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Star-studded entry set for Welsh rally return

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A STRONG entry list and a revamped format promise a spectacular return for the Get Jerky Rally North Wales this weekend, as the popular event roars back after a year out.

The Welshpool-based rally, which was cancelled in 2025 due to storm damage, returns on Saturday (Mar 28) with a fresh route and renewed energy.

Organised by Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club, the event will once again be centred around Welshpool Livestock Market, while also reconnecting with the town centre for the first time in recent years.

|Number: 4|Driver: Max McRae|Team: Team MRF Tyres|Car: Skoda Fabia RS Rally2|Keyword: BRC||Photographer: Alex Stefan|Event: Cambrian Rally|Location: Llandudno|Series: British Rally Championship|Season: 2025|Country: UK|Keyword: Rallying|Keyword: Rally|Keyword: Photography|Keyword: Photos|Keyword: Images|Keyword: Motorsport|Keyword: Rally Photography|Keyword: Gravel|Keyword: Conwy|Keyword: Wales|Keyword: October|Keyword: Probite|Keyword: Motorsport UK|Keyword: Lewis & Hunter Contracting Cambrian Rally|

Fans will be able to get close to the action, with a mid-day regroup and end-of-event celebrations taking place in the heart of Welshpool.

Crews will tackle six stages covering 45 competitive miles through the iconic Dyfnant and Aberhirnant forests, delivering a classic Wales Rally GB-style challenge. Both stages will be run twice, ensuring plenty of action throughout the day.

A high-quality modern field includes British Rally Championship event winner Max McRae, alongside co-driver Cammy Fair, as he prepares for the new season.

McRae will be hoping to emulate his father, Alister, who won the event in 1998.

Welsh driver Meirion Evans, with co-driver Dale Furniss, is also expected to challenge for honours on home soil in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, heading a strong Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship presence.

Further competition comes from Protyre BTRDA Rally Series leader Matthew Hirst and co-driver Jack Bown in a Skoda Fabia R5, alongside Alex Vassallo and Chris Lees, Icelandic pairing Daniel Siguroarson and Asta Siguroarson, and the in-form Elliot Payne and Patrick Walsh.

Ian Bainbridge and Andrew Roughead will also attract attention as they debut their new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.

Historic rally fans will not be disappointed, with the Fuchs British Historic Rally Championship well represented.

George Lepley and co-driver Dafydd Evans lead Category 4 in their Mitsubishi Galant VR4, while a potential appearance from Marty McCormack and Barney Mitchell in a BMW E30 M3 could prove a major draw.

Category 3 is expected to be fiercely contested, with Richard Hill and Patrick Cooper looking to build on their recent success, but facing strong opposition including former British Rally Championship frontrunner Tom Cave, who returns in a Ford Escort Mk2 alongside Keaton Williams.

Several other championships will also be decided across the weekend, including the ANWCC Forest Rally Championship, the West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters Challenge, the TCS Plant Rally Challenge and the Mini Cup Stage Rallying Championship.

Town centre events planned

Welshpool will play a central role throughout the day, hosting rally HQ and service at the livestock market.

The Seven Stars Car Park will act as a key spectator hub, while from around 12:00pm the town centre will host the mid-rally regroup alongside family entertainment, including a treasure hunt and a Guinness World Record attempt.

The ceremonial finish and champagne celebrations are expected to take place from around 3:45pm, with free access for spectators.

The first stage gets underway at 8:30am, with spectator access available at both Aberhirnant and Dyfnant South forests. Parking costs £10 per car, including a programme.

More information is available at www.rallynorthwales.co.uk

 

Sport

Community spirit shines at Saundersfoot charity night

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New Hedges/Saundersfoot United praised after another sell-out fundraiser

A COMMUNITY football club in Pembrokeshire is being praised after raising money for two important causes through another packed charity evening in Saundersfoot.

New Hedges/Saundersfoot United (NHSU) hosted a sell-out event at Regency Hall on Saturday night, bringing together local residents, supporters and well-known faces for an evening of entertainment and fundraising.

The event featured an appearance by Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams, comedian Lenny Dee, a silent auction and fundraising activities in support of the Maxwell Family Genomics Fund and Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity.

Organisers said the evening highlighted the power of community spirit in Pembrokeshire and the difference local support can make to charities which rely heavily on fundraising to continue their work.

Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity supports children and young people coping with bereavement across west Wales, offering specialist help to families facing difficult circumstances.

Support for families

The Maxwell Family Genomics Fund also benefited from the evening, with money raised helping efforts linked to medical research and support for affected families.

The event was organised by New Hedges/Saundersfoot United, a club increasingly earning a reputation for successful charity fundraising alongside its sporting activities.

Saturday’s fundraiser marked the third consecutive sell-out charity event hosted by the club, following previous popular evenings featuring former Wales striker John Hartson and former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.

Club praised

Local supporters have praised NHSU for creating events that not only entertain but also raise substantial sums for good causes at a time when many charities face growing financial pressures.

One organiser said community fundraising remained vital, particularly for smaller charities that often struggle to secure long-term funding.

Without local backing, many organisations helping vulnerable families would simply be unable to continue their work.

The evening at Regency Hall was widely described by attendees as another major success for the club and a reflection of the strong community spirit in Saundersfoot and New Hedges.

Photo caption:

Charity night success: Guests gathered at Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, for New Hedges/Saundersfoot United’s latest sell-out fundraising evening (Pics: Darth Marty Media).

 

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Sport

Runners tackle new route in Ras Y Castell 10k

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MORE than 90 runners took to the streets and paths around Cardigan on Friday evening (June 5) for the annual Ras Y Castell 10k.

The race, organised by Cardigan Running Club, followed a brand new 10-kilometre course starting in the grounds of Cardigan Castle.

The route took runners past Castle Green House before heading through the town, across the old bridge over the River Teifi, and along the Teifi Marshes footpath towards the Welsh Wildlife Centre.

Competitors then continued to Cilgerran, completing a loop through the village and passing its 12th-century castle before retracing their steps back to Cardigan.

A final climb up Grosvenor Hill brought runners back into the castle grounds and over the finish line.

The event came in a special year for Cardigan Castle, which later this month celebrates the 850th anniversary of the birthplace of the first Eisteddfod.

The supplied results named Riche Norris as first finisher, with Llion Williams and Owain Rowlands also among the leading men.

The first female finisher was Bethan Williams of Emlyn Runners in 43 minutes 56 seconds. Cardigan Running Club’s Leanne Roberts was second in 44 minutes 34 seconds, with Delyth Griffiths third in 47 minutes 25 seconds.

Winners received their awards in the castle grounds, where runners also enjoyed a free barbecue after the race.

Cardigan Running Club’s next events will be the Summer Poppit Sands races, with the first of three taking place on Tuesday, July 21.

Images: Stuart Ladd

 

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Pembrokeshire cricket weekend round-up: Week 7 shakes up promotion races

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A WEEKEND of big wins, shock defeats and abandoned fixtures tightened several promotion races across the Pembroke County Cricket League.

Saundersfoot strengthened their grip on Division One, Pembroke stayed top in Division Two, Laugharne moved ahead in Division Three, while Cresselly III and Haverfordwest IV remain the sides to catch lower down the pyramid.

Division One: Saundersfoot send title warning

Saundersfoot produced the statement performance of the weekend, crushing Carew by 125 runs after posting 208-4. Simon Stanford hit 98, while Nick Cope added an unbeaten 60 before taking 4-7.

TeamPlayedPoints
Saundersfoot7110
Carew7103
Neyland792
Cresselly778
Burton776

Cresselly beat Narberth by 51 runs, Burton defeated Lawrenny by four wickets, and Herbrandston shocked Neyland by 60 runs.

Division Two: Pembroke lead tight race

Pembroke remain top after an eight-wicket win over Llechryd, but the chasing pack is close behind.

TeamPlayedPoints
Pembroke7107
Johnston7104
Cresselly II7103
Hook799
Haverfordwest795

Cresselly II edged Johnston by just two runs, while Haverfordwest, Hook and Llanrhian also picked up wins.

Division Three: Laugharne go top

Laugharne moved to the summit after beating Burton II, while Kilgetty slipped up against Lamphey, who bowled them out for just 58.

TeamPlayedPoints
Laugharne7104
Kilgetty7100
Carew II788
Saundersfoot II779
Lamphey775
Pembroke II775

David Blackwell starred for Lamphey with superb figures of 5-5, while Pembroke II thrashed Stackpole by nine wickets.

Division Four: Leaders under pressure

Rain disrupted the division, but St Ishmaels II and Neyland II both made ground with victories.

TeamPlayedPoints
Narberth II793
St Ishmaels II792
Hook II784
Lawrenny II784
Neyland II781

St Ishmaels II beat Lawrenny II by seven wickets, while Neyland II defeated Herbrandston II by eight wickets.

Division Five: Llangwm II keep pressure on

Only one game was completed, with Llangwm II beating Whitland II by nine wickets.

TeamPlayedPoints
Cresselly III6106
Llangwm II699
Llanrhian II687
Whitland II781

John Palmer made 36 and David Lewis 29 as Llangwm II chased 72 with ease.

Division Six: Scourfield century leads Haverfordwest IV

Gareth Scourfield produced one of the performances of the weekend, hitting an unbeaten 124 as Haverfordwest IV chased 212 to beat Haverfordwest/Cresselly by three wickets.

TeamPlayedPoints
Haverfordwest IV681
Lamphey II576
Neyland III775
Whitland III673

Ollie Toy had earlier made 95 for Haverfordwest/Cresselly.

Weekend stars

PlayerClubPerformance
Gareth ScourfieldHaverfordwest IV124 not out
Simon StanfordSaundersfoot98
Nick CopeSaundersfoot60 not out and 4-7
Charlie ArthurCresselly90
David BlackwellLamphey5-5
Jack DaviesBurton5-14
Harry NicholasHerbrandston54 and 2-16
Josh LewisCresselly II57 and 3-31

 

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