Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Sport

Davies keeps cool to see Llangwm home

Published

on

LLANGWM’s Noah Davies hit a six with two balls to spare to help his side to victory over St Ishmaels on Saturday (Jul 6).

It is just Llangwm’s second win of the season and they now sit 40 points from safety.

Division 1’s bottom side won the toss and elected to field but Tish made a good score of 208-6 from their 45 overs.

Peter Bradshaw and Daniel Richards got the visitors off to a good start with 58 runs for the first wicket.

Richards scored 27 but he was then stumped by Will Beresford off the bowling of Toby Asson, fresh from his seven-wicket haul in the Alec Colley the previous Thursday.

Daniel Howells shared another 39 runs with Bradshaw for the second wicket but Howells was caught by Ollie Davies off the bowling of Luke Brock on a score of 22.

Bradshaw and Brennan Devonald then shared 74 runs for the third wicket as they looked to set a challenging target for their hosts.

Bradshaw hit eight fours and two sixes in his score of 62 before he was caught by Joe Kiff off the bowling of Noah Davies.

Tish began to fight back as Matthew Kiff then had Phil Cockburn caught by Ewan Griffiths and Jack Nicholas caught by Joe Phillips.

Devonald had hit three fours and five sixes in his excellent knock of 64 from 58 balls but he was also caught by Phillips off the bowling of Kiff.

Tish finished on 208 with their total helped along by 17 extras.

Llangwm knew they would need to bat well if they were to pick up the win and openers Will Beresford and Joe Kiff shared 47 runs for the first wicket.

Kiff scored 37 from 29 balls as he hit six fours and a six but he was then caught by Peter Bradshaw off the bowling of Andrew Palmer.

Richard Brock made a score of 11 before he was caught by Daniel Howells off the bowling of Palmer as the hosts were reduced to 79-2.

Will Beresford and Matthew Kiff then shared 56 runs for the third wicket as they continued to put runs on the board.

Beresford made a score of 46 but he was caught and bowled by Brennan Devonald.

Kiff and Noah Davies shared another 27 runs for the fourth wicket before Kiff, who hit five fours and a six in his score of 46, was caught by Jack Nicholas off the bowling of Devonald.

That made Llangwm’s score 162-4 and Davies and Luke Brock continued to add runs with a stand of 29.

Brock hit three fours and a six as his score of 23 came from 17 balls but he was then stumped by Jack Nicholas off the bowling of Andrew Williams.

Jordan Milich then had James Venables caught by Nicholas as Llangwm were reduced to 200-6.

Llangwm had edged towards their target and they needed two runs from the final over to win.

Davies had already hit two fours as he reached a score of 25 but with the fourth ball of the over he launched a stunning six to finish not out on 31 and earn victory for his side.

On Saturday (Jul 13), Llangwm host Haverfordwest while Tish will look to get back to winning ways when they host leaders Neyland.

 

Sport

Severn Valley Stages set for spectacular return this weekend

Published

on

Top drivers to tackle iconic Mid Wales gravel roads as championship opener roars back after a year away

THE SEVERN VALLEY STAGES returns this weekend for its 51st running, bringing a top-class field of almost 120 cars to Mid Wales for the opening round of the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship.

Supported by Axon Commercial Catering Equipment, the popular event makes its comeback on Saturday after a year’s hiatus, with some of the best rally drivers from across the UK and beyond heading to Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells.

The rally will also feature the Fuchs British Historic Rally Championship, Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship, West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and the T.C.S Plant Rally Challenge.

Organised by Midland Manor Motor Club, the event will once again be based in Builth Wells, while Llandrindod Wells will play host to the ceremonial start and autograph session at the Metropole Hotel on Friday evening, as well as the finish celebrations on rally day.

Crews will tackle more than 50 competitive stage miles on some of the country’s most famous gravel roads, with the world-renowned Myherin forest complex taking centre stage. Seven stages are scheduled, including an 18-mile final test expected to provide a dramatic climax.

Among the leading contenders is 2024 winner Osian Pryce, who returns in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 alongside co-driver James Morgan. Pryce will be aiming to secure both another Severn Valley Stages victory and a second British Rally Championship crown.

Max McRae, son of 1995 British Rally Champion Alister McRae, will make his debut on the event as he launches a full British Championship campaign in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. Co-driven by Cammy Fair, McRae arrives in confident mood after victory on the recent Rally North Wales.

Welsh duo Meirion Evans and Dale Furniss will also be among the front-runners in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Their strong showing on Rally North Wales, where they claimed maximum Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship points, underlined their pace heading into the new season.

Garry Pearson leads the M-Sport challenge in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 with Hannah McKillop on the notes, while Elliott Payne and Patrick Walsh, along with Liam Clark and Michael Gilbey, also line up in Fiesta Rally2 machinery.

Scottish Rally Championship front-runner Scot MacBeth adds further strength to the entry in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, with Ross Whittock co-driving.

The British Historic Rally Championship field also promises plenty of interest. George Lepley and Dafydd Evans head the entry in a Mitsubishi Galant VR4, while Marty McCormack and Barney Mitchell are set to entertain fans in their BMW E30 M3. Fellow Irish pairing Damian Tourish and Kevin Duggan will spearhead the Ford Escort challenge.

Spectators will have several opportunities to see the action up close. The ceremonial start and autograph session at the Metropole Hotel is free to attend from just after 6:00pm on Friday.

In the forests, fans can watch at Sarnau from 8:43am and Myherin from 9:59am, with both stages run twice during the day. Access is also available to the mid-event service area at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, as well as the ceremonial finish back at the Metropole Hotel from around 4:00pm.

More information for spectators is available on the event website and across the rally’s social media channels.

Picture caption:

The Severn Valley Stages returns this weekend (Pic: British Rally Championship).

 

Continue Reading

Sport

Castrol MEM Rally Team targets title push as BRC season begins

Published

on

Meirion Evans and Osian Pryce ready for Severn Valley Stages opener

THE CASTROL MEM RALLY TEAM will begin its 2026 British Rally Championship campaign this weekend with its sights firmly set on both the drivers’ and teams’ titles.

The team heads to the Severn Valley Stages on Saturday (Apr 11) with new team-mates Meirion Evans and Osian Pryce lining up in a pair of Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 cars.

Evans starts the opening round still chasing his first major gravel rally win after coming close on more than one occasion last season. A puncture near the end of the 2025 Malcolm Wilson Rally and a spin on the final stage of the recent Rally North Wales cost him what had looked set to be well-earned victories.

The 30-year-old from Lampeter, alongside co-driver Dale Furniss of Llanfyllin, Powys, tested his Pirelli-shod Toyota in Gorsedd Bran forest, Denbighshire, on Tuesday. The session allowed the team to make a series of subtle set-up changes which Evans believes have improved the car ahead of the new campaign.

Pryce also got his first experience of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 during the same Castrol MEM Rally Team test and quickly settled into the Michelin-shod machine.

The 33-year-old, who was born in Machynlleth, won the Severn Valley Stages in 2024 and is seeded at number one for what will be the 125th rally start of his career. The 2022 British champion will therefore lead the BRC field onto the stages.

This weekend will also see Pryce reunited with co-driver James Morgan, from Llandysul, Ceredigion. The pair have only previously contested one event together — the Cambrian Rally 10 years ago.

With just over 50 stage miles ahead, the Severn Valley Stages promises to be a fast and demanding season opener. The event features a ceremonial start and finish in Llandrindod Wells, with a midday service halt at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, before crews tackle the classic mid-Wales forests of Sarnau, Myherin and Tarenig.

Evans said: “I’m looking forward to this weekend’s Severn Valley Stages, as it’s nice to get the show on the road again. We’re starting the new season aiming for some more strong results and hoping to challenge for rally victories and the BRC title like we did last year.

“We had a good test yesterday and made some very positive steps with the Toyota Yaris. The car worked well on Rally North Wales, but I felt there were some things that could be improved and by exploring a few things during the test I feel that we’ve made some steps in that direction. Hopefully that will help this weekend.

“In fact, as the road was wet in the morning and dry in the afternoon, it was nice to get a mix of conditions which should benefit us not just for this weekend’s Severn Valley Stages but the season ahead.”

Pryce said: “Having now driven the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be aiming for a win on the Severn Valley Stages this weekend.

“There wasn’t much doubt in my mind that I’d gel with the car, yet it was still reassuring to know that everything I’d heard about the Toyota was correct and I felt comfortable in it straight away.

“I’m also happy with being seeded at car number one. At the end of the day, I won the rally two years ago, so it’s our turn to run first on the road and I’m looking forward to it. Having a clean road ahead might even suit me. It is what it is, and we’ll have to wait and see how that plays out.”

 

Continue Reading

Sport

Haverfordwest County AFC Women one win from title glory

Published

on

Bluebirds can seal the league championship and promotion on Sunday in front of a home crowd at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Women are on the brink of history as they prepare for a huge home clash this Sunday at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.

Kick-off is at 2:00pm, and in their very first season together, victory would see the Bluebirds crowned league champions and secure promotion — a remarkable achievement for the team.

Supporters are being urged to turn out in force and help create a carnival atmosphere for what could be a truly historic afternoon at the Bridge Meadow.

Entry is free, with the food hut and bar both open on the day. Young academy girls will be there as mascots and ball retrievers, while blue flags will be available on entry.

Anyone free on Sunday is being encouraged to come along, make some noise, and be part of a special occasion as Haverfordwest County AFC Women aim to make club history.

 

Continue Reading

Crime11 hours ago

Police and partners launch summer crackdown after Tenby station stabbings

Extra patrols, more rail security and tougher action promised after violent disorder left four youths injured POLICE and partner agencies...

Crime18 hours ago

Drug and weapon charges after Pembroke Dock arrest

Man remanded in custody following Diamond Street vehicle search A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing at Swansea...

Crime19 hours ago

Woman fights order taking four dogs from her

Swansea Crown Court hears appeal after long-running barking dispute in Trefin A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has told Swansea Crown Court that...

News21 hours ago

Former county councillor Paul Dowson to stand in Ceredigion Penfro

Ex-Pembrokeshire member says he will offer voters a straight-talking independent alternative at the Senedd election FORMER Pembrokeshire county councillor Paul...

News1 day ago

Plaid Cymru sets out childcare, NHS and child poverty pledges in 2026 manifesto

Rhun ap Iorwerth’s party says plan is radical and fully costed as it bids to lead next Welsh government PLAID...

Community2 days ago

Police intervene after post raises fears of planned Pembroke Dock fight

Extra patrols launched after social media alert in aftermath of Tenby stabbings POLICE intervened after an online warning raised fears...

Crime2 days ago

Man arrested after alleged child sexual assault in Haverfordwest

Police enquiries ongoing after incident in Castle Square A MAN has been arrested after an alleged sexual assault of a...

Crime3 days ago

Four youths stabbed at Tenby railway station as two arrested

British Transport Police lead investigation after serious disorder involving group of youths FOUR youths suffered stab wounds during a major...

News3 days ago

Major emergency response in Tenby after incident near train station

Witnesses report injuries as police and ambulance crews remain at scene on Warren Street POLICE and ambulance crews remain at...

News4 days ago

Haverfordwest County AFC faces High Court winding-up threat from HMRC

Chairman says issue has been dealt with, but winding-up notice is still listed ahead of High Court hearing HAVERFORDWEST County...

Popular This Week