Sport

Local cricket clubs praised in Welsh Parliament

Published

1 month ago

February 13, 2025

CRICKET-MAD local MS Sam Kurtz raised the efforts of two local cricket clubs to give something back to their communities and improve their facilities in the Senedd on Tuesday, February 11.

Mr Kurtz, who plays for Fishguard CC, is well-known – possibly notorious – in local sporting circles for being a keen participant in whichever sport he turns his hand to.

On Tuesday, he asked for a Welsh Government statement from the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership on the support available to grassroots cricket clubs in Wales.

While doing so, he raised the example of Pembroke Dock Cricket Club, which is currently fundraising for new changing rooms for men, women and juniors at its ground at Imble Lane.

Sam Kurtz said: “I’ve enjoyed many a tough game against the Dock, who’ve done amazing charity work over the years, raising some £45,000 for local charities. Now it’s time that support is given to them so that they can continue to grow. They are working with the local authority and the Enhancing Pembrokeshire grant, but further support is needed.”

Sam Kurtz continued: “Neighbouring Pembroke Cricket Club has also worked tirelessly since the pandemic, improving their facilities at Treleet, including new nets, covers for the wicket and refreshing the pavilion. They’ve even been able to introduce a third senior side into the Pembrokeshire league, which shows the growth of the game in the county of Pembrokeshire.”

Mr Kurtz concluded by asking for a statement from the Minister about how he is working with Sport Wales, the England and Wales Cricket Board and Glamorgan Cricket to offer support for grassroots cricket clubs so that one of the world’s leading sports can continue to grow across our country.

The Welsh Government’s business manager, Jane Hutt MS, is notorious for not wanting Welsh Government Ministers to give statements on anything that isn’t on their news grid. Every week, MSs ask for statements on issues important to their constituents or of national importance, and Jane Hutt finds new ways to say “no.”

Mr Kurtz was probably optimistic about asking for a minister to make a statement about funding grassroots sport, a subject in which hundreds of thousands across Wales are interested but in which the Welsh Government has minimal interest.

Sure enough, Jane Hutt responded: “Now, this is something where Sport Wales is very engaged on with the grant funding scheme, and also, I have to say, I’ve been able to fund through the community facilities programme some of the improvements that are needed and refurbishments that are often needed in these often voluntary-owned community clubs. So, I hope that you will also look to the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services, which has a funding portal because there are many trusts and sources of community funding. But certainly, it’s important that you’ve brought this to the attention of the Chamber, and we can celebrate that vibrancy of cricket and enjoy the season as it starts, especially Glamorgan, which I’d say is a bit biased.”

In short: “No, I won’t ask the Minister to make a statement. I’ll patronise you and the cricket clubs by telling you how to suck eggs. And, by the way, Glammy-Glammy-Glammy-Glammy Glamorgan.”

Highlighting the importance of grassroots sport and the need to support it raised its profile and focused attention on two of Pembrokeshire’s sports clubs who are doing the most to feed back into their community and provide more opportunities for participation. While Mr Kurtz didn’t get his statement, he managed to get Senedd time to shine a light on those clubs and their efforts.

Sport

Division 3 (West) & Division 4 (West A) – Weekend Rugby Round-Up

Published

2 days ago

March 26, 2025

Herald Sport

Haverfordwest 64 – Amman United 24
HAVERFORDWEST ran in ten tries to claim a dominant home win over Amman United. Winger Scott Candler crossed for a hat-trick, while Jack Evans (2), Jetman Temaki, Mike Griffiths, Matty Phillips, Liam Eaton, and Guy Barrons also touched down. Amman fought back late, earning a bonus point with two tries apiece from Dylan Matthews and Rhydian Jones.

Pontyberem 14 – Cardigan 32
Cardigan controlled proceedings to secure a bonus-point win over winless Pontyberem. Aaron Evans grabbed a brace, with further scores from Aaron Tomkinson, John Lumb, and Iwan Toft. Shaun Leonard added two conversions and a penalty. Pontyberem responded with tries from Jamie Jones and Daf Lloyd, both converted by Mike Sauro.

Narberth Athletic 27 – Pembroke Dock Harlequins 22
Narberth Athletic held off a spirited Quins comeback to remain second in Division 4A after a thrilling Friday night encounter. Brad Cramb crossed twice, with further tries from Declan Cole and Jac Norcross. Shane Rossiter kicked two conversions and a penalty. Jack Price (2), Owain Turner, and Craig Barnett replied for the visitors, with Ben Hathaway converting once.

St Davids 77 – Llanybydder 22
St Davids produced a 13-try blitz to overpower Llanybydder in a one-sided contest. Harvey Lavin, Nathan Foster, Mike Gurney, George Raymond, and Ben Perkins all bagged braces, with Kiron Mason, Morgan Griffiths, and Bob Froy also on the scoresheet. Llanybydder salvaged a bonus point with four tries, including two from Steffan Griffiths.

Sport

Seasiders and Seagulls soar with big wins in Division One and Two clashes

Published

2 days ago

March 26, 2025

Herald Sport

Division One (West) – Tenby run riot with ten-try demolition of Felinfoel
Tenby United 64 – Felinfoel 19

TENBY UNITED kept up the pressure on Division One (West) leaders Aberystwyth with a ruthless 64-19 victory over Felinfoel at Heywood Lane on Saturday.

The Seasiders delivered a scintillating attacking display, crossing for ten tries in a match that underlined their title credentials. Tenby raced into a 31-7 lead at the break and never let up, blending pace, precision, and power throughout.

Dan Colley and Gwion Jones were among the standout performers—Colley scoring twice and Jones bagging a hat-trick from the wing. Jake Roberts also crossed twice, while George Rossiter and the returning Toby Smith added their names to the scoresheet. A penalty try opened proceedings.

Half-backs Dai Jones and Lloyd Thomas controlled the tempo brilliantly, with Thomas converting six of the ten tries in a composed display from the tee.

Felinfoel showed some resistance, with captain Elliot Dawe grabbing a brace of tries from the wing and full-back Tom Cadell powering over for another. Fly-half Tom Allen added two conversions, but the visitors were outgunned by Tenby’s relentless tempo and attacking ambition.

The result keeps Tenby firmly in the title race and sends a clear message as the season heads into its final stretch.

Tenby United team:
Geraint Jones; Matthew Lewis, Liam Price, Toby Smith, Gwion Jones; Lloyd Thomas, Dai Jones; Ethan Morgan, Kyle Rossiter, Rob Luly; Alex Jenkins, Tom Barrass (capt); Jack Brown, Max Brindley, Dan Colley.
Replacements: George Rossiter, Luke Dedman, Jake Roberts, Dom Colman, Jordan Asparassa, Max Boswell.

Division Two (West)
Captain Lewis leads Seagulls to seven-try rout
Fishguard & Goodwick 67 – Betws 12

FISHGUARD & GOODWICK put in a dominant display to sweep aside Betws 67-12 at home, with new captain Rhys Lewis marking the occasion with a hat-trick from the back row.

The Seagulls were in fine form from the outset, racing to a 41-0 lead by half-time. Their sharp handling, quick recycling and clinical finishing were too much for Betws, who struggled to keep pace.

Lewis led from the front with a superb treble, while Max Jones crossed twice. Dom Sinnet, Mark Jones, Simon James, and Ed Rathbone also got on the scoresheet. Mark Jones was faultless with the boot, kicking eight conversions and adding two penalties for a personal haul of 27 points.

Betws showed heart in the second half, registering two tries through Jonathan Hier, one of which was converted by Andrew Gosnold, but the damage had long been done.

The emphatic win highlighted the growing depth and confidence in Fishguard’s ranks, with young leaders like Lewis showing they can deliver on the big stage.

Fishguard & Goodwick try scorers: Rhys Lewis (3), Max Jones (2), Dom Sinnet, Mark Jones, Simon James, Ed Rathbone
Conversions/Penalties: Mark Jones (8 cons, 2 pens)
Betws try scorers: Jonathan Hier (2)
Conversion: Andrew Gosnold (1)

Sport

Manderwood Pembrokeshire League – Division 1 Round-Up

Published

2 days ago

March 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Merlins Bridge edge Kilgetty in tight encounter

Merlins Bridge leapfrogged Kilgetty into seventh place with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Kingsmoor. Hayden Dimond opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard free-kick, before Jason Griffiths doubled the lead early in the second half. Kilgetty hit back quickly through Richard Tebbutt, but the Wizards held firm to take all three points.

Swifts see off Carew to climb fourth

Monkton Swifts picked up their tenth win of the season with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Carew. Connor Davies opened the scoring in the first half, and substitute Jason Finnegan sealed the win late on. Carew remain third from bottom, still in danger as the season nears its conclusion.

Hakin overcome battling Pennar

Hakin United defeated a spirited Pennar Robins side 3-1 at the Obs. Shane Walsh teed up Ashley Bevan for the opener, but Pennar responded through Ben Adams. After the break, Bevan and Liam Parks combined for Hakin’s second, before Parks added a third to secure the win for the Vikings.

Tenby strike late to beat Tish

Tenby claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over St Ishmaels at the Clicketts. Joey Leahy fired the hosts ahead early on, but Tish levelled through Finley Armstrong. The visitors were reduced to ten men late in the game, and in stoppage time Jerome Williams struck the winner. A vital goal in Tenby’s fight for survival – and one that Milford United would have celebrated as the relegation battle intensifies.