Young Vikings prove too strong for Johnston in eight-goal final

HAKIN UNITED 2nds lifted the Pembrokeshire Division Two Cup after a powerful display saw them beat Johnston 5-3 in front of 719 spectators at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday night.

The Vikings’ young side rose to the occasion in style, turning in an energetic and confident performance to take control of the final and keep Johnston on the back foot for long periods.

Hakin made the most of mistakes from the Tigers and showed real quality going forward, with Mason Dolling and Callum Stannett particularly impressive in attack as they helped drive their side towards the trophy.

Although Johnston did manage to get two late goals on the scoresheet, they came too late to change the outcome of a contest that had already been decided.

By that stage, Hakin had built a commanding lead and looked the more dangerous side throughout, combining pace, movement and clinical finishing to put themselves firmly in control.

The strong turnout at the Ogi Bridge Meadow added to the occasion, with a crowd of 719 watching Hakin’s young team deliver on the big stage.

In the end, the Vikings were deserved winners, producing the sort of dominant cup final display that left little doubt over where the silverware was heading.

Image: Hakin United Football Club/Facebook

The team secured a historic victory at the Lacrosse Home Internationals last weekend, lifting the title for the first time in 23 years.

WALES Under-20 women secured a historic victory at the Lacrosse Home Internationals last weekend, lifting the title for the first time in 23 years.

The landmark success came after an impressive three-day tournament at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Newport, England, from Thursday, April 10 to Saturday, April 12, 2026.

Joint captains Maddie Sturt, Ellora Williams and Kaitlin Miller praised the squad’s commitment and team spirit throughout the competition.

They said: “We are incredibly proud of how hard the team worked throughout training. Everyone put in so much work and it clearly showed in our performance over the tournament this weekend.

“Playing for our country is always such an amazing moment and although we are a very new and young team, we all came together in the matches. It was incredible.”

Wales began the tournament with a dramatic clash against England on Friday, narrowly losing 13-12 in the closing minutes. They bounced back on Saturday with a strong 12-9 win over Scotland before sealing the title on Sunday with a superb 15-9 victory over the home side.

Coach Jamie Nicholson said the tournament had given the squad exactly the kind of experience it needed as it builds towards next year’s European Championships.

He said: “Home Internationals were exactly what we needed as a developing squad building toward the European Championships next year.

“We learnt a great deal across three competitive games and came away knowing we have real quality in the group, across all areas of the field.

“Our coaches couldn’t be prouder of how this squad conducted themselves on the pitch and off. They gave everything in every game and showed real character and maturity between games. This is a group of players and staff that genuinely believes in each other and winning the title in their first tournament playing together makes the weekend even more special.”

The success comes at a time of growing global interest in lacrosse, with the sport set to return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles in 2028 for the first time in 120 years.

The Olympic programme will feature the fast-paced “Sixes” format for both men and women, a version designed to make the sport quicker, more accessible and more appealing to new audiences.

WALES head coach Sean Lynn has named his side to face France in Round two of the Women’s Guinness Six Nations at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday (Apr 18).

Kate Williams will captain the team, with Lynn making two changes to the starting line-up for the visit of Les Bleues.

Scrum-half Seren Lockwood will make her first Women’s Six Nations start, while experienced three-time GB Olympian Jasmine Joyce comes in on the wing.

Wales return to Cardiff Arms Park for the game against a France side who opened their campaign with victory over Italy.

Lynn has kept faith with the same forward pack that started against Scotland. Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu are named in the front row, with Jorja Aiono and Gwen Crabb continuing in the second row.

The back row sees captain Williams joined by Bethan Lewis and Bryonie King.

In the backs, Lockwood starts alongside Lleucu George at half-back, while Courtney Keight and Carys Cox are selected in midfield.

Kayleigh Powell is named at full-back, with Joyce and Seren Singleton on the wings. Singleton made her Wales debut at the Principality Stadium last weekend.

Lynn said the performance against Scotland had shown signs of progress, but insisted there was still more work to do.

He said: “We took a real step forward as a group of players, coaches and staff against Scotland and there was real evidence of what we have started to build.

“We still have work to do as a squad and coaches, but this is another game to hone the style of rugby we want to play.

“France are one of the best teams in the world and we know they will pose a real challenge, but this is about us delivering a performance and taking another step forward.

“We will need the same grit, determination and fight we showed against Scotland in the dying moments against France.

“The Welsh supporters had a real impact on the players and the noise they generated really pushed the team forward in the closing minutes of the Scotland game.

“The supporters need to know how important they are and how much they inspire the players, and we look forward to them doing the same against France.”

Wales Women to face France:
15 Kayleigh Powell; 14 Seren Singleton; 13 Carys Cox; 12 Courtney Keight; 11 Jasmine Joyce; 10 Lleucu George; 9 Seren Lockwood; 1 Gwenllian Pyrs; 2 Kelsey Jones; 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu; 4 Jorja Aiono; 5 Gwen Crabb; 6 Bethan Lewis; 7 Kate Williams (captain); 8 Bryonie King.

Replacements:
16 Molly Reardon, 17 Maisie Davies, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Natalia John, 20 Branwen Metcalfe, 21 Georgia Evans, 22 Keira Bevan, 23 Hannah Dallavalle.

Pictured: Kate Williams (Pic: BBC)