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Sport

Scarlets seal victory over Connaught

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By Jonathan Twigg

SCARLETS won their Guinness Pro 14 encounter on Friday (Sept 29) at Parc Y Scarlets 34-27 against a spirited Connaught side in a game which saw the teams share nine tries and secure maximum points.

The first half saw seven of those tries, with the Scarlets leading 26-22 thanks to their fourth try of the night, scored by British & Irish Lions full back Leigh Halfpenny.

The Scarlets had opened the scoring after seven minutes following a clean line out ball from second row David Bulbring, where the ball was moved out to an advancing Rhys Patchell, the outside half running a high attacking line, from which he popped the ball into the hands of centre Jonathan Davies, who broke his tackle and created enough space for winger Johnny Mcnicholl to circle around under the posts for Halfpenny to convert.

From the restart, secured by home flanker Wil Boyde the Scarlets moved the ball along their back division until an unfortunate mix up in midfield between centres Scott Williams and Davies saw the ball pop into the hands of outside half Jack Carty who ran in unopposed under the posts and convert his own try.

The mix up typified the game where many errors restricted the momentum in play, with an expectation that both sides would have been frustrated by their inability to take control of the game despite the fact they served up a nine try thriller.

Wales full back Halfpenny also missed two attempts at goal, the first a conversion of man of the match Stefan Evans try on 17 minutes.

The winger was on hand to finish a move which the Scarlets ran nine passes of play before Williams opened the space for Evans to dance around and finish from 40m out.

With Wales coach Warren Gatland and his management team in the stands Evans has now put himself into the slot to be involved in the Autumn International series as the diminutive winger expressed his desire and hunger to run at the opposition defence line, reflecting images of Shane Williams in his heyday.

Carty brought the score back to 12-10 with a penalty conceded from the scrum, with replacement prop Dylan Evans guilty having just come on for Wales international Rob Evans, side lined with a head injury.

Smarting from the setback of losing Evans and three points the Scarlets won possession back as the half hour mark approached thanks to the endeavours of skipper Ken Owens who charged down a clearance from full back Darragh Leader.

Number 8 Will Boyde combined with Josh McCleod and replacement Evans before further good work from Aaron Shingler and Jake Ball put flanker McCleod clear allowing Rhys Patchell to accept an inside pass from Steff Evans to score and Halfpenny to find his kicking boots gain and convert after missing a 40m penalty on 11 minutes.

Referee Nigel Owens took an age to award the try as the TMO viewed numerous angles of the play much to the discontent of the crowd and whilst applauding the innovative way technology can ‘get the decision right’ thought must be given to keeping the game live.

Connaught came back with a try after some sustained phases of play through their pack to release winger Cian Kelleher after good hands from centre Bundee Aki which Carty converted and a mistake from Mcnicholl allowed visiting number 8 John Muldoon to charge 45m through the midfield, linking well with Aki who was tackled and the ball recycled through the efforts of flanker Jarred Butler allowing winger Tim O’Halloran to score an unconverted try.

With the Scarlets behind for the first time in the match with two minutes of the half remaining the they managed to work space once again for Evans to set his wheels in motion and he drew the covering defence for Halfpenny to score and convert for a half time lead of 26-22.

The second half became a much dourer affair as both coaching teams rung the changes and the handling mistakes which epitomised the absorbing first period were there for the 7693 spectators to witness.

Halfpenny extended the lead close to the hour mark with a penalty as Aki was penalised for a double movement in the tackle, with the game drifting aimlessly as both sides were guilty of kicking possession away to allow them to regroup their defensive patterns.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac used all his replacements, the last of which was prop Simon Gardiner, who returned to a Scarlets shirt with just under ten minutes remaining.

The former Wales Under 21 star last played for the Region in September 2011 and after a journey which took him around Britain he has this season put in some excellent performances for Llanelli in the Principality Premiership and deservedly earned a recall to the match day squad.

On 74 minutes Connaught brought themselves back into contention of winning the game thanks to a second unconverted try by O’Halloran after he combined well with fellow wing Kelleher before the crescendo for a nervous home crowd saw replacement back row Irishman Tadhg Bierne stride over after second row Jake Ball collected the ball in midfield and make a 30m unopposed run, for Halfpenny to convert and the game end 36-27.

On Saturday (Oct 7), the Scarlets take on rivals Ospreys in the Pro 14 at the Liberty Stadium, before welcoming Cardiff Blues to Park Y Scarlets at the end of the month after they travel to Toulouse and entertain Bath in the European Cup.

News

Pembroke Dock boy walks out with Spurs captain at Stamford Bridge

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AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD boy from Pembroke Dock had the experience of a lifetime on Thursday night (Apr 4), when he was selected as the official mascot for Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Joey Williams, a pupil at Pembroke Dock Community School, walked out onto the pitch hand-in-hand with Spurs’ team captain, Son Heung-min, in front of a packed stadium and millions of viewers watching around the world.

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was part of Tottenham Hotspur’s official mascot programme. Joey, who recently turned eight, travelled to London with his family to take part in the unforgettable event.

His proud mum, KatieJane Solomon, told The Herald: “My son lives in Pembroke Dock and was chosen to be mascot for the Chelsea vs Tottenham game tonight. He walked out with Son Heung-min!”

“He’s a very big Spurs fan so we signed him up to be a member on there website about a year ago and he was very lucky selected at random last month.”

The Premier League clash ended in high drama, but for Joey, the biggest highlight was walking out alongside his football heroes.

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Sport

Narberth and Crymych suffer humbling defeats

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Heavy losses dealt to both Pembrokeshire sides

PEMBROKESHIRE rugby teams Narberth and Crymych endured punishing defeats on Saturday (Mar 29) as both clubs came up against dominant opposition in their respective leagues.

Welsh Premiership: Merthyr 78–17 Narberth

In the top tier of Welsh club rugby, The Otters were overwhelmed by a clinical Merthyr side who ran in 12 tries. Despite the heavy defeat, Narberth showed flashes of resilience, with second-row Will Blackburn scoring twice and fly-half Jonathan Rogers adding a conversion.

There was a sliver of consolation for Narberth as fellow relegation rivals Bonymaen also lost, though the Swansea-based club managed to secure a valuable bonus point.

Championship West: Llanelli Wanderers 68–12 Crymych

Crymych’s afternoon was equally difficult as they were soundly beaten by Llanelli Wanderers. The home side dominated from the outset, racking up a 32–0 lead by half-time. Despite tries from flanker Tom Taylor and hooker Lee Griffiths in the second half, Crymych were unable to mount a serious comeback.

Adding to their woes, relegation rivals Gowerton produced a big win over Maesteg Quins, piling further pressure on Crymych as the battle for survival intensifies.

Both Pembrokeshire clubs now face uphill tasks in the final weeks of the season as they fight to maintain their league status.

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Sport

Goodwick United seal third consecutive league title

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Goodwick United 2 – Pennar Robins 0

GOODWICK United have been crowned league champions for the third season in a row, following a composed 2-0 victory over Pennar Robins.

Manager Chris O’Sullivan praised his side for getting “over the line” and is now urging them to complete the season unbeaten. Should they win their final two matches, Goodwick will have lost just once in three league campaigns—an extraordinary run that underlines their dominance in Pembrokeshire football.

After a tightly contested first half, the deadlock was broken three minutes after the restart. Will Haworth delivered a pinpoint cross that was met with a superb 12-yard volley from Matthew Delaney. The lead was doubled in the 68th minute when midfielder Rhys Jones curled a trademark free-kick into the bottom corner, sparking early title celebrations.

Goodwick’s dominance in recent seasons has been nothing short of remarkable. With just one league defeat in three years, they are now pushing to go down as one of the county’s all-time great sides.


Merlins Bridge cruise as Milford United turn attention to Cup

Merlins Bridge 4 – Milford United 1

MERLINS Bridge made light work of struggling Milford United, sealing a comfortable win at the Pembrokeshire Sports Village to claim their eighth league victory of the season.

The Wizards took control late in the first half, with Jason Griffiths smashing in a volley from Nathan Evans’ cross before Jordan Thomas added a second moments later, glancing in a Hayden Dimond free-kick.

Milford showed some resilience after the break and pulled one back on 63 minutes when Scott Reid slotted home following a clever assist from Joey Jones. But the hosts hit back almost immediately, with Nathan Evans finishing from close range. Substitute Ben Davies, returning from injury, completed the scoring in stoppage time after an unselfish square ball from Dimond.

Although league survival appears unlikely for The Robins, their attention now turns to the Senior Cup Final, where they face fierce rivals Hakin United in a bid to salvage their season with silverware.


Devonald’s late equaliser lifts St Ishmaels in relegation scrap

St Ishmaels 2 – Kilgetty 2

A LAST-GASP strike from captain Brennan Devonald kept St Ishmaels’ survival hopes alive, as they clawed back a vital point after trailing Kilgetty by two goals.

Teenager Mason Abbott looked to have secured all three points for the visitors with a goal in each half, putting Kilgetty firmly in control. But Tish weren’t done. They reduced the deficit when Kyle Marsh scored past his brother—Kilgetty goalkeeper Kurtis Marsh—in a family twist to the relegation drama.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Devonald pounced on a loose ball to fire home a dramatic equaliser, sparking jubilant scenes and securing what could be a crucial point in their battle for safety.

St Ishmaels are now three points clear of the drop zone, but must await other results to confirm their survival.


Leahy double pushes Carew closer to danger

Tenby 3 – Carew 1

TENBY delivered a commanding second-half performance to defeat local rivals Carew, who now sit just two points above the relegation places.

Shaun Whitfield set up Jonty Bennett to open the scoring for the hosts in the 17th minute, but Carew responded swiftly. Former Tenby man Curtis Hurlow levelled matters after good work from Jerome Williams.

The second half, however, belonged to Joe Leahy. The Tenby striker struck in the 57th and 81st minutes with two composed finishes, sealing all three points for The Seasiders and leaving Carew looking nervously over their shoulders.


Relegation picture: Advantage Tish as Milford target cup glory

St Ishmaels’ dramatic draw leaves them in a stronger position in the fight for survival, three points clear of the relegation zone with just one game remaining. While their fate isn’t yet sealed, the late equaliser could prove decisive.

Milford United, meanwhile, face near-certain relegation, but their attention is now firmly fixed on the Senior Cup Final. A win over Hakin United would offer a welcome silver lining to a difficult season and the chance to lift silverware against their greatest rivals.

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