Sport

Team of the week: West Dragons FC

Published

11 years ago

January 3, 2014

THE history of West Dragons Football Cub spans across a very short period from 2008 to the present day. They were formed in 2008 by brothers Jamie and Lee Palmer, who with great ambition, courage and determination have bought the club to where it is today.

They also stated that the main philosophy of the club was to “give young players the best opportunity to succeed in an environment where they can play with freedom, courage, belief and to be successful”.

The club started the 2008-2009 season in Division 5 of the Pembrokeshire League. During that season the team played their home games in Crundale at the Rudbaxton Community Playing Field. The Palmer brothers approached local businessmen Karl Potter (The Glen, Haverfordwest) who became club chairman – who invested £500 in return for a direct interest in running the club.

Finally Jayne Thomas was added to the committee as club secretary and she stills holds that position today. Other sponsors such as G and G Builders Pembrokeshire Ltd, LNG South Hook invested to help fund facilities and equipment including a sit-down mower much to relief of then part time groundsman who for the first month of the season cut the whole pitch weekly with push on mowers taking an amazing five hours to complete.

Under the management of Jeremy Thomas and Deny Barrett the club began playing in the Pembrokeshire League. In October of 2008, the club made a move to bring in Lee Morgan as manager and finished the season as Division 5 league and cup winners beating St Clears in the final remarkably the club remained not only unbeaten but didn’t draw or lose a game in those respective competitions. Showing ambition the club was helped to success with the likes of Jonathan Clarke, Jay Brockway and Matthew Watters.

During the pre season of 2009-2010, West Dragons made Bob Nelson their new first team manager. After a strong start to the league campaign, West Dragons slumped in a run of games including a two leg cup defeat to Tenby United which ended Nelson’s campaign as manager.

Morgan returned to the helm in November and guided the team to the division title with the clinching victory coming in a game against Clarbeston Road where Simon Thomas scored the winning goal.

Off the field there was also change. Terry Worsley was appointed new club chairman and West Dragons replaced The Glen, Haverfordwest with The Labour Club, Haverfordwest as their new main sponsors. This time local businessman Eddie Wells invested in the club and still to this day does so as the club’s main sponsor. The club also made a ground move to The Pavillion Playing Fields, Portfield after agreeing a lease with Tasker Milward School and Pembrokeshire County Council for the use of the playing field which includes two full size pitches.

The Pembrokeshire League season 2010-2011 for West Dragons started in Division 3. The season ended in promotion with a second place finish in the division. They also managed to secure a division cup win with a 3-2 victory over Broad Haven, after trailing by two goals with only 30 minutes to play.

More history was created with a reserve team being introduced to Division 5 under the guidance of Deny Barrett and an under 14s junior team supervised by Jeremy Thomas and Jamie Palmer with fourth and third place finishes respectively. Off the field committee members were added and Karl Davies became the club’s groundsman on a permanent basis. On to Division 2, Morgan’s ambition was to achieve promotion in season 2011-12. The Dragons more than held their own in this division by comfortably beating teams and were third by Christmas. In February manager Lee Morgan decided to step down due to university commitments.

The committee decided that Jamie and Brother Lee would run the team until the end of the campaign. The Palmers decided to make Chris Darlington club captain and adopt the same style of play Lee Morgan installed. It certainly worked because the Dragons found themselves in another cup final after beating Saundersfoot Sports 2-0 in Division 2 cup semi final, Steven Dockerty and Mike Turpin with the goals. The league campaign ended with the reds narrowly missing out on promotion finishing third in the division.

In summer 2012-13 West Dragons committee appointed Nigel Delaney as their new manager. Delaney was recommended to the club and after meeting him and knowing his footballing background they knew he was right choice to bring club forward. This was Delaney’s first management job after a very successful playing career. Nigel had Mark Falzon helping him train the team for short spell but asked Byron Phillips to assist him. Phillips had recently managed Monkton Swifts.

Under Delaney the Dragons were unstoppable in the league losing only two games all season after comfortably achieving promotion. The target for the club was the achieve promotion but to do it in Delaney’s first season was great achievement.

The Dragons also made it to their first ever senior cup final after beating Hakin United 4-0 on the Bridge meadow in the semi final. The Dragons were the first side since 1989 to reach senior cup final and not to be playing in Pembrokeshire’s top division. The Reds faced Johnston the final at the Bridge Meadow Stadium watched by a record attendance with more than 1400. The Dragons finished runners up in final after losing 3-2. It was great effort by everyone involved with the club, considering the reds were trailing 3-0 at half time we showed great character in second half scoring two goals and giving Johnston a fright when Niall Kinsella hit bar in last 10 minutes of game.

A lot of credit had to go Nigel Delaney after what he achieved in season 2012-13. In this season West Dragons also had a successful season with their second side after manager Mark Hix guided his team to win the Division 5, an ambition the club felt had to be achieved if club was going to progress as a club.

The Dragons under 16s also had brilliant season after winning their league. The club was delighted to win their first junior title and glad the majority of the team has stayed with club in the senior level.

The Juniors also made it to the under 16s cup final but came runners up to Carew losing 2-1 at Marble Hall, Milford Haven. The club also started up a under 10s team and the team was managed by former Dragons player Simon Owens. The reds ambition is to bring juniors through every age group. The start of this season has been a success so far with some impressive performances and causing some shock results. Off the pitch Nigel Delaney decided to step down as manager, but deserves great credit for his effort and dedication he gave to club. Byron Phillips was appointed manager and Ritchie Brill as assistant manager. Phillips assisted Delaney so was the obvious choice to replace him. Mark Hix also stepped down as manager and was replaced by player-manager Dai Upward; Dai captained the seconds to previous season.

Coming up to Christmas break and the Dragons are currently in fourth place in division 1, five points off top of the league and the club is hoping to keep playing the football they have been playing and finish in the highest place they can. The second team is also holding their own in division 4 and hope to continue in the hard work everyone’s put in.

West Dragons would like to wish all their players a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing everyone back in the New Year.

Sport

Mixed fortunes as Narberth fall short and Crymych crushed

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2025

Herald Sport

IT was a weekend of frustration for Pembrokeshire’s top rugby sides, as Narberth narrowly missed out on valuable points in the Premiership Division and Crymych suffered a heavy defeat in the Championship (West). Despite showing fight and flashes of quality, both teams were ultimately undone—Narberth by second-half ill-discipline, and Crymych by a well-drilled Trebanos side.

Neath 29 – Narberth 21

Narberth produced a spirited performance but came away empty-handed after a hard-fought battle against high-flying Neath in the Premiership Division. The Otters showed impressive character, recovering from a 17-point deficit to trail by just a single point at the break—but second-half disciplinary issues ultimately proved their undoing.

Neath stormed into an early lead with two tries from Rhodri Wall and one from Iestyn Morgan, with Steff Williams adding a conversion. Narberth responded with tries from winger Dean James, scrum-half Lewys Gibby, and centre Llew Jones. Fly-half Osian Evans converted all three to keep the visitors in touch.

However, the tide turned when Jones was shown a second yellow card, and replacement Alex Williams also saw time in the sin-bin, reducing Narberth to 13 men. Neath took full advantage, with centre Kieran Charles crossing for a decisive try, converted by Williams, extending the gap to eight points—just out of reach for a losing bonus point.

The result leaves Narberth hovering just above the relegation zone, with Bonymaen close behind and holding a game in hand.

Trebanos 45 – Crymych 12

Crymych endured a heavy defeat on the road as a depleted side, still reeling from a recent illness outbreak, were comprehensively beaten by a slick Trebanos outfit in the Championship (West).

The Preseli Men trailed 19-0 at the break but managed second-half scores through captain Carwyn Phillips and replacement Jac Delaney, with one converted by Elis Thomas. However, it wasn’t enough to stem the flow as Trebanos ran in seven tries.

Home captain Steffan Lewis led the charge with a brace, while Sam Lewis, Matthew Hutchinson, Conor Thomas, and Rhodri Jones (2) also crossed. Kris Jones added five conversions to round off an emphatic victory.

Crymych remain in the relegation zone, but with four matches left to play, their hopes of survival are still mathematically alive.

Sport

All Blacks crowned champions in style

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2025

Herald Sport

NEYLAND 54 – PEMBROKE 10

NEYLAND RFC stormed to the Division Four (West) A title in emphatic fashion on Saturday (Apr 13), running in eight tries to crush Pembroke and seal a memorable campaign with silverware.

A first-half onslaught saw the All Blacks race into a 28-0 lead, with tries from Josh Watts (2), George Williams, and Oli Rothero. Scrum half Owen Hamer was at the heart of Neyland’s dominance, setting a relentless tempo and providing slick service from the base.

Watts completed his hat-trick after the break, with Williams adding his second, Fletcher Picton scoring with his first touch off the bench, and a commanding pack effort rounding off the demolition.

There were standout displays across the park, with George Evans, Ben Williams and Owain Evans combining discipline and flair in front of a jubilant home crowd.

To their credit, Pembroke fought to the end and were rewarded with two late consolation tries. Veteran Robin Badham, bowing out at 39, delivered a defiant final performance, supported by Scott Powell and Deryn Williams. Outside half Lewis Davies battled on bravely after an early knock, while Fletcher Broadhurst, playing on permit, impressed throughout and was named man of the match.

After the final whistle, Welsh rugby stalwart Anthony Buchanan presented the trophy to Neyland captain George Williams, sparking celebrations to mark one of the most successful seasons in the club’s history.

Cover Pic: Peter Davies

Sport

Hakin United lift 13th Senior Cup title

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2025

Herald Sport

Parks double sinks Milford in derby final

HAKIN UNITED secured their 13th Senior Cup triumph with a 2-0 victory over local rivals Milford United at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday night.

Striker Liam Parks scored both goals – one in each half – to seal the win for the Vikings. In a poignant twist, Parks is the son of Milford United manager Steve Parks, making for a bittersweet evening for the family. While there will have been pride in Liam’s performance, it was Hakin, not Milford, who lifted the trophy.

The opener came in the 38th minute. A well-delivered free-kick was met by Jack Britton, whose header was parried by Milford goalkeeper Charlie Malloy. The loose ball fell kindly for Parks, who made no mistake from close range.

The second goal arrived in the 67th minute. Talented winger Leon Luby delivered a pinpoint cross from the right and Parks finished emphatically, firing high into the net from inside the box.

Earlier in the match, Malloy had kept Milford in contention with a superb one-on-one save to deny Shane Walsh. Further Hakin chances came through Jordan Kilby, who fired wide, Luby, who struck the crossbar, and Walsh again, who shot narrowly off target.

In the second half, Ben Aldred saw a long-range effort tipped wide by the busy Malloy. From the resulting corner, Britton glanced a header just wide of the post.

Milford’s best effort came from substitute Mark Jones, whose long-range shot whistled just past the upright. Despite a determined effort from the Robins – who will play in Division Two next season – Hakin remained largely in control throughout.

Credit must go to Milford for a disciplined defensive display, with Malloy producing several impressive saves. But it was Hakin who showed their quality in key moments and were worthy winners on the night.

Celebrations for the Vikings were sure to continue long into the night – likely down at the Obs – as they added yet another piece of silverware to their proud history.

Photo caption:
Cup glory: Liam Parks celebrates his second goal in the final (Pic: Herald)