A Step Back in Time Report 1927/28 v Pembroke

“A STEP BACK IN TIME”

(By Percy Jones)

 SEASON 1927 / 28

The Quin’s first home match in September 1927

(By kind permission of the Carmarthen Journal) 

CARMARTHEN HARLEQUINS  v.  PEMBROKE

In their first match of the season, Carmarthen Harlequins registered a good win over Pembroke at Carmarthen Park on Saturday. The home team was a young one, with about five of last season’s players in the forward line and three or four in the rear division. Although ably led by Dai Roberts (captain), the pack did not find their “feet” until fully half an hour, after which they played splendidly and gave an excellent service to the backs. Of the latter, the pick were Llew Thomas, D. J. Griffiths and W. R. Davies, whilst a newcomer who did particularly well was P. R. Hughes, an ex-Llanelly County School boy, who figured at centre-threquarter.

 

In fairness to the outside-half who was not up to standard, it should be stated that some of his partner’s passes were very wild. Reviewing the game as a whole, it can be said to be fairly satisfactory from the Harlequins standpoint, having regard  to the fact that it was the initial match, and with greater experience the team should develop into quite a formidable combination.

 

Pembroke kicked off and attacked at the outset but were repelled by W. R. Phillips.  Llew Thomas was also prominent in defence work. Exchanges were even for some time, until a huge punt by Dai Davies gave the Quins a footing in Pembroke territory. From a melee, Dai Davies threw out to W. E. Phillips who, taking steady aim opened the scoring for the Quins by dropping a neat goal. Heartened by their success, the home players warmed to their work and the first passing bout on the part of the Carmarthen backs was witnessed. D. J. Griffiths got clear but stepped into touch. A moment later, however, the home backs were again on the move and D. J. Griffiths made no mistake this time and ran round under the posts to score the first try of the season. Gil Evans sent the ball over the cross-bar but the extra points were not allowed owing to an infringement. Pembroke had a spell of attack, but could do nothing tangible and the Quins swarmed to the Pembroke line. The half-time score read:- Harlequins one dropped goal, one try ( 7 points); Pembroke,  nil.

 

The second half saw the Quins again in the ascendancy for the first ten minutes. A free-kick to Pembroke did not materialise , though the team kept pegging away until sent back by the Quins, for whom Llew Thomas and D. J. Griffiths were prominent. The visitor’s line had a narrow escape when the home forwards covered half the length of the field with a dribble, a Pembroke back  kicking into touch in the nick of time, R. P. Hughes got into the open after a long period of desultory play and following a neat opening, gave to Gil Evans, who beat who beat the opposition to score in a favourable position. The scorer put the finishing touches to his effort by a conversion. The final score read:- Carmarthen Harlequins, one converted goal, one dropped goal, one try (12points); Pembroke, nil.