Ladies Rugby:

 
 

West Swansea Hawks 0 - Pembrokeshire Panthers 19

 
 
The Panthers travelled to West Swansea Hawks who were playing out of Pontarddulais RFC this weekend for their first league fixture of 2024. It was serendipitous in many ways as referee David Mundy, who was officiating, signed Pembroke Ladies off as being eligible to play back in 2018 and this was to be his final game before retirement. 
 
It was an abysmal day weather-wise with driving rain and gale force wind but the match went ahead. As one would expect in such conditions it was a tightly played game from both sides. Up until a minute to go before half time it was nil-all with Pembroke having defended bravely for the last 15 minutes.

A knock-on from the Hawks, coupled with a dominant scrum from Pembroke, saw the Hawks driven back at least 10 metres and resulted in Sophie James making a break and ended in wing Carys Slack going under the sticks. The points were added by Chloë Jones, making it 7-0 at half time. 
 

Unstoppable Panthers stay strong in abject conditions

 
The weather worsened after the break but the wind was in Pembroke’s favour this half. The Pembroke pack proved unstoppable once again with a big shift being put in by every member of the scrum. Their entirely dominant performance led to the Hawks going uncontested for the final 20 minutes.

There was much back and forth between the teams with excellent turnovers won by Lauren Morgan, Chloë Jones and Pearl Griffiths.
 
Hard yards by the girls and defensive pressure lead to a knock-on by Hawks and a scrum. Pearl Griffiths, playing at 9, picked up from the back of the scrum and charged through their defensive line, giving hooker come prop Chloe McAdams the chance to take the next phase of play and charge for the line from five meters out to make it 12-0. 
 
The final phase of play saw a Pembroke line-out ball go adrift from their jumper but scooped up by Jodie Lewis who made a break and had McAdam on her shoulder, who duly ran to the line and dotted down for her second, which was converted by Jones. Final score 19-0 to the delighted Panthers. 
 
It was a performance worthy of all the hard training being put in by the team in the break since their last game on the 12th November 2023. Whilst delighted with the three tries skipper Isabelle Dufresnoy, who left the field injured in the first 10 minutes, was thrilled with the defensive effort.

“The girls embodied the phrase ‘one team’ the entire match, with 22 players giving it 100% in such bleak conditions. I couldn’t be prouder of them and what we’ve achieved so far this season.”
 
The Panthers next face Morriston Ladies on 11th February 2024, at home.