Sport
Three horse race at the top
GOING into the penultimate round of Cricket fixtures just seven points separates the top three teams in Division 1.
Haverfordwest hold a slender two point advantage over second placed Cresselly going into Saturday’s (Aug 18) fixtures.
Not to be ruled out are Neyland and they face a tough test against fourth placed Whitland.
Neyland will be keen to keep the pressure on with victory knowing that they take on Haverfordwest in the last game of the season (Aug 25).
Whitland meanwhile will be aiming to keep themselves in fourth place knowing that a defeat could let in Lawrenny who take on St Ishmaels.
Haverfordwest are at home as they take on Llangwm and will be looking to put themselves in the best position possible going into that final game.
Cresselly’s last game saw them lift the Harrison Allen Trophy and they will be keen to keep up that winning momentum.
Cresselly are away to Kilgetty, who are fighting for their Division 1 survival, in what will be another exciting game.
Kilgetty are 38 points above second from bottom Burton with two games left to play and a win will see them safe and Burton relegated.
However, a win for Burton against already relegated Johnston, coupled with defeat for Kilgetty, will see them close the gap to their relegation rivals.
That will set up an exciting final day with Burton at home to St Ishmaels and Kilgetty away to Whitland.
Who will join Carew in Division 1?
In Division 2, Carew are already promoted as Champions and one of two teams will be joining them next season.
Saundersfoot currently occupy second place and hold a 36-point lead over third placed Kilgetty.
Saturday (Aug 18), sees Saundersfoot travel to Carew in what will be another excellent game. Carew may already be champions but having not lost all season, they will be determined to finish unbeaten.
Prior to last week’s games being abandoned Saundersfoot had won their last seven games, their last defeat coming against Carew, and they will be keen to show why they are gunning for promotion.
Defeat for Saundersfoot would then allow Narberth to close the gap should they beat Cresselly Seconds.
Haverfordwest Seconds sit fourth going into Saturday’s games and they will be keen to stay there with victory away to Hook. A win for Hook could see them go above Haverfordwest into fourth place.
At the other end, Whitland Seconds are already relegated but they could still have a say in who joins them in Division 3 as they host Stackpole.
Stackpole are just four points from safety and a positive result could be enough to see move out of the bottom two should Llechryd lose their game away to Pembroke.
Pembroke are not quite safe themselves with a 34 point game between them and Stackpole but a win could see them secure their Division 2 status for 2019.
Sport
South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics
Two of the finest athletes in south-west Wales are dreaming about bringing home medals from the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Track cyclist Emma Finucane and sailing star Micky Beckett will head to France in a buoyant mood after enjoying a successful build-up to their respective events.
Welsh athletes collected a record-equalling 11 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games and hopes are high that the tally could be beaten this year.
The Carmarthen-born rider cemented her rapid rise up the sprint ranks by winning a gold medal at the 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.
She became Great Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 and is now on track to chase more medals at the Olympics across three events.
The 21-year-old has yearned to compete at the Summer Games since watching Team GB sparkle at London 2012 and she is eager to make her mark this summer.
“It’s a massive dream of mine and it’s pretty cool that I’m kind of living my dream,” Finucane said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the journey and hopefully I’ll get selected and compete for my country.
“And it’s exciting because as the Team GB women’s sprint. I feel like we’re in a really good place to do well at the Olympics, not just compete as Olympians.”
Pembrokeshire-born sailor Beckett will also head to Paris with his sights firmly set on winning gold in the hugely competitive ILCA 7 class.
He will renew rivalries with Australian Matt Wearn, who controversially claimed the World Championship title ahead of Hermann Tomasgaard and Beckett earlier this year.
Online bookmakers rate Wearn as the favourite to emerge victorious this summer, but Beckett’s recent form gives him every chance of turning the tables.
Several new sports betting sites in Australia cut the Welsh sailor’s Olympic odds after he completed a trio of World Cup successes at a recent event in Palma.
Beckett believes the hard work he has done over the past few months gives him every chance of toppling Wearn when the action gets underway this summer.
“There is still plenty of work to do and managing form is probably the most important thing of any athlete’s job,” Beckett said. “There is no point being the best in the world unless you are the best in the world when it counts.
Sport
Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown
In the picturesque setting of Kilgetty, under the soft glow of the evening sun, local football fans were treated to an enticing clash between Kilgetty and Carew in the Pembrokeshire League Division 1. With the season winding down, both sides took to the pitch amidst numerous squad rotations, following a hectic week of multiple fixtures.
The match kicked off in a leisurely pace, resembling more of an end-of-season friendly than a fierce competition. Kilgetty seized the early initiative, with the trio of Josh Bevan, Richard Tebbut, and Richard Cope causing headaches for the Carew defense, skillfully led by Gareth Lewis. It was Jac Waters who broke the deadlock for the home side, putting Kilgetty ahead 1-0 as the first half came to a close.
However, Carew emerged revitalised after the break, with Jonty Bennett, James Hinchcliffe, and Zac Rowell putting in the hard yards to level the score. The introduction of Harvey Drummond for the ineffective Sam Christopher added further depth to Carew’s attacking prowess, culminating in an equaliser courtesy of the excellent Hinchcliffe.
As tensions rose, the game took on a newfound intensity, marked by needless bookings, after a clearly offside goal and a few heated moments on the field. Despite the fatigue evident from their recent fixture congestion, both teams showcased their competitive spirit, treating the fans to an entertaining second half.
In the end, neither side could break the deadlock, with Kilgetty and Carew having to settle for a well-fought 1-1 draw. While neither team was at their absolute best, the match provided a fitting conclusion to their respective seasons.
Sport
The stage is set – Senior Cup Final
It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.
League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.
Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.
There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.
The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.
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