Sport

7 in a row for the mighty Mariners

Published

10 years ago

January 26, 2015

Tom Sinclair

St Clears 3

Milford Haven 43

Dean: A welcome return to the pack

SATURDAY, January 10 saw Mark Wonnacott and his Milford team travel to St Clears, looking to claim their 7th victory in a row this season. The Mariners were without a few regular players due to injuries and work commitments; this did not, however, affect the team’s barnstorming approach. The blistering pace of Craig ‘Yoda’ Thomas was on display for all to see, as the impressive player kicked off the scoring with a well worked try from the centre berth.

Further tries followed for fellow backs, new recruit Kern Cunningham and the ever present and strong running and physical centre Dean Matthews. Before Thomas latched onto the ball from some sloppy play and put his foot on the gas to gallop over the try line from virtual the other end of the field. All St Clears could muster in return was a penalty from Chris Rodenhurst making the score at the interval 22-3 to the Mariners.

The Mariners pack have shown other teams in the league their sheer power and determination this season and these were ever-present again, with strong performances from the unsung heroes of the front row Adam Rees, Nathan Rees and Skipper Craig Smith. The forwards were everywhere on the field and their play was deserving of a further try when, unfortunately for Jonathan Coe, he fumbled the ball within inches of the try line. The Milford pack also dominated in the line outs with player-coach Mark Wonnacott and flanker Dom Todaro both stealing important lineout balls.

There was also a welcome return to the pack and field for Flanker Dean Aldred The Mariners showed more top class finishing and well drilled moves and handling in the second half which led to further tries for veteran winger Lee Riley and flyhalf Leigh Broome. The final try of the afternoon went to the Man of the Match scrum half Dean McSparron, who showed how he has become a vital cog in the Mariners’ machinery this season, with a display of powerful sniping runs, hard hitting tackles and perfect communication skills between forwards and backs.

Further points also came from the boot of Leigh Broome. The Mariners have now sailed into second place in the league with a rest next week for Wonnacott’s men before the Mariners entertain tabletopping Fishguard and Pembroke at the Observatory, which has become a fortress this season.

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

3 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