Match report:

 
 

Pembroke 31  - Y Piod Pinc 10

 
The Pembroke Panthers were away to Y Piod Pinc on Sunday 16/03/25 in a league game, with Piod (the shortened Welsh name for a Mapgpie) sitting just beneath the Panthers in 3^rd place and Pembroke pushing for top spot - so the game was all to play for. Both sides were already struck with injuries and it was agreed at the outset that they would play 14 a-side and have uncontested scrums.
 
Before the game started there was a minute’s applause in recognition of the passing of the rugby referee Andrew Thomson, who sadly lost a hard-fought battle on the 9^th March 2025. Andrew was well known to both teams, and indeed the world of female rugby, having been an advocate for the sport and an avid supporter to all those involved. The rugby community will be poorer for his loss.
 
Pembroke asserted control from the outset, with Pearl Griffiths going over after a trademark run within the first 10 minutes, converted by skipper Chloe Jones,  despite losing a player, Gemma Clulow, in the first two minutes to injury.
 
Within the next 10 minutes, after consistent pressure by the Panthers, Jones made a break to dot down under the posts, duly converting her own try. Some off-the-ball play saw an exchange between the players, resulting in a yellow card to Pembroke, that was shortly followed by a further yellow for a deliberate knock on that resulted in a ten minutes’ rest for a player.
 
But even with depleted numbers, The Panthers played some positive rugby and vice-captain Leah Phillips scored a third try, again converted by Jones.
 
So the visitors went in at half time 19-0 ahead but there was no complacency in the second half. Pembroke have been playing Piod for a number of years now and know that they have a never- say-die attitude. It was still all to play for with Pembroke returning to the second half one player down owing to the yellow and losing another player within the first 10 mins of the second half owing to a wedding rehearsal!
 
It was key for Pembroke to build on that first-half lead and in a defensive line skipper Jones picked off a loose pass by Piod for an intercept try, touching down for her second try of the day.
 
The visitors were now back to 13 players and unfortunately lost another player, Kirsty Fisher, to injury, bringing them down to 12. That didn’t dampen spirits however as sustained pressure from the dwindled Pembroke team saw a forward movement set up winger Bethan Cant for the visitors 5^th try of the day. 
 
Captain for Piod, Brittany Lewis, responded quickly and in one of her signature breaks duly scored for the home team. Shortly thereafter Pembroke thought they were in again with stand in wing Jodie Lewis (who usually plays in the pack!) having been set up for a clear run in, unfortunately a fracas broke out resulting in Pembroke receiving a yellow card.

Pembroke, now playing 11 against 14, defended like Trojans, sustaining repeated pressure, moving well across the defensive line but unfortunately the extra numbers eventually proved impossible to keep out with the Bonymaen permit player Jess Lindell scoring in the corner from the last phase of play.
 
The coaches Dale Humphrey and Nigel Cole were proud of the team work the entire squad showed, with their commenting that for them this was the best performance of the season, with special commendation to each and everyone of those on the pitch, for never submitting and giving their all.
 
Pembroke  Scorers:
Chloë Jones (Two tries and two conversions)
Pearl Griffiths (Try)
Bethan Cant (Try)
Leah Phillips (Try)
 
Tumble Scorers:
Brittany Lewis (Try)
Jess Lindell (Bonymaen Permit) (Try)