Sport

SEASIDERS STUN PROMOTION HOPEFULS

Published

11 years ago

March 17, 2015

Tom Sinclair

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

More than 160 runners take on inaugural Llys-y-Frân 10km

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2026

Herald Sport

MORE than 160 runners crossed the finish line at Llys-y-Frân Country Park on Sunday as the inaugural Llys-y-Frân 10km brought together competitors of all abilities for a day of trail running and community fundraising.

Organised in partnership with AspireX Events and Run the Trails, the race followed a scenic route through the park’s woodland, trails and reservoir-side landscape.

Supporters gathered along sections of the course to cheer on the runners, creating an encouraging atmosphere throughout the event.

The race was held in support of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, which works to protect the county’s landscape and help more people experience the outdoors.

Katie Macro, Charity Director at the Trust, said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better first Llys-y-Frân 10km.

“Seeing more than 160 runners take part was incredible, and the atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic.

“Every runner, volunteer, supporter and sponsor played a part in making the event such a success, and we’re extremely grateful for the support we received.”

The Trust thanked AspireX Events and Run the Trails, particularly Jay Skipper and his team, for helping ensure the event ran smoothly from start to finish.

Sponsors Pure West Radio, Scott Williams Motorsports, Bridaltique and HealthAspire were also thanked for helping make the event possible.

Casey from All Things Fit led warm-up and cool-down sessions for participants, while visitors were able to browse coastal clothing from Sakura.

Podium winners also received goodie bags provided by Tamlyn from Hyla.

Photographers James from JWJT Media, Lilly-Louise Clynes and Dave Marriott captured images from throughout the day, documenting both the race and the community support surrounding it.

Katie added: “It has been wonderful to work alongside so many local businesses and individuals who gave their time, expertise and support.

“Partnerships like these create opportunities for people to get outdoors, experience Pembrokeshire’s incredible landscapes and bring our community together.

“We hope this is the first of many successful Llys-y-Frân 10km events.”

The Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust said it now hopes to build on the success of the inaugural race and continue working with AspireX Events and Run the Trails to encourage more people to explore Pembrokeshire through outdoor events.

Caption: Community spirit was on show at Llys-y-Frân Country Park as more than 160 runners took part in the inaugural Llys-y-Frân 10km in support of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust.

Sport

Bluebirds continue pre-season preparations with victory over Caerau Ely

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2026

Herald Sport

Second-half goals from Lewis Rees and Will Hughes earned Haverfordwest County a 2-1 win at the Bridge Meadow

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY continued their preparations for the new JD Cymru Premier campaign with a 2-1 victory over Caerau Ely at the Bridge Meadow Stadium on Tuesday evening.

After a goalless opening 45 minutes, the Bluebirds took control of the contest with two goals in the space of seven second-half minutes.

Lewis Rees made the breakthrough in the 55th minute, putting the home side ahead following a closely contested first half.

Will Hughes then doubled Haverfordwest’s advantage in the 62nd minute, giving the Bluebirds what appeared to be a comfortable lead as the game entered its final half-hour.

Caerau Ely responded almost immediately, reducing the deficit just three minutes later to ensure Haverfordwest were made to work for the victory.

The Bluebirds successfully protected their narrow advantage during the closing stages to record a useful 2-1 win in their penultimate pre-season outing.

The fixture provided another opportunity for the Haverfordwest coaching staff to assess the squad, build match fitness and continue preparations ahead of the beginning of the competitive campaign.

Haverfordwest will now turn their attention to their final friendly of the summer when they welcome Llanelli Town to the Bridge Meadow Stadium on Saturday, July 25.

Kick-off is at 2:30pm, with the match representing the Bluebirds’ final opportunity to fine-tune their preparations before the 2026-27 JD Cymru Premier season gets under way.

Haverfordwest County 2-1 Caerau Ely

Scorers: Lewis Rees 55’, Will Hughes 62’; Caerau Ely 65’.

Sport

Saka hat-trick fires England to bronze in ten-goal World Cup thriller

Published

4 days ago

July 19, 2026

Herald Sport

Three Lions survive remarkable French fightback to claim third place with a 6-4 victory in Miami

ENGLAND ended their World Cup campaign with a bronze medal after defeating France 6-4 in an extraordinary third-place play-off in Miami on Saturday night.

Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick as Thomas Tuchel’s side raced into a stunning four-goal lead before surviving a fierce second-half comeback led by Kylian Mbappé.

Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham were also on target for England, who secured their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966 and claimed third place in the competition for the first time.

Any fears that the disappointment of Wednesday’s semi-final defeat by Argentina would produce a subdued performance disappeared within three minutes.

Rice, wearing the captain’s armband as one of seven changes to England’s starting line-up, intercepted a poor pass from Désiré Doué before driving an emphatic finish beyond France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Saka briefly thought he had doubled the advantage after being released by Morgan Rogers, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

England did not have to wait much longer.

Rice delivered a corner into the French penalty area in the 19th minute and Konsa climbed above Adrien Rabiot to power a header past Maignan.

France struggled to cope with England’s pace on the break, although Dean Henderson was called upon to deny Mbappé after the forward cut inside from the left.

That save helped launch the move which produced England’s third goal in the 37th minute. Marcus Rashford and Saka both had efforts blocked before the Arsenal winger eventually forced the ball home.

Saka struck again in first-half stoppage time, collecting a pass from Eberechi Eze and finishing clinically to send England into the break with a remarkable 4-0 lead.

France manager Didier Deschamps responded with four substitutions at half-time and the changes immediately transformed the contest.

Mbappé pulled one back in the 48th minute after Michael Olise’s pass opened the England defence, before substitute Bradley Barcola reduced the deficit further six minutes later.

England, so composed during the opening period, suddenly looked vulnerable.

Mbappé exchanged passes with Olise before scoring his second in the 67th minute, making it 4-3 and leaving Tuchel’s side facing the possibility of surrendering a four-goal advantage.

France pressed for an equaliser, with Olise passing up a major opportunity as England desperately attempted to regain control.

The decisive moment arrived four minutes from time when England were awarded a penalty. Saka took responsibility and converted to complete his hat-trick, restoring a two-goal cushion.

Even then, the drama was not finished.

Ousmane Dembélé scored France’s fourth goal in the sixth minute of added time, but Bellingham responded almost immediately, surging through the French defence and finishing past Maignan to seal an unforgettable 6-4 victory.

The result brought an emotional conclusion to England’s campaign following their painful 2-1 semi-final defeat against Argentina.

Although the Three Lions again fell short of reaching a World Cup final, their bronze medal represents the country’s strongest showing in the competition for 60 years.

For Saka, who had remained on the bench throughout the semi-final, it was a particularly memorable response. His treble placed him alongside an elite group of England players to have scored a hat-trick at a World Cup.

France’s defeat marked the end of Deschamps’ 14-year reign as national team manager, while England will return home knowing that a chaotic and thrilling final performance at least provided a positive ending to their tournament.

France: Mbappé 48, 67; Barcola 54; Dembélé 90+6
England: Rice 3; Konsa 19; Saka 37, 45+1, 86 pen; Bellingham 90+8
Half-time: France 0-4 England
Venue: Miami Stadium
Attendance: To be confirmed