Sport
Neyland win Duggie Morris
NEYLAND once again claimed the Duggie Morris Cup as they beat Lawrenny by seven wickets in the final on Sunday (Jul 21).
A good crowd gathered at Oatfield Park in Burton and they saw the top two teams in Division 1 put on an exciting game.
At the interval, Neyland held a 13-run lead and they then bowled Lawrenny out to set themselves 104 to win.
Ashley Sutton and Andrew Miller were the heroes for Neyland as they saw them to their target and afterwards, Nick Koomen was named as man of the match.
Neyland decided to bowl first on winning the toss and that proved to be a good decision as Henry Durrant had Harry Thomas caught by Andrew Miller for a duck.
Kurtis Marsh got the scoreboard ticking but after he reached a score of 20, he was caught by Patrick Bellerby off the bowling of Miller.
Bellerby then took a superb catch on the boundary to give Patrick Hannon his first wicket and, more importantly, dismiss Brad McDermott-Jenkins.
That left Lawrenny on 41-3 but James Phillips and Steve Lewis shared 90 runs to give their side a decent first innings total.
Lewis finished unbeaten on 38 while James Phillips hit seven fours and two sixes in his score of 68 not out.
That saw Lawrenny to their total of 131-3 and they very nearly picked up a wicket as Neyland began their reply.
Koomen edged behind but keeper James Phillips could not take the catch.
He and Bellerby went on to share 47 runs for the first wicket but Koomen was then bowled by Jamie Lewis on a score of 37.
Bellerby and Ashley Sutton then shared 68 runs for the second wicket but Brad McDermott-Jenkins struck as he bowled Bellerby on a score of 47.
Lawrenny began to hit back as Henry Durrant was trapped leg before by Ryan Morton and the same bowler then had Nathan Banner caught by Joe Kidney.
Sutton finished unbeaten on 34 as Neyland reached 144-5 in their first twenty overs, giving them a 13-run lead at tea.
Lawrenny knew they would need to bat well to set Neyland a challenging target and they made a good start as openers Harry Thomas and Kurtis Marsh shared 54 runs for the first wicket.
Marsh made his way to a score of 23 but he then hit the ball to Geraint Rees off the bowling of Patrick Hannon.
Thomas was then bowled by Andrew Miller on a score of 24 and Hannon then had Brad McDermott-Jenkins caught by Nick Koomen.
Hannon then had Ryan Morton caught by brother Sean who then stumped Thomas Cole to give Patrick his third wicket.
Nick Koomen then bowled Joe Kidney for a score of 20 and with the last two balls of the same over he bowled James Phillips and had Rob Williams caught by Sean Hannon for a golden duck.
With the first ball of his next over he had bowled James Buckle to claim an excellent hat trick.
Steve Lewis made a late score of 18 before he was caught by Koomen off the bowling of Nathan Banner but Lawrenny were bowled out for 117.
That meant they Neyland would need just 105 to win but Lawrenny made the breakthrough early on as Jamie Lewis bowled Patrick Bellerby.
Koomen made a score of 18 but he was then caught by James Phillips off the bowling of Jamie Lewis and when Brad McDermott-Jenkins bowled Nathan Banner, Lawrenny had hope with Neyland on 47-3.
However, Neyland had other ideas as Ashley Sutton and Andrew Miller steered their side towards victory.
Miller finished unbeaten on 30 while Sutton was not out on 36 as Neyland won the Duggie Morris for the sixth time in seven years.
Afterwards, Pembroke County Cricket Club Chairman Paul Webb thanked Burton for hosting the final as well as the scorers, umpires, sponsors and press and praised both teams for putting on an excellent final.
Speaking to the Herald, Neyland Captain Sean Hannon said: “Obviously delighted with the win, although we’ve won it a few times recently we don’t get bored of winning.
“Lawrenny are a good side so we were wary of the their threat. Being experienced in finals helped us I think as we knew how to handle the occasion, our players once again stood up in a big game.
“We fielded really well all day and that together with our running between the wickets was a big factor in the win. Lawrenny did well to restrict us to a 13 run lead as we were heading for a 20-30 run advantage so credit to them for that.
“The third innings was always going to be key and although their openers started well once the first wicket fell we knew we had to keep the pressure on and we did as the bowers done their job to leave us with a getable target.”
Sport
Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League – Division 1: Match reports
Goodwick United 3–0 Merlins Bridge
League leaders Goodwick United claimed a commanding 3–0 victory over Merlins Bridge at the Pembrokeshire Sports Village. Rhys Jones broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute with a spectacular 25-yard free kick. An own goal by Nick Squire early in the second half doubled the advantage, and Jones sealed the win with a stoppage-time strike. The result keeps Goodwick four points clear at the top as they push to retain their title.
Carew 16–0 Herbrandston
Carew delivered a record-breaking performance, thrashing Herbrandston 16–0 at the Gerald Hicks Memorial Ground. James Hinchliffe led the charge with six goals, supported by Shaun Whitfield’s rapid hat-trick. George Waters contributed four goals, Gareth Lewis added two, and Leon Davies completed the rout. The emphatic win lifted Carew out of the relegation zone, while Herbrandston remains firmly at the bottom of the table.
Clarbeston Road 5–2 St Ishmaels
Clarbeston Road cruised to a 5–2 victory over St Ishmaels at Knock Field. Ben John missed an early penalty for Clarbeston but redeemed himself by assisting Jake Wesley’s equaliser. Laurie Haworth and Dan Rees found the net, with Wesley adding a second to complete the scoring for Clarbeston. St Ishmaels’ captain Brennan Devonald netted twice, but his side dropped into the relegation zone.
Monkton Swifts 1–4 Hakin United
Hakin United strengthened their title challenge with a 4–1 win over Monkton Swifts. Dylan Davies put Monkton ahead early, but Hakin responded through Ryan Wilson and Mark Jones to take a 2–1 lead into halftime. Jay Kilby scored twice in the second half, sealing a vital away win for the Vikings.
Milford United 2–2 Pennar Robins
Milford United and Pennar Robins played out an entertaining 2–2 draw at Marble Hall. Liam Davies gave Milford the lead, but Jamie Wilkes equalised for Pennar. Dan James then put Pennar ahead, only for Leon Davies to bring Milford level again. Milford’s Sam Davies was sent off late, but neither side could find a winner in the closing stages.
Tenby 2–3 Kilgetty
Kilgetty staged a thrilling comeback to defeat derby rivals Tenby 3–2 at the Clicketts. Joe Leahy opened the scoring for Tenby, with Jordan Gorman quickly levelling for Kilgetty. Scott Ferney restored Tenby’s lead before halftime. However, Kilgetty turned the tide in the final ten minutes as Lloyd Hughes equalised, and captain Richard Cope struck the decisive winner to secure a dramatic victory.
Sport
Local rugby action: Thrills, wins, and tough battles across divisions
Crymych 19 – Llanelli Wanderers 33
Llanelli Wanderers showcased their title aspirations with a decisive bonus-point victory over Crymych. Despite a spirited effort from the Preseli Men, who trailed 12-18 at halftime, they couldn’t capitalize on second-half opportunities.
Crymych’s hooker Lee Griffiths scored two tries in the first half, and a late penalty try offered some consolation. The Wanderers, under Sean Gale’s guidance, proved dominant with tries from Rhydian Morgan, Lewis Jones, Rhodri Owens, and Sam Icke. Jones contributed two conversions and three penalties, keeping the Wanderers in contention at the top of the table. Crymych remain in a relegation battle.
Division One (West)
Pontarddulais 17 – Tenby United 26
Tenby United maintained their unbeaten streak with a hard-earned seventh victory of the season, defeating a determined Pontarddulais side. Though missing a bonus point, the disciplined Seasiders secured a valuable win.
Lloyd Thomas played a pivotal role, kicking four penalties and converting tries by Gwion Jones and Rob Luly. Acting skipper Jones shone with an individual effort. Pontarddulais responded with tries from Ethan Miles, Lewis Edwards, and Iwan Evans. Tenby stay second in the league with a game in hand over leaders Aberystwyth.
Division Two (West)
Whitland 13 – Fishguard & Goodwick 10
A late Harry Fuller penalty sealed Whitland’s narrow victory in a fiercely contested clash with Fishguard and Goodwick. The Seagulls led 7-3 at halftime after Ben John’s converted try answered Johnny Thomas’s penalty.
Rhys Nicholas turned the game in Whitland’s favor with a crucial intercept try, converted by Thomas. Although Mark Jones briefly leveled the scores, Fuller’s decisive penalty secured Whitland’s fourth win of the season.
Carmarthen Athletic 23 – Milford Haven 10
Carmarthen Athletic overturned a halftime deficit to claim a solid home win over Milford Haven. The Mariners led 10-6 at the break, thanks to Robbie Jones’s converted try and a James Trueman penalty.
The Athletic surged back with 17 unanswered points, including tries from Gethin Phillips, Morgan Morse, and Deian Morgan. Zak Williams added the conversions and penalties to seal the victory. Milford missed out on a losing bonus point in their fourth defeat of the season.
Division Three (West)
Cefneithin 16 – Cardigan 29
Cardigan continued their strong form with a bonus-point win over Cefneithin. The Teifisiders led 15-6 at halftime, with Marcus Castle and Shaun Leonard crossing the try line. Leonard was instrumental, adding another try and three conversions.
John Lumb and Jack Taylor scored second-half tries as Cardigan capitalized on excellent possession. Cefneithin fought back with a try by Jonathan Morgan and three penalties from Carwyn Evans but fell short.
Division Four (West)
Llanybydder 17 – Neyland 43
Neyland dazzled with a six-try bonus-point victory over Llanybydder. Leading 24-5 at halftime, the All Blacks saw tries from Owain Evans, Matthew Coles, Owen Hamer, and skipper Georghe Williams.
Young winger Josh Watts added two second-half tries. Llanybydder responded with tries from Jake Evans, Dan Davies, and Dan Jones, converted by Ethan Sion Mathias, but Neyland’s dominance was unshaken as they returned to the top of the table.
Teirw Crymych 17 – St Davids 17
Teirw Crymych and St Davids battled to a draw in a thrilling encounter. The Bulls dominated early, building a 14-0 lead with tries from George Plummer and Trystan Griffiths, both converted by Adam Phillips.
St Davids stormed back with tries by Will James and Tom Clarke, before George Raymond’s late try leveled the scores. The conversion went wide, leaving both teams to share the points.
Dreigiau Emlyn 14 – Narberth Athletic 3
Narberth Athletic’s unbeaten run ended at Ddol Wiber as Dreigiau Emlyn’s forward strength secured a gritty win. A single forward-driven try and three penalties proved enough for the Dragons.
Athletic struggled to convert pressure into points, their only score coming from a Shane Rossiter penalty. The Dragons celebrated their third victory of the season.
Llangwm 17 – Pembroke 22
In a heated Division Four West derby, Pembroke edged out Llangwm in the first leg of the Palmer Cup at Pill Parks. The Scarlets held firm against a late surge to secure the win.
Llangwm opened strongly, with James Morgan and Dan Richards scoring tries, both converted by Harry Makepeace. Pembroke’s forwards turned the tide, with Jamie Brayford (2), Robin Badham, and Josh Greenwood crossing the line. Despite Llangwm’s late efforts, Pembroke extended their winning streak to three matches.
Sport
Pembrokeshire Vikings triumph over Port Talbot panthers
PEMBROKESHIRE VIKINGS faced a tough challenge against the formidable Port Talbot Panthers at Milford Haven RFC on Sunday afternoon. In a fiercely contested battle, the Vikings emerged as worthy winners with a final score of 33-17.
The Vikings’ try scorers included Dave Roberts, Karl Bate, Shaun Treadwell, Richard Williams, and Jack Elliott. Callum Power added to the scoreboard with four successful conversions. Karl Bate’s standout performance earned him the Man of the Match award.
A special mention goes to Sean Phillips, who made a welcome return to the team. Phillips delivered a brilliant 30-metre line break, unselfishly passing the ball to Dave Roberts, who crossed under the posts. His contribution exemplified the team spirit that defines the Vikings.
Matches between the Vikings and the Panthers are always marked by fierce rivalry, but also by strong friendships forged on and off the field. The team eagerly anticipates the return fixture in 2025.
The Vikings also extended their gratitude to Barry from Pembrokeshire College, a loyal supporter of the team. Additionally, thanks were given to sponsors Austwel LTD, Hedley Asset Management, and The Pembrokeshire Herald for their ongoing support.
Next match: A historic showdown
This Saturday, the Pembrokeshire Vikings will travel to Llandaff RFC to make history in a match against Rygbi Senedd Cymru. The team looks forward to another thrilling encounter as they continue their successful season.
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