Sport

DOMINANT WIN FOR BLUEBIRDS

Published

10 years ago

January 13, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Haverfordwest County 2
Pontardawe Town 0

Opening Goal: Luke Borelli gives the Bluebirds the lead with a fine strike.

H AV E R F O R D W E S T COUNTY kicked the New Year off with a comfortable 2-0 win over Pontardawe Town. The win was The Bluebirds’ fi rst since October 11 and keeps them fourth, in touch with joint leaders Cardiff Met and Penybont. The home side dominated their second from bottom visitors for much of the game and could have gone ahead in the tenth minute but Steffan Davies saw his shot cleared off the line by Pontardawe’s captain Luke Harris. Moments later, Luke Borelli headed the ball down for Sean Pemberton but he shot wide.

Pontardawe threatened briefly and The Bluebirds were thankful to keeper Craig Morris who pulled off a good save to deny a stinging effort from Alex Wild. Owen Thomas and Nicky Palmer then exchanged passes into the area but Thomas’s effort went wide of the post. Ricky Watts was also a threat down the right hand side for The Bluebirds and he put in a number of dangerous looking crosses, one of which Luke Borelli got on the end of but his header was well saved. It was still 0-0 at half time but it did not take the home side long in the second half to make the breakthrough. Three minutes in to the half Luke Borelli broke and he ran to the edge of the box before shooting low into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Ten minutes later, The Blues were inches away from going 2-0 up as Kieron Howard’s free kick evaded everyone but the Pontardawe keeper Steve Reeve, who did well to turn the ball round the post for a corner. Declan Carroll was brought on soon after and he was immediately involved, narrowly heading over the bar from Antonio Facciuto’s cross. The visitors could not get out of their own half and frustrations got the better of them as a number of players received yellow cards. With twenty minutes to go, The Bluebirds made the points safe with a stunning goal.

Kieron Howard shot from 25 yards out and the ball flew into the top corner giving the keeper no chance. They could have added a third late on when Carroll sent Nicky Palmer through on goal but his first shot was saved and he then sent the rebound over the bar. The Bluebirds saw the game out and will be relieved to get back to winning ways. Their next game at the Bridge Meadow is on January 17 against Ton Pentre. Haverfordwest County: Craig Morris, Ricky Watts, Antonio Facciuto, Sam Rodon, Dale Griffiths, Sean Pemberton, Kieron Howard, Nicky Palmer, Luke Borelli, Steffan Davies, Owen Thomas. Subs: Jordan Follows, Greg Walters, Declan Carroll.

Sport

Wales team announced for Six Nations opener against France

Published

1 day ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Adams, Williams, and Jenkins return

WALES head coach Warren Gatland has named his team for the opening match of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations against France at the Stade de France, Paris, on Friday (Jan 31). The game kicks off at 8:15pm GMT and will be broadcast live on ITV and S4C.

Josh Adams, Liam Williams, and Dafydd Jenkins return to the starting XV, with Adams on the wing, Williams at fullback, and Jenkins in the second row.

Jac Morgan leads the side

Captain Jac Morgan starts at openside flanker, joining James Botham at blindside and Aaron Wainwright at No. 8 in the back row. Will Rowlands partners Jenkins in the second row.

In the front row, Evan Lloyd earns his first Test start at hooker, while Henry Thomas is named at tighthead prop for his first start and his first Wales appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Gareth Thomas starts at loosehead.

Ben Thomas makes Six Nations debut

Tomos Williams starts at scrum-half, with Ben Thomas making his Six Nations debut at fly-half. Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins form the midfield pairing, while Tom Rogers is named on the wing alongside Adams.

Among the replacements, Nicky Smith is set to win his 50th cap, while fly-half Dan Edwards could make his senior Wales debut. Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray are in line for their first Six Nations appearances, having made their senior international debuts in the Autumn Nations Series.

The front-row replacements include Elliot Dee, Keiron Assiratti, and Smith. Tommy Reffell covers the back row, and Rhodri Williams provides scrum-half cover.

Gatland said: “We’re excited for the challenge on Friday. The Six Nations is the best rugby competition in the world. Every game is a big occasion. We want to go out there, embrace that, and start our championship well.”

Wales team to face France

Starting XV:
15. Liam Williams (Saracens) – 92 caps
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets) – 5 caps
13. Nick Tompkins (Saracens) – 38 caps
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) – 42 caps
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby) – 59 caps
10. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby) – 7 caps
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby) – 59 caps
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys) – 35 caps
2. Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby) – 5 caps
3. Henry Thomas (Scarlets) – 4 caps
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92) – 36 caps
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs) – 19 caps
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby) – 16 caps
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys) – 18 caps (captain)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) – 52 caps

Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) – 51 caps
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers) – 49 caps
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby) – 10 caps
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby) – 1 cap
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers) – 23 caps
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons) – 5 caps
22. Dan Edwards (Ospreys) – uncapped
23. Blair Murray (Scarlets) – 3 caps

This version is more structured, concise, and in line with a professional sports news style. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!

News

Fun free sport sessions for kids in Fishguard

Published

1 day ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

YOUNGSTERS can discover new sports to love at a free multi-sports session starting next week.

The sessions for children aged 5-8 will be held every Monday in term time between 4.15pm-5pm at Fishguard Leisure Centre.

The first session is this Monday, February 3rd.

Delivered by Sport Pembrokeshire Active Young People officers and assisted by

Young Ambassadors from Ysgol Bro Gwaun, the event is an opportunity to try fun activities, new sports and develop fundamental movement skills.

All are welcome to come along.

Contact [email protected] for more information or to register your child.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association: Week 14 Results

Published

4 days ago

January 27, 2025

Herald Sport

THE SOUTH Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association, also known as “The Friendly League,” has released the results for Week 14 of the competition.

Match Results

Hundleton 8 v Badgers 2
Llanteg 2 v St Johns 8
Reynalton 8 v St Twynnells 2
East Williamston 8 v Carew 2

The match between Cosheston and Kilgetty was postponed, while Lamphey had the bye.

League Table (Week 14)

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	S/D	Points
East Williamston	12	11	0	1	167	92
Carew	12	8	1	3	111	79
Reynalton	12	8	0	4	48	70
Hundleton	13	7	0	6	61	68
St Johns	11	8	0	3	76	66
Cosheston	11	6	0	5	33	54
Llanteg	11	3	1	7	-29	51
St Twynnells	13	3	1	9	-125	48
Badgers	11	3	1	7	6	45
Kilgetty	11	3	0	8	-129	40
Lamphey	11	2	0	9	-142	29