Sport

Otters well beaten at The Park

Published

8 years ago

February 11, 2016

Pic: Michelle Dare

Championship

Bargoed 50

Narberth 20

BARGOED put in an outstanding display securing a bonus point within half an hour and going on to outscore Narberth by eight tries to two.

The home side opened the scoring after just 10 minutes with wing Gareth Dare turning the defence inside out on a powerful run from the half way before handing off the final defender and setting the ball up for number eight Ross Coombes to cross in the corner. Matthew Hurley’s conversion drifted wide.

Narberth replied with penalty from centre Nick Gale to make it 5-3 at the end of the first quarter.

The Blues’ second try came from a line out on the Narberth twenty two following a long Jordan Purcell clearing kick.

Ross Coombes stole the ball on the Narberth throw in and the ball was moved quickly across the backs with centre Ashley Norton straightening and making ground before unloading to Lewis Hudd coming in on a great angle from his wing and over he went for an unconverted try.

Bargoed’s third came from a trade mark Leigh Meades burst through the middle of a ruck with Grant Rogers on his shoulder and the flanker crossed under the posts. Hurley added the extras and Bargoed looked comfortable at 17-3.

The bonus point try came just before the half hour with Bargoed attacking following a strong marauding run from prop Kieron Brown. Otters wing Kieron Jones attempted an interception with Bargoed having a clear two man overlap 25 metres out, Jones knocked on and to everyone’s surprise Brynamman referee Peter Evans went under the posts for a generous penalty try with Jones going to the bin, adding insult to injury. Hurley converted and Gale kicked another penalty to make it 24-6 at half time.

Bargoed extended their lead 9 minutes into the second half. Narberth had a defending scrum but were turned over and Lewis Hudd got his second, again coming off his wing with Hurley putting over the kick to take the score to 31-6.

Impressive Narberth number 8 Callum Tree got the Otters first try of the afternoon on the hour converted by Gale but the Blues hit back immediately with try number 6 following a catch and drive from a lineout on the Narberth twenty two, Leigh Meades coming up with the ball and the forwards repeated the trick minutes later, prop Rhys Morgan this time getting the armchair ride to make it 43-13 with Hurley’s conversion.

Replacement scrum half Matthew Hutcheon was harshly shown a yellow card for not releasing in a tackle on the half way with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Narberth took full advantage with Liam Hutchings crossing and Gale adding the extras before Bargoed finished the game off in style.

Purcell fielded a long kick and ran back at the Otters’ midfield, Hurley took it on with replacement hooker Lewis Lippiett in support, Lewis Weyman, fresh off the bench took the ball at pace and ran in from 25 metres for a superb score. Hurley put over his fifth conversion and the game ended 50-20.

Sport

Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double

Published

2 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Herald Sport

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.

Sport

Swifts eyes on double.

Published

2 days ago

April 22, 2024

Herald Sport

Monkton Swifts reserves have blown away the second division this season and now have the double in their sights. They face Merlins Bridge reserves in the semi final of the second division cup and lived up to their favourites tag.

Swifts won comfortably with key player Butland getting three assists and Josh Sture grabbing a brace. Waterman and Rhys Sture added the other goals as outstanding Monkton won 4-0.

Herbrandston and Johnston played in the other semi final and this was a much harder fixture to call. The promoted Herbie a younger and perhaps less physical outfit in comparison to the Tigers. Johnston quickly took control of the game when they found themselves two up after just 29 minutes.

However when Scott Murray was shown a red card just eight minutes later, Herbie would have been confident of staging a comeback. Despite being a man light, Johnston held Herbie until the final minute of the 90, when Alex Ouzman gave Herbie late hope. The Tigers held firm however and progress to the final where they will be underdogs. A tag that I’m sure the players and manager Steven Allen won’t mind too much.

Sport

Tenby hit five against downbeat Bridge

Published

2 days ago

April 22, 2024

Herald Sport

On a beautiful day in Tenby, the hosts welcomed Merlins Bridge to The Clicketts, fresh from their West Wales semi final defeat midweek.

The Bridge squad was missing some influential players after picking up some injuries and the visiting team asked questions over the fitness of the pitch, which, according to the Bridge management, was too hard.

The referee waved these away and the game was on, with the Tenby squad clearly thinking they were already in the heads of the Bridge team.

Almost straight from Kick off Tenby set their stall out with some great attacking play, which Jerome Mansbridge benefitted from in just the second minute putting the home team ahead.

The bridge players weren’t at the races and Tenby capitalised scoring a further 4 first half goals, including a Mansbridge hat trick, leaving the away team bewildered and 5-0 down at half time.

What could have been a hugely embarrassing defeat for a team that harboured title hopes at the beginning of the season, turned around somewhat at half time, when Dai Davies, the club captain, almost singlehandedly dragged them to a much higher level in the second half, ensuring his players kept their discipline and worked hard against a very good Tenby team. Undoubtedly Merlin’s Bridge were the better team in the second period, but the damage had already been done in the first half, and despite Bridges best efforts, the score remained 5-0 to the home team.

In a game which saw Tenby jump to 4th in the league, they can be hugely proud of their season and will look to build on that for their next in Division one.

A fantastic game on a beautiful day with a good home crowd watching, the team from the Clicketts will be justifiably happy with their afternoons work.

Tenby 5-0 Merlins Bridge.