Sport
County Cricket Club AGM agenda published
THE Pembroke County Cricket Club have issued their agenda to Clubs, Vice Presidents and members for the sixtieth AGM, to be held at Haverfordwest Cricket Club on Wednesday (Feb 28).
As part of the AGM the County Club will also make the draws for the first two rounds of the Harrison Allen Bowl, DR Morris Cup, Ormond Youth Cup and Alec Colley Cup under the guidance of Cup organiser, Robert Ridge (Burton).
Nick Evans (Narberth) will begin his second season as President and twenty seventh season on the County Executive, alongside Paul Webb (Cresselly) as Chairman and Richard Merriman (Whitland) as Vice Chairman.
Steve Blowes (Secretary; unattached), Andrew Scott Davies (Treasurer; Pembroke Dock), John Harris (League Secretary; Stackpole), Martin Jones (Junior League organiser; Neyland), William Newall (Grounds Advisor; Llechryd) and Dave Loosmore (Child Welfare & Player Registration; Haverfordwest) are nominated for a return to position unopposed.
Mr Trefor Evans (Whitland) is nominated to the position of Assistant Secretary and as a life member with the five remaining positions on the committee to be voted upon from eight incumbents.
Dave Brandon (unattached), former President Dave Morris (unattached), and Peter Betterley (Llechryd) attended every meeting following their election last year, with Simon Williams (Haverfordwest) attending five meetings and co-opted member Richard Scriven (Haverfordwest) attending seven meetings from the eight possible for him.
They will be joined in the election process by Peter Davies (Neyland), the current Indoor League organiser and Selwyn Cole (Cresselly).
Two new names are nominated to join the senior selection committee of Morris, Evans and Merriman, namely Webb and former Carew all-rounder Martyn Cole.
The youth selection committee, which includes Evans, consists of Steve Lewis (Lawrenny; u10), Nick Daley (Pembroke Dock; u11), Simon Williams (Haverfordwest; u12), Andrew Miller (Neyland; u13), Ryan Lewis (Cresselly; u14) and Lee Smith (Stackpole; u15).
There are numerous proposed amendments to rules, on player eligibility, a limit to the number of overs a player can bowl, a rationale for sides to bat first and gain maximum points and in the lower division a way to encourage sides who may lose to focus on positive cricket.
After the issue of Carew’s final day declaration, they were awarded the James Morris Memorial cup as Champions but relegated to Division 2 and their captain Brian Hall banned for the first half of the 2018 season Neyland Cricket Club have proposed rules to alleviate to such an occurrence happening again.
Haverfordwest Cricket Club have proposed a change to the Harrison Allen Cup Rule 8 by asking for a ‘free hit’ after a foot fault no ball, with changes to monetary collection and distribution to be discussed.
New rules are proposed where points maybe awarded to clubs who enlist a new umpire onto the ‘circuit’ and procedures outlined in the laws of cricket (42) on the code of conduct to be adopted in some part. Junior organiser Jones and Secretary Blowes have numerous junior rule proposals for discussion, nine of the fourteen pertaining to U11 cricket.
The 2018 season begins on Sunday (Apr 22) for all five divisions, with play the following Sunday and the first Saturday game scheduled for Saturday (May 5), the season ending on Saturday (Aug 25).
The prestigious Harrison Allen final is due to be held at Cresselly Cricket Club on Saturday (Jul 28), with the Ormond Cup Plate the following Friday night (Aug 3), at Lawrenny and the Ormond Youth Cup final at Carew on Sunday (Aug 26).
The first final will be the DR Morris Cup final at Burton on Sunday (Jul 5) and the Alec Colley Cup final, for second XIs at Pembroke Cricket Club on Sunday (Aug 12).
The senior county side begin their representative fixtures with a game against Wales XL at the Kingsmoore Ground, Kilgetty on Sunday (May 13) before welcoming the South Wales League to Lawrenny the following Sunday (May 20).
The return fixture with South Wales will see the County side travel to Llandysul on Sunday (June 20), before locking horns with Wales U17 at Imble Lane, Pembroke Dock on Thursday (Jul 5). The final game on the fixture list will see an MCC side play at Whitland on Wednesday (Aug 15).
All member Clubs are requested to be present for the AGM, their absence invoking a potential £25 fine, which is rarely incurred.
The financial statement of the County Club shows them to be in a healthy state although they are proactive in understanding the need to continually move forward from a strong fiscal base.
Sport
Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League – Division 1: Match reports
Goodwick United 3–0 Merlins Bridge
League leaders Goodwick United claimed a commanding 3–0 victory over Merlins Bridge at the Pembrokeshire Sports Village. Rhys Jones broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute with a spectacular 25-yard free kick. An own goal by Nick Squire early in the second half doubled the advantage, and Jones sealed the win with a stoppage-time strike. The result keeps Goodwick four points clear at the top as they push to retain their title.
Carew 16–0 Herbrandston
Carew delivered a record-breaking performance, thrashing Herbrandston 16–0 at the Gerald Hicks Memorial Ground. James Hinchliffe led the charge with six goals, supported by Shaun Whitfield’s rapid hat-trick. George Waters contributed four goals, Gareth Lewis added two, and Leon Davies completed the rout. The emphatic win lifted Carew out of the relegation zone, while Herbrandston remains firmly at the bottom of the table.
Clarbeston Road 5–2 St Ishmaels
Clarbeston Road cruised to a 5–2 victory over St Ishmaels at Knock Field. Ben John missed an early penalty for Clarbeston but redeemed himself by assisting Jake Wesley’s equaliser. Laurie Haworth and Dan Rees found the net, with Wesley adding a second to complete the scoring for Clarbeston. St Ishmaels’ captain Brennan Devonald netted twice, but his side dropped into the relegation zone.
Monkton Swifts 1–4 Hakin United
Hakin United strengthened their title challenge with a 4–1 win over Monkton Swifts. Dylan Davies put Monkton ahead early, but Hakin responded through Ryan Wilson and Mark Jones to take a 2–1 lead into halftime. Jay Kilby scored twice in the second half, sealing a vital away win for the Vikings.
Milford United 2–2 Pennar Robins
Milford United and Pennar Robins played out an entertaining 2–2 draw at Marble Hall. Liam Davies gave Milford the lead, but Jamie Wilkes equalised for Pennar. Dan James then put Pennar ahead, only for Leon Davies to bring Milford level again. Milford’s Sam Davies was sent off late, but neither side could find a winner in the closing stages.
Tenby 2–3 Kilgetty
Kilgetty staged a thrilling comeback to defeat derby rivals Tenby 3–2 at the Clicketts. Joe Leahy opened the scoring for Tenby, with Jordan Gorman quickly levelling for Kilgetty. Scott Ferney restored Tenby’s lead before halftime. However, Kilgetty turned the tide in the final ten minutes as Lloyd Hughes equalised, and captain Richard Cope struck the decisive winner to secure a dramatic victory.
Sport
Local rugby action: Thrills, wins, and tough battles across divisions
Crymych 19 – Llanelli Wanderers 33
Llanelli Wanderers showcased their title aspirations with a decisive bonus-point victory over Crymych. Despite a spirited effort from the Preseli Men, who trailed 12-18 at halftime, they couldn’t capitalize on second-half opportunities.
Crymych’s hooker Lee Griffiths scored two tries in the first half, and a late penalty try offered some consolation. The Wanderers, under Sean Gale’s guidance, proved dominant with tries from Rhydian Morgan, Lewis Jones, Rhodri Owens, and Sam Icke. Jones contributed two conversions and three penalties, keeping the Wanderers in contention at the top of the table. Crymych remain in a relegation battle.
Division One (West)
Pontarddulais 17 – Tenby United 26
Tenby United maintained their unbeaten streak with a hard-earned seventh victory of the season, defeating a determined Pontarddulais side. Though missing a bonus point, the disciplined Seasiders secured a valuable win.
Lloyd Thomas played a pivotal role, kicking four penalties and converting tries by Gwion Jones and Rob Luly. Acting skipper Jones shone with an individual effort. Pontarddulais responded with tries from Ethan Miles, Lewis Edwards, and Iwan Evans. Tenby stay second in the league with a game in hand over leaders Aberystwyth.
Division Two (West)
Whitland 13 – Fishguard & Goodwick 10
A late Harry Fuller penalty sealed Whitland’s narrow victory in a fiercely contested clash with Fishguard and Goodwick. The Seagulls led 7-3 at halftime after Ben John’s converted try answered Johnny Thomas’s penalty.
Rhys Nicholas turned the game in Whitland’s favor with a crucial intercept try, converted by Thomas. Although Mark Jones briefly leveled the scores, Fuller’s decisive penalty secured Whitland’s fourth win of the season.
Carmarthen Athletic 23 – Milford Haven 10
Carmarthen Athletic overturned a halftime deficit to claim a solid home win over Milford Haven. The Mariners led 10-6 at the break, thanks to Robbie Jones’s converted try and a James Trueman penalty.
The Athletic surged back with 17 unanswered points, including tries from Gethin Phillips, Morgan Morse, and Deian Morgan. Zak Williams added the conversions and penalties to seal the victory. Milford missed out on a losing bonus point in their fourth defeat of the season.
Division Three (West)
Cefneithin 16 – Cardigan 29
Cardigan continued their strong form with a bonus-point win over Cefneithin. The Teifisiders led 15-6 at halftime, with Marcus Castle and Shaun Leonard crossing the try line. Leonard was instrumental, adding another try and three conversions.
John Lumb and Jack Taylor scored second-half tries as Cardigan capitalized on excellent possession. Cefneithin fought back with a try by Jonathan Morgan and three penalties from Carwyn Evans but fell short.
Division Four (West)
Llanybydder 17 – Neyland 43
Neyland dazzled with a six-try bonus-point victory over Llanybydder. Leading 24-5 at halftime, the All Blacks saw tries from Owain Evans, Matthew Coles, Owen Hamer, and skipper Georghe Williams.
Young winger Josh Watts added two second-half tries. Llanybydder responded with tries from Jake Evans, Dan Davies, and Dan Jones, converted by Ethan Sion Mathias, but Neyland’s dominance was unshaken as they returned to the top of the table.
Teirw Crymych 17 – St Davids 17
Teirw Crymych and St Davids battled to a draw in a thrilling encounter. The Bulls dominated early, building a 14-0 lead with tries from George Plummer and Trystan Griffiths, both converted by Adam Phillips.
St Davids stormed back with tries by Will James and Tom Clarke, before George Raymond’s late try leveled the scores. The conversion went wide, leaving both teams to share the points.
Dreigiau Emlyn 14 – Narberth Athletic 3
Narberth Athletic’s unbeaten run ended at Ddol Wiber as Dreigiau Emlyn’s forward strength secured a gritty win. A single forward-driven try and three penalties proved enough for the Dragons.
Athletic struggled to convert pressure into points, their only score coming from a Shane Rossiter penalty. The Dragons celebrated their third victory of the season.
Llangwm 17 – Pembroke 22
In a heated Division Four West derby, Pembroke edged out Llangwm in the first leg of the Palmer Cup at Pill Parks. The Scarlets held firm against a late surge to secure the win.
Llangwm opened strongly, with James Morgan and Dan Richards scoring tries, both converted by Harry Makepeace. Pembroke’s forwards turned the tide, with Jamie Brayford (2), Robin Badham, and Josh Greenwood crossing the line. Despite Llangwm’s late efforts, Pembroke extended their winning streak to three matches.
Sport
Pembrokeshire Vikings triumph over Port Talbot panthers
PEMBROKESHIRE VIKINGS faced a tough challenge against the formidable Port Talbot Panthers at Milford Haven RFC on Sunday afternoon. In a fiercely contested battle, the Vikings emerged as worthy winners with a final score of 33-17.
The Vikings’ try scorers included Dave Roberts, Karl Bate, Shaun Treadwell, Richard Williams, and Jack Elliott. Callum Power added to the scoreboard with four successful conversions. Karl Bate’s standout performance earned him the Man of the Match award.
A special mention goes to Sean Phillips, who made a welcome return to the team. Phillips delivered a brilliant 30-metre line break, unselfishly passing the ball to Dave Roberts, who crossed under the posts. His contribution exemplified the team spirit that defines the Vikings.
Matches between the Vikings and the Panthers are always marked by fierce rivalry, but also by strong friendships forged on and off the field. The team eagerly anticipates the return fixture in 2025.
The Vikings also extended their gratitude to Barry from Pembrokeshire College, a loyal supporter of the team. Additionally, thanks were given to sponsors Austwel LTD, Hedley Asset Management, and The Pembrokeshire Herald for their ongoing support.
Next match: A historic showdown
This Saturday, the Pembrokeshire Vikings will travel to Llandaff RFC to make history in a match against Rygbi Senedd Cymru. The team looks forward to another thrilling encounter as they continue their successful season.
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