Sport

Team of the week: Pembroke Dock Harlequins

Published

11 years ago

November 21, 2013

PEMBROKE DOCK Harlequins RFC began back in 1880 when around fifteen men working in Pembroke Dock’s Dockyard pulled on their rugby shirts and set up the club with the teams matches being played at the Barrack Hill Ground. Since then the club has survived through some very tough periods including two World Wars and the closure of the town’s dockyard leaving us with the fine club we have today.

The club over the years
When the club began all those years ago it was called Pembroke Dock Football Club then later Pembroke Dock Rugby Football Club until the early 1900’s when the name Pembroke Dock Harlequins was finally established. The Pembroke Dock Quins began playing at the Barrack Hill Ground and many other venues until they made their permanent home the Bierspool Ground in 1956. But the facilities at the ground were very basic with players having to get changed at various pubs and having to walk to the playing field but with help of members and friends of the club over the years buildings have been added enabling the players to use amenities such as hot showers and clean changing rooms.

But all of this may not have been possible if it had not of been for the spirit of the town and members in keeping the club going through two world wars and through the closure of the Quins’ main supplier of players the Pembroke Dock Dockyard in 1926. It was five committee members that unanimously voted to keep the club going in the 1927 A.G.M. after the closure of the dockyard and their names were Walter David, Llew James, A. Skerry, Bill Husband and Archie Howell.

Over the years the Pembroke Dock Quins has had some great players and some great teams. Some of these players include Ernie Finch and W.J.A Davies who went on to play internationally for their respected home nations of Wales and England. W.J.A Davies even went on to captain England in 1921 at Twickenham against Scotland.

The Quins has also hosted some great teams including the mighty Llanelli in the Welsh Cup. This Llanelli team had internationals galore including Phil Bennett, Delme Thomas, J.J. Williams and Derek Quinnel.

Ladies Committee
The Pembroke Dock Harlequins Ladies Committee was formed after the Second World War. I played a vital role in helping to finance the purchase he Bierspool Ground by helping out with fundraising including running dances. All of this money went towards purchasing a permanent home for the Quins. When the committee was first set up in was under the chairmanship of Mrs Egerton and included Mrs Dix, Mrs Williams, Mrs Hay, Mrs Lloyd, Mrs Shirlock, Miss Blackmore and Miss Peters.

After the Ground was finally purchased and a pavilion was built the ladies now had a new task and this was to provide the players with cups of tea and meals. Thanks to their support and fundraising the Quins rugby club is still going strong and still holding their annual summer carnival.

The club setup
Pembroke Dock Harlequins RFC run 11 mini and junior rugby sides from U7s through to U16s.This season also sees a new ladies rugby team under formation and numbers are building each week. he Quins also run a youth side and a first team and development team. Head oach is Bob Lovell, who is assisted by Gavin Lloyd, Jeff Newman and Tony Manning.

The club is always on the look out for new players throughout its age grades and welcome new and old players to the Quins Ground. Senior training is held on a Monday and Thursday night at 7pm. The youth train on a Wednesday night again with a 7pm start. Youth coaches are Gareth Scourfield and Ian Osbourne with Dai Lewis as youth team manager.

Mini and junior rugby are held every Sunday with either training or rugby matches – start times on a Sunday are 10.30am. The club has a great sports physio in Mr David Usher, who is available on Monday and Thursday nights at the Rugby Club Physio Room from 7pm. Pembroke Dock Harlequins RFC respects rugby club within the local community and is a great focal point for the many youngsters and sports enthusiasts within the area.

The club has over twenty WRU qualified rugby coaches and eighteen WRU qualified Level 1 referees. All of these are volunteers who give up their valuable time to help promote the great sport of rugby and team work within the community. The rugby club would also like to thank all their sponsors and supporters for their continued generous support – this support helps make this club the great place that we all enjoy today.

If anyone would like to get involved with this fantastic rugby club, whether its playing in one of the many rugby sides we have to offer, or assisting in the running and day to day club duties, please get in touch with the following committee members:

Quins Seniors and Youth: Dean Maiden – [email protected]
Quins Seniors: Gavin Lloyd – [email protected]
Quins Juniors: Huw Baker – [email protected]
Quins Minis: Andrew McDonald – Andrew.mcdonald@bevanbuckland.
co.uk

Sport

Division 3 (West) & Division 4 (West A) – Weekend Rugby Round-Up

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2025

Herald Sport

Haverfordwest 64 – Amman United 24
HAVERFORDWEST ran in ten tries to claim a dominant home win over Amman United. Winger Scott Candler crossed for a hat-trick, while Jack Evans (2), Jetman Temaki, Mike Griffiths, Matty Phillips, Liam Eaton, and Guy Barrons also touched down. Amman fought back late, earning a bonus point with two tries apiece from Dylan Matthews and Rhydian Jones.

Pontyberem 14 – Cardigan 32
Cardigan controlled proceedings to secure a bonus-point win over winless Pontyberem. Aaron Evans grabbed a brace, with further scores from Aaron Tomkinson, John Lumb, and Iwan Toft. Shaun Leonard added two conversions and a penalty. Pontyberem responded with tries from Jamie Jones and Daf Lloyd, both converted by Mike Sauro.

Narberth Athletic 27 – Pembroke Dock Harlequins 22
Narberth Athletic held off a spirited Quins comeback to remain second in Division 4A after a thrilling Friday night encounter. Brad Cramb crossed twice, with further tries from Declan Cole and Jac Norcross. Shane Rossiter kicked two conversions and a penalty. Jack Price (2), Owain Turner, and Craig Barnett replied for the visitors, with Ben Hathaway converting once.

St Davids 77 – Llanybydder 22
St Davids produced a 13-try blitz to overpower Llanybydder in a one-sided contest. Harvey Lavin, Nathan Foster, Mike Gurney, George Raymond, and Ben Perkins all bagged braces, with Kiron Mason, Morgan Griffiths, and Bob Froy also on the scoresheet. Llanybydder salvaged a bonus point with four tries, including two from Steffan Griffiths.

Sport

Seasiders and Seagulls soar with big wins in Division One and Two clashes

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2025

Herald Sport

Division One (West) – Tenby run riot with ten-try demolition of Felinfoel
Tenby United 64 – Felinfoel 19

TENBY UNITED kept up the pressure on Division One (West) leaders Aberystwyth with a ruthless 64-19 victory over Felinfoel at Heywood Lane on Saturday.

The Seasiders delivered a scintillating attacking display, crossing for ten tries in a match that underlined their title credentials. Tenby raced into a 31-7 lead at the break and never let up, blending pace, precision, and power throughout.

Dan Colley and Gwion Jones were among the standout performers—Colley scoring twice and Jones bagging a hat-trick from the wing. Jake Roberts also crossed twice, while George Rossiter and the returning Toby Smith added their names to the scoresheet. A penalty try opened proceedings.

Half-backs Dai Jones and Lloyd Thomas controlled the tempo brilliantly, with Thomas converting six of the ten tries in a composed display from the tee.

Felinfoel showed some resistance, with captain Elliot Dawe grabbing a brace of tries from the wing and full-back Tom Cadell powering over for another. Fly-half Tom Allen added two conversions, but the visitors were outgunned by Tenby’s relentless tempo and attacking ambition.

The result keeps Tenby firmly in the title race and sends a clear message as the season heads into its final stretch.

Tenby United team:
Geraint Jones; Matthew Lewis, Liam Price, Toby Smith, Gwion Jones; Lloyd Thomas, Dai Jones; Ethan Morgan, Kyle Rossiter, Rob Luly; Alex Jenkins, Tom Barrass (capt); Jack Brown, Max Brindley, Dan Colley.
Replacements: George Rossiter, Luke Dedman, Jake Roberts, Dom Colman, Jordan Asparassa, Max Boswell.

Division Two (West)
Captain Lewis leads Seagulls to seven-try rout
Fishguard & Goodwick 67 – Betws 12

FISHGUARD & GOODWICK put in a dominant display to sweep aside Betws 67-12 at home, with new captain Rhys Lewis marking the occasion with a hat-trick from the back row.

The Seagulls were in fine form from the outset, racing to a 41-0 lead by half-time. Their sharp handling, quick recycling and clinical finishing were too much for Betws, who struggled to keep pace.

Lewis led from the front with a superb treble, while Max Jones crossed twice. Dom Sinnet, Mark Jones, Simon James, and Ed Rathbone also got on the scoresheet. Mark Jones was faultless with the boot, kicking eight conversions and adding two penalties for a personal haul of 27 points.

Betws showed heart in the second half, registering two tries through Jonathan Hier, one of which was converted by Andrew Gosnold, but the damage had long been done.

The emphatic win highlighted the growing depth and confidence in Fishguard’s ranks, with young leaders like Lewis showing they can deliver on the big stage.

Fishguard & Goodwick try scorers: Rhys Lewis (3), Max Jones (2), Dom Sinnet, Mark Jones, Simon James, Ed Rathbone
Conversions/Penalties: Mark Jones (8 cons, 2 pens)
Betws try scorers: Jonathan Hier (2)
Conversion: Andrew Gosnold (1)

Sport

Manderwood Pembrokeshire League – Division 1 Round-Up

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Merlins Bridge edge Kilgetty in tight encounter

Merlins Bridge leapfrogged Kilgetty into seventh place with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Kingsmoor. Hayden Dimond opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard free-kick, before Jason Griffiths doubled the lead early in the second half. Kilgetty hit back quickly through Richard Tebbutt, but the Wizards held firm to take all three points.

Swifts see off Carew to climb fourth

Monkton Swifts picked up their tenth win of the season with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Carew. Connor Davies opened the scoring in the first half, and substitute Jason Finnegan sealed the win late on. Carew remain third from bottom, still in danger as the season nears its conclusion.

Hakin overcome battling Pennar

Hakin United defeated a spirited Pennar Robins side 3-1 at the Obs. Shane Walsh teed up Ashley Bevan for the opener, but Pennar responded through Ben Adams. After the break, Bevan and Liam Parks combined for Hakin’s second, before Parks added a third to secure the win for the Vikings.

Tenby strike late to beat Tish

Tenby claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over St Ishmaels at the Clicketts. Joey Leahy fired the hosts ahead early on, but Tish levelled through Finley Armstrong. The visitors were reduced to ten men late in the game, and in stoppage time Jerome Williams struck the winner. A vital goal in Tenby’s fight for survival – and one that Milford United would have celebrated as the relegation battle intensifies.