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Rugby season arrives

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PEMBROKESHIRE rugby teams will get their seasons underway on Saturday, September 1, with all hoping to have a successful season.

Championship side Narberth had an excellent 2017/18 campaign, finishing second in the table behind runaway leaders Pontypool.

They had 14 wins from their 22 games and they will be looking to go one better this time around. Narberth have played two friendlies prior to the season beating Felinfoel 29-0 and Principality Premiership side Llanelli 17-12.

The Otters begin their season away to Beddau and have already named their team with Nick Gale, Jack Price, Jonathan Rogers and Tom Powell all starting.

In League 1 West, last season’s escape artists Crymych will be looking to achieve a finish similar if not higher than the sixth place they achieved in May.

Crymych were bottom of the table at the end of 2017 with just one win but a remarkable second half of the season saw them pick up ten wins to secure their place in the Division.

They also welcome back Tristan Lewis from Whitland and on Saturday, they get their campaign underway against Tenby United in an exciting Pembrokeshire derby.

Return: Lloyd Thomas

Tenby have had a busy pre-season, making a number of new signings including Lloyd Thomas, a former youth product, who returns at Outside Half. Lloyd transferred to Mahurangi Rugby Club in New Zealand in 2013, representing their premier team 84 times in the North Harbour league and became a firm favourite.

19 year old Second Row Tom Barrass, in his first year out of youth has followed Ossie Boswell from Pembroke Dock to Tenby United having impressed during his 1st XV appearances last season.

Jack Broadhurst, last season’s Narberth Youth Captain and Player of the Year, has also signed having previously represented the Swifts section before heading to Narberth.

Whitland, promoted from League 2 West last season, will be looking to get their season off to a flying start when they take on Gorseinon at home on Saturday.

Gorseinon finished fifth last season and will provide a good test for the Borderers on their return to league 1.

Marc Jones will captain the side for tomorrow’s opener, with Nico Setaro, Scott Buird, Jack Mason and Josh Thomas all in the starting XV.

Fishguard finished last season in ninth place in League 2 West and they will be aiming to achieve a higher finish this time around.

The Seagulls won 18-14 in the Pembrokeshire Cup against Haverfordwest on Tuesday, providing a good test before the start of the season.

Pembroke won the League 3 West A title with just one defeat to their name and they will be eager to get underway in League 2 on Saturday.

Pembroke have welcomed back James Skeels, Daffy Lewis and Mark Williams to their squad and they will be aiming to replicate the achievements of Saturday’s opponents St Clears in their first season at this level.

St Clears enjoyed a successful first season in League 2 last time around and they will be aiming to improve on their eighth place finish.

The Saints parted ways with Head Coach Mike Jones in the summer but have welcomed Tim Poole as their new first team coach with Lee Glanville joining as Defence coach and Rhodri Jones as attack coach.

League 3 West A will once again be a tightly contested league this season with Milford Haven, Laugharne and Haverfordwest again in contention for promotion.

Milford finished second last season and with Pembroke now a league above, they will aiming to get off to a good start against Pembroke Dock Quins at Bierspool.

Nathan Williams has returned to lead Milford while Jamie Lewis will captain the side on the pitch and they will be hoping to have a successful season.

Likewise will be the Quins who had six wins to their name last season but they will be looking to improve on their eighth place finish.

Haverfordwest will also be aiming for a return to League 2 and will be led by captain Matthew Clark.

He is joined by fellow new signings Adam Clark, Craig Barnett, Ashley George, Jamie Barnett, Jack Clancy, Kern Cunningham and Jamie Plumb. All will be hoping they can help the Blues to improve on their fifth place finish from last season.

They begin against a Llangwm side who will be determined to get off the mark early in the season.

The Wasps played Neyland in the Pembrokeshire Cup on Tuesday and pushed them all the way before succumbing to a 29-10 defeat.

Neyland will also be looking to get the season off to a good start on Saturday but they face a long trip to Ceredigion to take on Tregaron.

They had an excellent 2017/18 season with ten wins from their twenty games to achieve a sixth place finish but level on points with Haverfordwest and they will be aiming to improve on that.

St Davids are without a game this weekend but they get their season underway next week (Sept 8) when they travel to Llangwm.

Sport

St Clears and Letterston shine as Neyland struggles in Division 3

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THE PEMBROKESHIRE Third Division delivered another thrilling weekend of football, with key results shaping the league standings.

Clarbeston Road II capitalises on Neyland errors

Clarbeston Road II secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Neyland Reserves, with Robert Reed-Griffiths and Henry Lucas both getting on the scoresheet. Neyland’s woes were compounded by two own goals, further adding to their struggles. Mason Morgans-Hurley netted Neyland’s only goal, but it was not enough to prevent yet another defeat.

Pendine and Kilgetty II battle to a draw

Pendine and Kilgetty II played out a 2-2 draw in a hard-fought contest. Carl Gwyther and Andrew Evans (penalty) found the net for Kilgetty, while Julian Blewitt and Kyran Lewis (penalty) ensured Pendine earned a share of the points. The result keeps Pendine in the promotion race, while Kilgetty II continues their push to climb the table.

St Clears see off Haverfordwest Cricket Club

A hat-trick from Nick Squire powered St Clears to a 4-2 away victory over Haverfordwest Cricket Club. Scott Page also found the net for the visitors. Despite Liam Sheehan scoring twice for the hosts, they were unable to contain St Clears, who now edge closer to the top four.

Letterston cruise past St Florence United

Letterston produced a dominant display, claiming a 4-0 win over St Florence United. Simon Jones bagged a brace, while Gareth Mathias and Gary Delaney added to the tally. The victory cements Letterston’s place in the top half of the table.

New Hedges Saundersfoot United march on

New Hedges Saundersfoot United continued their strong form with a 4-1 triumph over Pembroke Borough. Adam Davidson and Harvey Drummond both struck twice to secure a convincing win. Sonny Price managed to pull one back for Pembroke Borough, but they were no match for the high-flying contenders.

League standings update

Goodwick United Reserves remain at the summit with 51 points, while New Hedges Saundersfoot United continue their charge in second place with 38 points, holding games in hand. Pendine and Pembroke Borough remain tightly matched on 35 points, while St Clears’ latest victory sees them move to 30 points in the top five. At the bottom, Neyland Reserves remain rooted with just six points, unable to turn their season around.

As the season enters its final stretch, every point is crucial in the race for promotion and survival in Pembrokeshire Division 3.

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Sport

Narberth dominate as Neyland hit fifteen in Manderwood Division 2 thrillers

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THE LATEST round of fixtures in Pembrokeshire’s Manderwood Division 2 on Saturday (Feb 8) produced a flurry of goals, with Narberth and Neyland delivering emphatic victories.

Narberth thrash Solva in goal fest

Narberth strengthened their title charge with a commanding 8-2 win over Solva. Stefan Williams was the standout performer, netting four times, while Jordan Williams added a brace. Aidan Howitt and Brychan David also got on the scoresheet. Solva responded with a penalty from Josh Bland and a late consolation goal, but they were no match for the league leaders.

Neyland’s ruthless fifteen-goal display

Neyland produced the most dominant performance of the day, dismantling Monkton Swifts II with a staggering 15-0 victory. Alfie Crawford, Corey Richards (hat-trick), Richard Mills (four goals), Max Bowman-Davies (two goals), Henry McBeth (three goals), and Ben Gale (two goals) all found the net in a relentless attacking display. The result cements Neyland’s position in the top half of the table.

Johnston secure win over Merlins Bridge II

Johnston continued their solid form with a 3-1 victory over Merlins Bridge II. Ryan Doyle led the charge with a brace, while Josh Knapp also found the net. Bradley Barrett pulled one back for Merlins Bridge, but Johnston held firm to claim all three points.

Carew II cruise past Lawrenny

Carew II enjoyed an impressive 4-1 away win at Lawrenny, with Connor Hay scoring twice. Charlie Perkins and Gareth Brown also got on the scoresheet. Owen James netted Lawrenny’s only goal, but the hosts struggled to contain Carew’s attacking threat.

Fishguard Sports hit Broad Haven for six

Fishguard Sports continued their strong run with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Broad Haven. Anthony Couzens and Adam Lawrence both bagged braces, while Luke Thomas and Ieuan Llewellyn also scored in a dominant display.

League standings update

Following these results, Narberth remain top of the table with 15 wins from 18 matches. Hakin United Reserves and Fishguard Sports remain in pursuit, while Broad Haven are still searching for their first win of the season.

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Sport

Goodwick dominate Hakin to tighten grip on title race

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Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League – Division 1

Goodwick United 4-1 Hakin United

GOODWICK United took a significant step toward retaining their league title with a dominant 4-1 victory over fierce rivals Hakin United. The result, captured by Sgorio TV cameras, extends Goodwick’s lead at the top to four points, putting them in pole position to lift the trophy once again.

With both teams unbeaten heading into this crucial clash, something had to give. Goodwick asserted their authority early, racing into a 3-1 lead by half-time before sealing the win with a fourth goal in the second half. Now, with just five league games remaining, Hakin’s hopes of mounting a late challenge rely on Goodwick slipping up twice while they win all their remaining fixtures.

Fast start sets the tone

Goodwick wasted no time in making their mark, breaking the deadlock within two minutes. A long throw-in found Rhys Dalling, who set up Will Haworth to fire home a well-struck effort from 18 yards.

Dalling, a constant threat throughout, turned provider again in the 18th minute. Cutting inside, he unselfishly squared the ball to Rhys Jones, who drilled a precise shot into the far corner to double the lead.

The home side continued to press, forcing mistakes from Hakin’s defence. Their persistence paid off in the 36th minute when a poor clearance from goalkeeper Gareth Fawcett landed at Dalling’s feet. With quick thinking, he lofted a superb 30-yard lob over the stranded keeper to make it 3-0.

Hakin responded just three minutes later. Ryan Wilson’s corner found Jack Britton at the far post, and he powered home a well-taken header to give the visitors a glimmer of hope before the break.

Goodwick stand firm, then seal the win

The second half was a more tactical affair, with Goodwick’s backline standing firm. The defensive unit of James Bryan, Matthew Delaney, Scott Delaney, and Sean Pemberton expertly nullified the attacking threats of Ashley Bevan, Alfie Stotter, Mark Jones, and Shane Walsh.

As Hakin pushed for a way back, Goodwick delivered the killer blow. Jonny Horgan’s excellent work down the left saw him deliver a pinpoint low cross into the box, which Haworth calmly slotted home for his second of the game, sealing an emphatic victory.

Hakin’s frustrations boiled over in the dying moments when Ashley Bevan was shown a straight red card by referee Stefan Jenkins, rounding off a disappointing afternoon for the Vikings.

Rivalry set to continue

These two sides won’t have to wait long for another battle, as they are set to face off again in the Senior Cup quarter-final at Phoenix Park in two weeks’ time.

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