Sport
Rally Sweden joy for Evans
Elfyn Evans leads the 2020 FIA World Rally Championship after rewriting the sporting history books with an outstanding victory on this weekend’s Rally Sweden (13-16 February).
The Welshman not only becomes the first-ever British driver to win the wintry Scandinavian classic but also is the first Briton to top the WRC points table since the heady days of Colin McRae and Richard Burns nearly 20 years ago at the start of the century.
On only his second outing for the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, Evans overcame the odds to lead the notorious tricky winter fixture from start to finish, winning five of the nine stages to beat Hyundai’s defending champion Ott Tänak by 12.7 seconds.
The victory elevates Evans to jointly lead the championship, tied on 42 points with last month’s Monte Carlo winner Thierry Neuville, but ahead of the Belgian on countback.
“It was a great weekend and I feel really good to have my first win with Toyota in just our second event together,” enthused a delighted Evans. “Big effort trying to settle into a new team but the guys have made the job very, very easy and given us everything we could have wanted. They’ve given me great support and a great car that is ging me great confidence. In the changeable conditions we had in Sweden, that’s really worth a lot. Hopefully, we can carry this form onto the gravel in the events to come.”
Adding to the celebrations, it was a first WRC win (on his 132nd start) for Scott Martin, Evans’ experienced co-driver who joined forces with the Welshman at the start of last season.
The pair’s dominant performance was all the more impressive as it came in ultra-challenging conditions with the unseasonal weather serving up a treacherous mix of snow, slush, ice and gravel in the usually frozen forests. Moreover, several stages had to be cancelled to protect the roads, thus turning the event into a shortened, high-speed sprint format and heaping extra pressures onto all the competing crews.
Though eclipsed by the masterful Evans, Tänak bounced back after his terrifying crash on the Monte Carlo Rally to ignite his title defence with a strong second place, while teenage sensation Kalle Rovanperrä took third in the second of the Toyota Yaris WRCs. The 19-year-old Finn outgunned team-mate, and six-time world champion, Sébastien Ogier in a final test shootout to claim his first WRC podium on just his second appearance at the top level.
From the European winter, the 13-round FIA World Rally Championship now heads for the heat and dust of Mexico. Thereafter showdowns in Argentina, Kenya, New Zealand and throughout Europe follow before the teams head to the UK in late October for this season’s penultimate encounter. Thereafter the season finale is staged in Japan.
Sport
Haverfordwest secure bonus-point win over title-chasing Tumble
HAVERFORDWEST produced one of their standout performances of the season to claim a 34–22 bonus-point victory away to title-chasing Tumble on Saturday (Mar 21).
The Blues showed composure and attacking intent throughout, running in five tries against one of the division’s strongest sides to underline their credentials in the closing stages of the campaign.
Tumble, who began the day among the league leaders, were expected to provide a stern test on home soil, but Haverfordwest rose to the challenge with a clinical display in both attack and defence.
Iori Curtis was named man of the match following an influential performance, crossing for a try and playing a key role in the visitors’ attacking phases.
The try scorers for Haverfordwest were Karl Busch and Jack Evans, while Curtis added his name to the scoresheet. Scott Candler led the way with a brace, helping to secure the all-important bonus point.
Adam Phillips was reliable from the tee, converting three of the tries and adding a penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
The result marks a significant win for the Blues, not only for the points gained but for the manner in which it was achieved against high-quality opposition.
Club officials also praised the travelling supporters and player sponsors for their continued backing, which they say remains vital to the team’s success.
Sport
Cardigan edge thriller as Amman fight to the finish
Division 3 West: Amman United 26 – Cardigan 33
AMMAN UNITED remain in the bottom two of Division 3 West despite a spirited and entertaining performance against Cardigan at a sun-drenched Cwmamman Park.
The hosts made a bright start and took the lead after ten minutes. From a well-worked lineout move and a series of tight phases, number eight Alun Lewis powered over for the opening try.
However, Cardigan responded almost immediately. A turnover during an Amman attack allowed the visitors to counter, with winger Alun Jenkins sprinting nearly fifty yards to score. Full back Llyr Jones added the conversion.
The visitors extended their advantage following a dominant scrum, with quick ball moved wide for wing Iwan John to cross.
Amman hit back in a lively, free-flowing contest. A quickly taken tap penalty from Lee Evans released centre Gareth Drewson, who crashed over for a try, with Iestyn Griffiths converting.
Captain Rhydian Jones impressed with several trademark breaks, but Amman were hampered by struggles at both the lineout and scrum. It was from a five-metre scrum that Cardigan secured their third try.
The visitors claimed a bonus point just before half-time when outside half Jac Davies crossed for their fourth, again following a strong scrum, to give Cardigan a 26-12 lead at the break.
Amman began the second half strongly and reduced the deficit when Drewson collected his second try from broken play. Griffiths again added the extras.
Both sides were reduced to fourteen players following a scuffle, with Cian Lewis and Aaron Tomkinson shown yellow cards.
Craig Ratcliffe and Keelan Griffiths worked tirelessly for Amman, while substitute Owain Armishaw made a positive impact off the bench after Shaun Watkins was forced off injured. For Cardigan, Owen Fletcher, Luke Rogers and captain Marcus Castle stood out.
Further pressure from the visitors paid off when flanker Connor Owen crossed to extend the lead to 33-19.
Amman continued to push and were unfortunate not to score when Dylan Lloyds chased an up-and-under and appeared to have grounded the ball, only for play to be brought back due to an earlier injury.
The home side’s persistence was eventually rewarded when Lloyds crossed in the corner. Griffiths produced an excellent touchline conversion to secure a bonus point for Amman.
In a dramatic finish, Amman came close to snatching a draw, but Lloyds was held up over the line as he went for the corner, and the final whistle brought the contest to an end.
Youth reach final
Amman Youth also enjoyed success, progressing to the Welsh Youth Cup final after a tense 20-20 draw against Bargoed Youth at Briton Ferry. The young side advanced on try count and will now look forward to a trip to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in the coming weeks.
Business
Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged
A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.
In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.
A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.
“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.
“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.
“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”
It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.
“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.
“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”
The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.
-
News6 days agoEmergency services flood Haverfordwest after reports of person in river
-
Crime5 days agoMother given community order after admitting child cruelty offence
-
Health4 days agoNHS waiting list falls — but cancer delays and diagnostic backlog worsen
-
News6 days agoSenedd vote to ban greyhound racing hailed as ‘landmark moment’ by charities
-
News6 days agoSenedd votes to ban Greyhound racing in Wales to protect animal welfare
-
News5 days agoReform secures first Pembrokeshire councillor in Hakin by-election win
-
Crime5 days agoWoman stole from pharmacy despite ban, court hears
-
News6 days agoCould Pembrokeshire hold the key to St Patrick’s lost birthplace?








