LAST Saturday the Pembroke RFC First XV, having played well in two pre-season friendlies, travelled to Whitland to play in Round 1 of this season’s Pembs KO Cup, with a young side, which included nine players from last season’s very successful youth squad.
This was a Division Two versus Division Four clash and it proved to be a game of two halves.
The visitors played very well in the first half, mounting many raids into the home half, putting together some excellent phases of play to score two well taken tries, thanks to some excellent work by their forwards, who combined well with their young backs.
The home side managed one try in the first half leaving the visitors 7-12 up at the break.
The home side asserted themselves right from the off, with full back Fuller’s pace proving a key factor in broken play and on the counter attack; their forwards and backs combined well to score four tries, with a fifth was added with an opportunist spot from their No 10, who put in a long cross kick for his wing to score unopposed.
The home side eventually won comfortably by 40-12, but the Pembroke coaches were highly pleased and took many positives from their first competitive outing of the season.
The First XV are due to play Quins away on 14 September in round one for the Eric Brown Cup and then St Davids home on 21 September in the first leg for the ‘Willington Slate’ trophy, in memory of Gareth ‘Spike’ Willington and his son Daniel, which will see the St Davids and Angle RNLI crews jointly deliver the match ball by sea to Hobbs Point and some of the junior rugby players relay the ball to the ground for the kick off.
There will be a bucket collection on the day, all funds raised will be donated to the Fisherman’s Mission and RNLI.
Meanwhile, on the same day this season’s young youth squad travelled to take on a strong Fishguard outfit for their first League match.
The home side had come close to beating Pembroke’s very accomplished squad last season, so the visitors knew they would be in for a tough match
Fishguard delivered a resounding performance, which deservedly netted them a thoroughly convincing win by a large margin.
The Panthers women, having emphatically won a very competitive friendly a week ago home to Tycroes, are due to open their league programme at home against Newcastle Emlyn this coming Sunday September 15th, with a 2.30pm kick off.
The squad has been strengthened by a crop of new recruits, which include some players with valuable experience.
The coaches have been working them hard in training and the whole squad are extremely keen to start with a win.
The whole junior section started their campaigns last weekend, with all age groups active in local matches and festivals as far afield as Pontyberem.
All coaches registered huge enthusiasm at all levels from the youngsters were as always were very keen to start their seasons well.
The very popular Friday social rugby sessions by popular demand will now continue to the end of September, for both the junior age group (12-16) and the seniors.
Congratulations to the following winners of the August 150 club monthly draw, £100 A Wikes, £75 M Price, £50 T James. There are still places available in this draw; anyone interested should see Mary James.