FIRST XV

The squad had a day off last weekend as the Six Nations kicked-off. Tomorrow (Saturday) they are due to play a rearranged league match against Llangwm at home, kick-off 2 pm, prior to watching the annual battle with the Auld Enemy England, in what should be a really highly charged affair after last weekend’s results.

Next weekend the squad, instead of playing Aberaeron home, have reversed the fixture and will now travel to Aberaeron, allowing the Youth to play their WRU National Youth Cup quarter-final at home on the main pitch on February 17, kick-off 2 pm. The next fixture is due to be Haverfordwest (away) on Saturday, March 3, kick-off 2.30 pm.

The club’s squad plays the biggest game of the season to date, when they host Deri RFC (from near Merthyr) in theWRU Bowl quarter-final, kick-off 2 pm, on Saturday March 10. A large crowd is expected for this titanic battle for a place in the semi-final draw.

There are a number of rearranged league fixtures to follow, so for your diary, they are: March 24 - Laugharne (away), April 7 - Cardigan (home), April 14 - Laugharne (home), April 21 - Aberaeron (home). We also have league games against Tregaron (away), Milford (home) and Cardigan (away) to be played, as well as the Pembs KO Cup semi-final v Quins to be fitted in. The Pembs KO Cup Final is provisionally booked for Friday, May 11, at a venue to be confirmed after the two semis; the other semi being between Aberystwyth and Tenby in Aber.

SECOND XV

Pembroke second XV, the ‘Tigers’, made the short trip to the Observatory Ground, Milford, last Friday night, to play for the very first time on the new 3G pitch.

Pembroke started brightly and, after a number of strong runs by Billy Wood, crossed for a well-worked score when centre Fraser James sprinted and side-stepped to beat the last defender for an unconverted try.

Billy Wood, playing at number eight and not his accustomed role as openside flanker, then got on the score sheet himself after good handling and interplay between forwards and backs, resulted in him crashing over for another unconverted try.

A further score came shortly afterwards, when good work by the Pembroke backs took play close to the Milford line, where hooker Tim Sharpe was on hand to finish off, yet another unconverted try.

The Milford side then rallied and scored two well-worked tries of their own, after good combined work by their forwards and backs, to bring the half-time score to 15-12 to the visitors.

Pembroke started the second half as they had the first and strong running lock Alex Wilkes stormed over from close in to add to their score; the try was converted by outside-half Simon Hooper.

The young Pembroke side continued to exert pressure and after a loose kick by the Milford defence, the visitors’ young Youth captain, Tom Harding-Jones, making only his second senior appearance, collected the ball, made a number of side-steps, evading several defenders, to score a marvellous individual effort under the posts. Hooper again added the conversion.

Milford responded strongly again, using their strong forwards to make good ground and force their way over the line.

Milford were now in the ascendancy and, although Pembroke defended resolutely, they could not prevent a further home score to narrow the score line to 29-26 and set up a thrilling and tense final section of the game.

Both sides thoroughly enjoyed the dry conditions and sure footing provided by the 3G pitch and the handling from both teams was excellent.

Pembroke finished the stronger and scored the final points of the game, when fullback Harding-Jones came into the threequarters to create the overlap and send winger Mark Jones galloping for the line. He didn’t quite have the pace to score himself, but returned the pass to his fullback in support to score his second try, leaving the final score of an exciting, enthralling and hotly contested battle between two determined squads at, Pembroke 34 Milford 26.

Both teams left the field to rapturous applause from the crowd and congratulations from the referee for such a well-contested and enjoyable encounter, laced with fine open, handling rugby and played in great spirit.

The ‘Tigers’ move on to play Bluestone in a big charity match - see following details.

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.

YOUTH SECTION

Recently, the new Pembs GMG group met and put the local teams into three Conferences, the top section will play for the Cup, the middle for the Plate and the lower for the Bowl (as WRU National Leagues do at present).

Pembroke have been placed in the middle tier after their league programme performances. Whitland, Neyland and Aberaeron have also been added to this same tier. In the months to come, the teams will play home and away to decide the eventual trophy winners.

The Youth will be playing Aberaeron away on February, 10, kick--off 2.30 pm.

Meanwhile, in the Pembrokeshire Youth KO Cup, Pembroke have drawn Whitland at home in the first round.

If they beat them, they will play Fishguard or Quins in the quarter-final, venue yet to be decided.

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, kick-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.

The annual Pembroke ‘Monkton Old Boys’ Youth Sevens competition will take place at Crickmarren on Monday, May 7, this year, starting at 2 pm.

Teams from all around the county will be taking part, so we hope to see a large crowd to support the teams during the day, when there will be a BBQ and other refreshments available on the field.

UNDER 17s

The squad entertained a young Fishguard squad at home last Sunday afternoon, in good conditions at the Pembroke School pitch.

The home coaches were really pleased with the performance of their young charges as they adopted an exciting, expansive style and demonstrated an equally determined defensive performance, which eventually earned them a well deserved win by 51-0.

The home forwards came in for special praise as they stole quite a few turnovers in loose play to provide quick ball.

Scorers for Pembroke: tries, Harry Turner (2), Rhys Griffiths, Shane Gwyther, Dewi Roberts (2), Joe Watkins, Theo Davies, Liam Brunton, three conversions Harry Turner.

Pembroke squad: Liam Brunton, Shane Gwyther, Dewi Roberts, Evan Phillips, Josh Axon, Leon Stewart, Theo Davies, Med Le Britton Booth, Harry Turner, James Jones, Rhys Griffiths, Joe Watkins, Jonathan Smith.

The squad move on to an away fixture in Aberaeron this weekend, kick-off 2 pm, prior to watching the England v Wales international match at the Aberaeron clubhouse.

JUNIOR SECTION

As the weather seems to have relented in the last week. the age groups can begin the second half of their season.

In the Pembs and District Junior Cup matches are due to begin in the 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, starting at 11 am.

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.

BABY CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Junior coach Jony Clarke and his wife Gemma (Junior fixture secretary) on the birth of their fourth child and first daughter Imogen in the last weeks.

FUNERAL DATE

The funeral for Diane Ball will take place today (Friday), 2.30 pm, at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends at this time.

SIX NATIONS 2018

The much anticipated and eagerly awaited Six Nations is underway. Everyone is welcome to come along to the clubhouse on match days to watch the games on the three large screens and enjoy the company of like-minded supporters. We hope and look forward to watching Luke Hamilton, who is in the Scottish squad, make more appearances during the series of games; and we wish him every success if he does get onto the pitch.

‘Ladies Day’

The Cork & Bottle Co are hosting and presenting a ‘Ladies Day’ at the clubhouse on March 17, the afternoon of the Wales v France international, when they invite ladies to come along and enjoy Prosecco and a range of cocktails from their new mobile bar.