Posted in Black Diamond Village by Jonathan Davies

WATERLOO B capped off a remarkable season by completing the league and cup double last night, defeating Hook B by 46 points in a well-contested final.

The match began with Lee Walters (Waterloo B) taking on Rob Phelps (Hook B). Phelps made the stronger start and opened up a 20-point lead, but Walters showed resilience, steadily closing the gap and potting the final three colours to take the frame by 12 points.

The second frame featured a doubles encounter between S. Jenkins & D. James (Waterloo B) and S. Jones & S. John (Hook B). It was a nervy affair, with both sides potting well, but the Waterloo pair edged ahead to win by 22 points — extending their team’s overall lead to 34.

In the third frame, Alan Davies (Waterloo B) faced John Davies (Hook B) in a cautious, tactical contest. Alan’s well-placed snookers proved decisive, and John was unable to escape them cleanly. Alan went on to win the frame by 19 points, pushing Waterloo’s overall lead to 53.

The final frame brought together R. James & G. James (Waterloo B) against T. John & C. James (Hook B). With Hook needing a 53-point win to snatch the match, the odds were stacked against them. They fought hard and managed to take the frame by 7 points, but Waterloo B still secured a comfortable 46-point overall victory — and with it, the cup.

The match was played in great spirit, with both teams showing excellent sportsmanship. Thanks were extended to Peter Thomas for officiating the match.

CEREDIGION will host the 2025 Lloyds National Road Championships from June 26 to 29, bringing elite-level cycling to west Wales – and Pembrokeshire residents are being encouraged to make the short trip across the border to enjoy the action.

A total of ten national champion’s jerseys will be contested across three days of racing, with the time-trial on Thursday, June 26, the circuit race on Friday, June 27, and the road race concluding the event on Sunday, June 29.

Entries for all events are open now and will close at midnight on Sunday, June 1. Full route details can be found at www.ceredigion.gov.uk/resident/news/2025/routes-revealed-for-the-2025-lloyds-national-road-championships

Time-trial – Aberaeron – Thursday, June 26
The opening event takes place around Aberaeron, with a challenging route beginning in Ffos-y-ffin and heading along fast-rolling roads to Ciliau Aeron before returning via a short but steep climb at Rhiw Goch. Elite women and under-23 riders will cover 27km, while elite men will face a 41km course.

Circuit race – Aberystwyth – Friday, June 27
The circuit race will take place in Aberystwyth on Friday evening. Riders will race for 50 minutes plus five laps on a 1.6km loop through the town centre, including Pier Street, Portland Street and Queens Road. The start and finish line will be on the seafront promenade. Spectators will have several opportunities to see the action as riders pass iconic landmarks like the Bandstand and old college.

Road race – Aberystwyth – Sunday, June 29
The championships culminate in a gruelling road race beginning on Aberystwyth’s promenade and heading out towards Trawsgoed on a 23.4km anti-clockwise loop. The course includes a maximum gradient of 9.1% and a technical 13.8% descent from Moriah to the A44. The women’s race will cover 128km and the men’s 187km, finishing on the seafront.

The finishing circuits, which loop through the old harbour and over Trefechan Bridge, are expected to deliver a thrilling end to each race.

Stevie Williams, winner of last year’s Lloyds Tour of Britain Men and a native of Aberystwyth, said: “Racing on home roads is a rare opportunity which always makes it extra special, so I can’t wait to get out on the roads I know so well.”

Jonathan Day, Managing Director for British Cycling Events, said: “The locations for each of the championships are stunning and provide a great test for the riders. There are multiple opportunities for spectators to see the riders pass these iconic landmarks.”

Ceredigion County Council has worked closely with organisers to support the event, which is expected to bring visitors and cycling fans from across the UK.

Councillor Clive Davies said: “The routes will demonstrate all that Ceredigion has to offer, from the coast to the countryside, taking in iconic sights along the way.”

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans said the event was a key milestone as Wales prepares to host the Tour de France for the first time in 2027.

Picture caption:
Tour of Britain: When it visited Aberystwyth in 2021

THE THIRD week of the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League delivered thrilling contests, standout performances, and significant table movements as clubs across all divisions fought to build early-season momentum.

Division 1: Carew crush Saundersfoot, Cresselly and Neyland stay unbeaten

Carew made a resounding statement at the top of Division 1 with a 198-run demolition of Saundersfoot, amassing 341-5 thanks to a blistering 142 from Tim Hicks and 77 from Adam Chandler. With the ball, Barry Evans took 4-17 and James Hinchcliffe chipped in with 3-43 to bowl Saundersfoot out for 143.

Cresselly remain hot on Carew’s heels after a comfortable 132-run win at Haverfordwest. Tom Murphy struck a commanding 67 as Cresselly posted 254-6 before Christian Phillips ripped through the hosts with 5-22.

Elsewhere, Neyland’s powerful batting display secured a 47-run win over Whitland. Paul Murray’s 83 set the tone before Jack John’s 6-36 dismantled the Whitland response.

Herbrandston edged Lawrenny in a tight contest, winning by 10 runs after setting 215-9. Key all-round contributions came from Harry Nicholas (43 & 2-37) and Nathan Banner (32 & 2-24), while Lawrenny’s Finley Lewis hit 56 in vain.

Burton picked up their first win of the season, beating Llangwm by 30 runs, thanks to 56 from Dan Llewellyn and a four-wicket haul by Morgan Scale.

Carew top the Division 1 table with 58 points from three wins, closely followed by Cresselly on 56. Neyland remain in third with 46 points.

Division 1 Table – Week 3

Division 2: Nail-biters and centuries as top three pull ahead

A remarkable unbeaten 93 from Loui Davies guided Narberth to a tense two-wicket victory over Burton II, maintaining their perfect start. Narberth now lead the Division 2 table on 58 points, level with Hook, who scraped a one-wicket win over Cresselly II after chasing 262, powered by 98 from Neal Williams for the hosts.

Pembroke are close behind in third, following a 13-run win over Llechryd. Krunel Patel starred with 24 and 4-22 to edge out a tight defence of 145.

Carew II edged St Ishmaels by five runs in another low-scoring affair, with Sam Harts claiming 4-32. Johnston dominated Llanrhian by nine wickets, thanks to Lee Summons’ unbeaten 70 and a collective bowling performance that left the hosts 153-9.

Division 3: Laugharne hammer Neyland II, Fishguard lead the pack

A breathtaking 98 from Callum Collins-Davies and a five-wicket haul from Sam Lynch propelled Laugharne to a 171-run rout of Neyland II, who were bowled out for just 59.

Fishguard top Division 3 after a 62-run win over Lamphey, with Nigel Delaney producing an all-round masterclass, scoring 85 and taking 2-16.

Pembroke Dock, Stackpole, and Kilgetty all registered wins to stay in the title hunt, with Josh Davies’ unbeaten 89 leading Stackpole to a five-wicket win over Kilgetty.

Division 4: Durey and Hawkins star in huge wins

Crymych’s Nitai Durey slammed an unbeaten 119 as his side chased down Narberth II’s 167 with ease. Steffan Williams also hit 79 not out and took 5-30 in a dominant all-round display.

Darren Hawkins’ century anchored St Ishmaels II’s 72-run win over Carew III, while Saundersfoot II retained their position at the top of the table with a narrow six-wicket win over Pembroke II, thanks to Steve Cook’s unbeaten 78.

Lawrenny II were clinical in a 10-wicket win over Llangwm II, as Alfie Buckle’s 103* ensured a perfect chase of 166.

Division 5: High-scoring thrillers and tight finishes

Herbrandston II edged Haverfordwest IV by just two wickets, with Johnnie Lewis hitting 79 not out. Pembroke Dock II also impressed, chasing 190 to beat Hundleton II by eight wickets, led by Luke Murray’s unbeaten 82.

Cresselly III crushed Neyland III by 62 runs with Tom Rowlands top-scoring on 72, while Whitland II romped to a nine-wicket win over Llechryd II, powered by 58 from Dafydd James and 4-10 by Rhys Davies.

Division 6: Jenkins and James shine for Haverfordwest/Cresselly

Haverfordwest/Cresselly maintained top spot with a six-wicket win over Whitland III, bowling them out for 93. Arthur Jenkins and Jake Manuel took two wickets apiece before the latter guided the chase with an unbeaten 19.

Looking Ahead

With three weeks of action completed, early trends are emerging in all divisions. Carew and Cresselly appear set for a fierce Division 1 title battle, while Division 2 is shaping up into a three-way tussle between Narberth, Hook, and Pembroke. In Division 3, Fishguard’s form is commanding, and in Division 4, Saundersfoot II’s unbeaten start has made them the early pace-setters.

Cricket fans across Pembrokeshire can expect more drama as the season unfolds.