Pembroke have no regrets after appeal denies Cardiff University final fling
PEMBROKE say they have no regrets about denying Cardiff University a place in the final of the WRU’s National Bowl against Porthcawl.
The West Wales club lodged a complaint with the union about the composition of the university team they faced in the semi-final of the competition.
It was made on the grounds the college had fielded ineligible players from higher divisions in their 32-12 victory over Pembroke at Dunvant’s Broadacre ground last month.
Cardiff University were adamant they had special dispensation to play any of their students in the competition.
An initial WRU hearing found in their favour, but then Pembroke appealed to a separate committee, which overturned the original decision.
Forwards coach Kyle Davies was keen to give Pembroke’s version of events, explaining in detail what happened and why they had gone to the WRU.
“Alarm bells started ringing when we played Cardiff University and saw the standard of the players we were up against,” he said.
“Someone said they had boys who were in the gym every day up against boys who were under the car bonnet earning a living. If you put five or six players in from a higher level against a Division Three team there is going to be a big difference.”
Pembroke, he said, didn’t decide to take action until one of their players was watching Cardiff RFC playing against fellow Principality Premiership outfit RGC 1404 on television a couple of days later.
“Our player spotted one of the col- lege team which had beaten us playing for Cardiff RFC, so we decided to bring it to the attention of the WRU,” said Davies.
“If Cardiff University had played the boys we were told turned out for them in earlier rounds of the competition we would not have complained.
“The WRU initially ruled in favour of the college, but we appealed it. We believe we were right to do so and have safeguarded the future for clubs competing in these cup competitions.
“Our action has ensured there will be a level playing field in future seasons and we think that’s a good thing for everybody.”
A spokesperson for Cardiff University said: “We dispute the decision and the reasons given. The University has written to the WRU seeking a response.
“The University rugby club has competed for over 46 years in WRU cup competitions and has always upheld the integrity of those competitions.
“In addition, the club has evidenced in a meeting with the competition management committee that dispensation had been provided on a number of occasions to enable students studying at the University to compete in WRU competitions.
“We were subsequently written to and advised by the committee that we could continue in the competition and so were surprised and disappointed to receive the letter from the WRU.
“We believe we should be able to take our place in the final of the competition.”