Sport
Woodrow and Harding doubles send Hakin through to Senior Cup final
HAKIN United will play Clarbeston Road in the final of the Senior Cup as they withstood a second half fightback from Carew to win their Semi-final 4-2 on Tuesday night (Mar 6).
Goals from Justin Harding and Nicky Woodrow had given the Vikings a 3-0 half time lead but Carew hit back in the second half through Ian Derbyshire and Alex Bayley to make it 3-2.
The Rooks poured forward looking for an equaliser but it wasn’t to be as Woodrow scored his second of the night to make it 4-2 and all but seal their passage into the final.
Despite the recent weather, the game was played on an excellent Bridge Meadow surface and a good crowd gathered to watch.
The first real chance of the game fell to Hakin after seven minutes when a cross from the right from Jack Wilson was glanced wide by the head of Nicky Woodrow.
Wilson then ran in from the wing before firing a strong shot towards goal which Carew keeper Tom Davies did well to tip over the bar.
Two minutes later Alex Bayley ran towards the goal but his drive was always going over the bar.
With twenty minutes gone, the ball broke kindly for Sam Christopher but his cross flashed across the face of goal before being kicked out for a corner.
The opening goal of the game came after 25 minutes as Wilson played the ball into the box for Justin Harding who turned well to fire the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
Carew again came close to scoring but another cross from Christopher was also cleared with players coming in.
Just after the half hour, Hakin doubled their lead as Carew failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Harding who shot on the turn into the roof of the net from six yards out to make it 2-0.
Carew would have hoped to see the half out with no more goals but Hakin had other ideas and Harding turned provider as his cross flew over the Carew defenders to Woodrow at the back post and he fired the ball back into the bottom right corner.
Shortly before the break, Carew were given a free kick in a dangerous position but Jack Christopher sent the ball just over the bar.
On the stroke of half time Wilson played in Harding once more but this time Carew keeper Davies made a good save to tip the ball over.
The Rooks had a mountain to climb in the second half but they started well and were rewarded thirteen minutes in as Jack Christopher headed the ball towards goal and Ian Derbyshire was on hand to knock the ball home to give his side a way back into the match.
Soon after they pulled a second goal back as an initial shot was saved by Hakin keeper Adrian Devonald but he parried the ball into the path of Alex Bayley who tapped the ball home to make it 3-2.
The Rooks poured forward looking for an equaliser and Iwan Izzard’s cross just had too much on it as it went out before anyone could get a touch.
However, with just over ten minutes to go, Hakin broke from their own half and Harding squared the ball into the box for Woodrow who rounded the keeper to tap into the empty net for 4-2.
Carew had a late chance to pull a goal back but Jack Christopher headed wide from a corner and Hakin saw out the last few minutes to book a first Senior Cup final appearance since 2016.
They will play Clarbeston Road in the final after they beat Merlins Bridge 2-1 in the other semi-final.
The final will again be played at the Bridge Meadow on Saturday, April 21.
Sport
Dragons’ defeat to Pau dents their European ambitions
The Dragons’ European ambitions suffered a setback with a home defeat to Pau in Newport. This loss has intensified the pressure on the team as they prepare for a crucial match in South Africa. Having dented their hopes, the team now faces an uphill battle to recover. from it.
Match overview
In the recent game, the Dragons were unable to secure a victory against Pau. Despite a strong start, they couldn’t maintain their performance throughout the match. Pau capitalised on their opportunities, making it difficult for the Dragons to regain control. The team was unable to close out crucial moments of the game, which led to their downfall.
Before the match, the Dragons were given odds of 10/11 while Pau were given even odds. With Rugby Union matches now attracting a lot more online sports betting, according to senior editor Ian Bruce, many new and exciting sites are available to UK punters looking for some rugby betting action. Punters can visit and compare a range of the best sites here, being assured that they are safe and cover a wide array of sports and odds, with some offering added perks like instant payouts.
For punters betting on the Dragons, with this loss, their chances of progressing in the European competition are now uncertain. The Dragons will need to reassess their strategy and tighten up their play in the upcoming fixtures. Their performance was a reminder of how competitive European rugby can be and how small mistakes can lead to significant consequences. The result leaves them with a tough challenge ahead if they are to keep their hopes of advancing alive.
Key moments
Aaron Wainwright, keeping up his form from last year, and Rio Dyer, did their best for the Dragons. Their efforts were commendable, but the team’s overall performance fell short. Wainwright showed his typical work rate, making key tackles and contributing in the forward pack.
Dyer, on the other hand, was dynamic in attack, creating several opportunities. However, their individual brilliance wasn’t enough to lift the team as a whole. Key mistakes at crucial moments, such as turnovers and missed tackles, allowed Pau to exploit gaps in the Dragons’ defence.
In particular, the Dragons struggled in the breakdown area, where Pau won vital turnovers. Despite individual highlights, the team’s overall execution lacked consistency, which cost them the game. This match showcased how even with standout players, team performance is crucial for success at this level of competition.
Looking ahead
The Dragons now face a critical game in South Africa. This match is vital for their European hopes. A win is essential to keep their ambitions alive. They cannot afford another slip-up, especially in a tournament as competitive as the European Champions Cup. The team needs to make adjustments in key areas, particularly their decision-making under pressure and their discipline.
The match will be a true test of their character and ability to bounce back from adversity. The Dragons have shown resilience in the past, but this game will be a significant marker of whether they can push through and stay in the competition. They will need to focus on their strengths, play with intensity, and avoid the mistakes that have hurt them recently.
News
South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association results
THE RESULTS of the catch-up games played over the Christmas/New Year period are as follows:
- Llanteg 10 – 0 Hundleton
- Reynalton 8 – 2 Badgers
- Cosheston 10 – 0 St Twynnells
Updated League Table
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | S/D | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
East Williamston | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 127 | 74 |
Carew | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 86 | 65 |
Reynalton | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 31 | 62 |
Hundleton | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 65 | 60 |
St Johns | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 58 |
Cosheston | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 33 | 54 |
Llanteg | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -22 | 44 |
St Twynnells | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | -108 | 41 |
Badgers | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 36 | 40 |
Kilgetty | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | -85 | 40 |
Lamphey | 10 | 1 | 0 | 9 | -155 | 22 |
Singles tournament success
A big thank you to everyone who participated in the singles tournament this weekend. After a competitive Round Robin in the morning, players were divided into red and blue streams for the afternoon knockout stages.
- Red Stream Winner: Simon Hall (Reynalton)
- Runner-up: Andrew Maclean (East Williamston)
- Blue Stream Winner: Margaret Richards (Reynalton)
- Runner-up: Chris Clarkson (Lamphey)
Upcoming event
The next tournament will be the Doubles, held at Heatherton on Saturday, 15th February. Entry forms will be distributed shortly once details are finalized.
Sport
Pembrokeshire Second Division Match Report – January 11, 2025
A THILLING weekend of football in Pembrokeshire’s Second Division delivered key results that tightened the race for promotion and intensified the relegation battle.
Narberth 2-0 Hakin United II
Narberth bolstered their title aspirations with a commanding 2-0 victory over league leaders Hakin United II. Brychan David broke the deadlock with a clinical finish, and Jordan Williams secured the win with a second goal. The result leaves Narberth just two points behind Hakin in a hotly contested title race.
Merlins Bridge II 0-2 Fishguard Sports
Fishguard Sports continued their march towards a top-three finish, claiming a vital 2-0 win away at Merlins Bridge II. Ieuan Llewellyn coolly converted a penalty to give Fishguard the lead, while Luke Thomas added a second to seal the victory. With games in hand, Fishguard remain firmly in contention at the top end of the table.
Lawrenny 1-2 Neyland
Neyland edged a close contest against Lawrenny with a 2-1 win that keeps their top-half ambitions alive. Thomas Cole scored for the home side, but goals from Aidan Rees and Jack John secured all three points for Neyland in a hard-fought encounter.
Monkton Swifts II 1-7 Johnston
Johnston produced a dominant performance, thrashing Monkton Swifts II 7-1. Ryan Doyle netted twice, with further goals from Steve Allen, James Larsen, Marcus Allen, Callum Rees, and Joey George. The emphatic victory consolidates Johnston’s strong campaign, while Monkton Swifts II remain perilously close to the relegation zone.
Carew II 3-3 Solva
Carew II and Solva played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in a match filled with excitement. George Davies scored twice for Carew, with Charlie Perkins also on target. Solva responded with two goals from Josh Bland and an own goal that levelled the match. Both sides remain stuck in mid-table, with the result doing little to ease their relegation concerns.
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