Sport

Otters give Pooler a fright

Published

6 years ago

January 22, 2019

NARBERTH gave everything they had on Saturday (Jan 19), but it wasn’t enough to earn victory against Pontypool at the Lewis Lloyd Ground.

Pontypool, unbeaten in 49 games, arrived with an army of loyal supporters to add to a large crowd eager to witness the clash. They were not disappointed for the Otters had no intention of giving way to the league leaders.

The Otters kicked off and for the next few minutes attacked Pooler in their half and on the halfway line. A scrum was called and the ball was served and in seconds the ball came out on the tight head. Pooler winger Lloyd Lewis gathered the ball and seeing his way to the line clear, raced up the far touchline for him to score an unconverted try.

The Otters restarted and it seemed a kicking duel was likely until Pontypool put the ball in touch. From the Otters lineout the ball was moved from left to right with hooker Rhodri Owens breaking forward, Pooler brought him down but the Otters rucked well, Ryan Lane fed the ball to Jonathan Rogers who repeated the previous weeks drop goal with ease, bringing the score to 3-5.

There was then another kicking duel with Pooler chasing every kick while the Otters played for safety and kicked into touch. Pooler then set up a rolling maul before releasing fly half Mathew Lewis to place the ball into touch on the Otters 22.

Pooler continued to put the pressure on but the Otters stood up to it well. The visitors forced the Otters back into their 22, gaining a penalty at the breakdown and Mathew Lewis put the ball into touch on the 5 metre line by the clubhouse.

From the lineout they set up a rolling maul but the Otters pack were equal to the technique and thwarted Pooler and managed to get the ball to Jack Price who kicked down field before full back Geraint Walsh moved the ball to the opposite side of the field before the Otters closed him down.

Pooler were penalised for offside enabling Jonathan Rogers to kick into the Pooler 22. The Otters gaining the ball moved across from the stand side but the move broke down when the passed ball was dropped.

The Otters regained possession and Jack Price made a powerful break and although tackled he managed to forced his way through before slipping to the ground. At the ruck the Otters were again penalised.

Then on 27 minutes with Pooler in attack in the Otters half the ball broke loose and reacting quickly Nick Gale kicked the ball down field, the Pontypool winger was unable to control the ball enabling Nick to kick forward again and easily win the sprint to the touch down. He followed this with an excellent conversion to make it 10-5 to the Otters.

Pooler responded aggressively to finding themselves behind but the Otters defended with good organisation and equal aggression stopping every attempt to break through even at the scrum 10 metres from the Otters line, when Rhys Lane was able to put in a relieving kick into touch on his 22.

The Otters pack put pressure on Pooler enabling wing Will Lewis to kick ahead and break forward. He gathered the ball making many metres before being tackled.

Pooler were making much use of their heavier pack but a stout defence held them back. Close to half time Mathew Lewis kicked Pooler to the Otters corner. At the lineout a maul was formed but held back only for the Otters to be penalised and for Richard Rees to be sent to the sin bin.

The referee eventually blew for half time after playing six minutes injury time with the Otters 10-5 ahead.

The second half started with both full backs attempting a kicking duel before Ianto Griffiths put the ball into touch on halfway.

The difference between the two scrum halves beside age is that Lewys has a longer pass enabling Jonathan Rogers to position himself further back away from the Pooler back row. However, five minutes into the second half, Pooler levelled the score with an unconverted try by flanker Mikey Herbert who broke through the Otters defence to cross the line and touch down.

For the next 10 minutes Pooler stepped up their pressure in an aggressive manner with both defences putting in some brutal tackles. The Otters were awarded a penalty for Nick Gale to step up and successfully kick the Otters into a 3 point lead at 13-10.

A few minutes later, the Otters were defending another forceful Pooler attack when on their 22, there was an unfortunate injury affecting flanker Steffan Phillips. His cries of agony were heard around the ground and play stopped for 10 minutes while he received attention. A huge round of applause occurred when Steffan rose and was able, with assistance, to walk off the field with his right arm supported.

A scrum restarted the game, Pooler were awarded a penalty with which Mathew Lewis levelled the score at 13-13.

This was followed a few minutes later with the Otters regaining the lead with another Nick Gale penalty.

The Otters continued their attempts to break through the Pooler defence and a diagonal break by Keiron Jones saw him tackled 5 metres from the try line. A successful ruck saw Jonathan Rogers throw a long pass which reached Nick Gale who raced towards the line before being pulled down, via the ruck the ball was moved quickly towards the clubhouse when Pooler were penalised for lying offside.

The Otters kicked to the corner at the lineout forming a maul but the possession was lost enabling Pooler to force their way downfield. On 76 minutes they were awarded a penalty, Mathew Lewis kicked to touch into the Otters 22.

At the lineout they formed a maul before quickly releasing the ball with Mathew Lewis managing to break the defensive wall and score an unconverted try. The score was now 16-18.

Unfortunately the Otters kick out on the half way line went directly into touch. Thus enabling Pooler to scrummage and retain the ball.

Otters defence coach Jon Dodd commented: “It was a very hard game, very physical. We probably gave Pontypool the hardest game of the season, we are disappointed we lost. Everything went to the game plan. There was more kicking and chasing than we normally do but that was because of the quality of Pontypool.

“Defensively we were very good but we spent long periods of time without the ball and it took its toll. We took our breakaway try very well but there were other chances we might have taken. We played excellently and for the spectator it was a good game to watch. The team from 1 to 15 put in a very good performance today. Nick Gale with his place kicking was excellent and kept us going. So with those thoughts in mind we can go forward in the remaining games and win them all.”

Related Topics:Championship Narberth Otters Pontypool Pooler Rugby WRU

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South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – Final Table 2024/25

Published

2 hours ago

April 20, 2025

Herald Sport

All matches complete as season concludes

THE 2024/25 season of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – known as The Friendly League – has now officially concluded, with all clubs completing their outstanding fixtures.

The past few weeks saw the following catch-up matches played:

Carew 8–2 Llanteg
St Johns 8–2 Cosheston
Hundleton 8–2 Reynalton
Reynalton 9–1 Lamphey
Cosheston 10–0 Kilgetty
East Williamston 9–1 Kilgetty

Final League Table (2024/25 Season)

Position	Club	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	S/D	Points
1	East Williamston	20	18	0	2	313	158
2	St Johns	20	14	0	6	111	122
=3	Carew	20	11	1	8	105	111
=3	Cosheston	20	12	0	8	77	111
5	Reynalton	20	11	0	9	28	104
6	Hundleton	20	9	0	11	74	97
7	Llanteg	20	7	1	12	-71	92
8	St Twynnells	20	8	1	11	-97	89
9	Badgers	20	6	1	13	-22	82
=10	Lamphey	20	6	0	14	-179	67
=10	Kilgetty	20	6	0	14	-262	67

Congratulations to East Williamston, who finish the season as clear champions with an impressive 158 points and a shot difference of +313.

News

Plans submitted to redevelop home of one of Wales’ oldest football clubs

Published

7 hours ago

April 20, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

FORMAL plans to redevelop the grounds of one of the oldest football clubs in Wales – which includes a new 310-seater stand – have been submitted to the council.

Aberystwyth Town Football Club has submitted an application for the redevelopment of its grounds at Park Avenue Stadium, Aberystwyth.

A supporting statement from agent JMS Planning and Development says the proposal seeks “full planning permission for the demolition of the existing main stand and the creation of a new clubhouse, turnstile, changing rooms, business unit and improvements to the existing seated and standing terraces which will include new roof canopies and all associated works”.

The formal application follows an earlier public consultation.

It adds: “Aberystwyth Town Football Club is proudly one of the oldest football clubs in Wales, whereby the club was founded some 140 years ago in 1884. The club is one of the founding members of what is now known as the ‘Cymru Premier’, of which it is only one of two teams to have never been relegated since its inception in 1992.

“The men’s senior team is loyally supported by local community and has seen an increase in attendance over the past couple of years, reaching nearly 6,000 spectators over the year for the men’s team alone. A number of Cymru Premier matches are broadcast live from the ground each season on S4C and streamed online to a worldwide audience. The Football Association of Wales recently confirmed a new structure and strategy to the league with the aim of boosting its commercial profile, competitiveness, and fan interest both nationally and internationally.

“As a Premier European Division, clubs are provided the opportunity to qualify for UEFA competitions and compete across the Continent, whereby it is imperative that facilities and infrastructure across the country are developed to meet UEFA Licensing requirements. Should Aberystwyth Town qualify – or host other clubs’ European matches as has occurred in recent years – the redevelopment of the facilities at Park Avenue will enable Ceredigion to continue to host continental sporting events.”

It says Aberystwyth Town Football Club “is often called ‘home’ by a number of other teams in the region which rely on the club’s facilities and all-weather pitch for the provision of training sessions and matches”.

The scheme itself is the first phase of development, the second relating to residential development.

Of phase 1, it says: “The proposal seeks the construction of a new clubhouse and community facility, a 310-seater stand, replacement turnstile, ticketing office, roofs over existing seated and standing terraces, new primary and secondary changing room facilities, dedicated business/employment unit, with improvements to accessibility throughout the site, including the re-construction of a dedicated disabled viewing platform.”

It adds: “The scheme proposes vast improvements to the accessibility of the site by providing step-free access throughout the whole site, thus promoting an inclusive environment. Similarly, the scheme introduces improvements to a dedicated viewing platform for less-able bodied.”

It goes on to say: “The existing main stand and changing rooms are in a state of deterioration and require significant investment if required to serve the club for years in the future. Hence, modern and fit-for-purpose facilities are proposed to revitalise the site which will enhance the provision of the community facility, encourage the uptake of sports, and in-turn promote the health and well-being of a wide range of social groups in the local and regional area.

“The development also promotes equality and inclusivity for both male and female players and officials, who will benefit from segregated and modern changing facilities, in accordance with the requirements of the Football Association of Wales.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Sport

Mixed fortunes as Narberth fall short and Crymych crushed

Published

4 days ago

April 16, 2025

Herald Sport

IT was a weekend of frustration for Pembrokeshire’s top rugby sides, as Narberth narrowly missed out on valuable points in the Premiership Division and Crymych suffered a heavy defeat in the Championship (West). Despite showing fight and flashes of quality, both teams were ultimately undone—Narberth by second-half ill-discipline, and Crymych by a well-drilled Trebanos side.

Neath 29 – Narberth 21

Narberth produced a spirited performance but came away empty-handed after a hard-fought battle against high-flying Neath in the Premiership Division. The Otters showed impressive character, recovering from a 17-point deficit to trail by just a single point at the break—but second-half disciplinary issues ultimately proved their undoing.

Neath stormed into an early lead with two tries from Rhodri Wall and one from Iestyn Morgan, with Steff Williams adding a conversion. Narberth responded with tries from winger Dean James, scrum-half Lewys Gibby, and centre Llew Jones. Fly-half Osian Evans converted all three to keep the visitors in touch.

However, the tide turned when Jones was shown a second yellow card, and replacement Alex Williams also saw time in the sin-bin, reducing Narberth to 13 men. Neath took full advantage, with centre Kieran Charles crossing for a decisive try, converted by Williams, extending the gap to eight points—just out of reach for a losing bonus point.

The result leaves Narberth hovering just above the relegation zone, with Bonymaen close behind and holding a game in hand.

Trebanos 45 – Crymych 12

Crymych endured a heavy defeat on the road as a depleted side, still reeling from a recent illness outbreak, were comprehensively beaten by a slick Trebanos outfit in the Championship (West).

The Preseli Men trailed 19-0 at the break but managed second-half scores through captain Carwyn Phillips and replacement Jac Delaney, with one converted by Elis Thomas. However, it wasn’t enough to stem the flow as Trebanos ran in seven tries.

Home captain Steffan Lewis led the charge with a brace, while Sam Lewis, Matthew Hutchinson, Conor Thomas, and Rhodri Jones (2) also crossed. Kris Jones added five conversions to round off an emphatic victory.

Crymych remain in the relegation zone, but with four matches left to play, their hopes of survival are still mathematically alive.