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Swans have the scent for survival

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By Jonathan Twigg

SATURDAY (Feb 10) saw the Liberty Stadium in Swansea witness a ‘turf war’, won by the commemorative, Chinese New Year shirt wearing home side 1-0.

Visitors Burnley continued their miserable winless run which started on December 12, whilst Carlos Carvalhal’s side are now nine games unbeaten, lifting themselves clear of the relegation zone.

“You don’t have to see it; you smell it” can be attributed to an egocentric player who patrolled the left wing for both clubs four decades, Leighton James.

Saturday’s contest was fractious with neither side gaining ascendency, requiring the input of a mercurial talent like James, winner of 54 Welsh caps after his international in October 1971 against Czechoslovakia in Prague.

How former Swan, Jack Cork would have liked a smudging of the influence imposed by James in scoring 124 goals from 645 games to rub off on him, whilst the home faithful welcomed Andre Ayew to the bench, following his £16 million return from West Ham.

Brother Jordan was leading the line and loan signing Andy King also warming the splinters because the Premier Leagues newest ‘Tinkerman’ has taken his side from the depths of the Ocean to now have their heads above water.

This Portuguese man of war is wary of the sharks around him but can see the coastline of the promised land and knows how to get there, with James’ analogy from bygone years, ringing true.

James made his league debut for the Turf Moor outfit in November 1970 against Nottingham Forest, returning twice to the North West in a career which saw him transfer for a mammoth £310,000 to Derby in 1975.

He left Burnley for a second time in 1978 when they were relegated to the third division and signed for Swansea City helping them from the third division to the first division in the heady days of the John Toshack era. He had spells with Sunderland, Bury and Newport County before he retired in 1989 when at Burnley, to explore more avenues.

James, in his punditry role would have vilified Olsson for diving which brought a yellow card before half time, alongside Ayew, Clucas and Ki Sung Yeung’s efforts to hit the target.

They needed to watch the matchday mascot in the half time break as Neyland Pirate Ethan Blockwell gave goalkeeper ‘Cyril the Swan’ a lesson in finishing.

The East stand corner were drumming the beat as everything remained black and white; Johann Gudmundsson forcing a save from Lucas Fabianski, before Andre Ayew made his entrance to replace Olsson after Jeff Hendrick snagged a yellow card for stopping brother Jordan’s charge.

The side needed new life; brothers in arms, possibly ‘Kolo or Yaya’ were joined by Tammy Abraham, the Tinkerman’s batteries now recharged with a ‘Triple A’ strike force taking the game to Burnley.

Referee Marriner received queries over his parentage as Pope made a wonder save to deny Abraham, Jordan Ayew and Kyle Naughton smashed shots goalward, before the breakthrough came with six minutes remaining.

Ki hammered home the winner from the edge of the box after Naughton and Jordan Ayew’s silky build up play invoked the loudest rendition of ‘Land of my Fathers’ west of Twickenham.

Ethan Blockwell: The Neyland Pirate was a match day mascot as Swansea beat Burnley 1-0

Sean Dyche’s side were reduced to humping long balls which drew no change from Alfie Mawson and skipper Frederico Fernandez and when the new King ‘of Wales’ came across the drawbridge for his debut to replace ‘Prince Jordan’, a crescendo of choral voices greeted the signal of four additional minutes without fear.

James tried his hand at management in the League of Wales with Llanelli, taking in spells also at Garden Village and Haverfordwest but he didn’t enjoy the success Carvalhal has kindled way down by the sea.

An echo from the beach portrays the words of Martha and the Muffins from 1979, James surely remembering the wish for the sun not to go down. He didn’t need to see the ball; he could smell it and Carvalhal has the scent of survival from the sea as he approaches a return to his previous Club Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday (Feb 17).

The Swans travel to Hillsborough in search of a place in the FA Cup quarter final for the first time since 1964, where they eventually lost to Preston North End 2-1 in the semi-final at Villa Park, with the backing of the Jack Army who are enjoying the fruits of the BBQ served by Carvalhal.

Sport

Comprehensive wins and close calls in Week 8 of Pembrokeshire cricket

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Cresselly, St Ishmaels, and Pembroke Dock shine as season heats up

THE EIGHTH week of the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League saw some dominant performances and thrilling finishes across the divisions, with Cresselly continuing their unbeaten streak in Division 1 and Pembroke Dock II producing fireworks in Division 5.


Division 1

Cresselly cemented their place at the top of the table with a commanding 146-run victory over Carew. Tom Murphy (82) and Simon Cole (68) led a strong batting display, while Tom Arthur (5-28) and Ollie Arthur (3-23) ensured Carew were all out for 140 in reply.

Neyland cruised to an eight-wicket win against Haverfordwest, restricting them to 94 all out before chasing down the target with ease, thanks to contributions from Ross Hardy (2-10 & 23*) and Dai Davies (22*).

Burton enjoyed a 75-run win over Saundersfoot, with Morgan Scale (4-15) and Luke Hayman (3-25) starring with the ball.

Lawrenny edged out Whitland by three wickets, with Jamie Lewis (3-22) and Oscar Lewis (3-24) pivotal in a tight low-scoring game.

Herbrandston’s Charlie Malloy took a sensational 7-27 as they skittled Llangwm for just 55 and wrapped up a seven-wicket victory.

Division 1 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Cresselly815080
Carew814171
Neyland812662
Saundersfoot811853
Lawrenny89844
Herbrandston89744
Burton87526
Whitland86926
Haverfordwest86626
Llangwm83408

Division 2

Pembroke dismantled Carew II by 196 runs, powered by Jack Harries’ century (102) and Billy Wood’s all-round performance (27 & 5-17).

St Ishmaels overwhelmed Cresselly II by 154 runs, with a standout 49 from Jonathan Pawlett and 4-19 from Andrew Pawlett.

Llanrhian beat Burton II by six wickets, chasing 86 with Tom Clarke (38) and Russell Watkins (27) leading the way.

Hook defeated Johnston by 64 runs, while Llechryd took a 35-run win over Narberth, with Jaap Harries grabbing 4-19.

Division 2 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Narberth814371
St Ishmaels812962
Pembroke812353
Hook811553
Johnston810044
Llechryd89944
Cresselly II89344
Carew II88935
Llanrhian85617
Burton II84717

Division 3

Lamphey’s David Blackwell struck a superb 82 not out as they secured a 52-run win over Neyland II.

Hundleton defeated Laugharne by seven wickets, with Craig Williamson (40 & 3-19) and Ava Midgeley (4-28) pivotal.

Stackpole edged Haverfordwest II by two wickets in a tight low-scorer, while Pembroke Dock beat Fishguard by 69 runs, thanks to George Smith’s all-round effort (42 & 3-4).

Kilgetty v Hook II was abandoned.

Division 3 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Fishguard813171
Pembroke Dock812762
Hundleton812462
Stackpole811353
Lamphey89844
Haverfordwest II89734
Laugharne87525
Kilgetty86625
Hook II85625
Neyland II84517

Division 4

Three matches were abandoned, but Llangwm II returned to winning ways with a 72-run victory over Narberth II, thanks to Finley Ellrick (84) and Callum Jenkins (58).

Pembroke II made light work of St Ishmaels II, chasing 81 with nine wickets in hand, Paul White unbeaten on 42.

Division 4 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Pembroke II814371
Saundersfoot II813270
Crymych810452
St Ishmaels II810044
Haverfordwest III79833
Lawrenny II88234
Carew III77533
Narberth II86726
Llangwm II86217
Llanrhian II85416

Division 5

Pembroke Dock II blew away Cresselly III by 137 runs, with Alex Fearson (84), Luke Murray (56), and Richard Scourfield (50) dominating.

Llechryd II won a nail-biter against Herbrandston II by just two runs, while Haverfordwest IV beat Neyland III by five wickets.

Whitland II v Hundleton II was abandoned.

Division 5 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Llechryd II813361
Herbrandston II813062
Pembroke Dock II812661
Haverfordwest IV89434
Whitland II67323
Hundleton II76833
Cresselly III86216
Neyland III73007

Division 6

All scheduled matches were abandoned due to weather.

Division 6 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Pembroke III79350
Llechryd III57731
H’West/Cresselly77333
Whitland III75323
Lamphey II75223
Kilgetty II71405

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Sport

Clarbeston Road AFC scores green energy goal with solar upgrade

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Local football club moves toward energy self-sufficiency thanks to grant

CLARBESTON ROAD AFC has taken a major step towards becoming energy self-sufficient after receiving funding from the Welsh Government and Sport Wales for a solar power installation at its Knock Playing Field facilities.

The club, which signed up to the FAW Together Greener Charter in April, was awarded an Energy Saving Grant which has enabled it to install roof-mounted photovoltaic systems on both its garage and changing rooms.

The project also includes battery storage, helping the club maximise its use of renewable energy. In a further boost to sustainability, the changing rooms now feature an iBoost solar immersion heater controller, which allows solar energy to be used for heating the water in the showers.

A club spokesperson said: “One of our key goals under the Greener Charter was to install solar generation and other energy-saving measures to reduce our environmental impact and cut long-term costs. Thanks to the grant support, and the excellent work of local contractor Preseli Solar, we’ve been able to achieve that.”

The installation reflects a wider push across grassroots sport in Wales to tackle climate change, cut utility costs, and futureproof facilities. By generating their own power and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, clubs like Clarbeston Road AFC are helping lead the way in community-level sustainability.

The Herald understands that the funding was part of a broader Welsh Government initiative to support sport infrastructure improvements with an environmental focus.

Photo caption: Solar boost: Clarbeston Road AFC’s changing rooms and garage at Knock Playing Field are now fitted with solar panels and battery storage (Pic: Clarbeston Road AFC/Facebook)

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Sport

Race Preview: Barry Island 10K 2025

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NATASHA WILSON, Gemma Steel and Omar Ahmed lead the start lists for the Barry Island 10k this coming Sunday.

The race returns after a two-year sabbatical and hosts the second race in the 2025 R4W 10K Series at the quirky and popular seaside town famed for the Gavin and Stacey sitcom series.

Natasha Wilson (33:09) is the second fastest Welsh Athlete in history for the Marathon. She was the winner of the Cardiff University / Cardiff Half Marathon in 2022 and the victor of the Swansea University / Swansea Half Marathon last Sunday in 72:13.

2014 European Cross Country Champion Gemma Steel (31:26) last ran on Welsh soil at the Asics Home Nations 5K in Cardiff in 2023 finishing eighth in 16:15. She is the 11th fastest British Athlete in history over 10K and last raced at the Midland Counties Road Relay Championships in March.

Kate Estlea Morris (33:38) was the winner of the Reading Half Marathon in 2024 and a runaway winner at the Brecon Carreg CDF 10K last September and will look to challenge Wilson and Steel here.

Olivia Tsim (33:48) will also be in action and was second at the Adidas Manchester Marathon on her marathon debut in April and a previous winner of the Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K. She was also the winner of the season opener in the Welsh 10km Series at Caerphilly.

Alaw Evans (34:23) was the 2023 winner at the CDF 10k and a consistent performer that could cause an upset here.

Omar Ahmed (28:35) is a prolific racer and is rarely beaten. He most recently took victory at the Swansea University / Swansea Half Marathon in 63:13 last Sunday and is also a previous winner of the Run 4 Wales 10K Series.

Phil Wylie (29:30) finished fourth here at the last edition of this race and returns on Sunday.

Mike Ward (29:31) was the runner up at the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10k in early May and will face-off against the race winner Jonathan Butler (29:52) who is the final sub 30-minute performer in action here.

Daniel Hamilton (30:17 and Adam Bull (31:03) are next fastest.

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