The Pembroke Rugby Club First XV entertained Pembroke Dock Harlequins last Saturday in the return of a much anticipated local derby for the first time in five seasons. 

Both squads and their vociferous supporters created the special atmosphere that has always been associated with this fixture. Despite the atrocious rainy conditions both teams served up a real cracker of a match.

The home side repelled an early Quins onslaught during which their No 10 Rogers kicked a penalty. The home side responded with a try by No 8 Walters from a scrum close to the Quins line, converted by Alderwick to take the lead. Pembroke lost flanker Fielding to a yellow card, then Quins lost centre Price to injury and Quins missed a kickable penalty. 

The frenetic pace was maintained and Quins squandered a number of real opportunities due to poor handling wide out, then late in the half the home side lost prop Phillips to a red card, but held out to lead 7-3 at the break.

The game continued at a high tempo and Quins No 10 scored an excellent individual try from thirty metres, which he converted to take the lead. Quins then lost lock Scourfield to a yellow card and the home side took advantage, with their skipper prop Davies crashing over after good work by his pack; again Alderwick converted. 

The home side maintained pressure and kicked another penalty. Quins responded late, attacking from their own twenty two, but again poor passing cost them a golden opportunity to get a draw in the dying seconds, leaving the delighted fourteen man home side victors by 17-10, in front of the huge crowd.

The Youth secured a marvellous win by 11-19 away at Haverfordwest last Friday night, in a tense, emotionally charged and frenetic match in front of a very large crowd. Both sides showed their full array of skills, but the visitors had a higher strike rate scoring three tries to one in a thoroughly absorbing contest, between two very talented sides.

The First XV and Youth take on Crymych at home on Friday night this week, with KO at 7pm for both. The senior match is Round 2 of the Pembs KO Cup. 

The First XV learned this week that they have a bye in the WRU Division 3 Cup, as do the Youth in their WRU National Cup competition.

The Panthers travel to take on Wrexham on Sunday in their first round WRU Bowl match, hoping they can continue their good start to the season.

The weekly Turkey Trots continue, tickets are available in the club as well as a number of the pubs in town. The Ladies Committee Christmas Fayre will take place on Sunday, November 19, 11-5pm.