Sport

SEASIDERS STUN PROMOTION HOPEFULS

Published

9 years ago

March 17, 2015

Tenby 23

Newcastle Emlyn 18

TENBY UNITED produced one of their finest performances of the season, as they welcomed high flyers Newcastle Emlyn to Heywood Lane, and proceeded to put a dent in the visitors promotion hopes.

The home side have been inconsistent at times but showed what a force they can be in this Division when all their players with Premiership and Championship experience are available to them.

The visitors were perhaps their own worst enemy as ill-discipline meant they played nearly half the game with only fourteen men on the field as Swansea referee Greg Morgan was nothing if not quick in handing out cards. Centre Alun Howells received the first yellow for a ruck infringement just before half time, followed at the start of the second half by lock Arwel Davies for repeated line out offences. No sooner were Emlyn back to fifteen men than replacement second row Bleddyn Davies received a red card, having only been on the field for a minute, for allegedly kicking an opponent.

Playing with the strong wind at their backs Emlyn got off to the better start with Shaun Leonard opening the scoring after just two minutes with a penalty from the halfway line. This was quickly followed by a try from a scrum inside the Tenby twenty two when the ball was moved wide to allow winger Dan Davies to cross for a try in the corner. Two minutes later Davies extended Emlyn’s lead with another penalty as the visitors, using the wind well, camped in Tenby’s twenty two.

The crucial score of the game came around the twenty minute mark when the visitors were penalised at a ruck on the halfway line. Scrum half Jonathan Rogers took a quick tap, Tenby moved the ball wide and then back infield to the supporting Rogers who crossed for an excellent try in the corner.

Emlyn’s second try was somewhat fortuitous when it came, an attack down the right wing saw full back Leonard chip into the visitors twenty two. The ball was gathered by the Tenby outside half Toby Smith whose attempted clearance kick into the strengthening wind was charged down by Leonard. The full back had the presence of mind to pick the ball up and fed supporting winger Dan Davies who crossed for his second try, this one converted.

After the break, Rogers quickly slotted a penalty for the home side after two minutes. Tenby half backs Rogers and Smith used the wind effectively and then brought powerful centre Jack Guerreiro into the game with some strong runs. The Emlyn defence began to creak and after some ten minutes play a run by the centre back into the Emlyn forwards saw him create enough room for right wing Jordan Asparassa to cross for Tenby’s second try.

Down to fourteen men for the rest of the game Emlyn showed a great deal of character and came back at the home side. Some strong runs by flanker Gareth Patterson and Arwel Davies took play into the Tenby half but a number of attacking situations went begging when either the ball was lost in contact or the wrong option was taken out wide. Patterson and co-flanker Owain Powell were outstanding in the work they did in the loose, but too often they were greatly outnumbered at the breakdown.

Tenby came back at Emlyn and with five minutes to go scored their third try. After a series of rucks in the Emlyn twenty two the ball was moved wide by the home side and number eight Rob Weston appeared on the left wing and had enough pace and strength to cross in the corner. Preston then stepped up and allowed for the wind to convert the try from the touchline to give the home side the lead for the first time.

Roared on by their enthusiastic supporters there was no way Tenby were going to allow Emlyn back into the game and Rogers duly kicked another penalty to seal the home sides deserved victory.

Sport

South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

Design Team

Two of the finest athletes in south-west Wales are dreaming about bringing home medals from the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Track cyclist Emma Finucane and sailing star Micky Beckett will head to France in a buoyant mood after enjoying a successful build-up to their respective events.

Welsh athletes collected a record-equalling 11 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games and hopes are high that the tally could be beaten this year.

The Carmarthen-born rider cemented her rapid rise up the sprint ranks by winning a gold medal at the 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.

She became Great Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 and is now on track to chase more medals at the Olympics across three events.

The 21-year-old has yearned to compete at the Summer Games since watching Team GB sparkle at London 2012 and she is eager to make her mark this summer.

“It’s a massive dream of mine and it’s pretty cool that I’m kind of living my dream,” Finucane said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the journey and hopefully I’ll get selected and compete for my country.

“And it’s exciting because as the Team GB women’s sprint. I feel like we’re in a really good place to do well at the Olympics, not just compete as Olympians.”

Pembrokeshire-born sailor Beckett will also head to Paris with his sights firmly set on winning gold in the hugely competitive ILCA 7 class.

He will renew rivalries with Australian Matt Wearn, who controversially claimed the World Championship title ahead of Hermann Tomasgaard and Beckett earlier this year.

Online bookmakers rate Wearn as the favourite to emerge victorious this summer, but Beckett’s recent form gives him every chance of turning the tables.

Several new sports betting sites in Australia cut the Welsh sailor’s Olympic odds after he completed a trio of World Cup successes at a recent event in Palma.

Beckett believes the hard work he has done over the past few months gives him every chance of toppling Wearn when the action gets underway this summer.

“There is still plenty of work to do and managing form is probably the most important thing of any athlete’s job,” Beckett said. “There is no point being the best in the world unless you are the best in the world when it counts.

Sport

Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

Herald Sport

In the picturesque setting of Kilgetty, under the soft glow of the evening sun, local football fans were treated to an enticing clash between Kilgetty and Carew in the Pembrokeshire League Division 1. With the season winding down, both sides took to the pitch amidst numerous squad rotations, following a hectic week of multiple fixtures.

The match kicked off in a leisurely pace, resembling more of an end-of-season friendly than a fierce competition. Kilgetty seized the early initiative, with the trio of Josh Bevan, Richard Tebbut, and Richard Cope causing headaches for the Carew defense, skillfully led by Gareth Lewis. It was Jac Waters who broke the deadlock for the home side, putting Kilgetty ahead 1-0 as the first half came to a close.

However, Carew emerged revitalised after the break, with Jonty Bennett, James Hinchcliffe, and Zac Rowell putting in the hard yards to level the score. The introduction of Harvey Drummond for the ineffective Sam Christopher added further depth to Carew’s attacking prowess, culminating in an equaliser courtesy of the excellent Hinchcliffe.

As tensions rose, the game took on a newfound intensity, marked by needless bookings, after a clearly offside goal and a few heated moments on the field. Despite the fatigue evident from their recent fixture congestion, both teams showcased their competitive spirit, treating the fans to an entertaining second half.

In the end, neither side could break the deadlock, with Kilgetty and Carew having to settle for a well-fought 1-1 draw. While neither team was at their absolute best, the match provided a fitting conclusion to their respective seasons.

Sport

The stage is set – Senior Cup Final

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2024

Herald Sport

It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.

League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.

Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.

There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.

The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.