Welshpool-to-Cardiff stage will bring the world’s biggest cycling race through mid Wales on Sunday, July 4, 2027

THE TOUR DE FRANCE’S historic visit to Wales next summer has moved a step closer following the official handover of the Grand Départ Trophy in Paris.

The trophy was presented to Great Britain after the final stage of this year’s race, marking the formal transfer from 2026 host Barcelona to the organisers of the 2027 event.

Great Britain will host the opening stages of both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in 2027. It will be the first time both races have begun in the same country outside France.

Wales will host the third stage of the men’s race on Sunday, July 4, when the peloton travels from Welshpool to Cardiff.

The route will pass through Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells and Brecon before finishing in the Welsh capital.

Although the women’s race will not enter Wales, communities along the men’s route are already preparing to welcome some of the world’s leading cyclists.

More than one million spectators are expected to line the route of the men’s race during its three stages in Britain.

A free-to-air broadcasting agreement with Channel 5 will also allow viewers across the UK to follow the action live from home.

Recruitment is continuing for thousands of volunteers needed to help deliver the 2027 Grand Départs. Applications are open until September 1 to people aged 16 and over, regardless of their background or previous experience.

British cycling legend Sir Mark Cavendish said: “I built my whole career around Le Tour de France. It’s not simply a bike race, it’s an event that captivates everyone who participates and spectates.

“It is a street party over many kilometres of colour, noise and speed.

“Having raced in 2007 and 2014 in the UK, I know first-hand how amazing the British public are at Le Tour and can’t wait to see it on an even bigger scale with both races next year.

“Taking this trophy back to Britain tonight means a lot.”

Paul Bush, managing director of Grand Départ GB 2027, said: “As of now, Great Britain formally steps forward as the next host of the Tour de France, and we couldn’t be more excited and proud.

“We are determined to make 2027 a moment the whole nation can be proud of.”

The Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh on Friday, July 2, with riders travelling to Carlisle.

Stage two will run from Keswick to Liverpool on Saturday, July 3, before the race arrives in Wales for the Welshpool-to-Cardiff stage the following day.

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will begin later that month, with stages from Leeds to Manchester, Manchester to Sheffield and a final stage in London.

Organisers have also launched the JOY social impact programme, which aims to improve health and wellbeing, develop skills and connect communities across the UK.

Further information, including volunteer applications and full route details, is available through the Grand Départ GB 2027 website.

Picture caption: British cycling greats Lizzie Deignan MBE and Sir Mark Cavendish receive the Grand Départ Trophy from the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni. Picture: SWpix.com

New signings were handed their first minutes as the Bluebirds opened their pre-season programme against St Dogmaels WFC

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Women have begun preparations for their first season in Tier 3 with a pre-season fixture against St Dogmaels WFC.

The friendly provided the Bluebirds with an important early opportunity to build fitness, give players valuable minutes and begin integrating several new signings into the squad.

Club officials said the new arrivals had settled in brilliantly and were pleased to see them in action for the first time as preparations for the forthcoming campaign gathered pace.

The match also allowed the coaching team to assess the squad in a competitive environment following the summer break, with the emphasis placed on fitness, teamwork and adapting ahead of the step up to Tier 3 football.

Haverfordwest County said: “A great first run-out of pre-season against St Dogmaels WFC for our Haverfordwest County Women’s Team.

“Valuable minutes in the legs as we begin preparations for life in Tier 3.

“It was great to see our new signings in action for the first time, who have settled into the squad brilliantly.

“Looking forward to what the rest of pre-season has to offer.”

St Dogmaels also thanked the visiting side for making the trip, saying their players had enjoyed the fixture and wishing the Bluebirds well for the new season.

The forthcoming campaign represents another significant step forward for Haverfordwest County’s growing women’s and girls’ programme.

The club has worked to create a structured pathway for female players in Pembrokeshire, providing opportunities for girls to progress through the age groups and into senior football.

Promotion to Tier 3 will bring a new level of competition and a fresh challenge for the Bluebirds as they continue to develop both on and off the pitch.

Further pre-season fixtures and details of the club’s Tier 3 campaign are expected to be announced before the new season begins.

Centuries from Jon Mansbridge, Morgan Grieve, Tim Hicks, Jack Harries and David Blackwell headlined another action-packed afternoon in the Pembroke County Cricket League

SAUNDERSFOOT maintained their unbeaten Division One campaign with a convincing victory over Whitland, while title rivals Carew produced the biggest total of the afternoon during Week 14 of the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League.

There were centuries across the divisions, dramatic low-scoring contests and several commanding run chases as clubs returned to action on Saturday, July 25.

Division One: Saundersfoot remain unbeaten

Saundersfoot continue to lead the way after beating Whitland by 66 runs at the weekend.

Jon Mansbridge carried his bat for an unbeaten 106 as Saundersfoot reached 249-4. Simon Stanford added 44 and Nicky Cope made 41.

Whitland were dismissed for 183 despite 65 from former Glamorgan and England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, who had also taken 2-38 with the ball.

Sam Franklin claimed 4-44 for Saundersfoot, while Tom Mansbridge and Matthew Phillips took two wickets each.

Carew remain firmly in the title race after recording a crushing 199-run victory over Narberth.

Morgan Grieve struck an unbeaten 133 and Tim Hicks finished on 119 not out as Carew amassed 311-3, the highest total of the weekend.

Narberth were then bowled out for 112. Jacob Knox returned exceptional figures of 3-5, while Iori Hicks took 3-28. Jordan Howell offered resistance with an unbeaten 39.

Herbrandston secured an impressive 16-run victory over Cresselly. Nathan Banner scored 80 and Robert Hood made 59 as Herbrandston posted 238-6.

Cresselly were dismissed for 222 despite 64 from Griff Jenkins and 38 from Lewis Mason. Banner completed a fine all-round performance with 2-32, while Dean John took 3-51.

Brennan Devonald was the star for St Ishmaels as they defeated Lawrenny by three wickets. Devonald claimed 4-40 before scoring 54 in the successful run chase.

Lawrenny had been bowled out for 166, with Ryan Morton taking 4-26 as St Ishmaels reached 167-7.

Neyland also completed a successful chase, reaching 181-6 to defeat Burton by four wickets. Dai Davies scored 56 and Dylan James added 41 after Martin James had made 80 in Burton’s 180-8.

Corey Riley took 4-33 for Neyland.

Division One results

Match	Result	Points
Cresselly 222 all out v Herbrandston 238-6	Herbrandston won by 16 runs	8-20
St Ishmaels 167-7 v Lawrenny 166 all out	St Ishmaels won by three wickets	19-7
Carew 311-3 v Narberth 112 all out	Carew won by 199 runs	20-3
Burton 180-8 v Neyland 181-6	Neyland won by four wickets	7-19
Saundersfoot 249-4 v Whitland 183 all out	Saundersfoot won by 66 runs	20-6

Saundersfoot remain top with 241 points, 16 ahead of Carew. Cresselly are third on 189, with Neyland and Herbrandston separated by a single point in fourth and fifth.

Division Two: Hook stay top as Harries hits unbeaten century

Division Two leaders Hook recorded a nine-wicket victory over Llechryd after restricting their opponents to 93-9.

Callum James, Oscar Willington, Lewis Miller and Aled Phelps each took two wickets before Liam Miller scored an unbeaten 50. Phelps added 27 not out as Hook reached 96-1.

Pembroke remain firmly in contention after Jack Harries produced one of the performances of the weekend against Cresselly Seconds.

Harries took 3-28 as Cresselly were dismissed for 164 before hitting an unbeaten 107 in Pembroke’s nine-wicket victory. Ceri Brace finished on 38 not out as Pembroke reached 166-1.

Fishguard also secured a nine-wicket win after bowling Llangwm out for 126.

Ollie Sinnott took 5-29 and Anthony Couzens claimed 4-31. Ashish Jayes then struck an unbeaten 82 and Sam Kurtz made 40 not out as Fishguard raced to 128-1.

Johnston chased down Haverfordwest’s 168-8 with seven wickets in hand. Tom Coomber made an unbeaten 51 and Gino Cleal finished on 43 not out.

Rushan Aryal had earlier taken 4-12, while Chris Phillips top-scored for Haverfordwest with 46.

Pembroke Dock completed another convincing chase, beating Llanrhian by nine wickets.

Ewan McDonald took 4-12 and Jamie White claimed 3-20 as Llanrhian were dismissed for 117. Callum Power then scored an unbeaten 60 and George Smith made 45 not out.

Division Two results

Match	Result	Points
Pembroke 166-1 v Cresselly II 164 all out	Pembroke won by nine wickets	20-5
Llangwm 126 all out v Fishguard 128-1	Fishguard won by nine wickets	4-19
Johnston 171-3 v Haverfordwest 168-8	Johnston won by seven wickets	19-6
Pembroke Dock 118-1 v Llanrhian 117 all out	Pembroke Dock won by nine wickets	20-3
Hook 96-1 v Llechryd 93-9	Hook won by nine wickets	19-3

Hook lead the division with 236 points. Johnston are second on 217, followed by Pembroke on 205 and Haverfordwest on 204.

Division Three: Lamphey close the gap despite Tait century

Lamphey moved to within six points of Division Three leaders Laugharne after winning a high-scoring encounter by 35 runs.

David Blackwell scored 108 and Peter McGilloway made 84 as Lamphey posted 254-5. Rob Mathias added 29.

Matt Tait responded with a superb 115 for Laugharne, but his side were dismissed for 219. Hywel Gibbs took 4-34 and Grant Cole claimed 3-29.

Kilgetty successfully defended a total of just 85 in a remarkable low-scoring match against Carew Seconds.

Jack Cole made 35 before Kilgetty were bowled out, with Ethan Hall taking 4-22 and Rhys Grigg claiming 3-28.

Carew were then dismissed for 78. Ryan Cooper took 3-21, while Jack Badham and Ollie Badham both returned figures of 2-8. Hall completed a strong individual performance with 33.

Hundleton beat Burton Seconds by five wickets after bowling their opponents out for 119.

Robson Walkey took 3-23 before scoring an unbeaten 43. Owen Hughes added 35 as Hundleton reached 120-5.

Saundersfoot Seconds chased down Stackpole’s 207-6 with five wickets remaining.

Lewys Gibby scored 85 and Josh Davies made 64 for Stackpole, but unbeaten 64 from Steve Cook and 57 from Joshua Samuel helped Saundersfoot reach 208-5.

Pembroke Seconds defeated Haverfordwest Seconds by 20 runs. Richard Pulman scored 57 and Paul White made 38 in Pembroke’s 163-6.

Jason Phillips finished unbeaten on 54 for Haverfordwest, but the home side were bowled out for 143.

Division Three results

Match	Result	Points
Hundleton 120-5 v Burton II 119 all out	Hundleton won by five wickets	19-5
Kilgetty 85 all out v Carew II 78 all out	Kilgetty won by seven runs	17-7
Laugharne 219 all out v Lamphey 254-5	Lamphey won by 35 runs	7-20
Haverfordwest II 143 all out v Pembroke II 163-6	Pembroke II won by 20 runs	7-20
Stackpole 207-6 v Saundersfoot II 208-5	Saundersfoot II won by five wickets	7-18

Laugharne remain top with 216 points, but Lamphey are now just six points behind. Carew Seconds sit third on 195, with Kilgetty fourth on 181.

Division Four: Lawrenny Seconds hold narrow advantage

Division Four leaders Lawrenny Seconds survived a late challenge from Hook Seconds to win by eight runs.

Alfie Buckle top-scored with 56, Taylor Lewis made 31 and Harri Harries added 25 as Lawrenny reached 178-6.

Hook finished on 170-9 despite an unbeaten 56 from Jack Davies and 31 from Wayne Griffiths. Rob Williams and Rhys Eynon took three wickets each for Lawrenny.

Carew Thirds dismissed Narberth Seconds for only 49 before completing an eight-wicket win.

Jamie Heeps returned outstanding figures of 3-0, while Ianto Hicks took 4-22. Carew reached 50-2, with Conor Davies finishing unbeaten on 19.

Richard Thorne produced a match-winning all-round display for Crymych against Llechryd Seconds.

Thorne took 4-21 before scoring 68 in Crymych’s successful pursuit of 145. Ifan Davies made 52 as Crymych reached 147-3.

Herbrandston Seconds beat Haverfordwest Thirds by eight wickets. Muhammed Aaqib took 4-16 and Mark Hicks claimed 3-21 as Haverfordwest were held to 128-9.

Abdul Mannan then scored an unbeaten 65 and Aaqib finished on 20 not out as Herbrandston reached 132-2.

Charlie Welch struck 82 as St Ishmaels Seconds chased down Neyland Seconds’ 148-9.

Ollie Rees had earlier taken 4-23 before making an unbeaten 17 as St Ishmaels reached 152-6.

Division Four results

Match	Result	Points
Narberth II 49 all out v Carew III 50-2	Carew III won by eight wickets	2-17
Llechryd II 144 all out v Crymych 147-3	Crymych won by seven wickets	6-20
Herbrandston II 132-2 v Haverfordwest III 128-9	Herbrandston II won by eight wickets	19-6
Lawrenny II 178-6 v Hook II 170-9	Lawrenny II won by eight runs	19-8
Neyland II 148-9 v St Ishmaels II 152-6	St Ishmaels II won by four wickets	8-19

Lawrenny Seconds lead the division with 201 points from 13 matches. Narberth Seconds are second on 191, followed by St Ishmaels Seconds on 185 and Hook Seconds on 184.

Division Five: Cresselly Thirds strengthen their lead

Cresselly Thirds maintained their position at the top of Division Five with a ten-wicket victory over Hundleton Seconds.

Lucian Thornton, Julian Arthur and Cody James each took two wickets as Hundleton were restricted to 108-8.

Ethan Lewis then scored an unbeaten 65 and Arthur Jenkins finished on 19 not out as Cresselly reached 109 without loss.

Whitland Seconds also recorded a comfortable victory after dismissing Pembroke Dock Seconds for 79.

Steff Lee took 5-31 and Chris Sweeney claimed 3-10. Lee then completed an excellent all-round performance with an unbeaten 33 as Whitland reached 82-3.

Llanrhian Seconds edged a close contest against Llangwm Seconds, reaching 148-8 to win by two wickets.

Frazer Watson made 51 for Llanrhian, while Jon Palmer scored 58 and took 2-30 for Llangwm.

The scheduled match between Llechryd Thirds and Pembroke Thirds did not take place.

Division Five results

Match	Result	Points
Cresselly III 109-0 v Hundleton II 108-8	Cresselly III won by ten wickets	19-4
Llanrhian II 148-8 v Llangwm II 147-7	Llanrhian II won by two wickets	18-9
Llechryd III v Pembroke III	No game	–
Whitland II 82-3 v Pembroke Dock II 79 all out	Whitland II won by seven wickets	20-4

Cresselly Thirds lead with 231 points from 13 matches. Whitland Seconds are second on 204, with Llangwm Seconds third on 178 and Llanrhian Seconds fourth on 167.

Division Six: Neyland Thirds take their chance

Only one Division Six fixture was completed, with Neyland Thirds securing an eight-wicket victory over the Haverfordwest and Cresselly combined side.

Evan Roberts and Jon Coles both claimed three wickets as Haverfordwest/Cresselly were restricted to 114-9.

David Cleverley carried his bat for an unbeaten 36, while Caden Jones added 19.

Josh Owen then struck an unbeaten 61 and Korey Arran scored 42 as Neyland reached 117-2.

Kilgetty Seconds had a bye, while the Lamphey Seconds against Haverfordwest Fourths and Whitland Thirds against Laugharne Seconds fixtures did not take place.

Division Six results

Match	Result	Points
Kilgetty II	Bye	–
Lamphey II v Haverfordwest IV	No game	–
Neyland III 117-2 v Haverfordwest/Cresselly 114-9	Neyland III won by eight wickets	19-5
Whitland III v Laugharne II	No game	–

Lamphey Seconds remain top with 166 points, five ahead of Whitland Thirds. Neyland Thirds are third on 148.

League leaders after Week 14

Division	Leaders	Played	Points	Nearest challengers	Gap
Division One	Saundersfoot	14	241	Carew	16
Division Two	Hook	14	236	Johnston	19
Division Three	Laugharne	14	216	Lamphey	6
Division Four	Lawrenny II	13	201	Narberth II	10
Division Five	Cresselly III	13	231	Whitland II	27
Division Six	Lamphey II	10	166	Whitland III	5