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

Ireland overpower Wales in heavy Six Nations defeat at Rodney Parade

Published

10 hours ago

April 22, 2025

Herald Sport

WALES’ search for a first win in this year’s Women’s Six Nations continues after a tough afternoon at Rodney Parade saw them fall 40-14 to a dominant Ireland side.

Despite a strong start and an early try from Carys Cox, the home team quickly lost control of the match as Ireland ran in six tries – two apiece from Linda Djougang, Aoife Wafer, and Dorothy Wall.

A second-half score from late squad addition Hannah Bluck gave Wales a glimmer of hope, but it was little more than consolation in front of a record crowd of 3,568 at the Newport venue.

Ireland’s forwards proved too powerful throughout, and Wales’ defensive frailties were exposed time and again. The defeat marks Wales’ fourth consecutive loss of the tournament, and they now face a must-win match against Italy to avoid finishing bottom of the table for a second straight year.

Wales began with purpose, with stand-in fullback Lleucu George causing problems early. Her clever kick down the flank forced an error from Ireland’s Amee-Leigh Costigan, allowing Cox to dive on the loose ball for the opening try.

But Ireland soon found their rhythm, capitalising on soft tackling and set-piece pressure. Djougang muscled over after a burst from Wafer, who soon added one of her own as the visitors took control.

Even a yellow card for Ireland fly-half Dannah O’Brien – shown a card for dangerous contact – did little to help Wales. The Irish maintained their dominance with Wall crossing just before half-time to put them 21-7 ahead.

Ireland continued their charge in the second half, with Wall securing the bonus point shortly after the restart. While Cox and Jasmine Joyce-Butchers tried to spark a response, handling errors and turnovers repeatedly derailed Welsh attacks.

Bluck’s try, created by strong carries from Carys Phillips and a sharp offload from Keira Bevan, gave fans something to cheer. But Wafer had the last word, bulldozing her way over from the base of the scrum to seal the win.

Ireland now look to cement third place when they face Scotland, while Wales have one last chance to salvage their campaign when they travel to face Italy.

After the match, head coach Sean Lynn admitted the performance was painful: “It hurts. We all feel it. We had moments where we were right in it – we could have gone 14-0 up – but didn’t take our chances. That’s the difference at this level.”

Ireland’s Aoife Wafer reflected on the team’s spirit: “We talk about being the most connected team in the world. That shows in how we play – not just the 23 here, but the girls back home too. Winning away is never easy, so we’re proud of this.”

Wales team: Joyce-Butchers; Neumann, Jones (capt), Keight, Cox; George, Bevan; G. Pyrs, K. Jones, Scoble, Fleming, Evans, K. Williams, Lewis, Callender.
Replacements: C. Phillips, Davies, Rose, John, A. Pyrs, S. Jones, Bluck, Richards.

Ireland team: Flood; McGann, Dalton, Breen, Amee-Leigh; O’Brien, Scuffil-McCabe; McCarthy, N. Jones, Djougang, Campbell, Wall, Hogan, McMahon (capt), Wafer.
Replacements: Moloney, McGrath, Haney, Tuite, Boles, Lane, Higgins, Elmes Kinlan.

Yellow card: O’Brien (36 mins)

Tries – Wales: Cox, Bluck | Conversions: Bevan 2
Tries – Ireland: Djougang 2, Wafer 2, Wall 2 | Conversions: O’Brien 3, Breen 2

News

Triathlon returns to Fishguard – road closures announced

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2025

Herald Sport

FISHGUARD will once again play host to the Wales Triathlon this summer, with hundreds of competitors set to descend on the town for the popular sporting event on Sunday, June 15.

Organised by Activity Wales Events, the triathlon includes a two-lap sea swim in Fishguard Bay, followed by a two-lap cycle from Fishguard to St Davids and a four-lap run along the Marine Walk and out onto the breakwater.

In order to facilitate the bike leg on closed roads, several road closures will be in place throughout the day.

Major road closures

The A487 between Goodwick and Mathry will be closed between 9:45am and 3:00pm.

Between Mathry and Croesgoch, the A487 will be closed from 10:00am to 3:00pm, and from Croesgoch to St Davids the closure will run from 10:00am until 2:45pm.

Crossing points will be in operation at Mathry crossroads, Croesgoch crossroads, and the Llangoffan to Granston junction. Diversions will be signposted, with local traffic routed via minor B roads and through Haverfordwest for longer journeys.

Town centre impact

In Fishguard, West Street will be closed between 12:00pm and 6:00pm for the running stage. Residents will still be able to exit side roads, with diversions clearly marked.

Goodwick residents will be able to exit the town via the Tesco roundabout, which will remain open all day.

Care access and course passes

Care workers will be allowed access to visit clients within the closed sections, but must obtain a course pass via their organisation in advance.

On the day, carers using the route must:

Follow the direction of the race
Display their pass clearly
Keep hazard lights on at all times
Exit the route as soon as safely possible

Further information

The event attracted over 1,000 athletes last year, and organisers anticipate another strong turnout.

More information can be found at: www.walestriathlon.com/athletes/event-info
Road closure details are available at: community.walestriathlon.com

For course pass enquiries, contact: [email protected]

News

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – Final Table 2024/25

Published

2 days ago

April 20, 2025

Herald Sport

All matches complete as season concludes

THE 2024/25 season of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – known as The Friendly League – has now officially concluded, with all clubs completing their outstanding fixtures.

The past few weeks saw the following catch-up matches played:

Carew 8–2 Llanteg
St Johns 8–2 Cosheston
Hundleton 8–2 Reynalton
Reynalton 9–1 Lamphey
Cosheston 10–0 Kilgetty
East Williamston 9–1 Kilgetty

Final League Table (2024/25 Season)

Position	Club	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	S/D	Points
1	East Williamston	20	18	0	2	313	158
2	St Johns	20	14	0	6	111	122
=3	Carew	20	11	1	8	105	111
=3	Cosheston	20	12	0	8	77	111
5	Reynalton	20	11	0	9	28	104
6	Hundleton	20	9	0	11	74	97
7	Llanteg	20	7	1	12	-71	92
8	St Twynnells	20	8	1	11	-97	89
9	Badgers	20	6	1	13	-22	82
=10	Lamphey	20	6	0	14	-179	67
=10	Kilgetty	20	6	0	14	-262	67