Sport
Pivac expects tough season run in
SCARLETS head coach Wayne Pivac is not taking anything for granted despite his side moving back to the top of the table after a 21-19 victory over Connacht at Parc y Scarlets.
With only minutes remaining on the clock Connacht were in prime position to take the victory, leading 18-19 after what had been an intense second half but a late yellow card for Ronan Loughney after a tip-tackle on Aaron Shingler, younger brother Steve stepped up to push the Scarlets back ahead, and ultimately win the game. It was Connacht who had the upper hand for the first half having gone in to the changing rooms 3-10 the good.
Speaking after the game head coach Wayne Pivac said: “We knew it was going to be another close game. We talked about staying in it for 80 and working hard for each other. We didn’t capitalise when they had a man in the bin. “It was important that we stayed in touch at half time at 10-3. We had to get more urgency in their game in the second half. I thought we got the reaction we were after straight at the start of the second half but we let them back in with our team management. We’re happy to get away with the win.”
The victory over Connacht, on Sunday afternoon, was the region’s first victory in the PRO12 since beating Benetton Treviso at the start of December. “The run that we’ve had, it was really important to get a win before we park the PRO12 for a couple of weeks. It’s so tight; there are still eight teams going for the top six. Today was important to get the win and then see what happens. “We’re back on top for now; it buys us another week. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, today was a massive game. Had we not got the result today we’d have been under massive pressure and chasing the bunch. “The pressure’s off the PRO12 for a couple of weeks but it’s going to be a tough run to the end of the season. The win today gives us a bit of confidence.”
Scarlets return to the Parc on Saturday , January 23 , kick-off 5.30pm, to take on Northampton Saints in the final pool game of the European Rugby Champions Cup campaign. The Guinness PRO12 returns to Parc y Scarlets on Friday, February 12, when we take on Edinburgh, kickoff 8.15pm.
Sport
The stage is set – Senior Cup Final
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.
News
70 Pembrokeshire clubs benefit from Sport Wales funding
SEVENTY Pembrokeshire clubs have been successful in receiving grants from the Be Active Wales Fund over the last financial year.
In total the clubs received more than £407,800 from the grants scheme from Sport Wales in 2023/24.
The fund backed 25 different sports, ranging from archery, basketball and cricket to sailing, short mat bowls and weightlifting and everything in between.
The Be Active Wales Fund is open to applications from not for profit community clubs and groups to help develop and sustain their activities.
Grants range from a minimum of £300 up to a maximum of £50,000.
The scheme will support coach education courses, the purchase of essential items of equipment right up to larger projects such as floodlighting and boats for sailing clubs.
For advice and support with your application contact Alan Jones or Lois Hilling at Pembrokeshire County Council’s Sports Development department, Sport Pembrokeshire on [email protected]
The Be Active Wales Fund is always open for applications.
More information is available on the Sport Wales website.
Sport
Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double
Two thrilling semi finals last weekend has meant Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road will meet in the senior cup final this coming Saturday.
Goodwick faced Pennar Robins in their semi final who pushed the champions very hard. Carl Vincent will be disappointed but proud of the Robins as they gave a great account of themselves. However in the end Goodwick’s quality and experience just was too much for Vincent’s team.
The other semi was an absolute thriller, and after a nail biting game Matthew Fox’ Clarby progressed to the final. A offside call has sparked a lot of debate around the county. However it seems that linesman Jenkins made an absolute perfect call so credit to him for that.
Both teams would have wanted a nice week of preparation for the final, maybe without any games to play. Unfortunately this hasn’t been possible due to the fixture backlog and both outfits have played already this week.
Goodwick will be favourites of course, however if anyone can upset the apple cart Saturday it’s this Clarbeston Road team. Fox’ outfit have impressed over and over this season. Without too much pressure on them, they are in a good place going into the final.
The double at one staged looked like the minimum Goodwick would be aiming for this season. However losses in other cup competitions, means its Senior Cup success or just the league title for the outstanding team of the season. Oddly becoming champions with no cup success maybe seen as a huge disappointment considering their dominance this season. A unique pressure. However if anyone can handle that pressure it’s O’Sullivans outfit.
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