Sport

Otters fight back against Bargoed

Published

10 years ago

February 27, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Narberth 17
Bargoed 22

Otters: Narberth’s Adam Clark battles for the ball at the line-out after an over throw.

TABLE toppers Bargoed had to withstand a second half siege by Narberth, as the Otters clawed back a nineteen point half time deficit to come within a score of beating the Blues in a thrilling encounter at the Lewis Lloyd ground. The Otters were the only club this season to deny Bargoed a bonus point victory, and they did it again, restricting the Rhymney Valley side to a three try total as the Blues continued their unbeaten run to seventeen games in the Championship.

The game couldn’t have got off to a better start for Bargoed as a scrum on the half way saw number eight Ross Coombes pick up and feed scrum half James Pizey. Jordan Purcell hit the line at pace from full back and the youngster jinked his way to the line, wrong-footing four Narberth defenders to score a brilliant solo effort from 35 metres. Josh Prosser added the extras and the scoreboard was ticking over after only two minutes.

Both sides were clearly up for a fluid game but defences were on top until just before the half hour mark, when Bargoed extended their lead. Narberth were caught offside and Prosser pinned them back in their twenty-two. A clean catch and drive saw the forwards go close, Coombes broke from the back and slipped a pass to wing Lewis Protheroe who twisted out of a tackle by a Narberth second row and his strength took him over for a try. Prosser again adding the extras.

Referee Jon Hardy, having a fine afternoon with the whistle, warned the Narberth captain after the penalty count started to mount. Prosser again opted to kick to the corner rather than take a fairly simple shot at goal. The inevitable catch and drive came on but was halted. Geraint Edmunds took it on and as he went down slipped a pass to quick thinking prop Keiron Brown and over he went for the Blues’ third try. Prosser missed his only kick of the afternoon to make it 0-19.

Prosser and Narberth outside half Ianto Griffiths swapped penalties in the final two minutes of the half and the game looked over for the home side at 3-22.

Bargoed started strongly following up a deep kick into the Narberth twenty two and charging down the clearing kick. The ball could have gone anywhere but it fell kindly for retreating Narberth centre Steve Martin who took the ball in what would have been an offside position had he not been played onside by the Bargoed charge down. The Otters surged up-field where they scored from a driving maul, flanker Stuart Worral taking advantage of a big blindside gap to score in the corner. Ianto Griffiths converted well from the touchline and Narberth were back in the game at 10-22 with only five minutes of the second half gone.

Two minutes later referee Jon Hardy having issued the earlier warning yellow-carded Narberth replacement prop Ollie Evans for a ruck infringement and equalled matters up five minutes later with Bargoed’s Geraint Edmunds getting the same treatment. Neither side could take advantage but Narberth were camped in Bargoed’s half for long periods unable to break through the Blues’ defence. Time and again they battered away without success – for their part Bargoed tried and failed to get field position and as the clock ran down, worse was to follow with influential Bargoed hooker and captain Leigh Meades got a yellow for bringing down a driving maul.

Narberth sniffed a way back and called a scrum from the penalty which the Bargoed seven repelled magnificently. However, Narberth got to within a score of Bargoed’s lead with a 79th minute try from wing Lawrence Headlam converted by Nick Gale. There was still time for a restart and the Bargoed supporters looked on nervously as they retained possession from the restart and cleared into touch to make it seventeen in a row as they ran out 17-22 winners.

Narberth sit in sixth position and travel to Llanharan on January 28.

Sport

Football: Manderwood Second Division Cup, Round 1 (Nov 30, 2024)

Published

20 hours ago

December 4, 2024

Herald Sport

Carew 0 – 7 Neyland
NEYLAND stormed into the next round with an emphatic 7-0 triumph over Carew. Max Bowman-Davies stole the show with a hat-trick, supported by two goals from Alfie Crawford. Joe Gale and Dylan James rounded off the scoring in a match dominated by Neyland from start to finish. Carew struggled to contain their visitors’ relentless attacking display.

Monkton Swifts 3 – 0 Broad Haven
Monkton Swifts advanced comfortably, beating Broad Haven 3-0. Rhys Sture set the tone with an early goal, followed by a strike from Phil John to double the lead. Rudy Poole capped off the win with a penalty, ensuring a clean sheet for the Swifts and a place in the next round.

Fishguard Sports 7 – 0 Solva
Fishguard Sports delivered a commanding performance, crushing Solva 7-0. Ieuan Llewellyn netted twice, while Jack Griffiths, Luke Thomas, Greg Hughes, Anthony Couzens, and Adam Lawrence each added a goal. Solva had no answers to the relentless attack from the home side.

Narberth P-P Johnston
The fixture between Narberth and Johnston was postponed and will be rescheduled.

Sport

Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League – Division 1 Roundup

Published

21 hours ago

December 4, 2024

Herald Sport

Goodwick United 7 – Monkton Swifts 2
GOODWICK UNITED extended their lead at the top of the table with a commanding 7-2 victory over Monkton Swifts. Rhys Dalling was the standout performer, netting four goals, including a stunning solo effort to complete his hat-trick. Goodwick led 2-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Kieran Blundell and Rhys Jones. The second half saw an attacking masterclass as Jonny Horgan added two more before Dalling rounded off the scoring. Monkton Swifts managed a brilliant 25-yard strike from Connor Davies but were unable to contend with Goodwick’s relentless firepower.

Clarbeston Road 4 – Carew 4
A dramatic 4-4 draw unfolded as Carew snatched a stoppage-time equaliser at Clarbeston Road. Marcus Griffiths gave Carew an early lead, but Laurie Haworth and Ben John turned the game in favour of the hosts by half-time. Leon Davies’ brace put Carew back in front, but goals from Matthew Davies and a second from Haworth saw the Road edge ahead once more. Zac Rowell salvaged a crucial point for Carew in the dying seconds, lifting them out of the relegation zone in a pulsating encounter.

Hakin United 2 – St Ishmaels 0
Hakin United climbed to second in the standings with a solid 2-0 victory over St Ishmaels. The Vikings took control early, with Ryan Wilson opening the scoring with a spectacular long-range effort. Liam Parks doubled the lead with a close-range finish. Despite dominating the game, Hakin couldn’t extend their advantage further. The result pushed St Ishmaels into the relegation zone after a tough outing.

Pennar Robins 3 – Milford United 1
Pennar Robins overturned a first-half deficit to secure a 3-1 win against Milford United. Milford took the lead just before the break through Jack Dyer, despite Pennar dominating possession. Ben Adams equalised early in the second half, followed by a stunning finish from Cameron Brunton to put the hosts ahead. Luke Phillips sealed the victory with a late penalty. Milford goalkeeper Charlie Malloy put in an impressive display, but his heroics couldn’t prevent the defeat.

Sport

Local rugby report: Division 4 West (Nov 30, 2024)

Published

21 hours ago

December 4, 2024

Tom Sinclair

Narberth Athletic P-P Llangwm
THE SCHEDULED match between Narberth Athletic and Llangwm was postponed as Llangwm were unable to field a team.

Neyland 29-8 Dreigiau Emlyn
Neyland delivered a commanding 29-8 victory over Dreigiau Emlyn, driven by a standout performance from Oli Rothero. Rothero notched two tries and converted four penalties, keeping Neyland firmly in control. Josh Watts also crossed the line for Neyland. Dreigiau Emlyn’s efforts were led by Deiniol Rees, who scored their sole try and added a penalty, but it wasn’t enough to derail Neyland’s dominance.

Pembroke 38-24 Teirw Crymych
Pembroke triumphed 38-24 against Teirw Crymych in a thrilling, high-scoring encounter. Darcy Langston and Lewis Davies spearheaded Pembroke’s attack with two tries apiece, while Rhys Johns added another. Jared Sharratt converted two tries and slotted three penalties, sealing a decisive win. Teirw Crymych fought valiantly, but their defence struggled to withstand Pembroke’s relentless offence.

St Davids 17-21 Pembroke Dock Quins
Pembroke Dock Quins edged St Davids 21-17 in a fiercely contested battle. St Davids scored through Nathan Foster and a penalty try, with Will James contributing a conversion and a penalty. However, the Quins’ tries from Harry Owen and Tom Donovan proved decisive, securing a hard-fought victory in a nail-biting clash.