FIRST XV

The senior team had a free weekend last weekend and time to recover after their historic win away at COBRA in North Wales, which had left a number with battered and bruised bodies.

Interestingly, COBRA beat Wrexham at home last weekend, with the latter having lost to Deri RFC in the cup the weekend before; Pembroke now take on Deri, which therefore looks as if it could prove to be a tough assignment, as Deri too are at the top of their league at present.

Pembroke will face Deri here in the quarter-final of the WRU Bowl on Saturday, March 10, kick-off 2 pm, when a large crowd will be expected to cheer on the local lads as they attempt to reach the semi-final for the very first time.

The senior XV are due to take on St. Davids away tomorrow (Saturday), whilst their next home fixture is against Llangwm on Saturday, February 10, kick-off 2 pm, with the England v Wales on television straight afterwards.

On Saturday, February 17, instead of playing Aberaeron home as scheduled, the team have agreed a reversal and will be travelling away to allow the Youth to play their cup match on the main pitch. Also, because of the cup run, a number of fixtures will be rearranged and these will be publicised here and on the club website and in the clubhouse.

PEMBS KO CUP

SEMI-FINALS

Meanwhile in the Pembs KO Cup, Pembroke have been drawn in the semi-final to play Pembroke Dock Harlequins away, with the game to be played prior to April 16.

The other semi-final is between Aberystwyth and holders Tenby United, who met in last year’s final.

The Pembs KO Cup Final is provisionally booked for Friday, May 11, at a venue to be decided after the semis.

SECOND XV

The ‘Tigers’ took on a strong Crymych squad at home last Saturday, in damp, blustery conditions on a heavy pitch. The match began well for Pembroke and after a period of sustained pressure, Pembroke were awarded a penalty close to the visitors’ line. Instead of taking the three points on offer, Pembroke’s skipper decided to opt for a scrum; right decision? Number eight Jordan Gwilliam, picked up and fed scrum-half Sam Davies, who put winger Dan Evans over in the corner. The conversion was missed.

Crymych, playing with the wind and down the slope, then kicked a long range penalty in reply.

The visitors now had there ‘tails up’ and attacked with pace and great intent, resulting in the addition of two unconverted tries, making the half-time score 13-5 to Crymych.

The Pembroke lads at half-time felt they were very much in the game and with the wind behind them in the second half, felt they could overcome the deficit.

The second half, as the first, began well, with young Pembroke hooker Rhys Mainwaring being driven over from a lineout for his sixth try of the season.

With the Crickmarren pitch becoming increasingly ‘heavy’, the fitness levels on both sides were being severely tested. However, both teams attempted to move the ball at every occasion, with great skills being displayed in the difficult conditions.

Pembroke scored their third try of the afternoon when good inter-passing by the forwards, with outstanding flanker Rhodri Walters to the fore, created an overlap for the backs, which resulted in winger Darcy Langston crashing over wide out to give the home team a slender lead.

Crymych responded with a number of attacks close to the Pembroke line and only great defence by all the Pembroke lads managed to keep them from scoring.

Then, with only a few minutes remaining, Pembroke centre Rhys ‘Badger’ Johns intercepted in his own half and showed good pace to keep ahead of the chase, although the legs in the heavy mud couldn’t quite make it, off-loading to his younger centre partner, Fraser James, to score under the posts. The conversion was successful to give Pembroke a 22-13 lead, which proved to be the final score of the match.

Both teams were congratulated by the referee on their displays in such difficult conditions.

The seconds now move on to further games against Haverfordwest (away) tomorrow, Milford next weekend and Bluestone on February 24 (as outlined below) in a big charity match.

YOUTH XV

The squad is one of the very few local teams to have completed their league programme and this has given a few of the older players an opportunity to turn out for the second XV and gain valuable senior experience.

The club has been drawn against Cwmtwrch in the quarter-final of the WRU National Youth Cup competition and this game is due to be played at home on Saturday, February 17, kck-off 2 pm.

The club and our young team are hoping to see a large crowd there to cheer them on as they hope to make a little history of their own and progress into the semi-final draw.

Prior to this game, the coaches are hoping to get a number of testing fixtures so that the lads can prepare thoroughly for this huge challenge.

In the weeks to come, the newly formed Pembs GMG group will be formulating three conferences from local youth teams, based on league performance. These conferences will then play round robin competitions for three trophies.

BLUESTONE

CHARITY MATCH

A Bluestone XV will be taking on the club’s ‘Tigers’ (Second XV) on the morning of Saturday, February 24, kick-off 11 am, prior to watching the Ireland v Wales international on TV in the afternoon.

The game is a charity event in aid of the Bluestone Foundation that donates funds raised through their many activities to local charities, children’s groups and other organisations doing work in the community. Gate entry, proceeds from a raffle and other activities organised by the Foundation staff on the day will all go into the Foundation’s funds.

We hope to see lots of people here to support this very worthy cause and to watch the match afterwards.

JUNIOR SECTION

The hope is that the weather will become less wet to allow the usual matrix matches to continue throughout the coming months, after a number have had to be cancelled due to waterlogged pitches.

In Pembrokeshire, District Junior Cup matches are due to begin in weeks to come, with the preliminary matches to be played on March 4, the quarter-finals on March 25, the semi-finals on April 15 and the Finals Day to take place on May 6 at Haverfordwest RFC.

Our teams have all been drawn away from home to play the following fixtures in the preliminary round, U12 v Cardigan or Llangwm, U13 v Cardigan, U14 v Tenby, U15 v Tenby.

Everyone at the club wishes them good luck in their competitions this season, hoping they can emulate past successes.

RECOVERY FROM SERIOUS INJURY

It is heartening to report that young flanker Andrew Evans, who sustained a serious neck injury before Christmas is making very good progress in his recovery. The club’s players, coaches and supporters have been elated to see him attend a number of recent matches. OUR THOUGHTS and LOVE ARE WITH YOU ALL

In recent months, two stalwart families in the club, the Gibby and Taylor families, have had very similar and devastating news regarding the severe illness of their close relatives, Shirley (sister of Jayne) and Ross, respectively.

Ross (this season’s Youth head coach) sadly has been unable to attend Youth matches for some time and the squad are aware of the reasons for this, as are his fellow coaches, many friends and members within the club community and beyond.

Our heartfelt thoughts go out to them both in their fight against their illness and to both families, all close friends and associates, who are struggling with this news at this time.

Similarly, our thoughts are also with Margaret and Eifion Powell, stalwarts of the club, as Margaret too is suffering from ill health at present.

We also offer our sincerest condolences to the family and close friends of Diane Ball (mother of Alesha Watkins), who passed away last Sunday after a long fight against her illness. Diane gave many years dedicated service to the ladies committee and will be fondly remembered and missed by many at the club.

FUNERAL of MALCOLM ‘CHARLIE’ WEBB

Malcolm’s funeral is today (Friday), 2.30 pm, at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Everyone associated with the club sends their sincerest condolences to his close family and friends as they celebrate his life, salute his memory and remember a genuine, well-respected character, who was a generous supporter of the club he cherished.