Sport

Samson puts his weight behind ‘Don’t miss kick off’ guidelines

Published

9 years ago

November 10, 2017

WALES international Samson Lee has delivered a personal reminder to rugby supporters to arrive at Principality Stadium early to avoid missing the kick off when the Under Armour Series gets underway against Australia tomorrow, Saturday, November 11 (5.15pm).

Due to enhanced security at the venue, Principality Stadium will open three hours before matches kick off against the Wallabies, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa at the home of Welsh rugby – instead of the 90 minutes Welsh rugby-goers will be used to.

The latest security measures also include 100% personal checks at the turnstiles and advice to leave large bags and large umbrellas at home, to avoid disappointment and causing further delay to fellow supporters entering the stadium.

As a bumper crowd is expected this autumn, the WRU has called on the Scarlets prop help tackle the safety and security messaging for the iconic rugby venue, with a WRUTV spoof to remind fans to plan their travel and arrival at the stadium in advance.

The self-acclaimed ‘Brad Pitt in the making’ stayed behind after training to act out scenes filmed at the team hotel and the national stadium to show supporters that poor planning ahead of match day now comes with the genuine risk of missing kick off.

The budding WRUTV star said: “As a squad we are used to working to a strict schedule where everything from our eating, sleeping, training, kit and transport is planned out to ensure the very best preparation for international matches. The filming for the ‘Don’t miss kick off’ video has really hit home how well prepared we are as a team but also shows the consequences associated with lack of proper planning.

“With the enhanced security measures we are becoming accustomed to in the UK, this is an important message for anyone with tickets for the Under Armour Series and supporters need to arrive early for the 100% search regimes, or, like me in the film, they risk missing kick off!

“Ask any player and they will tell you the best feeling in the world is hearing the roar of the stadium crowd during the anthems. We want every single fan in their seats for the start of the match and I really hope this film raises awareness and motivates our supporters to plan ahead this autumn, as well as being a bit of fun!”

While South Wales Police stress there is no specific threat to Cardiff, Principality Stadium routinely works closely with the Police and the Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit to deliver appropriate security measures for major events.

Stadium Manager Mark Williams added: “The safety and enjoyment of supporters on matchday is our top priority and so we have increased the gate opening hours to three hours before kick-off for the autumn international matches.

“This will allow a capacity crowd to pass through the enhanced security checks safely and in plenty of time to enjoy the games and the renowned pre-match build up at Principality Stadium.

“We strongly urge fans to assist us in maintaining a safe and secure stadium by getting in early and leaving large bags and large umbrellas at home to avoid unnecessary delays and disappointment.”

Related Topics:Australia Autumn Cardiff Internationals Series Under Armour Wales

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Narberth youngsters impress in busy day of cricket

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2026

Herald Sport

NARBERTH Cricket Club’s junior sides enjoyed a strong day of performances, with the under-15s recording a convincing win and the under-14 girls pushing Cresselly all the way in a close contest.

The under-15s defeated St Ishmaels after posting 120-7, before bowling their opponents out for 54.

Narberth’s under-14 girls were also in action, producing an excellent effort against a talented Cresselly side.

In an eight-a-side, 16-over match, Narberth made 83-5 before Cresselly reached 84-4 to edge the contest.

Mia Phillips top-scored for Narberth with an unbeaten 22, while Sylvie Dunlop made 7 not out. The pair also shared a 50 partnership.

Leah Lewis contributed 18 with the bat and took 1-4 with the ball, while Tia Blewitt produced an excellent spell, taking 3-3.

Despite the narrow defeat, the performance underlined the strength of girls’ cricket at Narberth and the progress being made by the club’s young players.

Sport

Narberth hosts successful girls’ cricket festival

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2026

Herald Sport

YOUNG cricketers from across west Wales took part in a successful under-10s girls’ cricket festival hosted by Narberth Cricket Club on Sunday.

Teams from Whitland, Pembroke Dock, Neyland, Llangennech and Pembroke joined the host side for a day of cricket which highlighted the growing strength of the girls’ game in the region.

Organisers said all teams showed excellent teamwork, enthusiasm and sportsmanship throughout the festival.

Thanks were also given to Narberth coach Ceri Davies, whose organisation helped ensure the day was a success.

Host team: Narberth’s under-10s girls at Sunday’s cricket festival (Pic: Shannon Harries).

Sport

Rain halts most action as Pembs cricket battles the weather

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2026

Herald Sport

Only a handful of matches completed as showers cause widespread disruption across all divisions

THE WEAETHER won the battle across much of Pembrokeshire cricket on Saturday (May 16), with abandoned matches dominating the fourth week of the Pembroke County Cricket League season.

Only a small number of fixtures reached a result, although there were still impressive individual performances and significant movement in the league tables.

Division 1: Carew stay top despite washout

Rain interrupted almost every match in Division 1, with no full fixtures completed.

Carew remain top of the table after taking four points from their abandoned clash with Whitland, while Saundersfoot and Neyland continue to keep the pressure on.

Division 1 results

Fixture	Result
Saundersfoot v Herbrandston	Match abandoned – Herbrandston 57-5
Narberth v Lawrenny	Match abandoned – Narberth 74-2
Cresselly v Neyland	Match abandoned – Neyland 64-3
Burton v St Ishmaels	Match abandoned – Burton 44-2
Carew v Whitland	Match abandoned – Whitland 38-7

Division 1 standout performances

Player	Club	Performance
Jordan Howell	Narberth	35*
Lewis Hough	Narberth	25*
Paul Murray	Neyland	37
Iori Hicks	Carew	3-17
Tom Mansbridge	Saundersfoot	3-12

Division 1 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Carew	4	60
2	Saundersfoot	4	50
3	Neyland	4	47
4	Burton	4	33
5	Herbrandston	4	33
6	Cresselly	4	31
7	Narberth	4	27
8	Whitland	4	24
9	St Ishmaels	4	22
10	Lawrenny	4	16

Division 2: Haverfordwest cruise to nine-wicket win

The only completed match in Division 2 saw Haverfordwest ease to a nine-wicket victory over Llangwm.

Chris Phillips starred with both bat and ball, taking 4-36 before smashing 71 as Haverfordwest chased 142 with ease.

Division 2 results

Fixture	Result
Llanrhian v Cresselly II	Match abandoned
Hook v Fishguard	Match abandoned – Fishguard 117-2
Llangwm v Haverfordwest	Haverfordwest won by 9 wickets
Pembroke Dock v Llechryd	Match abandoned
Johnston v Pembroke	Match abandoned

Division 2 standout performances

Player	Club	Performance
Chris Phillips	Haverfordwest	4-36 & 71
Johnnie White	Haverfordwest	56*
Ashish Jayes	Fishguard	75*
George Smith	Pembroke Dock	56
Jack Phillips	Llangwm	43

Division 2 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Johnston	4	61
2	Haverfordwest	4	61
3	Cresselly II	4	57
4	Pembroke	4	51
5	Hook	4	45
6	Pembroke Dock	4	34
7	Llanrhian	4	29
8	Fishguard	4	23
9	Llechryd	4	22
10	Llangwm	4	21

Division 3: Laugharne impress before rain arrives

Laugharne looked in control at Kilgetty thanks to an unbeaten 61 from Matt Tait before the weather intervened.

Elsewhere, Burton II made a strong start against Haverfordwest II, reaching 43 without loss before rain stopped play.

Division 3 results

Fixture	Result
Haverfordwest II v Burton II	Match abandoned
Stackpole v Carew II	Match abandoned
Pembroke II v Lamphey	Match abandoned
Kilgetty v Laugharne	Match abandoned – Laugharne 131-4
Hundleton v Saundersfoot II	Match abandoned

Division 3 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Kilgetty	4	61
2	Carew II	4	56
3	Lamphey	4	47
4	Laugharne	4	46
5	Hundleton	4	44

Division 4: Narberth II earn biggest win of the day

Narberth II secured one of the weekend’s few completed victories with a 42-run win over Llechryd II.

Ceri Davies smashed 76 while Richard Howell starred with the ball, taking 4-12.

Crymych also impressed before rain halted play against Lawrenny II, reaching 146-3 thanks to Rhys Davies’ unbeaten 73.

Division 4 results

Fixture	Result
St Ishmaels II v Carew III	Match abandoned
Lawrenny II v Crymych	Match abandoned – Crymych 146-3
Neyland II v Haverfordwest III	Match abandoned
Herbrandston II v Hook II	Match abandoned – Hook II 95-2
Llechryd II v Narberth II	Narberth II won by 42 runs

Division 4 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Narberth II	4	67
2	Hook II	4	58
3	Lawrenny II	4	57
4	Llechryd II	4	45
5	Crymych	4	43

Division 5: Whitland II pile on the runs

Whitland II posted the highest score of the weekend, smashing 256-2 before rain ended play against Llanrhian II.

Steffan Lee (61*) and Matt Driver (67*) were in fine form.

Llechryd III also impressed, reaching 160-4 thanks to Andrew Davies’ unbeaten 69.

Division 5 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Cresselly III	4	67
2	Llanrhian II	4	63
3	Whitland II	4	52
4	Llangwm II	3	43
5	Llechryd III	4	25

Division 6: Whitland III romp home

Whitland III claimed the most emphatic result of the weekend, skittling Kilgetty II for just 17 before knocking off the target for the loss of one wicket.

Ben Rodea (3-8) and Sion Benjamin (2-8) starred with the ball.

Haverfordwest/Cresselly also picked up a valuable seven-wicket win over Laugharne II.

Division 6 table

Pos	Team	Played	Points
1	Whitland III	4	63
2	Lamphey II	3	56
3	H’West/Cresselly	4	39
4	Neyland III	4	37
5	Laugharne II	3	32

Despite the weather chaos, the early league tables are beginning to take shape, with Carew, Johnston, Kilgetty, Narberth II, Cresselly III and Whitland III all setting the early pace in their respective divisions.