1st XV 23 v Pembroke Dock 12

Fishguard and Goodwick brought Pembroke Dock Harlequins’ impressive run of good performances to an abrupt halt at Bierspool as the Seagulls came back from a narrow 5-3 interval deficit to score the tries that counted.

The Quins had lost 58-5 at Fishguard but there was never going to be another margin of defeat like that because since then they have grown in stature and beat neighbours Pembroke the previous match whilst the Seagulls are in second spot, with games in hand over table-topping Nantgaredig. The visitors took an early lead with a penalty by outside half James Griffiths before the Quins took a 5-3 lead into half way with a try by powerful centre Lee Scourfield before hooker Neil Brace unluckily hit the bar with the conversion attempt.

The Seagulls’ pack worked really hard after the oranges and after James Griffiths had put them back in front with his second penalty he also added the extra points to good tries from Griffiths and veteran centre Huw Evans, the first from an outside break and the latter when Evans dummied his way in at the posts.

The Quins bounced back with a second try from Scourfield which Brace converted from in front of the posts but they could never quite sustain the pressure up front and Fishguard had the final say with another Griffiths’ penalty that earned his side an 11th win from 12 outings – and still in with a real chance of grabbing the section silverware!

MATCH REPORT BY BILL CARNE