Sport
Vikings and Wizards lock horns in West Wales Cup semi
TONIGHT (March 26), Hakin United will take on rivals Merlins Bridge in the semi-final of the West Wales Cup at the Bridge Meadow stadium in Haverfordwest.
It will be the latest chapter in a long rivalry between the two clubs but with a place in the final up for grabs this one is going to be extra special.
Merlins Bridge won a thrilling game between the two sides earlier in the season 4-3 at the Racecourse but Hakin will be looking to exact some revenge for that defeat.
The Wizards are having a strong season with just one league defeat to their name, against leaders Monkton Swifts, and are also in the final of the Senior Cup, having also beat Hakin on their way.
Hakin United sit five points behind their opponents in the table after three defeats in their fourteen games so far.
It will be another exciting and close game between the two teams and one that is not to be missed.
The Vikings have been in five finals, winning it three times, including once in the 50s when it was called the Amateurs Cup.
Merlins Bridge have been in the semi-finals twice but have never reached the final and they will be hoping to make it third time lucky.
Route to the final
They began their run to the last four with a 1-0 win away to Kilvey Fords in October with Will Haworth grabbing the only goal to send them through to round 2.
The Wizards were again drawn away from home to last season’s beaten finalists Penlan Club but they again came back with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Joe Leahy.
In the third round Merlins Bridge played Monkton Swifts and two goals from Nathan Greene and another from Leahy gave them a 3-0 win.
Leahy and Greene were at it again in the fourth round as they both scored to earn the Wizards a 2-1 win over Swansea side Llandarcy.
Merlins Bridge were drawn at home to Plough Colts in the last eight and earned a 5-2 win with Adam Hawkins scoring twice and other goals from Leahy, Greene and Dai Davies.
Leahy and Greene have both been on the scoresheet in each round from the third round and Hakin will do well to keep these two quiet.
The Vikings played Llandeilo in the first round and came away with a 5-2 thanks to a hat trick from Cameron Thomas and other goals from Shane Walsh and Nicky Woodrow.
Woodrow then scored four for the Vikings in round 2 as he helped his side thrash Milford United 12-2. Justin Harding, Mark Jones and Ryan Wilson all scored twice in that game alongside others from Shane Walsh and Adam John.
Hakin played Morriston Town in the third round and earned a 3-0 win thanks to a Woodrow hat trick.
In the fourth round, Hakin needed extra time to get past St Josephs as two goals from Justin Harding and another from Walsh saw them through.
In the quarter final they were drawn against holders Goodwick United and came from behind to win 3-1 thanks to two goals from Woodrow and one from Ryan Wilson.
Justin Harding and Nicky Woodrow have both been in good scoring from in the Cup and they will likely prove a handful for the Bridge defence.
What they say
The Herald asked both camps for their thoughts on the game and here is what they had to say.
Hakin United manager Kristian Bennet said: “It’s going to be a battle! It is a big pitch and it will be a big occasion so it should be a cracker. The players are looking forward to it with it being one step from the Liberty.”
Merlins Bridge boss Matthew D’Ivry said: “It’s going to be a tough one, I have been with the club for fifteen years but we’ve never been in the West Wales final in that time. We’ve had a hell of a draw against Penlan, who were favourites, who we beat to zero, and we then beat Monkton, Kilvey and Llandarcy.
“It will be strange playing Hakin but we know their qualities but we are confident that if we perform to our capabilities no one in west Wales can beat us. The (Senior Cup semi-final) result will give us confidence but we will have to be careful of being over-confident.
“It’s massive for both clubs but I am confident our boys will give absolutely everything.”
The final will take place at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea on Tuesday, May 7.
Sport
Rugby: Neyland triumphs, Cross Keys dominates, and Tenby edges through
Neyland 30 – Cwmgors 21
In a lively game at Neyland, the home side triumphed over Cwmgors with a 30-21 score. Neyland’s fly-half Oli Rothero scored two tries, aided by captain George Williams and flanker Owain Evans, each adding a try of their own. Cwmgors, who contributed to the game’s fast pace, opened with a try by winger Richard Bradley, set up by center Owen Davies. Josh Evans and Rothero traded penalties early on, but Neyland’s consistent pressure ultimately secured their victory, with scrum-half Owen Hamer named Man of the Match.
Narberth 26 – Cross Keys 52 (Premiership Cup)
Cross Keys powered through the second half to secure a 52-26 win over Narberth. The Otters led 21-17 at halftime, driven by Ashley Sutton’s try and two more from flanker Sam Davies and winger Harry Fuller. However, Cross Keys responded with 35 unanswered points in the second half, with tries by Will Morgan, Laurence Donnelly, and James Smith. Narberth scored a consolation try through Josh Thomas, but Cross Keys advanced with authority.
Waunarlwydd 25 – Tenby United 27 (Division One Cup)
Tenby United edged past Waunarlwydd 27-25 to reach the WRU Cup’s last 16. Tenby led 24-3 early in the second half with contributions from Lloyd Thomas, Geraint Jones, and Gwion Jones. However, Waunarlwydd fought back with tries by Phil Evans and Ben Court, briefly taking a 25-24 lead. A late penalty by Lloyd Thomas sealed the narrow win for Tenby.
Haverfordwest 17 – Aberaeron 19 (Division Three Cup)
Aberaeron clinched a close 19-17 victory over Haverfordwest, marking a league and cup double in consecutive weekends. Aberaeron’s tries by Dyfrig Dafis and Steff Thomas gave them a first-half lead, but Haverfordwest’s Scott Candler replied with two tries of his own. Ultimately, Aberaeron held firm, with three penalties by Rhodri Jenkins proving decisive.
Cardigan 35 – Cwmafan 25 (Division Three Cup)
Cardigan mounted a stunning comeback to defeat Cwmafan 35-25. Initially trailing 25-9 with 20 minutes to go, Cardigan rallied with four tries, including a brace each from Alun Jenkins and Jack Taylor, while Shaun Leonard added three conversions to secure the win and advance to the last 16.
Furnace 17 – Narberth Athletic 20 (Division Four Cup)
Narberth Athletic edged Furnace 20-17, with new center Brad Cramb scoring 15 points on his debut. Cramb’s try, conversions, and penalties propelled Narberth Athletic to victory, despite a persistent Furnace side with tries by Harri Rees and Scott Hiddleston.
Teirw Crymych 24 – Bynea 7 (Division Four Cup)
Teirw Crymych secured a solid 24-7 win over Bynea, remaining strong in Division Four (West) B. The Bulls’ tries came from Osian Thomas (twice), Steffan Rees, and Trystan Griffiths. Despite Bynea’s late try by Rhys Gingell, Crymych finished strong and celebrated with team singing in the clubhouse.
Sport
Pembrokeshire Division One football – Match reports
Hakin United 2 – Monkton Swifts 0
HAKIN UNITED clinched a vital 2-0 win over Monkton Swifts, reducing the points gap with league leaders Goodwick United to just four. Jack Britton led the charge for the Vikings, scoring both goals at the Obs. The first came early, capitalizing on a defensive slip from the Swifts, allowing Britton to finish from close range. Hakin continued their offensive, with Mark Jones almost doubling the lead from a powerful header, only to be thwarted by a stunning save from Swifts’ goalkeeper, Taylor Gullam. The visitors’ day worsened in the second half with a red card, and Britton took full advantage, netting his second with a well-placed header off Leon Luby’s corner. This result keeps Hakin firmly in the title race as they push for the top.
Milford United 1 – Merlins Bridge 4
MERLINS Bridge showcased their second-half dominance in a 4-1 victory over Milford United at Marble Hall. The game began with a close first half, as Tomos Gwilliam opened the scoring for the Wizards, while Liam Parks came close to equalizing. However, Merlins Bridge pulled away after the break. Nathan Evans struck a powerful shot to reclaim the lead, and shortly after, Gwilliam set up Hayden Dimond for a deft header. Dimond later won a penalty, confidently converting it to secure his brace. This commanding win underscored Merlins Bridge’s attacking strength and resilience.
Herbrandston 4 – Carew 5
IN a dramatic clash at the bottom of the table, Carew triumphed over Herbrandston 5-4 in a match filled with goals. Herbrandston looked in control, leading 4-2 at halftime, with Matthew Jones and Adam Whatling scoring two each. However, a determined Carew mounted a comeback, as Shaun Whitfield struck twice in quick succession to equalize before Marcus Griffiths scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute. Herbrandston, despite their strong first-half showing, was left stunned by the Rooks’ spirited comeback.
Tenby 3 – Pennar Robins 2
A HAT-TRICK from Scott Ferney propelled Tenby to a hard-fought 3-2 win over Pennar Robins at the Clicketts. Ferney opened with a skilful chip over Pennar’s keeper Rory Williams. The Robins responded swiftly, with Cameron Brunton’s deflected shot and a header from Ben Adams putting them ahead. Tenby equalized under controversy when Ferney appeared offside but was allowed to play on. Ferney then sealed the win in the 86th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Pennar. His clinical finishing proved crucial in this tense encounter filled with intense action and close calls.
Sport
Pembrokeshire racer crowned world champion with Tom Brady’s electric raceboat team
A Welsh racer has clinched the title of world champion with Team Brady, a team co-owned by American football legend Tom Brady. Sam Coleman, hailing from Pembrokeshire, piloted Team Brady’s electric powerboat to victory in the E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series.
The inaugural E1 World Championship saw nine teams compete across five iconic global locations, including Jeddah, Venice, and Monaco. Each team, led by high-profile owners such as tennis star Rafael Nadal, actor Will Smith, and football great Didier Drogba, raced to showcase the future of electric mobility on water.
Coleman, alongside Finnish co-pilot Emma Kimiläinen, displayed remarkable skill in piloting the RaceBird, an innovative hydrofoiling electric powerboat designed for speed and efficiency. Over the season, Team Brady achieved three wins, ultimately securing an 11-point lead over their nearest competitor and claiming the championship title.
Reflecting on the victory, Coleman expressed his excitement and pride: “To be crowned the inaugural E1 Series World Champions is such a surreal feeling and something I’m unbelievably proud of. I must admit I was feeling quietly confident of securing the championship win—it’s hard not to be confident with Emma as my teammate and the backing of the dream team assembled by Joe and Ben. It’s not been the work of a minute; we’ve all worked hard, adapted quickly, and overcome challenges to put the team in the position to win the Championship.”
Brady, a former NFL star and co-owner of Team Brady, shared his enthusiasm following the win. “It feels amazing to win the first E1 World Championship,” he said. “I’m proud of the team and what we’ve accomplished. Competition is exciting for us, and life is about making memories and relationships, and I think what we’ve established in terms of our teamwork has been one of the most gratifying parts.”
The E1 World Championship forms part of the Electric 360 initiative, launched by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) earlier this year. This pioneering project unites E1, Formula E, and Extreme E under one mission: to advance electric mobility, foster innovation, and lead carbon reduction efforts within motorsport.
Rodi Basso, co-founder and CEO of E1, congratulated Team Brady on their historic achievement, saying, “We congratulate Tom and his team on their momentous win as the first-ever Champions on the Water following a season of tough competition and thrilling racing. As Team Brady write their name into the history books, we look ahead to a supercharged season two, as we take the innovative Championship to new cities around the world and continue to redefine racing on water.”
With the championship secured, preparations for season two are already underway, with new teams, owners, and host cities anticipated to be announced soon.
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