Sport
Jenny rides the refereeing wave

A CHANCE meeting with a former adversary was just the push Jenny Davies required to decide that becoming a referee was the next step in her rugby journey.
As the curtain came down on a playing career which saw her claim 74 Welsh caps in the front row, Davies had a conversation with trail-blazing Joy Neville after a game against Ireland.
Neville had a lengthy playing career spanning 10 years with Ireland before taking up the whistle in 2013. Since then she has been the flagbearer for women’s refereeing, officiating in Europe and in a World Cup, collecting World Rugby’s Referee of the Year award in 2017 along the way.
While Neville’s career continues to flourish, Davies’ is still in the embryonic phase having refereed for just two years.
“After retiring from playing, I tried coaching and found that I still thought I was a player and still ate like one, without doing the training,” says Davies.
“I also felt coaching didn’t give me the buzz playing did. So, I decided that I would have a go at taking up the whistle.
“After speaking to Paul Adams [WRU National Referee Performance manager], he persuaded me to give it a go. And after seeing Joy do so well and heeding her advice, I thought: why not?
“I think it is important former players become referees because they have an idea about what players and coaches are trying to achieve. They are more empathetic and will attempt to get the games to flow by playing advantage,” adds Davies.
Going from poacher to gamekeeper has had its challenges for Davies but her tenacity as a player has transferred to her refereeing skills, and she is enjoying officiating.
“It was a natural move [going from playing to refereeing]. I knew what the players want to achieve; however, sometimes my positioning was wrong because I still positioned myself as a player. Sometimes, I got in the way.
“So you just have to try and develop new skills to make it more fluid and that you are not in the way of the players.”
Since she took up the whistle two years ago, Davies’ progress has impressed Paul Adams.
Adams also emphasises the women’s programme collectively is heading in the right direction.
“Over the last 18 months there has been a very encouraging increase in the number of women refereeing the senior game regularly,” he explains.
“The numbers have increased from three 18 months ago to nine at present, with a further three referees refereeing age-grade rugby.
“We currently have four women refereeing in the National League and two more set to make their debuts this season.
“Last year, Francesca Martin was appointed to AR (assistant referee) in the Women’s Six Nations, our first appointment by World Rugby in this tournament.
“As a result of the increase in numbers, a new Women’s Development squad was established this year. They have already benefited from technical sessions and – once normality returns – they will meet regularly for psychological and physical fitness training.
“Sean Brickell (Community Match Officials Development Lead) is leading on this. He has already established an excellent work ethic which should be a great benefit to the girls next season. This year, for the first time, all three Women’s finals were scheduled to be officiated by all-women teams of three.
“Another first this year was the delivery of all women referee courses, which proved very popular.”
Jenny Davies is grateful for the assistance she receives from the WRU as she continues to move up the ladder.
“The WRU have been extremely supportive. Paul Adams and Sean Brickell have been really good. If I’ve had an email, they’ll respond to it. They’ve been really helpful. The support mechanism up in North Wales has been phenomenal. Richard Morgan, who is my main assessor, is very supportive and gives me feedback. If I have got a problem after a game, I’ll ring him and he’ll always give me advice.
“Even the other referees, when we have society meetings, if I have got a problem I can chat with them and they’ll give me their take on it. They’ll say, ‘what you did was right’ or ‘next time, why don’t you try this?’
“So they’re constantly giving me ideas that you can try on the pitch to make me better.”
Davies has no hesitation offering encouragement to anyone thinking about picking up the whistle.
“Give it a go. Go on a course. Get in the middle,” she says.
“Have a few games – you’ll know once you are on the pitch and have come off it whether you have enjoyed it or not. I don’t think it’s something you decide on after just one game: you need to give it a few games. It’s just like playing, in that regard.”
Despite her refereeing career going on an upward trajectory, Davies is keeping her feet firmly on the ground at the moment.
“I haven’t really set myself a goal at the moment, I’m just riding the wave to see where it takes me,” she says.
Sport
Solva sailor Micky Beckett leads British medal surge in Mallorca

Pembrokeshire sailor Micky Beckett has once again cemented his place among the sport’s elite, securing his fourth consecutive victory in the ILCA 7 men’s dinghy class at the prestigious Trofeo Princesa Sofia regatta.
Hailing from the coastal village of Solva, Beckett sealed the title with a day to spare — a remarkable feat that underscores his dominance on the international circuit and sends a strong signal ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic campaign.
His win was one of nine medals earned by the British Sailing Team in Mallorca, with Great Britain finishing top of the medal table ahead of Australia and China.
Beckett, who has steadily climbed the ranks in recent years, is now one of the standout figures in British sailing. Known for his consistency and calm approach on the water, the 29-year-old has made the ILCA 7 fleet his own, and his continued success reflects the strength of both his individual talent and the support around him.
“If this week is anything to go by, the future is bright for the British Sailing Team,” said performance director Mark Robinson — a nod to Beckett’s influence and the broader success of the squad.
While Beckett led the charge, fellow Brit Emma Wilson also delivered a standout performance. The two-time Olympic bronze medallist won 14 of 21 races in the iQFOiL foiling windsurfing class, earning her the prestigious Princess Sofia Trophy — the event’s top honour.
“It’s crazy – I wasn’t expecting it at all,” said Wilson, 25. “There are names on this trophy like Ben Ainslie, people I’ve looked up to since I was a kid. To have my name on there now is pretty cool.”
The British team also took home gold in the 49erFX (Saskia Tidey and Freya Black), 470 (Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris), and Nacra 17 (John Gimson and Anna Burnet). There were silver medals for Lily Young (Formula Kite) and Elliot Hanson (ILCA 7), while Ellie Aldridge (Formula Kite) and Daisy Collingridge (ILCA 6) each claimed bronze.
Sport
Goodwick edge closer to perfect season

Kilgetty 0 – Goodwick United 3
GOODWICK United are just one game away from completing a flawless league campaign after a dominant 3-0 victory away at Kilgetty.
Nathan Greene opened the scoring with a thumping header on 13 minutes, meeting Will Haworth’s pinpoint corner. Haworth then turned scorer just before half-time, glancing in Luke Hayward’s free-kick to double the lead.
Rhys Jones wrapped things up from the penalty spot after Rhys Dalling was brought down in the box.
Manager Chris O’Sullivan now turns his attention to the final fixture at Phoenix Park against Tenby, where his side will aim to complete an unbeaten league season.
Pennar Robins stay in top-four hunt
Pennar Robins 3 – Clarbeston Road 1
PENNAR Robins kept their hopes of a top-three finish alive with a solid 3-1 win over Clarbeston Road at Bush Camp.
Ben Adams struck twice, either side of a Jamie Wilkes goal, to seal the win. Adams and Wilkes gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break, but Richard Bevan pulled one back for the visitors in the second half.
Adams netted his second in the 88th minute to put the result beyond doubt and keep Pennar in touching distance of Monkton Swifts, with two matches left to play.
Swifts confirm Milford relegation
Milford United 0 – Monkton Swifts 4
MILFORD United’s relegation from Division One was confirmed on Saturday as Monkton Swifts cruised to a 4-0 win at Marble Hall.
Paul Miller was instrumental for the visitors, assisting goals for Billy Davis and Liam Butland before scoring one himself. Jack Clarke added a fourth after the break, converting from Ben Steele’s cross.
Monkton remain third, just ahead of Pennar Robins, with both sides battling for a top-three finish in the final weeks.
Milford now turn their attention to the Senior Cup Final against Hakin United.
Wizards and Vikings share derby spoils
Merlins Bridge 0 – Hakin United 0
A TIGHT and tense derby between Merlins Bridge and Hakin United ended in a goalless draw at the Pembrokeshire Sports Ground.
Both teams had opportunities, with Mark Jones going close for Hakin and Mason Dolling striking the side netting. For the Wizards, substitute Ben Davies had the ball in the net, only for the flag to go up for offside.
Hakin now shift focus to the Senior Cup Final against Milford United, while Merlins Bridge can take heart from a resilient defensive performance.
Sport
Narberth Athletic overpower Llangwm as St Davids claim dramatic win

Narberth Athletic 61 – Llangwm 10
NARBERTH Athletic delivered a dominant display to defeat Llangwm 61-10 in their latest Division Four (West) fixture.
Llangwm showed promise in the early exchanges, particularly at scrum time, where their front row of Ieuan Power, Ben Elrick, and Matthew Rees competed well. However, it was the home side who controlled the scoreboard.
Narberth opened the scoring after 31 minutes with a converted try from prop Shay Norcross. That breakthrough was followed by a blistering five-minute spell in which captain Harry Phillips crossed three times, all converted by Shane Rossiter, giving the hosts a commanding 28-0 lead. Llangwm responded before the break with a penalty from Breig Matthews.
In the second half, Narberth extended their lead with tries from Brad Cramb and Stephen J Brown, the latter again converted by Rossiter. Llangwm briefly rallied with a converted try from No 8 Matthew Rees, but Narberth’s bench provided a strong finish. Will Davies touched down twice, while Rossiter added another try and two further conversions, finishing the match with a personal haul of 21 points.
St Davids 31 – Pembroke 24
ST DAVIDS sealed a league double over Pembroke with a thrilling 31-24 home win, a match that also marked the unveiling of the John James Memorial Scoreboard, in honour of a much-loved club stalwart.
The visitors struck first through a penalty from Jarred Sharratt, but St Davids hit back with a try from captain Nathan Foster, converted by Bob Froy. Pembroke regained the lead when Barry Alderman-John crossed for a try in his final game, also converted by Sharratt.
St Davids responded before the interval through player-coach Morgan Griffiths, who scored his first try of the afternoon, again converted by Froy.
The second half saw the momentum swing back and forth. Evan Davies put Pembroke back in front with a try, before a Froy penalty levelled the scores. A converted try from Fraser James gave Pembroke the lead once more, but Griffiths proved the difference, completing his hat-trick with two more tries—both converted by Froy—to secure victory for the Saints.
The win also saw St Davids lift the Willington Slate, an annual trophy contested between the two clubs.
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