular Deadball Line Twitter coverage, with Davies receiving some welcome beers for his standout display.

“It was a fantastic result for us,” said Lewis.

“We beat a top side in an intense game of rugby. Both with and without the ball we were at our bets today.”

Pembroke go to rock bottom Tumble this Saturday.

  • Pembroke 2nds also played at Carmarthen Druids, and in wet conditions, the young side performed well in a 26-7 defeat. Geraint Powell with the try scorer and Yori Roberts converted.

Pembroke: Luke Hartland, Barry Alderman-John, Jack Parkinson, Dan Colley (Sean Dalling), Fraser James, Toby Smith, Tom Lewis, Lloyd Davies, Seamus Wiseman (Rhys Mainwaring) Jonny Palmer, Cyle Weatherall (Scott Powell), Will Edwards, Rhodri Walters (Jack Smythe), Alex Thomas, Sam Smith (Jordan Gwilliam).