Sport

Ammanford and Neyland in last four

Published

7 years ago

June 9, 2017

Winners: Neyland are through to the third round of the Welsh Cup

IN THE SOUTH-WEST group of the Welsh Cup, South Wales Premier league Ammanford had a walk over into round three as Pembrokeshire’s Haverfordwest, who run four Saturday XI’s were unable to raise a team to travel to Ammanford Park.

In the all Pembrokeshire battle between Kilgetty and Whitland at Kingsmoor last Sunday (Jun 3), the visitors progressed by 66 runs. Batting first Whitland were 14-2 and 52-5 before Jack Bowen and captain Iestyn Scourfield put together a seventh wicket stand of 79.

Bowen fell having it four sixes and six fours in his 65 when he was bowled by Andrew Evans [3-20] who also accounted for Scourfield [24; 1 four] in the same manner one run later. Last man Gethin Benjamin hit three fours in his 21* as Whitland finished on 179ao in the 38th over.

Ross Hardy [2-40] and spinner Kurtis Marsh [3-31] bowled well at the start of the visitors innings and post tea the Kilgetty response revolved around opening batsmen, teenager Marsh.

The Pembroke County senior player scored 59, stroking one six and nine fours before he fell to Scourfield with the score on 91. Jonathan Harris [10], Andrew Evans [10], Levi Hughes [14*] and former Welsh international wicketkeeper, Ian Poole [11] were the only other batsmen in double figures, as paceman Scourfield took 4-18 and spinner Jonathan Thomas [3-20] to dominate the key overs in the game.

The game ended when Poole fell again to a catch by Matthew Thomas in the 35th over off Gethin Benjamin [1-7], with the score on 144.

Another Pembrokeshire side Neyland travelled to Aberaeron with a youthful eleven but it was the experienced Nick Kooman, Patrick Bellerby and Henry Durrant who were the stars as the visitors posted a huge 392-4 off 40 overs.

Opening batsman Kooman fell for 84 [4 sixes; 8 fours] with the score on 173, before Bellerby and Durrant added 162 for the third wicket.

Bellerby was stumped for 176 by David Floyd off Simon Mitchell [2- 66], having hit 13 sixes and 15 fours and Durrant finished with 100* having smashed seven sixes and nine fours as Paul Hughes conceded 118 runs from his eight overs, with the last six overs of the innings being dispatched for 105 runs.

Chris Strange [70; 2 sixes; 10 fours] and wicketkeeper Floyd [31; 7 fours] put together a fifth wicket partnership of 74 before Floyd fell on 115 to the second of three catches from Bellerby.

Strange fell on 141, with opening bowler Mitchell [18] and the last pair of Nick Jones [14*; 2 fours] and Hughes [9*] finishing the game on 187-9.

Skipper Sean Hannon [2-42] used six other bowlers, as youngsters Tom Pritchard [2-15] and Geraint Rees [2-35] bowled well on the artificial surface at Aberaeron School as the Pembrokeshire ‘All Whites’ progressed by 205 runs.

Llangennech made the trip to play South Wales Premier League Pontarddulais and were bundled out for 46 against their South Wales Premier opponents.

Only skipper Matthew Jones with 23 [3 fours] following up his unbeaten 94 the previous day had any answer to ‘the Bont’ attack. Daffydd Davies [3-3] and Tomos Folwer [3-11] backed up opening pair of Dan Lewis Williams [1-14] and William Jones [2-17] to end the visitor’s innings in the 21st over.

Owen Thomas top scored in the reply of 47-2 with four boundaries in his 23, as the game ended in the 16th over.

Round 3 – Games to be played on Sunday (June 25)

• Ammanford v Neyland

• Pontardullais v Whitland

The winners of the fixtures will progress to an open draw in the National Quarter Finals, to be played on Sunday, July 9, with the final to be held at The Gnoll, Neath on Sunday, August 20.

Sport

South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

Design Team

Two of the finest athletes in south-west Wales are dreaming about bringing home medals from the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Track cyclist Emma Finucane and sailing star Micky Beckett will head to France in a buoyant mood after enjoying a successful build-up to their respective events.

Welsh athletes collected a record-equalling 11 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games and hopes are high that the tally could be beaten this year.

The Carmarthen-born rider cemented her rapid rise up the sprint ranks by winning a gold medal at the 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.

She became Great Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 and is now on track to chase more medals at the Olympics across three events.

The 21-year-old has yearned to compete at the Summer Games since watching Team GB sparkle at London 2012 and she is eager to make her mark this summer.

“It’s a massive dream of mine and it’s pretty cool that I’m kind of living my dream,” Finucane said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the journey and hopefully I’ll get selected and compete for my country.

“And it’s exciting because as the Team GB women’s sprint. I feel like we’re in a really good place to do well at the Olympics, not just compete as Olympians.”

Pembrokeshire-born sailor Beckett will also head to Paris with his sights firmly set on winning gold in the hugely competitive ILCA 7 class.

He will renew rivalries with Australian Matt Wearn, who controversially claimed the World Championship title ahead of Hermann Tomasgaard and Beckett earlier this year.

Online bookmakers rate Wearn as the favourite to emerge victorious this summer, but Beckett’s recent form gives him every chance of turning the tables.

Several new sports betting sites in Australia cut the Welsh sailor’s Olympic odds after he completed a trio of World Cup successes at a recent event in Palma.

Beckett believes the hard work he has done over the past few months gives him every chance of toppling Wearn when the action gets underway this summer.

“There is still plenty of work to do and managing form is probably the most important thing of any athlete’s job,” Beckett said. “There is no point being the best in the world unless you are the best in the world when it counts.

Sport

Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

Herald Sport

In the picturesque setting of Kilgetty, under the soft glow of the evening sun, local football fans were treated to an enticing clash between Kilgetty and Carew in the Pembrokeshire League Division 1. With the season winding down, both sides took to the pitch amidst numerous squad rotations, following a hectic week of multiple fixtures.

The match kicked off in a leisurely pace, resembling more of an end-of-season friendly than a fierce competition. Kilgetty seized the early initiative, with the trio of Josh Bevan, Richard Tebbut, and Richard Cope causing headaches for the Carew defense, skillfully led by Gareth Lewis. It was Jac Waters who broke the deadlock for the home side, putting Kilgetty ahead 1-0 as the first half came to a close.

However, Carew emerged revitalised after the break, with Jonty Bennett, James Hinchcliffe, and Zac Rowell putting in the hard yards to level the score. The introduction of Harvey Drummond for the ineffective Sam Christopher added further depth to Carew’s attacking prowess, culminating in an equaliser courtesy of the excellent Hinchcliffe.

As tensions rose, the game took on a newfound intensity, marked by needless bookings, after a clearly offside goal and a few heated moments on the field. Despite the fatigue evident from their recent fixture congestion, both teams showcased their competitive spirit, treating the fans to an entertaining second half.

In the end, neither side could break the deadlock, with Kilgetty and Carew having to settle for a well-fought 1-1 draw. While neither team was at their absolute best, the match provided a fitting conclusion to their respective seasons.

Sport

The stage is set – Senior Cup Final

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2024

Herald Sport

It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.

League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.

Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.

There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.

The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.