Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Sport

Rugby season arrives

Published

on

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

Comprehensive wins and close calls in Week 8 of Pembrokeshire cricket

Published

on

Cresselly, St Ishmaels, and Pembroke Dock shine as season heats up

THE EIGHTH week of the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League saw some dominant performances and thrilling finishes across the divisions, with Cresselly continuing their unbeaten streak in Division 1 and Pembroke Dock II producing fireworks in Division 5.


Division 1

Cresselly cemented their place at the top of the table with a commanding 146-run victory over Carew. Tom Murphy (82) and Simon Cole (68) led a strong batting display, while Tom Arthur (5-28) and Ollie Arthur (3-23) ensured Carew were all out for 140 in reply.

Neyland cruised to an eight-wicket win against Haverfordwest, restricting them to 94 all out before chasing down the target with ease, thanks to contributions from Ross Hardy (2-10 & 23*) and Dai Davies (22*).

Burton enjoyed a 75-run win over Saundersfoot, with Morgan Scale (4-15) and Luke Hayman (3-25) starring with the ball.

Lawrenny edged out Whitland by three wickets, with Jamie Lewis (3-22) and Oscar Lewis (3-24) pivotal in a tight low-scoring game.

Herbrandston’s Charlie Malloy took a sensational 7-27 as they skittled Llangwm for just 55 and wrapped up a seven-wicket victory.

Division 1 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Cresselly815080
Carew814171
Neyland812662
Saundersfoot811853
Lawrenny89844
Herbrandston89744
Burton87526
Whitland86926
Haverfordwest86626
Llangwm83408

Division 2

Pembroke dismantled Carew II by 196 runs, powered by Jack Harries’ century (102) and Billy Wood’s all-round performance (27 & 5-17).

St Ishmaels overwhelmed Cresselly II by 154 runs, with a standout 49 from Jonathan Pawlett and 4-19 from Andrew Pawlett.

Llanrhian beat Burton II by six wickets, chasing 86 with Tom Clarke (38) and Russell Watkins (27) leading the way.

Hook defeated Johnston by 64 runs, while Llechryd took a 35-run win over Narberth, with Jaap Harries grabbing 4-19.

Division 2 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Narberth814371
St Ishmaels812962
Pembroke812353
Hook811553
Johnston810044
Llechryd89944
Cresselly II89344
Carew II88935
Llanrhian85617
Burton II84717

Division 3

Lamphey’s David Blackwell struck a superb 82 not out as they secured a 52-run win over Neyland II.

Hundleton defeated Laugharne by seven wickets, with Craig Williamson (40 & 3-19) and Ava Midgeley (4-28) pivotal.

Stackpole edged Haverfordwest II by two wickets in a tight low-scorer, while Pembroke Dock beat Fishguard by 69 runs, thanks to George Smith’s all-round effort (42 & 3-4).

Kilgetty v Hook II was abandoned.

Division 3 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Fishguard813171
Pembroke Dock812762
Hundleton812462
Stackpole811353
Lamphey89844
Haverfordwest II89734
Laugharne87525
Kilgetty86625
Hook II85625
Neyland II84517

Division 4

Three matches were abandoned, but Llangwm II returned to winning ways with a 72-run victory over Narberth II, thanks to Finley Ellrick (84) and Callum Jenkins (58).

Pembroke II made light work of St Ishmaels II, chasing 81 with nine wickets in hand, Paul White unbeaten on 42.

Division 4 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Pembroke II814371
Saundersfoot II813270
Crymych810452
St Ishmaels II810044
Haverfordwest III79833
Lawrenny II88234
Carew III77533
Narberth II86726
Llangwm II86217
Llanrhian II85416

Division 5

Pembroke Dock II blew away Cresselly III by 137 runs, with Alex Fearson (84), Luke Murray (56), and Richard Scourfield (50) dominating.

Llechryd II won a nail-biter against Herbrandston II by just two runs, while Haverfordwest IV beat Neyland III by five wickets.

Whitland II v Hundleton II was abandoned.

Division 5 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Llechryd II813361
Herbrandston II813062
Pembroke Dock II812661
Haverfordwest IV89434
Whitland II67323
Hundleton II76833
Cresselly III86216
Neyland III73007

Division 6

All scheduled matches were abandoned due to weather.

Division 6 Table

TeamPldPointsWL
Pembroke III79350
Llechryd III57731
H’West/Cresselly77333
Whitland III75323
Lamphey II75223
Kilgetty II71405

Continue Reading

Sport

Clarbeston Road AFC scores green energy goal with solar upgrade

Published

on

Local football club moves toward energy self-sufficiency thanks to grant

CLARBESTON ROAD AFC has taken a major step towards becoming energy self-sufficient after receiving funding from the Welsh Government and Sport Wales for a solar power installation at its Knock Playing Field facilities.

The club, which signed up to the FAW Together Greener Charter in April, was awarded an Energy Saving Grant which has enabled it to install roof-mounted photovoltaic systems on both its garage and changing rooms.

The project also includes battery storage, helping the club maximise its use of renewable energy. In a further boost to sustainability, the changing rooms now feature an iBoost solar immersion heater controller, which allows solar energy to be used for heating the water in the showers.

A club spokesperson said: “One of our key goals under the Greener Charter was to install solar generation and other energy-saving measures to reduce our environmental impact and cut long-term costs. Thanks to the grant support, and the excellent work of local contractor Preseli Solar, we’ve been able to achieve that.”

The installation reflects a wider push across grassroots sport in Wales to tackle climate change, cut utility costs, and futureproof facilities. By generating their own power and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, clubs like Clarbeston Road AFC are helping lead the way in community-level sustainability.

The Herald understands that the funding was part of a broader Welsh Government initiative to support sport infrastructure improvements with an environmental focus.

Photo caption: Solar boost: Clarbeston Road AFC’s changing rooms and garage at Knock Playing Field are now fitted with solar panels and battery storage (Pic: Clarbeston Road AFC/Facebook)

Continue Reading

Sport

Race Preview: Barry Island 10K 2025

Published

on

NATASHA WILSON, Gemma Steel and Omar Ahmed lead the start lists for the Barry Island 10k this coming Sunday.

The race returns after a two-year sabbatical and hosts the second race in the 2025 R4W 10K Series at the quirky and popular seaside town famed for the Gavin and Stacey sitcom series.

Natasha Wilson (33:09) is the second fastest Welsh Athlete in history for the Marathon. She was the winner of the Cardiff University / Cardiff Half Marathon in 2022 and the victor of the Swansea University / Swansea Half Marathon last Sunday in 72:13.

2014 European Cross Country Champion Gemma Steel (31:26) last ran on Welsh soil at the Asics Home Nations 5K in Cardiff in 2023 finishing eighth in 16:15. She is the 11th fastest British Athlete in history over 10K and last raced at the Midland Counties Road Relay Championships in March.

Kate Estlea Morris (33:38) was the winner of the Reading Half Marathon in 2024 and a runaway winner at the Brecon Carreg CDF 10K last September and will look to challenge Wilson and Steel here.

Olivia Tsim (33:48) will also be in action and was second at the Adidas Manchester Marathon on her marathon debut in April and a previous winner of the Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K. She was also the winner of the season opener in the Welsh 10km Series at Caerphilly.

Alaw Evans (34:23) was the 2023 winner at the CDF 10k and a consistent performer that could cause an upset here.

Omar Ahmed (28:35) is a prolific racer and is rarely beaten. He most recently took victory at the Swansea University / Swansea Half Marathon in 63:13 last Sunday and is also a previous winner of the Run 4 Wales 10K Series.

Phil Wylie (29:30) finished fourth here at the last edition of this race and returns on Sunday.

Mike Ward (29:31) was the runner up at the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10k in early May and will face-off against the race winner Jonathan Butler (29:52) who is the final sub 30-minute performer in action here.

Daniel Hamilton (30:17 and Adam Bull (31:03) are next fastest.

Continue Reading

Community1 day ago

West Wales marchers press on as Egyptian authorities crack down on Gaza protest

No reports of Pembrokeshire detentions as international participants face violence and deportation ACTIVISTS from Pembrokeshire taking part in the Global...

Business2 days ago

Milford Haven Port: Hospitality income overtakes biggest energy terminal

Tourism and hospitality generate more than any single energy customer, marking a historic economic shift for the UK’s leading energy...

News3 days ago

West Wales activists join international march to Gaza border

Campaigners walk 30 miles through the Sinai desert to demand humanitarian access to Gaza ACTIVISTS from West Wales are among...

News4 days ago

Pentagon review puts Pembrokeshire radar project in doubt

A DEEP space radar facility planned for the former RAF Brawdy base in Pembrokeshire could be scrapped or delayed as...

News4 days ago

Spending Review slammed as rail funding ‘falls short’ for Wales

Tories accuse Labour of rewriting history, Lib Dems say Wales ‘gets the scraps’, and unions urge caution LABOUR’S headline £445...

News5 days ago

Pembroke Road closed after serious crash near school

PEMBROKE ROAD in Pembroke was completely closed this afternoon (Tuesday, June 10) following a serious road traffic collision near Ysgol...

News5 days ago

Milford Haven function centre outdoor dining area refused

A RETROSPECTIVE scheme for an outside dining area on a listed building in the most prominent street in Milford Haven’s...

News6 days ago

Farage pledges coal revival and steelworks comeback for Wales

Reform leader eyes Senedd victory as critics blast ‘fantasy economics’ NIGEL FARAGE visited Port Talbot on Monday (June 10), promising...

News1 week ago

Are the traditional parties in Wales underestimating Reform UK?

By-election wins, surging polls and a reshaped Senedd system fuel Reform’s rapid rise REFORM UK is no longer a fringe...

Health1 week ago

Dentists warn Welsh reforms could ‘destroy NHS dentistry’

BDA survey reveals mass exodus risk as 64% of Welsh dentists say they may go fully private A MAJOR new...

Popular This Week