Sport

Bala snatch victory from Bluebirds

Published

9 years ago

January 28, 2016

Challenge: Action from Saturday’s game Pic. Arwel Jones

Bala Town 3

Haverfordwest County 2

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY let slip a two-goal lead on Saturday as they were beaten 3-2 by Bala Town.

Due to Bala’s pitch being waterlogged, the match was switched to be played at Airbus UK’s Hollingsworth Group Stadium. It was Bala who made the better start to the game and the Bluebirds defended well. The Bluebirds also looked dangerous going forward and they took the lead with just under twenty minutes gone. Luke Borelli crossed from the byline but the ball was only cleared as far as Kieran Howard whose low shot flew into the back of the net.

The Bluebirds came close to doubling their lead soon after when Borelli’s free kick was saved by the Bala keeper and when it looked like Greg Walters might double the lead, his shot bounced back off the post and away to safety. Borelli proved a constant threat for his side and another cross across goal shortly before half time presented another chance but no one could get on the end of it. Within a minute of the restart the Bluebirds doubled their lead through Greg Walters who picked the ball up inside the Bala half before going on a mazy run and firing the ball low into the corner. Bala looked to get back into the game and six minutes later they pulled a goal back through Mike Hayes who shot low into the net after he was played in by Ryan Valentine.

With fifteen minutes to go the Lakesiders were level when a long free kick was headed into his own net by the unfortunate Sam Rodon. Four minutes later Bala were in front in fortuitous circumstances as a cross from Ryan Valentine found Ian Sheridan bounced down off the bar but onto keeper Craig Morris before bouncing over the line. The Bluebirds tried to hit back with a late leveller but it never came and Bala held on for a thrilling victory. New signings Kristian Speake and Tom Wellington both came on in the second half to make their debuts for the club and manager Wayne Jones will be looking to use their fresh legs to get the Bluebirds out of the bottom two.

Haverfordwest now face one final game on Sunday, January 17, away to Bangor and will be looking to pick up three points to give them the best chance possible when the second half of the season gets underway. Speaking after the game, manager Wayne Jones said: “We’re totally gutted, to come up here and take a twogoal lead, to see the game out and to lose 3-2 in the manner we did. “The second half was a little bit disappointing because in the first half I thought we competed but in the second half they had a real good go at us and to be fair to them they battered us in the second half and I think that was the difference.”

Sport

Wales team announced for Six Nations opener against France

Published

1 day ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Adams, Williams, and Jenkins return

WALES head coach Warren Gatland has named his team for the opening match of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations against France at the Stade de France, Paris, on Friday (Jan 31). The game kicks off at 8:15pm GMT and will be broadcast live on ITV and S4C.

Josh Adams, Liam Williams, and Dafydd Jenkins return to the starting XV, with Adams on the wing, Williams at fullback, and Jenkins in the second row.

Jac Morgan leads the side

Captain Jac Morgan starts at openside flanker, joining James Botham at blindside and Aaron Wainwright at No. 8 in the back row. Will Rowlands partners Jenkins in the second row.

In the front row, Evan Lloyd earns his first Test start at hooker, while Henry Thomas is named at tighthead prop for his first start and his first Wales appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Gareth Thomas starts at loosehead.

Ben Thomas makes Six Nations debut

Tomos Williams starts at scrum-half, with Ben Thomas making his Six Nations debut at fly-half. Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins form the midfield pairing, while Tom Rogers is named on the wing alongside Adams.

Among the replacements, Nicky Smith is set to win his 50th cap, while fly-half Dan Edwards could make his senior Wales debut. Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray are in line for their first Six Nations appearances, having made their senior international debuts in the Autumn Nations Series.

The front-row replacements include Elliot Dee, Keiron Assiratti, and Smith. Tommy Reffell covers the back row, and Rhodri Williams provides scrum-half cover.

Gatland said: “We’re excited for the challenge on Friday. The Six Nations is the best rugby competition in the world. Every game is a big occasion. We want to go out there, embrace that, and start our championship well.”

Wales team to face France

Starting XV:
15. Liam Williams (Saracens) – 92 caps
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets) – 5 caps
13. Nick Tompkins (Saracens) – 38 caps
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) – 42 caps
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby) – 59 caps
10. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby) – 7 caps
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby) – 59 caps
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys) – 35 caps
2. Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby) – 5 caps
3. Henry Thomas (Scarlets) – 4 caps
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92) – 36 caps
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs) – 19 caps
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby) – 16 caps
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys) – 18 caps (captain)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) – 52 caps

Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) – 51 caps
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers) – 49 caps
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby) – 10 caps
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby) – 1 cap
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers) – 23 caps
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons) – 5 caps
22. Dan Edwards (Ospreys) – uncapped
23. Blair Murray (Scarlets) – 3 caps

This version is more structured, concise, and in line with a professional sports news style. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!

News

Fun free sport sessions for kids in Fishguard

Published

1 day ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

YOUNGSTERS can discover new sports to love at a free multi-sports session starting next week.

The sessions for children aged 5-8 will be held every Monday in term time between 4.15pm-5pm at Fishguard Leisure Centre.

The first session is this Monday, February 3rd.

Delivered by Sport Pembrokeshire Active Young People officers and assisted by

Young Ambassadors from Ysgol Bro Gwaun, the event is an opportunity to try fun activities, new sports and develop fundamental movement skills.

All are welcome to come along.

Contact [email protected] for more information or to register your child.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association: Week 14 Results

Published

3 days ago

January 27, 2025

Herald Sport

THE SOUTH Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association, also known as “The Friendly League,” has released the results for Week 14 of the competition.

Match Results

Hundleton 8 v Badgers 2
Llanteg 2 v St Johns 8
Reynalton 8 v St Twynnells 2
East Williamston 8 v Carew 2

The match between Cosheston and Kilgetty was postponed, while Lamphey had the bye.

League Table (Week 14)

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	S/D	Points
East Williamston	12	11	0	1	167	92
Carew	12	8	1	3	111	79
Reynalton	12	8	0	4	48	70
Hundleton	13	7	0	6	61	68
St Johns	11	8	0	3	76	66
Cosheston	11	6	0	5	33	54
Llanteg	11	3	1	7	-29	51
St Twynnells	13	3	1	9	-125	48
Badgers	11	3	1	7	6	45
Kilgetty	11	3	0	8	-129	40
Lamphey	11	2	0	9	-142	29