Sport

Tasker pilots GB to best bobsleigh result in 50 years

Published

10 years ago

March 1, 2016

Bruce Tasker and Joel Fearon: Celebrating their top four finish in Igls (Pic. Charlie Booker)

PEMBROKESHIRE’s Winter Olympian Bruce Tasker admits finishing ahead of some of his heroes was a surreal experience after producing Great Britain’s best two man bobsleigh result for 50 years at the World Championships in Igls, Austria.

Tasker, who comes from Manorbier and is a former Greenhill School pupil, piloted Joel Fearon to fourth place, just 0.20 seconds out of the medals, as Germany’s Francesco Friedrich won his third consecutive world title alongside Thorsten Margis.

Another German pair, Johannes Lochner and Joshua Bluhm, took silver while Switzerland’s Beat Hefti and Alex Baumaan came third.

You have to go back to 1966 to find the last time a British two-man crew did better at the World Championships and the result was all the more remarkable as it was Tasker’s first major global competition as pilot.

The 28-year-old still competes as a brakeman in the four-man bob and concedes it will take some time to come to terms with he and Fearon’s accomplishments.

“I still can’t believe it – I’m pinching myself,” said Tasker. “It’s amazing to know that is our best result since 1966: I don’t really know what to say to that.

“I’ve had my ups and downs this season and I’m just glad to get it right on the day. All I wanted was four consistent heats, and I knew if I got that I’d end up with a result I’d be happy with.

“The result that we did end up with was far, far better than I could ever have imagined and I’m absolutely over the moon.

“There are some huge names in that list of sleds below us: Oskars Melbardis is a hero of mine as a brakeman turned pilot so to be one place ahead of him is just phenomenal.”

“We’ve been searching for two man results for a number of years now: we’ve had some highs and lows in 2-man and we’ve been known as a bit of a 4-man nation. We’re trying to change that with our Accelerated Driver Programme initiative and this is more confirmation that the programme is working.”

Fearon, who represented GB at the 4x100m relay in the World Athletics Championships in 2013 and has a personal best of 10.10 seconds, only returned to bobsleigh at the end of the summer after a year back in athletics.

A 4-man Olympian alongside Tasker in Sochi, he admits that excelling this swiftly in the 2-man is beyond any expectations he had prior to re-joining the fold.

“It’s one of my best bobsleigh moments ever. I couldn’t have even dreamed about this when I decided to come back to bobsleigh,” added Fearon.

“It’s surreal – it’s better than any dream I’ve ever had – and we can still get better at the start so I hope there’s more to come.

“I’m very proud of Bruce. I’m honoured to be a part of this team and I’m just so happy that things are moving forward in this year.

“I can’t wait to get back to my wife and kids now and celebrate with them. This is a Valentine’s Day present for my wife Jemima!”

Sport

Haverfordwest County Under-13 girls shine at final FAW festival

Published

4 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Women and Girls have praised their under-13s after another strong showing at the third and final FAW Festival of the season.

The young Bluebirds travelled to Colliers Park in Wrexham on Saturday (Apr 4), where they once again impressed with their performances.

Club officials said the girls had performed fantastically well throughout the season, adding that everyone at Haverfordwest County was incredibly proud of their efforts.

The squad for the day was Libby O, Ela I, Ines M, Mila E, Scarlett C, Rachel B, Lydia H, Lilly M, Zara E, Leila P and Lillie EJ.

Well done girls.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Friendly League week 22 results

Published

5 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

RESULTS from week 22 of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association Friendly League have been confirmed, with Badgers recording a comprehensive 10-0 win over Lamphey and St Twynnells edging past Cosheston 6-4.

An earlier fixture also saw Cosheston claim a 10-0 victory over Reynalton.

Several matches were postponed during the week, including Kilgetty v Carew, Llanteg v St Twynnells and Hundleton v East Williamston.

St Johns had the bye.

Latest results:
Cosheston 4 St Twynnells 6
Badgers 10 Lamphey 0
Cosheston 10 Reynalton 0

League table after week 22:
East Williamston — Played 19, Won 13, Drawn 0, Lost 6, Shot difference 169, Points 126
St Johns — Played 20, Won 12, Drawn 1, Lost 7, Shot difference 132, Points 118
Reynalton — Played 20, Won 8, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference 24, Points 99
St Twynnells — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 2, Lost 7, Shot difference 9, Points 99
Carew — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 9, Shot difference -12, Points 98
Hundleton — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 1, Lost 8, Shot difference -7, Points 97
Llanteg — Played 18, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 8, Shot difference -16, Points 95
Badgers — Played 20, Won 7, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -104, Points 89
Cosheston — Played 19, Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference -39, Points 88
Lamphey — Played 20, Won 9, Drawn 0, Lost 11, Shot difference -71, Points 80
Kilgetty — Played 19, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -85, Points 73

League officials have reminded clubs that all outstanding matches must be completed by midnight on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Sport

Amman United Youth suffer agonising semi-final defeat

Published

5 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

Cup final dream slips away as Newcastle Emlyn battle back to seal 20-19 win in windy Carmarthenshire Cup clash

AMMAN UNITED YOUTH saw their Carmarthenshire Cup final hopes ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday (Apr 4) as Newcastle Emlyn snatched a 20-19 victory in a dramatic semi-final.

Played in difficult, windy conditions, the contest was fiercely competitive throughout, with Amman left to rue a series of handling errors that allowed the visitors back into the game.

Newcastle Emlyn made the stronger start, taking an early 3-0 lead through a penalty and then missing a chance to add to their tally.

Amman responded well and took control of the first half. Captain Ceian Lewis crossed following a well-worked catch-and-drive to put his side 5-3 in front. Toby Slater then produced an excellent touchline conversion in tough conditions to extend the lead to 7-3.

Amman continued to build momentum when Harvey Duncan made a sharp break down the wing to score their second try. Slater was again on target with an impressive conversion in the wind, giving his side a 14-3 lead at the break.

But the game turned soon after the restart. A costly Amman mistake allowed Newcastle Emlyn back into the contest, with the visitors scoring in the corner before adding the conversion to close the gap to 14-10.

Amman appeared to have steadied themselves when Kelston Fairhurst powered over from another catch-and-drive, stretching the lead to 19-10.

However, Newcastle Emlyn refused to give in. Strong forward play brought them another try, and the conversion cut the deficit to just two points at 19-17 as the pressure mounted in the closing stages.

The decisive moment came in the final five minutes when another Amman handling error handed Emlyn a crucial opportunity. The visitors worked their way into range and slotted a late penalty to edge ahead 20-19.

Amman had one final chance to rescue the game and opted for a catch-and-drive from a late penalty, having already found success with that tactic earlier in the match. This time, though, Newcastle Emlyn held firm to deny them and secure their place in the final.

It was a bitter end for Amman United Youth, who had looked in control at half-time, but Newcastle Emlyn showed resilience and composure when it mattered most.