Sport

TOWN GET NEW SEASON UNDERWAY WITH WIN

Published

11 years ago

July 20, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Good start: Town leave the field after the 4-2 win

Briton Ferry Llansawel 2
Carmarthen Town 4

CARMARTHEN opened their pre-season programme against Welsh League side Briton Ferry whose spirited performance presented a suitably stern challenge for a Town squad that comprised mostly of last season’s regulars plus new signings Mark Jones and Dan Sheehan together with a number of players on trial.

From the outset the game quickly developed into an open end-to-end affair although neither side seemed to possess sufficient flair and vision to breach the opposing defence or seriously test the respective goalkeepers.

But gradually the Old Gold began to enjoy a greater share of possession and territorial advantage and after 21 minutes they eventually produced the first significant chance of the game. Chris Ham pounced on a weak back header by defender Josh Pike and he nodded the ball over ‘keeper Luke Probert as he advanced from his goal only to see it strike the post and bounce safely away.

Then on 26 minutes trialist Rhodri Morgan broke forward down the left flank and from the corner of the penalty area he released a crisp angled drive that drew an impressive full-length save from Probert. However in the 35th minute town’s persistence was rewarded when Liam Thomas raced through the centre to reach a long pass from defence and forced Probert into a hurried clearance that went straight to Chris Hartland who, after neatly slipping past a defender, drilled the ball into the net from close range.

Moments later the Old Gold increased their lead – Hartland picked up a poor clearance following his own corner-kick and from the edge of the penalty area he struck a delightful curling shot into the far top corner of the goal leaving Probert well beaten.

Briton Ferry, stung by that further setback, at last fashioned their first decent scoring opportunity on 42 minutes when Gavin Jones sent a searching cross deep into the penalty area only for Sam Baker to direct his close-range diving header just wide of the post.

After the interval the Welsh League side continued to play with more adventure whilst Town, having made multiple substitutions both at the re-start and shortly afterwards, settled into their reorganised formation, and on 56 minutes Briton Ferry went close to reducing the deficit when former Old Gold defender Ian Hillier rose highest in the packed goalmouth to reach Pike’s corner but directed his header narrowly over the bar.

Yet they were successful in the 72nd minute following a remarkable few moments of goalmouth activity – twice in quick succession Town’s substitute goalkeeper, trialist James Kirkwood, produced outstanding flying saves to block fiercely struck long-range drives but he was unable to resist for a third time as the rebound fell nicely for Ryan Griffiths who rifled the ball home from 15 yards.

Carmarthen’s response was decisive and immediate. Lewis Harling cut inside from the left flank, drifted effortlessly past two defenders and from 25 yards curled the ball sweetly beyond the reach of substitute keeper Kerry Nicholas and into the roof of the net.

Consistent with the emerging pattern of the second-half Briton Ferry soon struck back. On 79 minutes Lee John fired a 20 yard effort that drew another stunning save from Kirkwood but only moments later Steve Davey, with a powerful free-kick from the edge of the penalty area, reduced Town’s lead once more.

But that disappointment simply inspired the Old Gold to press forward with even greater intent during the closing stages and in the 89th minute they restored their two-goal advantage when Rhodri Morgan, just outside the penalty area, with dogged determination won the ball off a defender then slid a neat pass through to Mark Jones who confidently slotted home past Nicholas from 12 yards.

Team:

Lee Idzi (sub James Kirkwood 60); Dan Sheehan; Chris Thomas (sub Craig Hanford 46); Luke Jones (sub Chris Thomas 52); Jordan Knott (sub Kyle Bassett 46); Chris Ham (sub John Lumb 52); Ceri Morgan (sub Lewis Harling 46); Dwaine Bailey (sub Luke Cummings 48); Rhodri Morgan; Liam Thomas (sub Mark Jones 46); Chris Hartland;

Sport

Narberth youngsters impress in busy day of cricket

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2026

Herald Sport

NARBERTH Cricket Club’s junior sides enjoyed a strong day of performances, with the under-15s recording a convincing win and the under-14 girls pushing Cresselly all the way in a close contest.

The under-15s defeated St Ishmaels after posting 120-7, before bowling their opponents out for 54.

Narberth’s under-14 girls were also in action, producing an excellent effort against a talented Cresselly side.

In an eight-a-side, 16-over match, Narberth made 83-5 before Cresselly reached 84-4 to edge the contest.

Mia Phillips top-scored for Narberth with an unbeaten 22, while Sylvie Dunlop made 7 not out. The pair also shared a 50 partnership.

Leah Lewis contributed 18 with the bat and took 1-4 with the ball, while Tia Blewitt produced an excellent spell, taking 3-3.

Despite the narrow defeat, the performance underlined the strength of girls’ cricket at Narberth and the progress being made by the club’s young players.

Sport

Narberth hosts successful girls’ cricket festival

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2026

Herald Sport

YOUNG cricketers from across west Wales took part in a successful under-10s girls’ cricket festival hosted by Narberth Cricket Club on Sunday.

Teams from Whitland, Pembroke Dock, Neyland, Llangennech and Pembroke joined the host side for a day of cricket which highlighted the growing strength of the girls’ game in the region.

Organisers said all teams showed excellent teamwork, enthusiasm and sportsmanship throughout the festival.

Thanks were also given to Narberth coach Ceri Davies, whose organisation helped ensure the day was a success.

Host team: Narberth’s under-10s girls at Sunday’s cricket festival (Pic: Shannon Harries).

Sport

Rain halts most action as Pembs cricket battles the weather

Published

3 days ago

May 17, 2026

Herald Sport

Only a handful of matches completed as showers cause widespread disruption across all divisions

THE WEAETHER won the battle across much of Pembrokeshire cricket on Saturday (May 16), with abandoned matches dominating the fourth week of the Pembroke County Cricket League season.

Only a small number of fixtures reached a result, although there were still impressive individual performances and significant movement in the league tables.

Division 1: Carew stay top despite washout

Rain interrupted almost every match in Division 1, with no full fixtures completed.

Carew remain top of the table after taking four points from their abandoned clash with Whitland, while Saundersfoot and Neyland continue to keep the pressure on.

Division 1 results

Fixture	Result
Saundersfoot v Herbrandston	Match abandoned – Herbrandston 57-5
Narberth v Lawrenny	Match abandoned – Narberth 74-2
Cresselly v Neyland	Match abandoned – Neyland 64-3
Burton v St Ishmaels	Match abandoned – Burton 44-2
Carew v Whitland	Match abandoned – Whitland 38-7

Division 1 standout performances

Player	Club	Performance
Jordan Howell	Narberth	35*
Lewis Hough	Narberth	25*
Paul Murray	Neyland	37
Iori Hicks	Carew	3-17
Tom Mansbridge	Saundersfoot	3-12

Division 1 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Carew	4	60
2	Saundersfoot	4	50
3	Neyland	4	47
4	Burton	4	33
5	Herbrandston	4	33
6	Cresselly	4	31
7	Narberth	4	27
8	Whitland	4	24
9	St Ishmaels	4	22
10	Lawrenny	4	16

Division 2: Haverfordwest cruise to nine-wicket win

The only completed match in Division 2 saw Haverfordwest ease to a nine-wicket victory over Llangwm.

Chris Phillips starred with both bat and ball, taking 4-36 before smashing 71 as Haverfordwest chased 142 with ease.

Division 2 results

Fixture	Result
Llanrhian v Cresselly II	Match abandoned
Hook v Fishguard	Match abandoned – Fishguard 117-2
Llangwm v Haverfordwest	Haverfordwest won by 9 wickets
Pembroke Dock v Llechryd	Match abandoned
Johnston v Pembroke	Match abandoned

Division 2 standout performances

Player	Club	Performance
Chris Phillips	Haverfordwest	4-36 & 71
Johnnie White	Haverfordwest	56*
Ashish Jayes	Fishguard	75*
George Smith	Pembroke Dock	56
Jack Phillips	Llangwm	43

Division 2 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Johnston	4	61
2	Haverfordwest	4	61
3	Cresselly II	4	57
4	Pembroke	4	51
5	Hook	4	45
6	Pembroke Dock	4	34
7	Llanrhian	4	29
8	Fishguard	4	23
9	Llechryd	4	22
10	Llangwm	4	21

Division 3: Laugharne impress before rain arrives

Laugharne looked in control at Kilgetty thanks to an unbeaten 61 from Matt Tait before the weather intervened.

Elsewhere, Burton II made a strong start against Haverfordwest II, reaching 43 without loss before rain stopped play.

Division 3 results

Fixture	Result
Haverfordwest II v Burton II	Match abandoned
Stackpole v Carew II	Match abandoned
Pembroke II v Lamphey	Match abandoned
Kilgetty v Laugharne	Match abandoned – Laugharne 131-4
Hundleton v Saundersfoot II	Match abandoned

Division 3 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Kilgetty	4	61
2	Carew II	4	56
3	Lamphey	4	47
4	Laugharne	4	46
5	Hundleton	4	44

Division 4: Narberth II earn biggest win of the day

Narberth II secured one of the weekend’s few completed victories with a 42-run win over Llechryd II.

Ceri Davies smashed 76 while Richard Howell starred with the ball, taking 4-12.

Crymych also impressed before rain halted play against Lawrenny II, reaching 146-3 thanks to Rhys Davies’ unbeaten 73.

Division 4 results

Fixture	Result
St Ishmaels II v Carew III	Match abandoned
Lawrenny II v Crymych	Match abandoned – Crymych 146-3
Neyland II v Haverfordwest III	Match abandoned
Herbrandston II v Hook II	Match abandoned – Hook II 95-2
Llechryd II v Narberth II	Narberth II won by 42 runs

Division 4 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Narberth II	4	67
2	Hook II	4	58
3	Lawrenny II	4	57
4	Llechryd II	4	45
5	Crymych	4	43

Division 5: Whitland II pile on the runs

Whitland II posted the highest score of the weekend, smashing 256-2 before rain ended play against Llanrhian II.

Steffan Lee (61*) and Matt Driver (67*) were in fine form.

Llechryd III also impressed, reaching 160-4 thanks to Andrew Davies’ unbeaten 69.

Division 5 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Cresselly III	4	67
2	Llanrhian II	4	63
3	Whitland II	4	52
4	Llangwm II	3	43
5	Llechryd III	4	25

Division 6: Whitland III romp home

Whitland III claimed the most emphatic result of the weekend, skittling Kilgetty II for just 17 before knocking off the target for the loss of one wicket.

Ben Rodea (3-8) and Sion Benjamin (2-8) starred with the ball.

Haverfordwest/Cresselly also picked up a valuable seven-wicket win over Laugharne II.

Division 6 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Whitland III	4	63
2	Lamphey II	3	56
3	H’West/Cresselly	4	39
4	Neyland III	4	37
5	Laugharne II	3	32

Despite the weather chaos, the early league tables are beginning to take shape, with Carew, Johnston, Kilgetty, Narberth II, Cresselly III and Whitland III all setting the early pace in their respective divisions.