Sport

Hope glimmers as Wales show attacking bite despite another All Blacks mauling

Published

5 months ago

November 23, 2025

Wales 26 – New Zealand 52

WALES fell to yet another heavy defeat against New Zealand on Saturday, but the mood inside the Principality Stadium at full time was remarkably upbeat. For all the frustrations of a 52-26 loss, this was a match that offered something rare against the All Blacks: genuine hope.

It was Wales’ 34th consecutive defeat in the fixture stretching back to 1953, and the third autumn in a row that New Zealand have scored more than fifty points in Cardiff. Yet for the first time in years, Wales caused the tourists real problems with ball in hand, scoring four tries and recording their highest ever points tally at home to the All Blacks.

The standout moment belonged to winger Tom Rogers, who became the first Wales player in history to score a hat-trick against New Zealand. Not since South Africa’s Marius Joubert in 2004 has any player from any nation produced three tries against the All Blacks. The Scarlets man was outstanding, finishing with precision and confidence in a performance that will define his early Test career.

Wales’ 26 points also surpassed their previous best home scores in 2004 and 2010, when they posted 25. Across 38 matches, Wales have averaged just one try per game against the New Zealanders. On Saturday they produced four.

The match began with Wales falling behind early, but the response was sharp. For the first time this autumn, they consistently won aerial contests, using those turnovers to launch quick, layered attacks. The first try came when Louis Rees-Zammit beat Damian McKenzie in the air, leading to a sweeping movement that saw Alex Mann, Blair Murray, Max Llewellyn and Dan Edwards all link before Rogers picked up a dipping offload to score.

Rogers’ second came from a smart lineout move, with Taine Plumtree carrying hard off a long throw and Dafydd Jenkins punching into the New Zealand defence. With penalty advantage in hand, Tomos Williams’ grubber was won by full-back Murray, drawing Will Jordan off his wing. Wales moved the ball wide and Rogers finished.

Two minutes into the second half, Rogers completed his hat-trick. Jenkins charged down a kick, Plumtree competed superbly in the air, and Joe Hawkins’ long pass released Llewellyn, who held his run just long enough before sending Rogers away to step inside the last defender. For a brief moment, at 24-21, the stadium believed in something extraordinary.

The All Blacks responded with typical ruthlessness. Twice they crossed the Welsh line only for the TMO to intervene: first a knock-on in the build-up to a Caleb Clarke finish, then Rogers denying Jordan with a desperate touch-in-goal. The belief inside the ground grew louder.

But that was as close as Wales came. Rieko Ioane finally settled the momentum with a try from McKenzie’s cross-kick, and when Gareth Thomas and Taine Plumtree were both yellow-carded in quick succession, the game slipped decisively from Wales’ reach. Down to 14, and then 13, Wales simply couldn’t contain the wave of black shirts, with Clarke and Sevu Reece adding further tries.

Even so, Wales found one last flourish. Following a series of strong carries from Dewi Lake, Freddie Thomas and Morgan Morse, Murray slipped a pass to Rees-Zammit, who dived in at the corner one-handed to claim a well-worked fourth try.

While conceding seven tries and losing the penalty count 14-4 are reminders of how far this young side must travel, supporters recognised the intent and ambition in Wales’ play. Many stayed long after the final whistle to applaud the team’s lap of thanks, and former captain Sam Warburton described himself as more optimistic than he expected to be. Dan Biggar agreed, saying the fans could leave the ground feeling there were “more positives than negatives.”

New Zealand were clinical, physical and devastating on turnover ball, as they almost always are. But Wales, unlike in recent years, fired back. They showed ambition, accuracy, and a willingness to play. In attack, at least, there is something to build on.

With world champions South Africa arriving next weekend, and Wales set to lose their 13 English-based players as the match sits outside World Rugby’s Test window, the challenge becomes even tougher. But for the first time in a long time, there is a sense that Wales are beginning to carve out a new identity.

It may not show in the scoreline. But it was there in the noise of the crowd, the energy of the young players, and the belief that flickered for an hour in Cardiff.

A drubbing, yes. But also a glimpse of something better.

Sport

Carew set early pace as rain disrupts Pembrokeshire cricket programme

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2026

Herald Sport

RAIN played a major part in Week 2 of the Nicholas Insurance Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League, with several Division 1 fixtures abandoned after strong first-innings performances.

Carew made the biggest statement in the top flight, cruising to a ten-wicket win over St Ishmaels to move clear at the top of the table.

St Ishmaels were bowled out for 110, with Tim Hicks (3-18), Shaun Whitfield (3-14) and Logan Hall (2-27) doing the damage. Carew then eased to 111-0, Hicks completing an outstanding all-round display with 55 not out, alongside Morgan Grieve’s unbeaten 54.

Elsewhere, Narberth piled up 301-7 before rain intervened against Herbrandston, Jamie McCormack hitting a superb 104. Lawrenny (297-7) and Burton (203-7) also posted big totals before the weather had the final say.

Division 1 results

Match	Result
Cresselly 30-2 v Burton 203-7	Match abandoned
Narberth 301-7 v Herbrandston 51-0	Match abandoned
Whitland 10-0 v Lawrenny 297-7	Match abandoned
Saundersfoot 205-7 v Neyland	Match abandoned
Carew 111-0 v St Ishmaels 110 all out	Carew won by 10 wickets

Division 1 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Carew	2	2	0	0	36
2	Saundersfoot	2	1	0	1	27
3	Herbrandston	2	1	0	1	25
4	Neyland	2	1	0	1	25
5	Narberth	2	0	0	1	20
6	St Ishmaels	2	0	1	0	15
7	Burton	2	0	1	1	14
8	Whitland	2	0	1	1	14
9	Cresselly	2	0	1	1	11
10	Lawrenny	2	0	1	1	11

Johnston lead strong Division 2 pack

Johnston sit top after a dominant 135-run win over Llangwm, powered by Lewis Boswell’s 99 and Steve Mills’ 62.

Hook maintained their perfect start, edging Haverfordwest by four wickets, while Cresselly II brushed aside Llechryd by nine wickets after bowling them out for just 41.

Division 2 results

Match	Result
Llechryd 41 all out v Cresselly II 44-1	Cresselly II won by 9 wickets
Llanrhian 155-5 v Fishguard 154-7	Llanrhian won by 5 wickets
Hook 143-6 v Haverfordwest 142-9	Hook won by 4 wickets
Llangwm 106 all out v Johnston 241-6	Johnston won by 135 runs
Pembroke Dock 152-2 v Pembroke 168-8	Match abandoned

Division 2 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Johnston	2	2	0	0	40
2	Hook	2	2	0	0	37
3	Cresselly II	2	2	0	0	36
4	Pembroke	2	1	0	1	28
5	Haverfordwest	2	1	1	0	24
6	Pembroke Dock	2	0	1	1	23
7	Llanrhian	2	1	1	0	22
8	Fishguard	2	0	2	0	16
9	Llangwm	2	0	2	0	13
10	Llechryd	2	0	2	0	3

Kilgetty and Carew II lead Division 3 race

Kilgetty and Carew II are locked together at the top after two wins from two.

Lamphey produced one of the standout performances of the week, hammering Burton II by 155 runs, while Laugharne continued their unbeaten start.

Division 3 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Kilgetty	2	2	0	0	38
2	Carew II	2	2	0	0	38
3	Laugharne	2	2	0	0	37
4	Lamphey	2	1	1	0	28
5	Saundersfoot II	2	1	0	1	26
6	Hundleton	2	1	1	0	24
7	Haverfordwest II	2	0	2	0	14
8	Stackpole	2	0	2	0	14
9	Pembroke II	2	0	1	1	13
10	Burton II	2	0	2	0	12

Narberth II lead Division 4

Narberth II sit top after a five-wicket win over Neyland II, thanks to Jordan Howell’s unbeaten 88.

Hook II edged a thriller by one wicket, while Haverfordwest III also maintained a perfect start.

Division 4 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Pts
1	Narberth II	2	2	0	39
2	Hook II	2	2	0	36
3	Haverfordwest III	2	2	0	36
4	Lawrenny II	2	2	0	35
5	Crymych	2	1	1	29
6	Llechryd II	2	1	1	28
7	Neyland II	2	0	2	15
8	St Ishmaels II	2	0	2	15
9	Herbrandston II	2	0	2	13
10	Carew III	2	0	2	11

Rowlands ton headlines Division 5

Tom Rowlands’ superb 108 guided Cresselly III to victory, while Llanrhian II remain joint top after a crushing win featuring Rick Walton’s remarkable 8-13.

Division 5 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Llanrhian II	2	2	0	0	40
2	Cresselly III	2	2	0	0	40
3	Whitland II	2	1	1	0	25
4	Llangwm II	1	1	0	0	19
5	Pembroke III	2	0	1	1	14
6	Llechryd III	2	0	2	0	11
7	Pembroke Dock II	2	0	1	1	11
8	Hundleton II	1	0	1	0	6

Lamphey II top Division 6

Lamphey II lead the way after edging a tight contest against Haverfordwest IV, while Whitland III produced a dominant win over Neyland III.

Division 6 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Lamphey II	2	2	0	0	36
2	Haverfordwest IV	2	1	1	0	27
3	Whitland III	2	1	1	0	25
4	Laugharne II	1	1	0	0	20
5	H’West/Cresselly	2	0	1	1	17
6	Neyland III	2	0	2	0	15
7	Kilgetty II	1	0	0	1	8

Sport

Amman United end season with narrow win at Cardigan

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Herald Sport

AMMAN United rounded off a difficult Division 3 West campaign with a hard-fought 22-21 victory away at Cardigan.

After a season marked by long journeys, disappointing defeats, cancellations and several late abandoned fixtures, the Reds finished on a positive note in Aberteifi.

It was United’s third match in a hectic six-day spell, all away from home. After valiant defeats against high-flying New Dock Stars and Tumble, Amman showed character to claim a narrow but deserved final-day win.

The late-season improvement has been helped by the introduction of several players from Amman’s victorious Youth side, who recently lifted the National Welsh Youth Cup at the Principality Stadium for the first time in the club’s history.

Ceian Lewis, Harvey Duncan, Tom James, Dyfan Llewelyn, Cole Lacey, Ioan Booth, Aled Davies and Hefin Davies all started at Cardigan, bringing fresh energy and renewed spirit to the side. The match also marked the end of the road for several long-serving stalwarts who have helped carry the team through some difficult recent seasons.

Cardigan made the stronger start, opening the scoring with an early converted try.

Amman responded well, drawing level before taking a 14-7 lead through tries from centre Dylan Lloyd and scrum-half Lee Evans, both converted by captain and outside-half Iestyn Griffiths.

The home side hit back with a second try, but Lloyd crossed again for his second of the afternoon. A Griffiths penalty then stretched Amman’s advantage to 22-12.

Cardigan rallied late on, but United held firm to secure a welcome win and bring their campaign to a close on a high.

Sport

Haverfordwest County miss out on Europe after play-off final defeat

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2026

Herald Sport

Penybont secured a 2-0 win in Bridgend as the Bluebirds’ long season ended one game short of another European campaign

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY’S hopes of another European adventure were ended on Saturday (May 2) as Penybont claimed a 2-0 victory in the JD Cymru Premier European play-off final.

The Bluebirds travelled to the DragonBet Stadium in Bridgend looking to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Conference League qualifiers, but it was the home side who struck first.

Chris Venables put Penybont ahead inside the opening ten minutes, giving the hosts early control of the contest.

Haverfordwest, who had reached the final after beating Barry Town United on penalties, were unable to find a way back before the interval.

The decisive second goal arrived in the second half when Mael Davies made it 2-0 on 63 minutes.

That proved enough to settle the final, with Penybont seeing out the closing stages to secure European qualification for the third time in four seasons.

For Haverfordwest, the defeat brought an end to what the club described as a “long, rollercoaster ride of a season”.

After the final whistle, Haverfordwest County manager Tony Pennock admitted his side had not performed at the level required.

He said: “It’s probably our most poor performance since the start of the season, really.

“But we knew it was going to be tough. Penybont are a fairly good side. Congratulations to them — third European qualification in four years, so they’ve been consistent and they’re there or thereabouts all the time. You’ve got to give them credit first and foremost.”

Pennock also questioned the opening goal, suggesting Haverfordwest felt there had been an offside in the build-up.

He said: “We just didn’t get going today. I thought we started okay and then, I don’t want to go on about decisions, but the goal is offside.

“I can’t understand why the linesman can’t see it. But we didn’t really threaten.

“We huffed and puffed but just couldn’t get into the game.”

Despite the disappointment, Pennock praised his players for the way they recovered from a difficult start to the campaign.

He said: “I can’t fault them. I keep saying we were bottom of the league in October. Loads of people wrote us off this year.

“We lost players in the summer and all I heard was, ‘you didn’t replace him, you never replaced him’, but we’ve got to a play-off final — third final in four years.

“So we haven’t done too much wrong, really, to get where we are.”

Pennock said the players would learn from the defeat, adding that the club is already preparing for next season.

He said: “There’s always a winner and there’s always a loser. Unfortunately, we’ve come out on the other side today.

“We’ll have a break now in the summer. I’ve been busy recruiting for the last three months, really, with us going hybrid next season, which is exciting times for the club.

“It would have been nice to start the summer off with a European trip, but it’s not to be.

“There are a lot of boys in that room who will be with us next season, and as well as you learn from the experience of winning, you learn from losing as well.

“It’s not a taste that we want to repeat, and we want to give a better account of ourselves in the league next season.”

Pennock also welcomed changes to the Cymru Premier, with the league moving to a 16-team format.

He said: “I’m looking forward to some new clubs. It’s going to be a change and a refreshing change. I think it needed it.

“It will be nice just to play each other twice instead of probably four or five times.

“It has been a long season, and we just look forward to coming back and having another crack next year.”

Posting after the final whistle, Haverfordwest County AFC said: “It’s not to be for the Bluebirds in the play-off final.

“Thank you for your fantastic support today and throughout what has been another long, rollercoaster ride of a season, and we look forward to doing it all again in a few months time.”

The result means Penybont will take Wales’ final European place, while Haverfordwest must now regroup ahead of the new campaign.