Following in the footsteps of their Youth team, Pembroke RFC’s 1st XV are off to Cardiff this weekend.

Last week, the club had taken Cardiff University to a WRU hearing, regarding the playing of ineligible players in the WRU Bowl semi-final the week before; Pembroke had lost that appeal.

However, the committee decided to challenge the findings of this initial hearing and take the University and the WRU to an independent hearing, which would involve two independent barristers and a WRU board member.

A small, hand-picked team, including the club’s chair, head coach and Mr. John Parsons (a well known local ex-solicitor, now circuit Judge) was dispatched to present a strong, well-researched case on behalf of the club 10 days ago.

Mid morning, last Saturday, whilst travelling to Cardiff, to support the club’s Youth squad at their WRU Plate final in the Principality Stadium, the WRU notified the club that it had won its case and therefore would be reinstated into the WRU Bowl final to be played at the same stadium on Sunday, April 29.

The response was at first astonishment, which quickly turned to elation for everyone at the club, especially the coaches and players, who would now get an opportunity to have a similar experience to their Youth squad, carve a piece of personal and club history, enjoy their own memorable day at the stadium, have the opportunity to create another chapter in the club’s rich history and bring home a national trophy for the very first time.

It was reported that there were very loud cheers heard from all the buses and back at home around the clubhouse and whole town.

The club will be booking a number of coaches for supporters at short notice. Those wishing to travel to support the squad in Cardiff for this day, should have put their names onto the lists inside the clubhouse no later than tonight, so that adequate provision can be made. The organisers, however, have said that because of the very short notice, they will do their best to accommodate all wishing to travel, but the availability of vehicles from local firms could prove an issue.

All the club players outside the squad on the day, all members, sponsors, friends in the community and other supporters further afield, wish the squad every success in their bid to bring home the trophy.

As a result of this news, the match versus Aberaeron at home for April 28 has been postponed and will be rearranged for a later date. The next match is due to be Llangwm at home on Friday, May 4, kick-off 7.15 pm.

The rest of the league matches will now have to be reconfigured, so members and supporters should look out at the club, on its website and these editions for further information.