Pembroke Rugby Club

Last week I wrote about Pembroke Cricket Club as the first of two articles about Pembroke's Sporting life.

This week, the subject is rugby and, once again, the source of my information is well known Pembroke sportsman, David Williams, who has had a long, active role in both cricket and rugby.

Not only is David president of Pembroke Cricket Club, but he is very much involved in the running of Pembroke Rugby Club, of which he is chairman.

Conveniently, the clubs are situated opposite each other on the Upper Lamphey Road, so it doesn't take him long to commute between the two!

Centenary

Rugby has a long history in Pembroke and in 1997 the club was able to celebrate its centenary.

The Cricket Club was never able to do this as it was founded so long ago that no one was able to find out when its centenary would have been!

Special events were organised for the occasion, culminating in the Centenary Dinner held on the ground at Treleet in a specially erected marquee.

Early years

So what is known about the club's early history?

"Very little is actually known of Pembroke Rugby Club's pre-war activities," David told me, "but an important milestone in its development was its acceptance into membership of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1919."

A photograph displayed in the club celebrates this event and the team players are named as follows: W. Nicholas, H. Colley, A. Morris, A. Ogleby, T. Smith, W.G. Canton, E. Hay, J. Asparrassa, J. Saunders, R. Phillips, E. Jones, J. Powell, G. Williams, J. Warlow, F. Howells, J. Griffiths (v.chairman), H. C. Lewis, R. Hubbard (treasurer), W. Howells, F. Coles (chairman), A. Nicholls, H. E. Lewis (sec), S. Powell, W. Hall, T. Driscoll, A. Ogleby (captain), N. Rees, A. Cotterill, R. Jones, C. Torrington, C. Saunders.

East End Boys Team

Photographs and memorabilia on the walls of the clubhouse tell the history of past teams: these include photographs of the East End Boys Team, a team which was evidently very successful in winning many trophies - one of the photographs names them as 'the Tigers'.

They must certainly have been a source of talent to the club and one of the players, Randall Huzzey, had the distinction of being the first schoolboy in Pembroke to win a Youth Cap for Wales in 1931.

Post war renewal

"There were no meetings during the war years," David continued. "The first Rugby Club meeting following WW2 appeared to have been held on August 27, 1945, and a general meeting followed on September 13 when it was agreed that Rugby Football be renewed.

"Accordingly, the club joined the Pembrokeshire and District Rugby Union, which meant playing in both the League and Cup tournaments organised by this body.

"The club has come a long way since those early days: in that immediate post war period the club did not own its own field and played on at least three different fields, including the site of Bishops Park housing estate and the site behind the old Railway Inn. Players had to change in premises in the town - in the old Co-op (now the Card Shop) and in the rear of the East Gate Hotel."

Club development

It was therefore vital to the club's development that they own their own field and build facilities for the players. David gives praise to the ladies' supporters committee, who played a leading part in the fund-raising events held to raise money to buy the current field.

"Crickmarren Field was purchased for the club in 1949 for £625. Changing rooms were built on the ground, with facilities for tea-making, which was then served post-match to the players.

This facility was officially opened by the then president of the WRU, Mr. Prosser.

It was later decided to construct other rooms, including a bar and lounge, toilets etc. Over the ensuing years, the club has developed, enabling many social events to be held there.

A grandstand was constructed on the touchline nearest the Upper Lamphey Road, whilst on the other touchline conifers were planted and a fence constructed to mark the dividing line between the rugby field and the housing estate. Floodlights were also erected, so both training and floodlit matches can be held.

In more recent years, a second field has been purchased and in this field, in addition to creating another pitch, a purpose-built mini rugby pitch was constructed."

Playing record

Since the war, the club's First XV competed in both the Pembs. and District League and the Pembs. Knock Out Cup.

David thought it unfortunate that in recent years, the Welsh Rugby Union decided to reorganise club rugby in Wales.

"As a result, the Pembrokeshire and District League no longer exists," he regrets, "although the Knock Out Cup tournament still takes place. Since WW2, the club has won the KO Cup in 1947/48 and also in 1960/61.

1954/55 was probably Pembroke RFC's finest season, when, under the captaincy of John Shanklin, the club won the Pembroke and District League tournament and were also losing finalists in the KO Cup."

The club has also produced many individuals who have won individual honours and been 'capped' at various levels for Wales: these are duly honoured in the club and their photographs are displayed. Full caps include Ernie Finch, who has the distinction of winning Pembroke's first international full cap 1924-28, Mike Knill 1976, Rob Appleyard 1992 and Jonathan Thomas, who now plays for Worcester. Other capped sons of the club still playing are Dominic Day (for Bath), Luke Hamilton (with the Cardiff Blues) and Rhys Fawcett, who is currently with the Welsh Under 16s.

A bright future

David is proud of the club's playing record. "The future is looking good," he told me, "in recent years Pembroke Rugby Club has been able to expand its playing strength: in addition to running a First XV, Second XV, Youth XV, we have a strong and vibrant Junior Section which caters for children of all ages - ranging from eight to 16.

"Furthermore, the club has developed socially. Besides hosting many events, we organise Pembroke's Annual Carnival, which has become a Pembroke tradition and a popular, major event in the town each summer."

Contact

If you have any stories or photographs for this column, please contact me, Linda Asman, on 01646 622428, email [email protected]">[email protected] and visit our website http://www.pembrokeandmonktonhistory.org.uk">www.pembrokeandmonktonhistory.org.uk