Sport
Wizards sink Swifts to set up Carew final

MERLINS Bridge set up a Senior Cup Final date with Carew as they beat Monkton Swifts 3-0 at the Bridge Meadow on Tuesday night (Mar 19).
Both sides named strong line-ups for the game, determined to make it into the final, but it was the Bridge who proved the stronger as they exacted revenge for a 5-1 league defeat to the Swifts earlier in the season.
A good crowd gathered to watch the game despite persistent light rain throughout the evening.
A minutes silence was also held prior to kick off in respect of former Merlins Bridge player Denzil (Tally) John, who sadly passed away.
The Wizards had previously beaten Monkton 3-0 in the West Wales Cup and from the first whistle it was clear that they were in a confident mood.
Adam Hawkins and Nathan Greene linked up well but when Greene was tackled the ball fell to Laurie Haworth whose shot was saved.
Hawkins then saw a shot saved after he had been put through and he then played a one-two with Jordan Thomas whose shot hit the post.
Monkton then had their first chance as James Russell won a 50-50 but he saw his shot blocked wide for a corner.
All that action came in the first five minutes and it set the tone for the rest of the game with both sides coming close to opening the scoring.
The Bridge then came close again when Dai Davies sent Greene through but he flashed his shot across goal and wide.
With half an hour gone Russell came forward but dwelt on the ball too long leaving Dylan Davies and Ben Steele frustrated after both made good runs.
Blake James then saw a cross go straight into the arms of Bridge keeper Gary Thomas who then also saved Davies’ deflected shot.
With seven minutes to go until half time, the Wizards took the lead as Laurie Haworth turned excellently in the left corner and ran into the box before crossing for Hawkins who fired in to the roof of the net.
Five minutes later they doubled their lead as Ashley Beck played the ball through for Haworth who poked the ball past Swifts keeper Michael Murray to make it 2-0.
Monkton looked to respond but a corner on the stroke of half time from Chris Richards went out over the bar.
It left the Division 1 leaders with a mountain to climb in the second half and they knew they would need an early goal if they were to get back into the game.
Ten minutes in the Wizards had the first real chance of the half as Haworth won the ball and crossed for Beck but he shot wide.
On the hour mark Monkton won a free kick on the edge of the D but Steele’s free kick bounced back off the wall.
The Bridge won a series of corners which came to nothing and when Monkton looked to break off one, Hawkins made a desperate lunge to try and stop the attack. He was booked for his challenge which may have done more harm than good as he was then replaced by Will Haworth.
With twenty minutes to go sub Ryan Griffiths crossed into the box but Russell’s looping header was comfortably claimed by Thomas.
Moments later it should have been 3-0 as a slip allowed Greene in but he fluffed his lines and scuffed his shot wide.
The Swifts continued to look for a way back into the game and when Steele went down in the box he was adamant he had been pushed but referee Angus Scourfield waved away his prolonged protests.
Davies then saw a shot saved and then came perhaps their best chance of getting back into the game as a good move found Richards but Davies could only head wide from his cross.
They were soon made to pay for their missed chances as Laurie Haworth found Greene in the box who knocked in to all but seal the win.
Greene and Matthew D’Ivry were then taken off in a double change, perhaps with one eye on the West Wales Cup semi-final with Hakin next week.
The game had been won but Monkton’s Josh Richards, who had only came on in the second half, let his frustrations get the better of him late on as he overstepped the mark and saw red for his language.
Merlins Bridge saw the game out and will now look forward to the final with Carew. That game will take place on Saturday, April 20, again at the Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Speaking after the match, Merlins Bridge boss Matthew D’Ivry said: “We are really pleased with the result. We were confident that if we played to our abilities that we would get the result.
“We were confident on the back of the season we have had so far, having only had one loss to Monkton. It wasn’t about getting revenge, but more about us achieving what we had set out to do.
“Last night our experience in the bigger games shone through and that gave us the edge.”
Sport
Mixed fortunes as Narberth fall short and Crymych crushed

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.
Sport
All Blacks crowned champions in style

NEYLAND 54 – PEMBROKE 10
NEYLAND RFC stormed to the Division Four (West) A title in emphatic fashion on Saturday (Apr 13), running in eight tries to crush Pembroke and seal a memorable campaign with silverware.
A first-half onslaught saw the All Blacks race into a 28-0 lead, with tries from Josh Watts (2), George Williams, and Oli Rothero. Scrum half Owen Hamer was at the heart of Neyland’s dominance, setting a relentless tempo and providing slick service from the base.
Watts completed his hat-trick after the break, with Williams adding his second, Fletcher Picton scoring with his first touch off the bench, and a commanding pack effort rounding off the demolition.
There were standout displays across the park, with George Evans, Ben Williams and Owain Evans combining discipline and flair in front of a jubilant home crowd.
To their credit, Pembroke fought to the end and were rewarded with two late consolation tries. Veteran Robin Badham, bowing out at 39, delivered a defiant final performance, supported by Scott Powell and Deryn Williams. Outside half Lewis Davies battled on bravely after an early knock, while Fletcher Broadhurst, playing on permit, impressed throughout and was named man of the match.
After the final whistle, Welsh rugby stalwart Anthony Buchanan presented the trophy to Neyland captain George Williams, sparking celebrations to mark one of the most successful seasons in the club’s history.
Cover Pic: Peter Davies
Sport
Hakin United lift 13th Senior Cup title

Parks double sinks Milford in derby final
HAKIN UNITED secured their 13th Senior Cup triumph with a 2-0 victory over local rivals Milford United at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday night.
Striker Liam Parks scored both goals – one in each half – to seal the win for the Vikings. In a poignant twist, Parks is the son of Milford United manager Steve Parks, making for a bittersweet evening for the family. While there will have been pride in Liam’s performance, it was Hakin, not Milford, who lifted the trophy.
The opener came in the 38th minute. A well-delivered free-kick was met by Jack Britton, whose header was parried by Milford goalkeeper Charlie Malloy. The loose ball fell kindly for Parks, who made no mistake from close range.
The second goal arrived in the 67th minute. Talented winger Leon Luby delivered a pinpoint cross from the right and Parks finished emphatically, firing high into the net from inside the box.

Earlier in the match, Malloy had kept Milford in contention with a superb one-on-one save to deny Shane Walsh. Further Hakin chances came through Jordan Kilby, who fired wide, Luby, who struck the crossbar, and Walsh again, who shot narrowly off target.
In the second half, Ben Aldred saw a long-range effort tipped wide by the busy Malloy. From the resulting corner, Britton glanced a header just wide of the post.
Milford’s best effort came from substitute Mark Jones, whose long-range shot whistled just past the upright. Despite a determined effort from the Robins – who will play in Division Two next season – Hakin remained largely in control throughout.

Credit must go to Milford for a disciplined defensive display, with Malloy producing several impressive saves. But it was Hakin who showed their quality in key moments and were worthy winners on the night.
Celebrations for the Vikings were sure to continue long into the night – likely down at the Obs – as they added yet another piece of silverware to their proud history.
Photo caption:
Cup glory: Liam Parks celebrates his second goal in the final (Pic: Herald)
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