Sport
Dyffryn Aman retain title
THE SCHOOLS summer athletics season got underway at the track in Johnstown with an excellent relays competition for years 7 to 13 last Wednesday (May 3).
It attracted a large attendance of competitors from 8 Dyfed secondary schools in Ceredigion, Brianne, Llanelli and Pembrokeshire.
Teams from Bro Dinefwr, Bro Myrddin, Dyffryn Aman, Emlyn, Llandovery College, Preseli, QE High and Strade took part all hoping to find early season form in preparation for the upcoming area and Dyfed athletics competitions in the next few months.
The events were the sprint relays 4 x 100m, 4 x 200m and the individual 800m races for all age groups. There were some exciting races and close finishes for the competitors watching on to enjoy. Another strong turnout of teams from Ammanford’s youngsters in Dyffryn Aman resulted them in retaining their title for the fourth year in succession as they won the trophy with 116 points, 14 from second place Bro Dinefwr, with QE High coming through in third.
1 Dyffryn Aman 116; 2 Bro Dinefwr 102; 3 QE High 94; 4 Bro Myrddin 86; 5 Llandovery College 40; 6 Strade 28; 7 Emlyn 18; 8 Preseli 3
The Dyfed schools athletics events, organised by the Carmarthen Harriers Chairman Hedydd Davies continues to grow each season and this was evident at the Carmarthenshire Primary Schools Athletics Championships where there was a large entry and superb numbers present on Monday evening (8th)
Elsewhere, four Carmarthen Harriers made the long trip for the annual British Milers club open event on Bank Holiday Monday at Millfield School in Somerset and all four achieved personal bests in seeded races that included some of the best junior runners in the UK, soaring up the rankings in the process.
Ben Thomas ran the 3000 metres, knocking 8 seconds from his previous best and recording 9.05 to finish the evening ranked second in Wales and 16th in the UK in this tough endurance event. Under 13 Frank Morgan tackled the 1500 metres and in a tough race secured his best ever result of 4.42 and a time that saw him ranked top in Wales at this early stage of the season.
Tomos Rees running for the first time as an under 17 set an excellent time for the 3k; running 3.10km pace he finished well in a personal best for the 3km distance to finish in 9.30 and be ranked as 5th in Wales for the distance. Callum Lovatt ran hard to record a end time of 4.42 crossing the line at the same time as Morgan and a good reward for the long trip to England.
Closer to home, there were plenty out on show amongst the 800 participants running through the streets of Carmarthen Town Centre at the annual Mayor’s Races. 16-year-old Thomas Jones, having won the Welsh Junior Trail Championships at Devils Bridge a few days earlier, ran an impressive race to win the 5K in 16 minutes 56.
Archi Morgan, a teammate with Jones also secured a top 10 place in 7th and in the process collected the award for 2nd Junior Male. There was a clean sweep on the podium for the Harriers in the Junior Female category thanks to Eva Edwards (21:28) Maddie Morgan (22:21) and Cerys Davies (24:40) while in the Female 45 age group, Gill Edwards won an award for coming 3rd across the line. Other finishing times included: Huw Davies (19:54) Dafydd Bowen (20:39) Jake Morgan (22:22) Lisa Forrest (25:25) and Eric Evans (27:40)
The juniors also had success with several winning performances from Liam Upton-Boorman (Year 3 & 4 Boys) Keira Carmody (Year 5 & 6 Girls) Ifan Bowen (Year 5 & 6 Boys) and Liam Edwards (Year 7 & 8 Boys). Aron Hedd Jones (Year 3 & 4 Boys) Amy Greatrick (Year 5 & 6 Girls) Jack Thomas (Year 5 & 6 Boys) and Dafydd Thomas (Year 7 & 8) all finished in runners up positions.
Bowen was also in action at the Urdd Primary Schools Cross Country Race in Aberystwyth and raced clear to win his second event in 5 days. Hedd Jones in third place helped his school, Ysgol Y Dderwen, take the team title in the year 5 boys. In the Nite Trail 10K at Pontrhydyfen near Port Talbot, Sharon Leech followed up her Welsh 5km win a week earlier by crossing the line as second female overall in a time of 45:58.
This Weekend, Sunday, May 14, Carmarthen will take its turn to host the West Wales Outdoor Athletics Championships for under 13 to senior age groups.
Over 350 athletes from clubs across the region have entered and are expected to be competing. It’s set to be an action-packed day of track and field athletics, with the racing starting at 11am and continuing until 7pm with medals to the top three in each category.
Sport
Devonald’s hat-trick secures St Ishmaels’ dominant win over Herbrandston
Herbrandston 0 – St Ishmaels 6
BRENNAN DEVONALD delivered a masterclass as St Ishmaels thrashed Herbrandston 6-0, with the skipper leading from the front and scoring a stunning hat-trick. The comprehensive victory propels St Ishmaels to eighth in the league table, while Herbrandston remain rooted to the bottom without a single point.
The visitors asserted their dominance from the outset. Devonald opened the scoring in the 9th minute, latching onto a pinpoint assist from Owen Lawrence. He doubled their lead just before halftime in the 40th minute, again set up by Lawrence, giving St Ishmaels a comfortable cushion at the break.
St Ishmaels maintained their momentum in the second half, adding four more goals to cap off a stellar team performance. Adam Kingsbeer’s clever play set up Ieuan Hawkins for the third, before Tom Williams capitalised on another opportunity to make it 4-0. Devonald sealed his hat-trick in the 85th minute with an expertly taken goal, and Joel Mills added the finishing touch in the dying moments, courtesy of an assist from Sol Goodall.
Team line-ups
Herbrandston: Adrian Rees, Oliver Robinson, Ethan Chalker, Scott Findlay, Dean John (Captain), Harley Barrett, Gedion Hockin, Leon Whatling, Scott Gillespie, Cian Davenport. Subs: Leo Duncan, Jacob James, Nico Cockrell.
St Ishmaels: Owen Thomas, Sol Goodall, Owen Lawrence, Finley Armstrong, Brennan Devonald (Captain), Adam Kingsbeer, Ieuan Hawkins, Joel Mills, Tom Williams, Daniel Coe, Nathan Thomas. Subs: Max Howells, Tyler Sheil.
Sport
Dominant wins for Pembrokeshire sides in West Wales Intermediate Cup round 3
Goodwick United 7-0 Carew
Goodwick United put on a commanding performance with a 7-0 triumph over Carew. The home side proved too powerful for their opponents, with Rhys Dalling and Rhys Jones each bagging two goals. Matty Delaney, Will Haworth, and Daniel Bryce also got their names on the scoresheet. As one of Pembrokeshire’s top teams, Goodwick will aim to build on this dominant win as they progress to the next round.
Hakin United 13-0 Clydach Sports
Hakin United were in ruthless form as they dispatched Clydach Sports 13-0. Jack Britton led the charge with an impressive five-goal haul, while Liam Parks netted a hat-trick. Jack Griffiths, Jay Kilby, Kieran King, Justin Harding, and Mason Dolling all contributed to the comprehensive scoreline. Hakin, one of the premier teams in Pembrokeshire, will be keen to continue their pursuit of the cup after this emphatic victory.
Merlins Bridge 7-3 Treboeth United
Merlins Bridge secured a thrilling 7-3 victory over Treboeth United in an exciting encounter. Nathan Evans was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick, while Tom Jago, Jason Griffiths, Hayden Dimond, and Ashton Plunkett all found the back of the net. Treboeth’s Liam Manning, Cori Jones, and Matthew Colley fought valiantly but could not prevent the home side from taking the win. Merlins Bridge will be pleased with their attacking display and will look to build on this result.
Monkton Swifts 5-4 Clarbeston Road
In a dramatic local derby, Monkton Swifts edged out Clarbeston Road 5-4 in a high-scoring affair. Dylan Davies was the standout performer with four goals, and Liam Butland added another. Clarbeston Road fought hard with goals from Laurie Haworth, Matthew Davies, Greg Brown, and Ben John, but it was the Swifts who held on to secure the victory. Monkton will be happy to progress after such a closely contested match.
Neyland 1-2 Cwm Wanderers
Neyland were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Cwm Wanderers in a closely contested match. Ben Gale scored for Neyland, but goals from Joseff Shaw and Corey Raven-Sayce gave the visitors the edge. Despite a valiant effort from Neyland, Cwm Wanderers held firm to secure the win and advance to the next round.
Plough Colts 0-2 Pennar Robins
Pennar Robins comfortably saw off Plough Colts 2-0, with Kieran Smith and Jamie Wilkes scoring the goals. Pennar demonstrated their class and will look to carry this momentum forward into the next round.
Tenby 2-0 Blaen-y-Maes
Tenby continued their fine form with a 2-0 victory over Blaen-y-Maes. Sam Butler and Scott Ferney were on target for Tenby, who have been one of the most impressive sides this season. This win further cements Tenby’s status as one of the top contenders in the competition.
Analysis:
Pembrokeshire’s leading teams, Goodwick United and Hakin United, demonstrated their superiority with commanding wins, while Tenby showed their credentials with a solid 2-0 victory. With such dominant performances, Goodwick and Hakin are likely to be among the favourites to claim the title, with Tenby also emerging as a serious contender in this year’s West Wales Intermediate Cup.
Sport
Thrills and dominance: Narberth shine in 6-1 victory
Broad Haven 4-4 Solva
In an exhilarating, high-scoring encounter, Broad Haven played out a 4-4 draw with Solva. Marco Valentine netted twice for Broad Haven, with Owen Sheppard and Shane Howells also getting on the scoresheet. Solva responded through Josh Bland, who scored a hat-trick, and Lucas Price, ensuring the points were shared in this thrilling clash.
Camrose 1-3 Fishguard Sports
Fishguard Sports claimed a 3-1 victory over Camrose, with a clinical display of attacking play. Andrew John scored the only goal for Camrose, but Fishguard’s offensive strength proved overwhelming. Anthony Couzens, Luke Thomas, and Ieuan Llewellyn all found the net to guide their side to victory.
Carew II 0-2 Hakin United II
Hakin United II earned a solid 2-0 win over Carew II. Rowan Dixon and Tom Edmonds were the scorers for the visitors, with Carew struggling to break down Hakin’s defense. It was a well-executed performance that saw Hakin advance with all three points.
Johnston P-P Merlins Bridge II
The match between Johnston and Merlins Bridge II was postponed, with no further details available at the time of writing.
Lawrenny 1-6 Narberth
Narberth cruised to a commanding 6-1 victory over Lawrenny. Owen James scored the lone goal for Lawrenny, but Narberth’s attacking prowess was on full display as Steffan Williams scored twice, and Ashley Williams, Chris Brown, Conor Bowen, and Ryan Williams each found the back of the net in a comprehensive win.
Analysis:
The 14th December 2024 fixtures saw a blend of thrilling draws and dominant victories. Broad Haven and Solva shared the spoils in an action-packed 4-4 draw, while Fishguard Sports, Hakin United II, and Narberth all secured convincing wins. Narberth’s 6-1 triumph over Lawrenny was the standout result of the day, highlighting their attacking firepower.
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