Sport

Ormond wins Senior Cup for Merlins Bridge

Published

9 years ago

April 23, 2017

Tom Sinclair

Chance: Adam Hawkins runs into the box for Merlins Bridge

CHRIS ORMOND’S second half strike gave Merlins Bridge a 2-1 victory over Clarbeston Road in the Senior Cup Final on Saturday (Apr 22).

The game was played at the Bridge Meadow Stadium and just over 1100 fans gathered to watch the final.

A win for Clarbeston Road would have seen them become only the third second division side to win the Senior Cup but it wasn’t to be their day.

Clarbeston Road started on the front foot and could have gone ahead when Richard Bevan headed the ball back across goal but no one was on the end of it and the ball went wide.

Both sides had a number of half chances but the keepers were largely spectators for the opening half an hour.

Steve McNabney sent a shot wide of the post for the Wizards but that was the closest any side came to scoring.

With half an hour gone Dai Davies crossed the ball on the edge of the box for Joe Leahy who shot first time on the half volley into the bottom left corner of the goal to put Merlins Bridge ahead.

However, their lead only last four minutes as Clarbeston Road were given a free kick. Mike Turpin took the kick from nearly 30 yards out and sent it into the top corner of the net to make it 1-1.

Runners up: Clarbeston Road

It stayed that way until half time and both sides were still in with a chance of victory.

Ten minutes into the second half Joe Leahy was sent through but his effort was ruled out for an offside.

Soon after, Clarby were dealt a blow when Turpin was forced off with an injury and he was replaced by Greg Brown.

A minute later Merlins Bridge went ahead after good work from Steve McNabney on the right hand side of the box and he crossed into the area for Chris Ormond to stab the ball into the net.

Clarby were looking to find another equalising goal and came close from a corner after a shot was blocked the ball bounced up to Bevan who headed the ball against the base of the post.

Bevan then saw another shot blocked as Clarby continued to press forward in search of another goal.

With fifteen minutes to go Merlins Bridge’s Adam Hawkins was brought down on the edge of the box by Clarby keeper Matthew Davies who was shown a yellow card.

Winners: Merlins Bridge celebrate their victory

Clarby pushed forward in the final minutes looking to take the game to extra time but Bevan saw another header go over the bar.

They had a late free kick but after the ball bounced around in the Wizards’ box Merlins Bridge were able to clear the ball and the chance had gone.

The final whistle went moments later and Merlins Bridge celebrated winning the Senior Cup.

Speaking to the Herald after the match, Merlins Bridge Manager Nathan Thomas said he had ‘a mixture of emotions’.

He added: “It’s hard to describe the feeling, after all the hard work we’ve put in through the season right the way through to now. Yes it was nip and tuck but all we wanted to was win the game and when the final whistle went it was just fantastic.

“We’ve come away with a trophy this season which we haven’t had in a couple of years so we’re over the moon.

“We had a few stern words at half time but there is only so much we can do, we organise everything and after that it’s up to the players on the pitch. We felt the first half we weren’t at our best but in the second half we came out of the blocks a bit better.

“We said not to give free kicks away because we knew Clarby were dangerous and we didn’t and we did that little bit better in the second half.”

Merlins Bridge coach Taffy said he was lucky enough to win the Senior Cup final as a player and said to win it is part of the coaching team was ‘fantastic’.

He added that Clarby are a very good side and although it was a scrappy game at times, the main thing was to have Merlins Bridge’s name on the cup.

News

Clubs event inspires girls to try new sports

Published

1 hour ago

December 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MORE than 50 young people took part in a multi-sport taster event designed to encourage girls to get involved in new activities.

The Sport Pembrokeshire Community Clubs event was held at Fishguard Leisure Centre on Sunday (Dec 1) for pupils from Ysgol Bro Gwaun and its feeder schools, with sponsorship from Valero.

Local sports clubs and activity providers offered a wide range of sessions, including cricket, self-defence, rowing, dance, hockey, tennis, table tennis, rugby and basketball. Water for participants was kindly provided by Princes Gate.

Young Ambassadors from Ysgol Bro Gwaun also played a key role in helping the event run smoothly.

Dan Bellis, of Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “It was a fantastic evening and it was brilliant to see so many young people and coaches in attendance.

“There was a wide range of activities on offer and everyone clearly enjoyed themselves.

“We hope the girls who took part have discovered a new sport or activity and will continue their involvement with the local clubs and providers who supported the event.”

Sport

Keeper scores 121st-minute wonder goal before saving two penalties

Published

2 days ago

December 14, 2025

Herald Sport

Cwmamman United stun Tenby AFC in an unforgettable 3-3 thriller to reach the last sixteen of the West Wales Intermediate Cup

Cwmamman Utd 3 Tenby AFC 3 (Cwm win 3–2 on pens)

AN EXTRAORDINARY cup tie unfolded at Grenig Park as Cwmamman United and Tenby AFC shared a breathless 3-3 draw, before the hosts edged through 3–2 on penalties.

Tenby struck almost instantly, with Lloyd Hughes finding the net inside the opening minute. Cwm hit back on 14 minutes when Cam Isaac produced a superb finish to level the tie, but Joe Leahy restored Tenby’s lead before the break – a goal that for long spells looked like it might settle the contest.

Deep into stoppage time, however, Cwmamman refused to accept defeat. In the 100th minute, Jackson Brereton pounced to smash home an equaliser and force extra time.

The drama only intensified. Tenby were awarded a hotly disputed penalty in the 114th minute, converted confidently by Hughes. The spot-kick also saw Cwm’s Kieran Rees – who had been excellent alongside Kai O’Donnell at the heart of the defence – shown a red card.

But with virtually the last kick of the game, Cwm’s goalkeeper Kai Rees strode forward for a final desperate attack and unleashed a stunning 25-yard volley to make it 3-3, sparking wild celebrations around the ground.

Rees was far from finished. In the decisive shootout, he produced two superb saves to secure a 3–2 penalty win and send Cwmamman United into the last sixteen of the West Wales Intermediate Cup.

Photo: Cwm goalkeeper Kai Rees.

News

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – Week Twelve results

Published

2 days ago

December 14, 2025

Herald Sport

A PACKET week of fixtures in the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association’s Friendly League saw key wins at both ends of the table as teams continue to jostle for position going into the second half of the season.

Match results (Week 12):

Hundleton 10–0 Lamphey
Badgers 2–8 St Johns
Reynalton 0–10 Carew
Kilgetty 8–2 East Williamston
Cosheston v Llanteg – postponed
St Twynnells – bye week

A previously postponed fixture was also completed, with St Twynnells drawing 5–5 with Reynaltón.

League table (after Week 12):
East Williamston remain top, having played 10 and won eight, with a strong shots difference of +125. Reynaltón sit second after 11 games with 58 points, while St Johns and Hundleton follow closely behind on 54 points each.

At the mid-table mark, Carew (49 points), St Twynnells (48) and Kilgetty (46) remain tightly grouped. Badgers, Lamphey, Llanteg and Cosheston make up the lower order, though the number of games played varies, leaving room for movement in the coming weeks.

Full standings:

Team	P	W	D	L	S/D	Points
East Williamston	10	8	0	2	+125	72
Reynaltón	11	5	2	4	+35	58
St Johns	10	5	1	4	+32	54
Hundleton	10	5	1	4	-2	54
Carew	9	5	0	4	-25	49
St Twynnells	10	4	2	4	-34	48
Kilgetty	11	5	0	6	-44	46
Badgers	11	3	1	7	-59	45
Lamphey	11	5	0	6	-10	44
Llanteg	8	4	0	4	-5	41
Cosheston	9	3	1	5	-13	40