Sport
Seasiders cause cup shock
Tenby 1 9
CUP GAMES are notorious for the upsets they cause, and Saturday’s fixture between Whitland and Tenby was no exception.
Whitland returned to competing in the Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup due to their relegation from the SWALEC Championship into Division 1 West, and the Borderers fine history in the competition was not relived, as last year’s finalists Tenby United, sat second two leagues below them in Division 3 West, caused one of the biggest upsets in Pembrokeshire rugby in recent memory.
Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn had suffered due to the heavy rain fall, however commitment from the Whitland ground staff allowed the fixture to be played in front of a healthy crowd.
There was no shortage of drama during the 80 minutes of play, as Nico Setaro struck three first half penalties, two coming from yellow cards to Tenby players Chris James and Luke Hansford.
The Seasiders replied with a fantastic long distance try, as a blind side move allowed Luke Dedman to touch down under the posts, with Jonathan Rodgers adding the conversion. The score remained 9-7 at the half.
The second half started with a Setaro penalty, taking the home side five points clear. However, ill fortune would strike Whitland as influential second row Raff Williams was wrongfully red carded, with culprit of the crime passing unnoticed.
However, against 14 men, Tenby increased the tempo and drove up field, and their continued pressure would pay dividends as Whitland captain Marc Jones was yellow carded with ten minutes of play remaining. A scrum was called for by Tenby, and from five meters out, the Tenby pack made light work of the defiant six-man scrum that opposed them, as number 8 Pat Roberts touched down, with Rodgers adding the extras.
Leading by two points, with less than 10 minutes to play, the tide of the game could have easily changed when Whitland were rewarded with a penalty some 45 meters from the posts. Nico Setaro stepped up to attempt a long range penalty, which would fall short, striking the underside of the cross bar allowing Tenby to clear their lines with a long kick up-field.
Superb defence from the Tenby side continued as they vowed not to award another penalty in kicking distance. A turn over would allow Tenby to work their way up field and with a two-man overlap, Number 8 Roberts was able to crash over for his second try with the very last play of the game.
News
70 Pembrokeshire clubs benefit from Sport Wales funding
SEVENTY Pembrokeshire clubs have been successful in receiving grants from the Be Active Wales Fund over the last financial year.
In total the clubs received more than £407,800 from the grants scheme from Sport Wales in 2023/24.
The fund backed 25 different sports, ranging from archery, basketball and cricket to sailing, short mat bowls and weightlifting and everything in between.
The Be Active Wales Fund is open to applications from not for profit community clubs and groups to help develop and sustain their activities.
Grants range from a minimum of £300 up to a maximum of £50,000.
The scheme will support coach education courses, the purchase of essential items of equipment right up to larger projects such as floodlighting and boats for sailing clubs.
For advice and support with your application contact Alan Jones or Lois Hilling at Pembrokeshire County Council’s Sports Development department, Sport Pembrokeshire on [email protected]
The Be Active Wales Fund is always open for applications.
More information is available on the Sport Wales website.
Sport
Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double
Two thrilling semi finals last weekend has meant Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road will meet in the senior cup final this coming Saturday.
Goodwick faced Pennar Robins in their semi final who pushed the champions very hard. Carl Vincent will be disappointed but proud of the Robins as they gave a great account of themselves. However in the end Goodwick’s quality and experience just was too much for Vincent’s team.
The other semi was an absolute thriller, and after a nail biting game Matthew Fox’ Clarby progressed to the final. A offside call has sparked a lot of debate around the county. However it seems that linesman Jenkins made an absolute perfect call so credit to him for that.
Both teams would have wanted a nice week of preparation for the final, maybe without any games to play. Unfortunately this hasn’t been possible due to the fixture backlog and both outfits have played already this week.
Goodwick will be favourites of course, however if anyone can upset the apple cart Saturday it’s this Clarbeston Road team. Fox’ outfit have impressed over and over this season. Without too much pressure on them, they are in a good place going into the final.
The double at one staged looked like the minimum Goodwick would be aiming for this season. However losses in other cup competitions, means its Senior Cup success or just the league title for the outstanding team of the season. Oddly becoming champions with no cup success maybe seen as a huge disappointment considering their dominance this season. A unique pressure. However if anyone can handle that pressure it’s O’Sullivans outfit.
Sport
Swifts eyes on double.
Monkton Swifts reserves have blown away the second division this season and now have the double in their sights. They face Merlins Bridge reserves in the semi final of the second division cup and lived up to their favourites tag.
Swifts won comfortably with key player Butland getting three assists and Josh Sture grabbing a brace. Waterman and Rhys Sture added the other goals as outstanding Monkton won 4-0.
Herbrandston and Johnston played in the other semi final and this was a much harder fixture to call. The promoted Herbie a younger and perhaps less physical outfit in comparison to the Tigers. Johnston quickly took control of the game when they found themselves two up after just 29 minutes.
However when Scott Murray was shown a red card just eight minutes later, Herbie would have been confident of staging a comeback. Despite being a man light, Johnston held Herbie until the final minute of the 90, when Alex Ouzman gave Herbie late hope. The Tigers held firm however and progress to the final where they will be underdogs. A tag that I’m sure the players and manager Steven Allen won’t mind too much.
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