Last weekend was a busy and successful weekend for Narberth Rugby Football Club. The club made use of Dingle Marquees to provide an excellent large marquee for its Annual Dinner and Presentation Evening.

On the Friday evening, the club permitted use for a Male Choir Concert evening, with the choirs of Haverfordwest, Pembroke and District, Tenby and Whitland and District joining together as one large choir in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance. It was a most successful occasion when the really large attendance helped the charity achieve its target of raising £2,000.

On the Saturday evening, the layout of the marquee was an impressive sight, with tables beautifully decorated, candelabra lighting and guests being received by the smartly dressed welcoming party.

Compere for the evening was Mathew Davies, who spoke in his usual humorous and tongue-in-cheek manner. He welcomed chief guests, Mr. and Mrs. Clive Rowlands OBE, representatives from the club's main sponsors, G. D. Harries & Sons Ltd, and Drs. Allen and Macintosh.

He then set out the arrangements for the evening.

Head coach Jonathon Dodd followed, giving a succinct review of the season for the Youth, Athletic and 1st XV. He commended coaches, John Chinn and Bobby Simon in assisting in integrating the Under 16s into the Under 19s squad. The Youth highlight was their successful semi-final of the Griffiths Cup.

Continuing, he commented that it was important to develop the young players further via the Athletic and for the 1st XV to play attractive winning rugby. There are two criteria for the coaching team to develop players for senior rugby and also to develop the players' individual skills. Success will mean being offered 1st team contracts, while others will develop via the Athletic. This pattern is repeated through the Juniors.

He thanked John Hodgeon, Gareth Charles, Mathew Davies, Jason Jennings and Alun John for all their work during the year.

The 1sts achieved their goal, finshing in the first three of Division One West, but exceeding that by finishing second. They scored 93 tries, 726 points, with 17 bonus points. The next step is to blood new players.

He expressed his thanks to Justin Hughes for his captaincy and leadership and expressed his sadness that Roger Davies was having to retire prematurely after 18 months at the club. It is hoped to provide a meaningful post for Roger at the club.

In introducing chief guest Clive Rowlands, Mathew Davies referred to his excellence as a player, captain, coach, team manager of the British & Irish Lions, Wales and president of the WRU. He also referred to his exceptional playing performance in 1963 when Wales beat Scotland six- nil.

Clive Rowlands responded with an amusing and fascinating talk. He commenced by admiring the presence of wives and girlfriends at the evening, very different to his day as a player when only men attended such events.

He referred to his time as national coach and the discipline he demanded; here was a lesson to some. He stated that he first coached Narberth in 1971 and as national coach visited the club on three occasions during the period when Dr. John Davies was club coach.

Referring to the international game when he kicked Scotland into touch, he stated there were 111 lineouts in the game. And fly-half Dai Watkins kicked it once and missed touch. The law was not broken that day in 1963 and he was pleased to read JBG Thomas's comment in the Western Mail which resulted in a major and almost royal welcome home from the folk of Cwmtwch.

He referred to the very recent game at UWIC when he was able to see Narberth play. He wished Narberth further success and, based on the UWIC game, considered that they were not far from the standard needed in the Premier league.

He ended by indicating that the national game needs all top players to play to one Welsh bible and to the laws of the game.

He received a rapturous applause for his humour, his openness and natural feel for the Welsh people and the game of rugby union.

Chairman John Owen thanked Clive Rowlands for his personal address and indicated that he had played under the old lineout law. John thanked many of those who week in week out give of their time freely to the club. He particularly thanked the medical team, the sponsors of the evening, who provided the marquee, the food, the table decorations, the wine etc.

He particularly thanked the main sponsors, G. D. Harries and Sons Ltd., who had been instrumental behind the successful season, the management committee, the match day sponsorship and in particular the quiet and effective work undertaken on the club's behalf by Bill Ridge.

The different committees were mentioned, the progress of the Junior Section, with the achievement of many youngsters gaining national caps at their Junior levels.

He felt that development coach Kenny Davies had played a significant role and thanked behind the scenes stalwart Ken Mathias for the match day programme and for the touchline and dressing room support for the players.

The final award went to Robert Lewis, who received the Gordon Hallwood Cup for his lifetime achievement and commitment to the club. Robert, in receiving the trophy, spoke of the privilege and honour in receiving the award from the club.

There followed an excellent buffet meal provided by Anne Lonsdale and her staff. Later, this was followed by the DJ Disco, when members and supporters danced into the early hours. It was indeed a most successful occasion.

List of Awards

WRU Under 16 national jersey presentation to Josh Help and Will Boyd.

Under 11 West Wales Schools jersey presentation to Callum John.

Top scorer 1st XV - Aled Davies

Top scorer Athletic - James Davies

Most Improved Players - The Narberth WI Trophy to Sion Cunliffe for the Youth; Laurance Hedlam for the Athletic and Tom Slater for the 1st XV.

Players Player of the Year - John Edwards for the Athletic; Ritchie Rees for the Youth; and winner of the Colin Phillips Cup for 1st XV Players Player of the Year - Roger Davies, who was also top try scorer with 16 tries.

The Club Best Player of the Year Awards were The Brian Williams Perpetual trophy to Zac France-Millar for the Youth, Tom Parsell for the Athletic and Alex Jenkins for the 1st XV.

The Gordon Hallwood Memorial Cup presented for lifetime achievement and commitment to the club to Robert Lewis.