FRIENDLY PRE-SEASON MATCH V TUMBLE RFC

Last Saturday, Pembroke’s senior squad opened their season with a home, pre-season friendly match against a strong Tumble squad, who play a league above in Division Two West of the WRU National Leagues. Consequently, the home coaches and playing squad fully expected a tough assignment.

The team’s coaches had agreed to play a series of short periods, to allow changes to be made so that each squad could try out different combinations. The game was played in bright sunshine on a magnificent surface and both teams responded by playing a very attractive, attacking brand of rugby.

Both packs looked equally matched and they provided lots of clean, quick ball, which released the backs on both sides. There were some excellent skills and impressive running on show from both sets of backs, who combined well with hard working forwards to build some impressive phases of play.

Both sides scored a number of tries, but Pembroke through some determined defence and excellent counter-attacking prevailed, winning the try count five to three and the whole encounter 25-22, in front of a very large, enthusiastic and vociferous crowd, who also enjoyed basking in a rare day of sunshine.

Both sets of coaches seemed very pleased with their squad performances and Tumble made it clear that they had enjoyed the challenge of coming to Pembroke for the first time in many years.

After the game, the Pembroke and Tumble players, and the crowd were treated to an excellent BBQ and some live music from local group ‘Lightship’ as part of the enjoyable and very successful celebrations, around the opening of the newly refurbished bar and reception room at the clubhouse.

The First XV now move onto another friendly against Nantgaredig (home) tomorrow (Saturday), KO 2.30 pm, followed by a game against Lampeter (away) on August 26, KO 2.30 pm - a bus will be travelling to this venue, if any supporters wish to travel they should call the club on the day to find out departure time.

The league season starts on September 2, Neyland at Home, KO 2.30 pm, followed by Pembroke Dock Quins away on September 9, KO 2.30 pm. They will also play either Aberaeron or Fishguard at home in the second round of the Pembs KO Cup, with a date as yet to be set.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF REFURBISHED CLUBHOUSE

The club committee wishes to thank the WRU for the grant, Merlewood Ltd. for their very generous sponsorship of the project and all of the club volunteers, who have worked extremely hard to carry out the work over a number of weeks during July and August. Members of the committee reported that it was very gratifying to receive very positive feedback about the modernisation of the social facilities from a wide range of people last Saturday.

JUNIOR SECTION REGISTRATION DAY

All Junior players are asked to attend and register at this event at the clubhouse on Sunday, September 3, starting at 10 am. Parents/carers are also encouraged to come along and get any queries answered. We encourage at least one parent to take up full club membership, so that each family can enjoy the full benefits of membership at the club.

The Junior section now has two new joint chairmen in Chris Pratt and Nathan Mounter, who will lead an experienced committee and all age groups through another season.

The Junior section successfully runs teams from U7-U15, but all players need to be registered in order to be able to participate in matches.

LADIES

COMMITTEE

The highly valued and very industrious ladies welcome any new recruits wishing to assist them in their various duties.

If anyone is interested, they can call the steward and leave contact details, which will be followed up quickly by the chair and secretary.

150+ CLUB

New members to this draw are always welcomed. Mary James has mandate forms available on match days for anyone wishing to join the monthly draw. There is a prize of £500 each alternate month and in other months prizes are £80, £50 and £25.

MEMBERSHIPS

Members are reminded to ensure that they have completed their renewal envelopes and deposited these with the club steward. Envelopes are available from the steward on request.

NEW SEASON SENIOR KIT SPONSORS

The senior team’s new kits for the season has been sponsored by ESS Safeforce, Cape Engineering, Sealand (Pembroke) Ltd, R.S Groundworks and Edwards Coaches; the club committee is very grateful for the generous ongoing support from these local companies.

ADVERTISING BOARDS AROUND THE GROUND

If any business and or company wishes to display their name around the senior pitch, as a growing number of firms have already done, please contact Mike James at [email protected] .