Sport

Top class rugby in difficult conditions

Published

12 years ago

August 26, 2013

Fishguard and Goodwick 0
Cardiff RFC 61
TOP Welsh team Cardiff RFC, overcame Fishguard and Goodwick RFC in bleak conditions at The Moor, where the score line doesn’t fully reflect the home side’s contribution to the game.
The Welsh Premiership side travelled down to Fishguard on Saturday, honouring a commitment made by the two sides when Cardiff hosted the Seagulls after their Millennium Stadium final, and a big welcome was given to them by the home crowd, who braved wind and rain to witness a historic game.
Cardiff demonstrated full respect for their hosts by beginning the game with their strongest 15, and early on the battle was fought hard in the midfield, as the poor conditions disrupted the handling of both sides.
The new scrumage laws introduced by the IRB were being used, and as both sides got to grips with them, Fishguard’s pack held firm on their own ball against the Premiership pack, a positive forwards coach Randall Williams will be happy with. Cardiff ran in two tries in the first ten minutes, as Fishguard struggled with the speed of the opposition. However, Fishguard captain Steve Jenkins led from the front, as the Seagulls built momentum through their forwards. This momentum shift resulted in Aaron Fowler, hooker for Cardiff, being yellow carded for playing the ball on the floor, much to the jeers of the home crowd. The precision of the Cardiff line out was clear throughout the game, as they were able to secure their own ball, and disrupt the Seagulls line out. Any attacking lineout the home side had was turned over by their professional opposition, nullifying the hard work the Seagulls had done in securing an attacking position. After half time, both sides elected to give their new signings a run out. Fishguard worked hard in the second half to produce some magic, and man-of-the-match Simon James produced some fantastic work at the break down to give Fishguard attacking positions. However, the superior fitness of the visitors kept the home side out, as in the dying moments, Fishguard were camped on the Cardiff five-meter line, looking to score a consolation try. However, handling errors again were the bane of the Fishguard attack, and the final whistle blew on a hugely entertaining game. The final score of 61-nil became irrelevant, as the game was contested in a hard but fair manner, with both sides respecting their opposition.
After the game, the Cardiff team were given a very warm welcome in the Fishguard clubhouse where a presentation was held.
Fishguard Chairman James Morgans said :‘’I hope Cardiff have taken something out of this game, as we certainly have. It was a pleasure to host them, and hopefully we can continue our link in the future.’’ Speaking with Cardiff’s vice-chairman, Keith Morgan after the game, he said: ”It was easy for us to fulfil our commitment to come here to Fishguard to play as we had witnessed first-hand their style of rugby and support in Cardiff. These games were more frequent with the old Welsh cup style, however, the demise of those games as left a lot of smaller clubs with having played a Premiership side. I’m happy we have come here, and the standard in poor conditions were good, and I wish Fishguard the very best of luck for the season. Possibly, in the future, there may be an opportunity for them to travel to
Cardiff to play on the new surface and the Cardiff Arms Park.’’

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Sport

South Pembs Short Mat Bowls: East Williamston strengthen lead after Week 11

Published

1 day ago

December 9, 2025

Herald Sport

EAST Williamston tightened their grip at the top of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association’s Friendly League table following another strong set of results in Week 11.

The week’s fixtures saw Lamphey beat Hundleton 8–2, St Johns defeat Badgers 8–2, Carew overcome Reynalton 7–3, and East Williamston record an impressive 8–2 win over Kilgetty.

The match between Llanteg and Cosheston was postponed, while St Twynnells had the bye. A catch-up fixture was also completed, ending St Twynnells 5–5 Cosheston.

Updated league table – Week 11

(Played – Won – Drawn – Lost – Shot Difference – Points)

East Williamston: 9–8–1–0 | +136 | 70 points
Reynalton: 9–5–1–3 | +54 | 53 points
St Johns: 9–4–1–4 | +14 | 46 points
Lamphey: 10–5–0–5 | +5 | 44 points
Hundleton: 9–4–1–4 | –17 | 44 points
St Twynnells: 9–4–1–4 | –34 | 43 points
Badgers: 10–3–1–6 | –41 | 43 points
Llanteg: 8–4–0–4 | –5 | 41 points
Cosheston: 9–3–1–5 | –13 | 40 points
Carew: 8–4–0–4 | –44 | 39 points
Kilgetty: 10–4–0–6 | –55 | 38 points

East Williamston remain clear leaders with a substantial shot-difference advantage, while the battle for the mid-table positions continues to tighten as the season progresses.

The South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association thanked teams for their cooperation with rearranged fixtures as the league moves toward the final stages.

Report courtesy of League Fixtures Secretary Steve Cox.

Sport

Tenby U16 girls celebrate first win in West Wales Women’s and Girls League

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2025

Luke Sinclair

Captain and New Signings Hail Fresh Start

THE TENBY U16 Girls are carving out a remarkable new identity this season after leaving the Pembrokeshire League to join the West Wales Women’s & Girls League — a bold, last-minute move that has already revitalised the team and delivered their first league victory this weekend.

With too few local opponents to sustain regular football, the coaching team faced a difficult choice: stay and risk the squad folding, or step into a tougher, more demanding league to guarantee the girls football to play. They chose the latter.

“It wasn’t a decision we took lightly,” said coach Luke Rowland. “But the girls needed a season with real fixtures, real competition, and real opportunities to grow. Moving leagues was the only way to give them that.”

Coach Angie Nicholls praised how the players adapted: “Everything was new — the opposition, the intensity, the travel. But they embraced it. Their attitude has been first-class from day one.”

And the results are beginning to show. Tenby have been competitive in all but one fixture so far, with performances growing stronger each week. Two of the squad’s newest additions, Ffion and Grace, have settled in instantly, each earning Player of the Match awards for their early-season efforts. Their arrival has added both warmth off the pitch and a fresh competitive edge on it.

Coach Craig Templeton highlighted the squad’s collective spirit: “Every player has stepped up. The new girls have brought energy, the older players have led by example, and the standard has risen right across the team.”

Longstanding captain Sophie reflected proudly on how the group has handled the upheaval:
“It was scary at first, moving leagues and facing teams we didn’t know. But we stuck together, trained hard, and showed that we belong here. Getting our first win means everything — it proves all the effort was worth it.”

With this exciting new chapter underway, the club continues to welcome experienced players not currently linked to academies who want to be part of the journey. Interested players are invited to attend a training session and meet the squad.

The club also expresses its sincere thanks to its generous sponsors, whose backing has been vital in covering additional travel and running costs. The coaches offered special appreciation to the parents for their trust, patience, and belief during the transition.

“Without their support, none of this is possible,” added Rowland. “They backed the move, they backed the team, and they backed us as coaches. We’re hugely grateful.”

As the Tenby U16 Girls look ahead to the rest of the season, one thing is already clear: their courage to forge a new path is paying off — and this determined young squad is only just getting started.

News

Awards celebrate all that is good about Pembrokeshire sport

Published

1 week ago

December 2, 2025

Herald Sport

PEMBROKESHIRE’S sporting community came together on Friday evening as Folly Farm hosted the annual Sport Pembrokeshire Awards – a night dedicated to honouring achievements across every level, age group and discipline.

The awards recognise exceptional performances, inspiring journeys and the volunteers who keep local sport thriving behind the scenes. The ceremony was once again presented by Ceri Coleman-Phillips of BBC Wales Sport, supported by Cris Tomos.

Lifetime honour for Premier League star

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to Pembrokeshire’s own Simon Davies.
The former Wales winger enjoyed a distinguished Premier League career with Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

Davies scored in the 2010 Europa League final for Fulham, won fifty-eight caps for Wales – scoring six – and captained his country during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. He was named Welsh Footballer of the Year in 2002 and Fulham’s player of the season in 2007–08. After leaving the club in 2013, he returned to his boyhood side Solva AFC, famously paying £3 subs to play against St Ishmaels.

Special recognition for Wales Women’s Street Football Team

Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas introduced the evening’s Special Award, honouring the players of the Wales Women’s Street Football Team for their remarkable run to the quarter-finals of the Homeless World Cup in Oslo.

The squad trains in Haverfordwest and included five outstanding Pembrokeshire players – co-captains Tor Planner and Marie Tilley, alongside Claire Mantripp, Sam Lewtas and Bryony Davies. All have overcome personal challenges, including homelessness, mental health difficulties and social exclusion, yet wore the Welsh jersey with pride on the world stage.

The team was led by manager Jo Price, former Wales and Arsenal goalkeeper.
Support staff included Anji Tinley, Manager of the Garth Youth & Community Project and a Pembrokeshire County Councillor.

Cruising Free honoured after rowing the Atlantic

The Chairman’s Award for 2025 was presented by Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen to ‘Cruising Free’ of Neyland Rowing Club, who achieved one of the world’s toughest endurance feats – rowing 3,200 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

Sophie Pierce, Janine Williams, Miyah Periam and Polly Zipperlan completed the gruelling crossing from Lanzarote to Antigua, raising money for cystic fibrosis and the Paul Sartori Foundation.

At 32, Sophie became the first person with cystic fibrosis to row an ocean, while 70-year-old Janine became the oldest woman ever to complete the challenge. The team’s achievement was hailed as a powerful example of determination, unity and courage.

Parkrun pioneers win School Award

The School Award went to the Federation of Tavernspite and Templeton Schools – the first Parkrun School in the UK.

The federation has built a Parkrun curriculum with Parkrun UK, using the weekly event to boost physical activity, support wellbeing, and develop leadership through the Parkrun Ambassador scheme. The schools were praised for exceptional inclusion, providing adapted PE equipment, wheelchair races and strong support for disadvantaged pupils. Estyn has highlighted their work as best practice.

A strong year for Pembrokeshire sport

Summing up the event, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said:
“My congratulations go to everyone who won awards and all those nominated. We are so lucky to have such a strong sporting scene here in Pembrokeshire, and my thanks go to all those who work so hard to ensure people of all ages and abilities can take part in the sports they love. Thanks also to our sponsors Valero, Folly Farm and Pure West Radio for supporting this celebration each year.”

Full list of winners

Girls U16: Ava Tyrie (Brazilian Ju Jitsu – Pembroke MMA)
Boys U16: Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)

Club of the Year: Milford Haven Hockey Club (MAIN PHOTO)
Junior Disability: Jake Evans (Llangwm RFC)
Young Volunteer: Alannah Heasman (Haverfordwest High School)
Junior Team: Merlin’s Bridge FC Under-14s 2024/25
Unsung Hero: Jenny Lewis (Clarbeston Road AFC)
Senior Team: Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club
Male Achievement: Liam Bradley (Triathlon)
Female Achievement: Sanna Duthie (Running)
Disability Sport: Rachel Bailey (Boccia)
Club Organiser: Silfan Rhys-Jones (Fishguard Table Tennis Club)
Coach of the Year: James North (Kilgetty AFC)
School Award: Tavernspite & Templeton Federation of Schools
Chairman’s Award: Cruising Free (Neyland Rowing Club)
Special Award: Street Football Wales
Lifetime Achievement: Simon Davies (Wales, Spurs, Fulham, Everton & Solva AFC)