Sport

Vikings smash seven past Clarby to lift Senior Cup

Published

7 years ago

April 22, 2018

HAKIN United lifted the Senior Cup for the first time since 2012 as they put in an excellent second half performance to thump Clarbeston Road 7-1 on Saturday (Apr 21).

The Vikings had raced into a two goal lead but Clarbeston Road’s Tom Reubens pulled a goal back as the game was evenly poised at 2-1 at half time.

However Hakin smashed in a further five goals in the second half to put the result beyond doubt.

Justin Harding: Scored and set up a goal for Hakin

The game was only three minutes old when Hakin’s Leigh Marchant sent a cross into the box which Clarby keeper Lee Scott flapped at before his defenders cleared the danger.

The first goal came on eight minutes and it was a goal worthy of gracing any final stage. Nicky Woodrow flicked the ball up and volleyed the ball into the back of the net, leaving the keeper with no chance.

Adam John then saw a shot blocked before Ben Fawcett made his way through a couple of defenders before firing into the net to double Hakin’s lead.

John was then sent through on goal and he beat the keeper to the ball but Clarby’s defenders got back to snuff out the danger.

With 22 minutes gone, Clarbeston Road got themselves back in the game as Jason Griffiths crossed the ball into the middle for Tom Reubens who squeezed the ball under Adrian Devonald and into the net.

Leigh Marchant then saw a cross hit the bar as the action switched back and forth before Clarby won a series of corners but were unable to find the net.

On the stroke of half time, Justin Harding crossed into the box for Wilson but his shot was saved.

It remained 2-1 at half time and both sides were still very much in with a chance of winning the Cup.

Clarbeston Road came close to equalising three minutes into the second half as Matthew Davies beat the keeper to the ball but he lost sight of the ball as it bounced in the air and Hakin were able to clear the danger.

Challenge: Players of both sides go for the ball

Ten minutes later, Hakin added a third goal as Harding sent a free kick into the box and Nicky Woodrow got a touch on it to divert it into the net.

With just over an hour gone, Ryan Wilson crossed into the box for Ben Fawcett and his header went in despite Scott getting a touch to it.

Four minutes later the game was as good as over as Harding fired the ball into the top corner with Scott again getting a touch on it.

Hakin continued to attack and with ten minutes to go they made it six as Woodrow side-volleyed in his third goal to complete his hat trick.

John then sent a free kick into the box but Daniel Armstrong’s header was well tipped over the bar by Scott.

However, just moments later it was seven as the ball fell to Jack Wilson on the edge of the box and he drilled it low into the bottom left corner of the net.

That was the end of the scoring and it left referee James Olyott, who had an excellent game in the middle, to blow the whistle for full time.

It sparked wild celebrations amongst the Hakin players and supporters as they sealed a first Senior Cup win since 2012.

Hakin’s Ben Fawcett was named man of the match and Kristian Bennett picked up the trophy for the first time as a manager.

Winning manager: Kristian Bennett

Speaking after the match, Kristian said: “I am just overwhelmed, I couldn’t have asked for a better performance in the final. Give Clarby some credit they battled back and it was anybody’s game but in the second half the boys smashed some good goals in.

“I did rip into them at half time, just because we gave the goal away and let them back in the game when we were well on top, that’s all it takes and Clarby Road are a good side.

“It’s brilliant, first Senior Cup as a manager, total new feeling but absolutely awesome.”

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Hundreds take the plunge at Fishguard Triathlon

Published

8 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Herald Sport

Popular coastal event returns with strong turnout and community support

HUNDREDS of athletes descended on Fishguard on Sunday (June 15) for the annual Fishguard Triathlon, with competitors tackling a challenging course that included a sea swim, hilly bike ride, and a scenic run along the Pembrokeshire coastline.

The event, which is now firmly established on the Welsh triathlon calendar, saw wetsuit-clad swimmers charge into the water from the slipway near Ocean Lab, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of spectators lining the rocks and harbour walls. The race then moved onto the roads for a testing cycle through the surrounding hills before returning to the seafront for the final run.

Local police officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team were on hand to support the event, including PCSO Carwyn Phillips and Sergeant Matt Wells—who recently took up the post of NPPT Sergeant for Milford Haven. Officers were seen chatting with members of the public and helping to keep the busy event running smoothly.

Sergeant Wells told The Herald: “It’s great to be part of such a positive event for the community. The turnout was fantastic and the atmosphere along the route was brilliant. I’d encourage anyone who sees me out and about in Milford Haven or Neyland to come and say hello.”

The triathlon was supported by volunteers, marshals, and safety crews, including surf rescue teams keeping a close eye on swimmers. Residents from Fishguard and the surrounding area came out in force to show their support, with many lining the roads and harbour wall throughout the morning.

The event is part of a wider series organised by Activity Wales Events and continues to grow in popularity year-on-year, drawing entrants from across Wales and beyond.

Sport

Cycling stars set for Lloyds 2025 National Road Championships in Ceredigion

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2025

Herald Sport

WELSH cycling superstar Geraint Thomas is entered in the 2025 Lloyds National Road Championships in Ceredigion next week.

Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers), twice national champion, twice Olympic champion and 2018 Tour de France winner, is entered in the road race and time-trial in what would be his last National Road Championships, having announced he is retiring at the end of the year.

Twenty former cycling national road champions headline the provisional rider list for the championships in Ceredigion, which gets underway on Thursday, June 26. Riders will compete in both Aberaeron and Aberystwyth, with routes taking then both inland and along the coastal road.

Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team) will be one to watch in the women’s elite road race and under-23 time-trial. Ferguson is fresh from an impressive 2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women campaign where she claimed both the points classifications and best young rider jerseys, the best British rider accolade and a career-first stage win in Kelso.

Three-time national road race and 2022’s under-23 time-trial champion Pfeiffer Georgi (Team Picnic PostNL) is set to defend her title. Anna Henderson (Lidl-Trek), who won the time-trial last year in preparation for her silver-medal winning performance in the Olympic time-trial, also returns.

Max Walker (EF Education–EasyPost) will be looking to go one better after winning silver last year in the national road elite time-trial, while Seb Grindley (Lidl – Trek Future Racing) will be keen to build on his junior silver at worlds last year in the under-23 time-trial.

Welsh riders include Owain Doull (EF Education – EasyPost), sisters Zoe (CANYON-SRAM zondacrypto) and Elynor Backstedt (UAE Team ADQ) and Elinor (Uno-X Mobility) and Megan Barker (Tekkerz CC).

Twice national champion, twice Olympic champion and 2018 Tour de France winner, Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) is entered in the road race and time-trial in his home country in what would be his last National Road Championships, after announcing he is due to retire at the end of the year.

Aberaeron’s hometown hero Josh Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers) is hoping to return to make it a hat-trick and defend his time-trial title from the previous two years, while Tomos Pattinson (Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development) will aim to defend his U23 men’s time-trial title from last year.

The 2025 Lloyds National Road Championships provides a fantastic platform for British riders to enjoy the home roads and experience the support of friends, family and local fans.

A total of 10 coveted national champion’s jerseys are up for grabs across three days of racing, with the time-trial on Thursday, June 26, the circuit race on Friday, June 27 and the road race concluding the action on Sunday, June 29.

Councillor Clive Davies, Ceredigion County Council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “We are pleased to see such an exciting line up for the Lloyds National Road Racing Championships and we look forward to welcoming the riders and supporters to Ceredigion.”

For more information about the routes of all three stages, the race, host venues and participating teams, visit: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/nationalroadchampionships

The 2025 Lloyds National Road Championships starts with a challenging time-trial in Aberaeron on June 26. Starting in Ffos-y-Ffin, the elite women, under-23 women and under-23 open will take to 27km of road, while the elite open will have to battle over 41km.

Aberystwyth plays host to both the circuit race on June 27 and the road race on June 29, allowing fans to come down and watch their favourite national riders battle for the title.

News

Pembrokeshire the location for second Pro Wrestling School

Published

3 days ago

June 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Royal Imperial Wrestling expands community-focused initiative in South Wales

ROYAL IMPERIAL WRESTLING (RIW), a growing name in the UK’s professional wrestling community, has opened its latest wrestling training school in Camrose, Pembrokeshire, aiming to discover and nurture local wrestling talent.

The new facility officially opened on Sunday, June 15, offering people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to learn and participate in professional wrestling.

The Pembrokeshire school’s launch follows the successful opening of RIW’s first school in Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend, just five months ago. The Bridgend location has quickly become a thriving community hub, with more than twenty regular trainees and several sold-out wrestling shows.

The schools are run by experienced wrestlers Andrew Griffiths, PJ Schulz, and Zac Parton, who collectively bring 68 years of wrestling and martial arts expertise.

Speaking about the opening, co-owner Zac Parton said: “We are thrilled to launch our second school in another vibrant Welsh community. Our aim at RIW is to make wrestling accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender, weight, ability, or neurodiversity. We’re committed to expanding further across Wales and making wrestling an inclusive and exciting part of community life.”

Local councillor Huw David (Cefn Cribwr, Kenfig Hill and Pyle ward) also praised the company’s efforts: “It’s fantastic to see Royal Imperial Wrestling quickly become such a valued and integral part of the community in Cefn Cribwr. Their events and training sessions have provided great entertainment and meaningful community engagement.”

RIW’s next event, Heatwave!, under its developmental sister brand Next-Gen Wrestling, takes place at Cefn Cribwr Community Centre on Saturday, June 28. Tickets are available online for £5.