Sport

Rooks off the bottom with deserved point

Published

9 years ago

March 4, 2016

Equaliser: Haydn Shapcott’s corner was punched into his own net by the Dragons keeper

Carew 1

West Dragons 1

CAREW moved off the bottom of Division One for the first time since October and in doing so put a serious dent in West Dragons’ title aspirations.

The visitors came into the match having suffered a surprise defeat in the Senior Cup away at Fishguard Sports, but they had a full complement of players at their disposal as their team sheet included four players who lined up for Pembrokeshire in their match against Carmarthenshire last month.

Carew had not played a home game since December 12th due to the horrific weather conditions that have blighted the season, but finally they were able to get a fixture on, and the pitch held up well despite the driving wind and rain that blighted the game.

Defending against the wind in the first half, Carew spent the majority of the game camped in their own third, but no matter how much the Dragons attack puffed, they could not find a way through an organised and rigid backline.

Carew were winning the midfield battle, with the youthful combination of Morgan Scourfield, Iwan Izzard and Alex Bayley covering every blade of grass to stop the visitors from mounting at the source.

The hosts had a couple of chances of their own on the counter attack, but Dean Morris and Bayley couldn’t find the target with their efforts.

With the sides seemingly heading towards a first half stalemate, the Dragons were awarded an innocuous free kick just inside the Carew half. Jordy Thomas drilled the ball towards the edge of the penalty area and centre half Shaun Whitfield inadvertently headed the ball goalwards in the swirling wind. Keeper Dan James caught the ball and fell to the goal line and with a solo Dragons player appealing that the ball had crossed the line the referee turned down the shout and told the teams to play on.

However keeper James displayed great sportsmanship to tell the referee that the ball had in fact crossed the line. The goal was given and the Dragons went in with a 1-0 advantage. It was testament to the home keeper that he had said the ball had gone in, and it is an act you may not have seen from many other sides in the Pembrokeshire League set-up.

Despite that setback, Carew knew that with the wind now behind their backs they were well in the game and came out in buoyant fashion.

They hit the visitors with a 15-minute burst of flowing attacking football, with Sam Goodwin making use of the right hand channel to create several chances, which were repelled by the brilliant Peter Blain in the Dragons goal.

From another Goodwin attack Carew won a corner, and Haydn Shapcott whipped a fierce delivery under the Dragons crossbar, which Blain could only punch into his own net to level proceedings.

The final 20 minutes saw further chances for the hosts go begging as Ceri Brace and Dean Morris were guilty of misses, whereas the Dragons couldn’t muster one shot in the second half despite reverting to three up top, with the wind preventing them from any meaningful attacks.

The game finished 1-1 that left both teams disappointed, though in reality the visitors can have no complaints as they were outplayed on the day.

Saturday sees the Dragons entertain Tenby, whilst Carew go to Angle in what is sure to be another crunch game in their fight for survival.

Sport

Wales team announced for Six Nations opener against France

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

4 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