Sport
Hook face Kilgetty in Under 11s final
THE Pembroke County Cricket Junior League Under 11s final takes place tonight (Jul 22) and will see Hook take on Kilgetty.
Both sides played their respective semi-finals last week which saw Hook beat Llechryd while Kilgetty beat Neyland.
The Under 11s final takes place in Hook and starts at 6pm.
Hook too good for Llechryd
Hook U11s (310-7) beat Llechryd U11s (276-1)
ON a perfect evening in West Wales, both teams played out a tremendous game of cricket and demonstrated excellent skill with bat and ball. Llechryd fielded a young, talented side after skipper Ifan won the toss and decided to have a bowl first.
The decision paid dividends as Ellis took a double-wicket maiden with his first over. He clean bowled the Hook openers, Dylan James (11 runs) with the first ball of the match and followed up with another clean bowled in the same over, dismissing Manny Davies (12 runs), returning figures of 2 for 19 off 2.
Not to be outdone, Flo (1-19) took a wicket with his first ball, before Manny Davies and Dylan James steadied the ship to get Hook back in to positive figures with some excellent stroke play including 6 boundaries between them.
As the dark clouds above looked ominous, this was the calm before the storm. Callum Nutty (7 runs) and Oscar Willington entered proceedings with the later amassing 41 runs off just 15 balls, including five 4s and three 6s – one of the 6s almost landed in the adjacent school playground, a huge hit at any age level of Cricket.
This partnership of 48 runs propelled Hook to a decent total halfway through their innings. Delme (2-11) bowled exceptionally well, with disciplined line and length, pressuring the Hook batsmen into a second run that was almost on, until some sharp fielding by Llechryd denied them.
Delme gathered the ball well from the throw and took the bails off with ease.
It should be mentioned at this point that all the Llechryd players fielded tremendously well with some excellent ground fielding, taking their catches and backing-up making sure any wayward throws were gathered.
With the scoreboard ticking over nicely, William Harries (23) and Dylan Goodridge (6) kept the momentum up, adding 35 runs between them. William Harries in fine form once again, nudged the ball into the gaps for three 4s, before effortlessly placing the ball straight down the ground for a maximum.
Dexter kept nagging away at off-stump and eventually got his reward, bowling Harries off the last ball of his over, returning figures of 1 for 18 off 2. A quick change of personnel behind the stumps, saw Ifan have a bowl at the last pair of Hook batsmen.
Ifan bowled with a lot of skill and excellent technique, only allowing the batsmen to nudge him for a few singles and one boundary in his spell of 1 for 7 off 2. Jack Thomas (3) and Rhys Phelps (16) added 13 vital runs at the end as Llechryd picked up 2 wickets, with Delme once again showing his class by bowling Thomas with the last ball of the innings.
The Llechryd openers, comprising of Ifan (8) and Japp (14) got off to a flyer, adding 21 off their first 4 overs. Oscar Willington bowled with excellent control and pace, taking the only wicket of the Llechryd innings, returning figures of 1 for 4 off 2.
Ellis (4) and Delme continued to build on the great start and between them added 27 vital runs, with the later scoring 20 runs, including four 4s. At the halfway stage of the Llechryd innings they were on track to pass Hooks final score.
However, although no wickets fell, the Hook bowling trio of Rhys Phelps, Jack Thomas and Dylan Goodridge bowled with discipline and control, only allowing 17 runs during the third pairing. Evan (9) and Dexter (3) played with a straight bat and defended their wickets well.
With the batting side requiring 46 runs to win from the final pair, once again the Hook bowlers showed a lot of mettle, restricting Llechryd to just 11 runs from 4 overs. Callum Nutty bowled the innings only maiden over with some recently acquired wrist spin deliveries (obviously doesn’t get that from his Dad!) and once again Jack Thomas bowled superbly well going for 1 run off the penultimate over of the match.
It was down to Manny Davies, the youngest player in the Hook team to bowl the final over. He grasped the responsibility with both hands and showed real maturity to get the job done. The last pair of Flo (4) and Osian (7) fought to the end, defended their wickets well, but eventually came up short of the total.
Llechryd demonstrated that they are certainly a team to watch out for over the next few seasons with so many young talented players coming through.
Credit to Jonny Lewis for his coaching efforts and it was a pleasure to be part of such a great game of cricket played in great spirit.
The players even enjoyed homemade cakes, biscuits, cookies and gallons of squash at halftime.
Good luck to Hook in the Final, who will be looking to right a few wrongs after losing out to Lawrenny last season.
Well done to all involved with Junior Cricket this season in Pembrokeshire, without dedicated volunteers the kids would not have all these fantastic opportunities to express themselves through the medium of sport.
Kilgetty hold off Neyland
Kilgetty 265-5 beat Neyland 211-4
A SUNNY evening at Kilgetty Cricket Club was the perfect venue for Monday’s under 11’s semi-final between the home team, Kilgetty, and their visitors Neyland, in a sixteen over match.
Kilgetty came into the game full of confidence having won all six of their group games and started well with Kiaran and Lewis hitting 13 runs off the opening two overs. Neyland fought back hard though, and some accurate bowling saw them take five quick wickets to leave Kilgetty with a disappointing total of 221 at the halfway stage.
Euan and Morgan took the field next and steadied the ship by adding another 15 runs with no further losses.
Then a hugely important last pairing saw Madoc snatch lots of quick singles whilst Logan went for the boundary with a series of powerful strikes. The result was an extra 29 runs in four overs giving Kilgetty a very respectable total of 265.
After a short break and a well-earned burger from the barbecue, both teams took to the field again. Neyland began with a couple of strong pairings and quickly piled on the runs.
Euan took one wicket and Morgan grabbed two more to peg them back slightly but after nine overs Neyland were on 245 and well ahead of where Kilgetty had been at the same stage.
The visitors score could have been even higher had it not been for some excellent wicket keeping from Dylan who kept the run rate down, refusing to let a ball get past his gloves.
Then, just as the large crowd of home supporters were starting to fear the worst, a fabulous spell of bowling from Jamie and Kiaran saw the game turn on its head. A stunning five wicket haul in three overs left Neyland in disarray as the Kilgetty boys leaped around the field in joy.
From that point on there was only going to be one winner and Kilgetty produced a ruthless finish. Logan dismissed three opponents in a single over and Kiaran and Jamie picked up a couple more to finish things off in style and secure a win by 54 runs.
Overall it was a fabulous team effort and Kilgetty take a deserved place in the final.
Sport
This weekend’s Division 4 West rugby roundup
THE latest fixtures in Division 4 West delivered intense clashes, narrow escapes, and exhilarating victories as teams showcased their determination and skill. Here’s a breakdown of the matches and standout moments.
Dreigiau Emlyn 7-10 St Davids
St Davids claimed a narrow 10-7 win over Dreigiau Emlyn in a hard-fought match. Celt Davies put Dreigiau Emlyn on the scoreboard with a try, converted by Llew Morgan. St Davids responded with tries from Ethan Griffiths and Dan Murphy, with Bob Froy converting one. Despite Dreigiau Emlyn’s strong defensive stand, St Davids held on for a slim victory.
Llangwm 23-21 Pembroke Dock
In a thrilling contest, Llangwm edged out Pembroke Dock by just two points, finishing 23-21. George James led Llangwm’s scoring with a try, two conversions, and three penalties. Gethin Thomas added a try, pushing Llangwm into a narrow lead. Pembroke Dock fought back with tries from Harry Owen, Danny Wilkes, and Morgan Rogers, all converted by Ben Hathaway. However, Llangwm’s precise penalty kicks clinched the close contest.
Llanybydder 24-31 Pembroke
Pembroke emerged victorious in a high-scoring 31-24 match against Llanybydder. Llanybydder displayed resilience with tries from Arwel Williams, Matthew Rollings, Ifan Mason-Evans, and Griff Morgans, two of which were converted by Rollings. Pembroke’s offense proved too strong, with tries from Robin Badham, Jack Oliver, Fraser James, Dai Rogers, and Toby Edwards, alongside three conversions by Josh Greenwood. Pembroke’s offensive depth secured the win in this lively encounter.
Neyland 20-23 Narberth Athletic
Narberth Athletic pulled off a close 23-20 victory over Neyland, with Shane Rossiter at the heart of the action, scoring all of Narberth’s points through three tries, two penalties, and a conversion. Neyland responded admirably, with tries from Luke Griffiths-Dawes (2) and Josh Watts, while Oli Rothero added a conversion and a penalty. Rossiter’s consistent performance under pressure proved decisive, securing Narberth Athletic’s hard-earned win.
Sport
WRU to apologise over contract dispute but denies sexism claims
THE WELSH RUGBY UNION has announced it will apologise for its handling of contract negotiations with the senior women’s team but refutes recent allegations of sexism.
WRU Chair Richard Collier-Keywood and Chief Executive Abi Tierney acknowledged significant failings in the process, admitting that it is “absolutely clear” the governing body owes an apology to the players.
The BBC reported this week that a leaked email showed players were threatened with exclusion from both WXV2 and next year’s World Cup as talks deteriorated. On August 2, players were given a “final offer” ultimatum with a strict three-hour deadline. If they didn’t sign, matches against New Zealand, Scotland, and Australia were set to be cancelled, and contracts withdrawn.
This episode surfaces amid recent claims of sexism and inequality, less than a year after an independent review condemned the WRU’s internal culture following a BBC Wales investigation.
“This is not a good day for us; we totally accept that. We should have done better and didn’t, but we’ve learned our lessons and will keep trying to improve,” said Collier-Keywood.
The WRU is expected to publish recommendations from a review of the negotiation process later this month, which has been fast-tracked following a Telegraph report on Thursday.
Key findings of the report
The WRU has disclosed early findings, which include:
- A failure to recognise the growth and change in the women’s professional game.
- An error in issuing the three-hour signing deadline.
- Strong differences on how to develop women’s rugby in Wales.
- Players were inexperienced in negotiations and left isolated.
- Players considered striking before a match against Scotland on September 6.
- Poor communication and lack of transparency escalated tensions, worsened by inappropriate behaviour at various stages.
The report states that sexism was not a factor behind the failings.
“There are sweeping criticisms in the report along with clear recommendations for change,” Collier-Keywood said, emphasizing the need for an apology and further engagement with the national team.
‘Sexism not apparent’
Independent board members Alison Thorne and Claire Donovan, who conducted the review, stated that while inappropriate behaviour was noted, sexism was not evident.
“After more than 50 hours of discussions with everyone involved, I did not sense that sexism was part of the issue,” said Donovan. Reflecting on her own 15-year rugby career, she acknowledged the past prevalence of sexism but said the grievances in this case appeared to stem from “a lack of respect and understanding of power dynamics.”
The WRU has also committed an additional £6 million toward women’s and girls’ rugby over the next five years, raising the total investment to £26 million.
Accusations of ‘blackmail’
Despite the WRU awarding 37 full-time contracts, Jess Kavanagh, a former Wales wing, criticised the WRU, suggesting the contract process bordered on “blackmail.” She questioned if the WRU had genuinely learned from past mistakes.
“We’ve heard apologies for years about various issues in the WRU, but apologies mean nothing until we see real change,” Kavanagh said. “Being forced to sign a contract under threat – that’s blackmail. In 2024, that should not happen in any workplace.”
Performance impact
Wales’ performance has suffered during the dispute, with the team finishing at the bottom of the 2024 Women’s Six Nations, managing only one win against Italy. Collier-Keywood acknowledged that the tension surrounding contracts may have contributed to the poor performance.
“There was unnecessary stress, which I believe affected performance. People were distracted, and that’s on us,” he stated.
The contracts were eventually signed just before Wales traveled to South Africa for WXV2 in September, although they lost their opening two matches.
The Welsh government, previously critical of the WRU over a misogyny scandal last year, expressed concern over these latest issues, calling for an urgent meeting with the WRU.
A spokesperson added: “We expect our national sporting bodies to lead by example.”
Government response
On Monday (Nov 5) Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills & Social Partnership made a statement in The Senedd. He said: “Today, I met with the Chair of the Welsh Rugby Union, Richard Collier-Keywood, Chief Executive Officer, Abi Tierney, and Nigel Walker, Executive Director of Rugby. This meeting was arranged urgently following media focus over the weekend regarding allegations of sexism faced by the women’s national team in their contract negotiations.
“I expressed my disappointment that Welsh rugby was in the headlines for the wrong reasons, especially in the context of recent history. The aim of the meeting was to seek clarity around the circumstances that have taken place in relation to contract negotiations for women’s players and how improvements to existing process can be taken forward more positively in future.
“The WRU is in the process of concluding an internal review and has already accepted some failings of process and areas for improvement have been identified. I have not yet seen a draft of the review, but a summary has been published by the WRU. The WRU will be looking to meet with the players shortly to issue an apology for those aspects of the process that fell below the standards we would all expect.
“Over coming days, I will be seeking to understand various perspectives on this process and to satisfy myself that lessons are being learned. I am offering to meet with the players to understand directly from them the nature of their concerns and see how we can help all parties move forward constructively. I will also be seeking a meeting with the review’s authors.
“I want to see Welsh rugby, at all levels, grow and thrive. I am committed to working closely with the WRU and the players to deliver a successful sustainable game in Wales which provides better outcomes for everyone.
“I will keep members updated as we make progress matters over the coming weeks.”
Sport
Swansea sign free-agent defender Cyrus Christie
SWANSEA CITY have bolstered their defence with the signing of 32-year-old Cyrus Christie on a contract until the end of the season.
The former Hull City defender, who has been a free agent since his departure at the close of last season, has been training with Swansea since early October. Head coach Luke Williams views Christie as a versatile addition, capable of covering any position across the backline.
Christie returns to Swansea for a second stint, having previously impressed during a loan spell in the second half of the 2021-22 season. During that period, he made 23 appearances and scored three goals after joining from Fulham. While former Swansea boss Russell Martin had shown interest in making Christie’s move permanent, the Republic of Ireland international ultimately opted to sign with Hull City.
“He is experienced at this level, a powerful athlete who can both defend and attack, so I am really happy,” Williams commented. “We lack some Championship experience, and Christie provides a physical presence that’s especially valuable in the absence of players like Ben Cabango and Harry Darling.”
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