Sport
Blues hit back to beat Saints
HAVERFORDWEST recovered from a poor start in their game with St Davids on Saturday (Feb 17), as they came from behind to record an eighth victory of the season.
As early as the first minute the Blues were on the back foot as a miss-placed pass saw the Saints kick the ball forward and when they caught up with the ball the Blues fouled which gave the visitors an early chance to take the lead.
Matty Mcleod was on kicking duties for the Saints but he sent his kick just wide of the posts.
Moments later, the Saints came forward once more but when a ruck was pulled down illegally, according to the referee, the visitors had a second chance to take the lead.
Mcleod again stepped up but he again sent his kick wide and the score remained 0-0.
The Saints were keeping the pressure on and that led to more Blues infringements before the visitors deservedly took the lead after ten minutes.
From a line out the Saints worked the ball out left and it was Rhys Morgan who powered his way over for the first score of the game.
Mcleod then found his shooting boots to send the conversion through the posts and give the Saints a 7-0 lead.
However, almost immediately the hosts were level as a good break by Dan John saw him burst through and go over for a try. Ollie Hughes then scored with the conversion to level the game at 7-7.
Despite being pegged back the Saints continued to play well and even stole a line out from the Blues to set up their own attack.
With twenty minutes on the clock it was the home side who took the lead as good play from Hughes found Rhys Baker who went over in the right hand corner.
Hughes then converted from right out on the touchline to give the home side a 14-7 lead.
Early Blues infringements then came back as Dave O’Leary was yellow carded giving the Saints a man advantage for ten minutes.
They were unable to make their advantage count and it was the Blues who looked the more likely to score as the half came to a close.
A third score before the break would have been harsh on St Davids and it almost came but the referee called a forward pass when Josh Atherton appeared to be free.
That meant it was 14-7 at half time and the Saints were still very much in the game.
It was the Blues who started the second half better and they were rewarded when Hughes went over for a try of his own which he also converted to make it 21-7.
The Saints continued to have good spells in the game but were unable to find a way through as the Blues infringements of the first half seemed to disappear from their game.
The home side also came close to a fourth try which would have given them a bonus point but they were denied by a great tackle and the score stayed the same.
It was a great performance by the Saints and if they continue to play the way they did in the first half, positive results will soon come their way.
The teams must now wait for their next game due to the Six Nations but they return to action on Saturday, March 3, when the Saints are at home to Laugharne and Haverfordwest are at home to new league leaders Pembroke.
Sport
Letterston marksman wins junior athlete award
A TALENTED young athlete from Letterston has been honoured at the British Shooting Awards 2024.
Seren Thorne was shortlisted for the prestigious awards and attended the gala event held at the Imperial War Museum in Manchester. To the delight of her family and supporters, Seren was named the winner of the Rifle Pathway / Junior Athlete of the Year award.
This accolade highlights Seren’s exceptional skill and dedication to the sport, marking her as one of the rising stars in British shooting.
Her mother, Sian Thorne, expressed immense pride in Seren’s achievement, sharing photos of the memorable evening.
The British Shooting Awards 2024 celebrated excellence in the sport, with a full list of winners available on their official website.
PHOTO CAPTION: Champion marksman: Seren Thorne receiving the Rifle Pathway / Junior Athlete of the Year award (Pic: Supplied).
Sport
Previewing the 2025 Super Bowl
Each year millions of people across the world gather to watch one of the biggest sporting events of the year – the Super Bowl. Last year, 3.4 million people in the UK watched the Super Bowl, up 1.1 million from the previous year. Considering the growth in popularity of American football in the UK, we anticipate the viewership will be even higher for 2025.
The 2025 Super Bowl is scheduled to take place on 9 February 2025 at Caesars Superdrome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
NFL teams
12 teams began competing for a spot in the 2025 Super Bowl when the playoffs began on January 11. At this point, four teams were eliminated. This now leaves eight teams to compete in the Divisional playoffs. Four of these will make it to the Conference Championships before contesting for a spot at this year’s Super Bowl.
The eight teams left with a shot at competing in the 2025 Super Bowl are:
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Baltimore Ravens
- Buffalo Bills
- Detroit Lions
- Houston Texans
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Los Angeles Rams
- Washington Commanders
Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs took the title for the second year in a row. However, the latest Super Bowl odds puts the Detroit Lions as the favourites to win this year’s Super Bowl, following a series of impressive performances in the regular season.
The national anthem and halftime show
Before the game commences, a special guest performs the national anthem. Last year, Reba McEntire offered a moving performance of The Star-Spangled Banner, and this year the task falls to jazz singer Jon Batiste.
It’s not just the football match that people look forward to. Super Bowl halftime shows are a spectacle in themselves and many look forward to the performance as much as the game itself. This year, 17-time grammy winner Kendrick Lamar is headlining the halftime show. Lamar previously headlined the Super Bowl in 2022.
How can I watch the Super Bowl in the UK?
The Super Bowl is being broadcast to fans free on ITV, including live online via ITVX on your laptop, mobile, or tablet.
Sky Sports is also broadcasting the event which you can watch online via Sky Go, NOW TV, or using the Sky Sports mobile app. You could also head to your local pub as plenty of pubs in Pembrokeshire will be showing the big game.
Will you be tuning in?
With a surge in popularity for American Football, it’s anticipated that more people from the UK than ever before will be turning their TVs on for the big event this year. Will you be watching this year’s Super Bowl?
Sport
Division Four West rugby: Thrills and tight contests on a chilly Saturday
Exciting matches, hard-fought battles, and standout performances define the weekend’s action.
Dreigiau Emlyn Edge Harlequins in Close Contest
Dreigiau Emlyn 21 – Pembroke Dock Harlequins 15
Dreigiau Emlyn secured a narrow victory over Pembroke Dock Harlequins, strengthening their position in the top half of the table. Gethin Davies scored two crucial tries, while Deiniol Rees added three penalties and a conversion to steer the hosts to victory. The Harlequins kept the game competitive with tries from Craig Barnett and Tom Donovan, with Ben Hathaway converting one and kicking a penalty. However, Emlyn’s composed performance ensured they held on for the win.
Teirw Crymych Outgun Llangwm in High-Scorer
Llangwm 22 – Teirw Crymych 33
Teirw Crymych powered to a 33-22 victory over bottom-placed Llangwm, bolstering their challenge for the league’s top spots. Sion Williams and Morgan Jones led the visitors’ try-scoring efforts, with additional tries from Sion Owen and Nick Bevan. Adam Phillips was reliable from the tee, adding four conversions. Llangwm fought back with tries from Aidan Rees and Ryan Banner, while Harry Makepeace contributed two conversions and a penalty. Despite their spirited display, the hosts couldn’t match Crymych’s attacking prowess.
St Davids Win Key Clash Against Llanybydder
Llanybydder 17 – St Davids 29
St Davids took a significant step away from the relegation zone with a vital 29-17 win over Llanybydder. Harvey Godkin, Nathan Foster, Zac Morgan, and Morgan Griffiths all crossed the whitewash for the visitors, with Bob Froy converting three and adding a penalty to secure a bonus-point victory. Llanybydder’s John Evans delivered an impressive hat-trick of tries, with one conversion by Matthew Rowlands, but St Davids’ all-round performance proved too much for the home side.
Division Four West continues to deliver thrilling rugby as teams battle for position in a tightly contested league.
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