Sport
Tenby seal double in thrilling final
Tenby 21
Aberystwyth 17
Pembrokeshire
KO Cup Final
Champions: Tenby celebrate their third cup win in six seasons
TENBY secured a league and cup double on Friday night (May 12) as they beat Aberystwyth 21-17 in a pulsating Pembrokeshire KO Cup Final.
The game was played at Crymych’s Parc Lloyd Thomas Ground and a good crowd gathered to watch.
The Seasiders secured their league the previous weekend whereas opponents Aberystwyth finished their season on April 22.
However, Aber showed no signs of any ring-rust as they took the lead early on in the game.
After a lineout close to the line the ball was played to Matthew Hughes who spotted a gap to break through and score the opening try under the posts. Steffan Rees added the extras for a 7-0 lead.
Just two minutes later Tenby broke with Jordan Asparassa down the right who passed for Jonathan Morgan to score under the posts. Ashley Sutton then added the extras to level the scores.
With twelve minutes on the clock Tenby took the lead for the first time as Ashley Sutton scored from a penalty.
Tenby began to get into their stride and Morgan soon went over for his second try of the match. Ashley Sutton had a difficult conversion from wide on the left and his kick fell short leaving the score at 15-7.
The Seasiders again pushed forward but after they were held up, Aber conceded a penalty within kicking range and Sutton picked the ball up before sending it sailing through the posts.
The wind was proving a problem for Aber as they were given a penalty moments later but with the wind in their faces, the kick was held up and fell just short.
Tenby were then guilty of giving the ball away cheaply, giving Aber a line out. From that Aber moved the ball to the right for Steffan Rees who scored in the corner to reduce the deficit. Rees then did excellently to send the conversion through the posts to make it 14-18.
The half time whistle signalled the end to a thrilling first half with both sides giving their all to pick the cup.
Rain began to fall at the start of the second half and that led to a number of players slipping or dropping the ball as they struggled to adapt to the conditions.
Aber started the second half well and had a series of chances to go in front but they were held up well by some good Tenby defence.
Five minutes in Tenby were down to 14 men as Luke Hansford was shown a yellow card and Steffan Rees sent the resulting penalty through the posts to bring the gap between the two teams to just a single point.
It was end to end stuff but neither side were able to make a breakthrough. Two Tenby players went for the same ball and when the ball spilled forward to an Aber player it looked like they might score but the pass was dropped.
Aber replacement Tom Slinger then went on a run down the left wing and he kicked the ball towards the line. The referee spotted a foul by the Tenby player going for the ball just in front of the line and awarded a scrum to Aber.
From that scrum it seemed Tenby had won the ball but the linesman called play back stating that a Tenby player had knocked the ball backwards and Aber had another chance. However, they could not take advantage and another dropped pass gave play back to Tenby.
With ten minutes to go Tenby gave themselves a bit of breathing space as Sutton sent over another penalty.
Aber thought they had scored with seven minutes to go but the linesman spotted a forward pass and play was called back just as Gruff Jones was about to cross the line.
They again won the ball back but another knock on gave Tenby the chance to seal victory but Sutton’s penalty was wide. Sutton then tried his attempt at a drop goal as the ball came back to him but his shot went wide.
Tenby held on and the final whistle sparked scenes of celebrations amongst the Tenby players and coaches.
FISHGUARD will once again play host to the Wales Triathlon this summer, with hundreds of competitors set to descend on the town for the popular sporting event on Sunday, June 15.
Organised by Activity Wales Events, the triathlon includes a two-lap sea swim in Fishguard Bay, followed by a two-lap cycle from Fishguard to St Davids and a four-lap run along the Marine Walk and out onto the breakwater.
In order to facilitate the bike leg on closed roads, several road closures will be in place throughout the day.
Major road closures
The A487 between Goodwick and Mathry will be closed between 9:45am and 3:00pm.
Between Mathry and Croesgoch, the A487 will be closed from 10:00am to 3:00pm, and from Croesgoch to St Davids the closure will run from 10:00am until 2:45pm.
Crossing points will be in operation at Mathry crossroads, Croesgoch crossroads, and the Llangoffan to Granston junction. Diversions will be signposted, with local traffic routed via minor B roads and through Haverfordwest for longer journeys.
Town centre impact
In Fishguard, West Street will be closed between 12:00pm and 6:00pm for the running stage. Residents will still be able to exit side roads, with diversions clearly marked.
Goodwick residents will be able to exit the town via the Tesco roundabout, which will remain open all day.
Care access and course passes
Care workers will be allowed access to visit clients within the closed sections, but must obtain a course pass via their organisation in advance.
On the day, carers using the route must:
- Follow the direction of the race
- Display their pass clearly
- Keep hazard lights on at all times
- Exit the route as soon as safely possible
Further information
The event attracted over 1,000 athletes last year, and organisers anticipate another strong turnout.
More information can be found at: www.walestriathlon.com/athletes/event-info
Road closure details are available at: community.walestriathlon.com
For course pass enquiries, contact: info@activitywalesevents.com
All matches complete as season concludes
THE 2024/25 season of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – known as The Friendly League – has now officially concluded, with all clubs completing their outstanding fixtures.
The past few weeks saw the following catch-up matches played:
- Carew 8–2 Llanteg
- St Johns 8–2 Cosheston
- Hundleton 8–2 Reynalton
- Reynalton 9–1 Lamphey
- Cosheston 10–0 Kilgetty
- East Williamston 9–1 Kilgetty
Final League Table (2024/25 Season)
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | S/D | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Williamston | 20 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 313 | 158 |
| 2 | St Johns | 20 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 111 | 122 |
| =3 | Carew | 20 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 105 | 111 |
| =3 | Cosheston | 20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 77 | 111 |
| 5 | Reynalton | 20 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 28 | 104 |
| 6 | Hundleton | 20 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 74 | 97 |
| 7 | Llanteg | 20 | 7 | 1 | 12 | -71 | 92 |
| 8 | St Twynnells | 20 | 8 | 1 | 11 | -97 | 89 |
| 9 | Badgers | 20 | 6 | 1 | 13 | -22 | 82 |
| =10 | Lamphey | 20 | 6 | 0 | 14 | -179 | 67 |
| =10 | Kilgetty | 20 | 6 | 0 | 14 | -262 | 67 |
Congratulations to East Williamston, who finish the season as clear champions with an impressive 158 points and a shot difference of +313.
FORMAL plans to redevelop the grounds of one of the oldest football clubs in Wales – which includes a new 310-seater stand – have been submitted to the council.
Aberystwyth Town Football Club has submitted an application for the redevelopment of its grounds at Park Avenue Stadium, Aberystwyth.
A supporting statement from agent JMS Planning and Development says the proposal seeks “full planning permission for the demolition of the existing main stand and the creation of a new clubhouse, turnstile, changing rooms, business unit and improvements to the existing seated and standing terraces which will include new roof canopies and all associated works”.
The formal application follows an earlier public consultation.
It adds: “Aberystwyth Town Football Club is proudly one of the oldest football clubs in Wales, whereby the club was founded some 140 years ago in 1884. The club is one of the founding members of what is now known as the ‘Cymru Premier’, of which it is only one of two teams to have never been relegated since its inception in 1992.
“The men’s senior team is loyally supported by local community and has seen an increase in attendance over the past couple of years, reaching nearly 6,000 spectators over the year for the men’s team alone. A number of Cymru Premier matches are broadcast live from the ground each season on S4C and streamed online to a worldwide audience. The Football Association of Wales recently confirmed a new structure and strategy to the league with the aim of boosting its commercial profile, competitiveness, and fan interest both nationally and internationally.
“As a Premier European Division, clubs are provided the opportunity to qualify for UEFA competitions and compete across the Continent, whereby it is imperative that facilities and infrastructure across the country are developed to meet UEFA Licensing requirements. Should Aberystwyth Town qualify – or host other clubs’ European matches as has occurred in recent years – the redevelopment of the facilities at Park Avenue will enable Ceredigion to continue to host continental sporting events.”
It says Aberystwyth Town Football Club “is often called ‘home’ by a number of other teams in the region which rely on the club’s facilities and all-weather pitch for the provision of training sessions and matches”.
The scheme itself is the first phase of development, the second relating to residential development.
Of phase 1, it says: “The proposal seeks the construction of a new clubhouse and community facility, a 310-seater stand, replacement turnstile, ticketing office, roofs over existing seated and standing terraces, new primary and secondary changing room facilities, dedicated business/employment unit, with improvements to accessibility throughout the site, including the re-construction of a dedicated disabled viewing platform.”
It adds: “The scheme proposes vast improvements to the accessibility of the site by providing step-free access throughout the whole site, thus promoting an inclusive environment. Similarly, the scheme introduces improvements to a dedicated viewing platform for less-able bodied.”
It goes on to say: “The existing main stand and changing rooms are in a state of deterioration and require significant investment if required to serve the club for years in the future. Hence, modern and fit-for-purpose facilities are proposed to revitalise the site which will enhance the provision of the community facility, encourage the uptake of sports, and in-turn promote the health and well-being of a wide range of social groups in the local and regional area.
“The development also promotes equality and inclusivity for both male and female players and officials, who will benefit from segregated and modern changing facilities, in accordance with the requirements of the Football Association of Wales.”
The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
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