Pembroke Youth entertained Bethesda (Bangor) Youth in Round 3 of the WRU National Youth Cup, following their very long journey.

The whole game was played at a high tempo, with both sides showing their full potential. Pembroke held an early lead, but the visitors fought back with tenacity. As tensions rose in the final quarter, the home side struck the final blow and won by 18-14, in what had been an absorbing, exciting and very entertaining match.

The Panthers also entertained Tumble (Piod Pinc) last Sunday, knowing they would be in for another tough battle. The game was a full blooded affair, marred by a serious injury to one Pinc player in the first half. Panther’s forwards forged good positions and their backs exploited their chances and eventually after the score changing hands, Panthers won this tussle 12-7.

The First XV played Neyland at home last weekend for the first time in many years, hoping to re-establish winning ways. 

Conditions were dry, warm, with a slight breeze and ground heavy. Neyland started very brightly putting the home side under pressure, dominating possession and territory in the first quarter, scoring one penalty, whilst losing a player to a yellow card in the second quarter. 

The home side built concerted attacks and scored two well taken tries to the visitors’ one, to lead 14-10 at the break. Neyland struck quickly in the second half to take the lead and minutes later scored another to extend their lead. 

Both sides lost players to yellow cards and Pembroke worked hard to retaliate, but lots of unforced errors cost them dearly and obdurate defence allowed Neyland to claim a worthy win by 14-24.

The Christmas Fayre will take place between 11am to 5pm on Sunday Nov 19. An adults’ Christmas party is planned for December 1; tickets are available from Denzil. 

The first Winter Quiz will be on December 8, starting at 7.15pm for teams of 4-6. The club will be holding a New Year’s Eve disco, details will come out shortly in clubhouse posters. 

Congratulations to the winners of the October 150 club draw, £100 John Davies, £75 John Price and £50 Jane Roberts.

The club is supporting the White Ribbon campaign in November by displaying posters and contact information in the clubhouse to raise awareness issues around domestic and sexual abuse and violence.

Everyone was saddened at the weekend to hear of the passing of club stalwart and legend Eifion Powell. “Pow” as he was known had played for the club, held many of the key roles and was a huge driving force over many decades, most notably getting a stand built at the ground. The club’s sincerest thoughts are with his family and close friends. The funeral will take place on November 2.