Sport
Otters return to second
NARBERTH returned to second place in the Championship on Saturday (Apr 6), as they beat Maesteg Quins 16-11 at the Lewis Lloyd Ground.
It was the final home game of the season for the Otters and with so many of their players injured they had several permit players in the squad.
The Otters kicked off facing up field, and within three minutes were awarded a penalty for a high tackle which full back Ianto Griffiths kicked safely for a three point lead.
The visitors restarted the game and the Otters looked determined in their attacks but faltered through errors. From one of their attacking efforts Maesteg Quins were awarded a penalty which fly half Tadgh McGuckin safely kicked to bring the score level at 3-3.
Their scrum half during one of their forays actually crossed over the try line but dropped the ball as he attempted to touch down. The referee awarded a five-metre scrum which the Otters eight safely heeled for number eight Richie Rees to break clear up field before being laid low in a tackle at a ruck. After treatment he was able to continue.
A further scrum was set outside the five metre line and Maesteg Quins were able to slip the ball to left wing Alex Griffiths who evaded several tackles to touch down for an unconverted try which gave the visitors a 3-8 lead.
At a lineout a yellow card was issued to a Quins player at 26 minutes. Rogers placed the ball into touch again and the Otters pack gained clean ball and formed a rolling maul. They released the ball quickly to Rogers who kicked towards the corner. Wing Yannick Parker gathered the ball and quickly crossed the line to touch down. The referee indicated an opponent’s hand had foiled the touch down and then issued a yellow card which it is assumed was for taking down the rolling maul.
Taking advantage of the resulting penalty Rogers kicked towards the corner. Roy Osborne caught the throw cleanly and another rolling maul formed.
This was stopped by Maesteg Quins by taking down one of the Otters along with their player causing the maul to collapse. The visitors gained the ball and put in a relieving kick to touch. From the lineout, the Otters advanced and at the breakdown Maesteg Quins were penalised for interfering.
Griffiths came forward and placed his 30 meter kick between the posts bringing the score on 34 minutes to 6-8.
From the kick off the Otters advanced back into the opponents half with a series of pick and drives until the Maesteg Quins again were penalised for aggressive incidents.
The referee had a long talk with their captain before awarding the penalty which Griffiths safely placed through the middle of the posts putting the Otters back in the lead at 9-8.
From the restart the Otters gathered the ball then fed Rogers who again produced a long, high kick which was fumbled by the receiver and followed by obstruction by Maesteg Quins.
This time the penalty kick hit the post, Maesteg collected the ball and placed it in touch for the referee to blow for half time.
Clearly at half time, the Otters were given some home truths by the coaches for on return to the game they scored a converted try within four minutes.
The try was well executed, on the opponents forty metre line, the ball reached Jack Price who put pressure on the Quins defence with his forceful running.
Outside him was flanker Tom Powell who quickly sped forward before releasing winger Gethin Gibby who, when challenged, passed inside to the supporting Tom Powell and in turn when challenged fed Gibby who sped like a stag down the far touch line to cross over for a great try. Griffiths made sure with his conversion giving the Otters a 16-8 lead.
Maesteg came back strongly but the game remained tight with both defences holding firm. A potential Otters try was lost when from a scrum Rhys Lane fed Rogers who found Price with his long passing and for Price to spot a gap and made a break down field only to spoil his initiative with a forward pass.
Maesteg attempted to break out of their half only for Gibby, attempting to intercept the pass, to knock on. The referee decided it was worth a yellow card.
In the following ten minutes, in one of the Otters movements, Rhys Lane made a fine break before passing to the supporting Richie Rees who was tackled and for the opposition to be penalised.
Rogers placed the ball onto the twenty two. The Otters in numbers followed through but lost the ball in a strong tackle. This time the Otters were penalised.
With the ball ending in touch, at the lineout the opposition set up a series of pick and charge phases with the ball eventually reaching wing Alex Griffiths who crossed the try line, only for the referee to bring him back having received a forward pass. The Otters srummaged on the five metres line and were able to gain relief to their twenty two.
The Otters proceeded further down field but Maesteg regained the ball and set up a move when the referee awarded them a penalty with the Otters going offside. Fly half Tadgh McGuckin kicked from 40 metres to add three points.
The game ended shortly afterwards with Rogers in his twenty two putting the ball out of play in the knowledge that full time had been reached.
Whilst the Otters have played their final home game they will travel in three weeks time on Saturday, April 27, to Maesteg to play the Quins again in their final game of the season.
AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD boy from Pembroke Dock had the experience of a lifetime on Thursday night (Apr 4), when he was selected as the official mascot for Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Joey Williams, a pupil at Pembroke Dock Community School, walked out onto the pitch hand-in-hand with Spurs’ team captain, Son Heung-min, in front of a packed stadium and millions of viewers watching around the world.
The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was part of Tottenham Hotspur’s official mascot programme. Joey, who recently turned eight, travelled to London with his family to take part in the unforgettable event.
His proud mum, KatieJane Solomon, told The Herald: “My son lives in Pembroke Dock and was chosen to be mascot for the Chelsea vs Tottenham game tonight. He walked out with Son Heung-min!”
“He’s a very big Spurs fan so we signed him up to be a member on there website about a year ago and he was very lucky selected at random last month.”
The Premier League clash ended in high drama, but for Joey, the biggest highlight was walking out alongside his football heroes.
Heavy losses dealt to both Pembrokeshire sides
PEMBROKESHIRE rugby teams Narberth and Crymych endured punishing defeats on Saturday (Mar 29) as both clubs came up against dominant opposition in their respective leagues.
Welsh Premiership: Merthyr 78–17 Narberth
In the top tier of Welsh club rugby, The Otters were overwhelmed by a clinical Merthyr side who ran in 12 tries. Despite the heavy defeat, Narberth showed flashes of resilience, with second-row Will Blackburn scoring twice and fly-half Jonathan Rogers adding a conversion.
There was a sliver of consolation for Narberth as fellow relegation rivals Bonymaen also lost, though the Swansea-based club managed to secure a valuable bonus point.
Championship West: Llanelli Wanderers 68–12 Crymych
Crymych’s afternoon was equally difficult as they were soundly beaten by Llanelli Wanderers. The home side dominated from the outset, racking up a 32–0 lead by half-time. Despite tries from flanker Tom Taylor and hooker Lee Griffiths in the second half, Crymych were unable to mount a serious comeback.
Adding to their woes, relegation rivals Gowerton produced a big win over Maesteg Quins, piling further pressure on Crymych as the battle for survival intensifies.
Both Pembrokeshire clubs now face uphill tasks in the final weeks of the season as they fight to maintain their league status.
Goodwick United 2 – Pennar Robins 0
GOODWICK United have been crowned league champions for the third season in a row, following a composed 2-0 victory over Pennar Robins.
Manager Chris O’Sullivan praised his side for getting “over the line” and is now urging them to complete the season unbeaten. Should they win their final two matches, Goodwick will have lost just once in three league campaigns—an extraordinary run that underlines their dominance in Pembrokeshire football.
After a tightly contested first half, the deadlock was broken three minutes after the restart. Will Haworth delivered a pinpoint cross that was met with a superb 12-yard volley from Matthew Delaney. The lead was doubled in the 68th minute when midfielder Rhys Jones curled a trademark free-kick into the bottom corner, sparking early title celebrations.
Goodwick’s dominance in recent seasons has been nothing short of remarkable. With just one league defeat in three years, they are now pushing to go down as one of the county’s all-time great sides.
Merlins Bridge cruise as Milford United turn attention to Cup
Merlins Bridge 4 – Milford United 1
MERLINS Bridge made light work of struggling Milford United, sealing a comfortable win at the Pembrokeshire Sports Village to claim their eighth league victory of the season.
The Wizards took control late in the first half, with Jason Griffiths smashing in a volley from Nathan Evans’ cross before Jordan Thomas added a second moments later, glancing in a Hayden Dimond free-kick.
Milford showed some resilience after the break and pulled one back on 63 minutes when Scott Reid slotted home following a clever assist from Joey Jones. But the hosts hit back almost immediately, with Nathan Evans finishing from close range. Substitute Ben Davies, returning from injury, completed the scoring in stoppage time after an unselfish square ball from Dimond.
Although league survival appears unlikely for The Robins, their attention now turns to the Senior Cup Final, where they face fierce rivals Hakin United in a bid to salvage their season with silverware.
Devonald’s late equaliser lifts St Ishmaels in relegation scrap
St Ishmaels 2 – Kilgetty 2
A LAST-GASP strike from captain Brennan Devonald kept St Ishmaels’ survival hopes alive, as they clawed back a vital point after trailing Kilgetty by two goals.
Teenager Mason Abbott looked to have secured all three points for the visitors with a goal in each half, putting Kilgetty firmly in control. But Tish weren’t done. They reduced the deficit when Kyle Marsh scored past his brother—Kilgetty goalkeeper Kurtis Marsh—in a family twist to the relegation drama.
Then, deep into stoppage time, Devonald pounced on a loose ball to fire home a dramatic equaliser, sparking jubilant scenes and securing what could be a crucial point in their battle for safety.
St Ishmaels are now three points clear of the drop zone, but must await other results to confirm their survival.
Leahy double pushes Carew closer to danger
Tenby 3 – Carew 1
TENBY delivered a commanding second-half performance to defeat local rivals Carew, who now sit just two points above the relegation places.
Shaun Whitfield set up Jonty Bennett to open the scoring for the hosts in the 17th minute, but Carew responded swiftly. Former Tenby man Curtis Hurlow levelled matters after good work from Jerome Williams.
The second half, however, belonged to Joe Leahy. The Tenby striker struck in the 57th and 81st minutes with two composed finishes, sealing all three points for The Seasiders and leaving Carew looking nervously over their shoulders.
Relegation picture: Advantage Tish as Milford target cup glory
St Ishmaels’ dramatic draw leaves them in a stronger position in the fight for survival, three points clear of the relegation zone with just one game remaining. While their fate isn’t yet sealed, the late equaliser could prove decisive.
Milford United, meanwhile, face near-certain relegation, but their attention is now firmly fixed on the Senior Cup Final. A win over Hakin United would offer a welcome silver lining to a difficult season and the chance to lift silverware against their greatest rivals.
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