Sport
Neyland book place in last 16 of Village Cup
NEYLAND are through to the last 16 of the National Village Cup after they beat West Midlands side Milford Hall on Sunday (Jun 20).
They made the long trip up on Sunday morning having not played in the league the day before and were looking forward to their game.
Neyland won the toss and elected to field first but their opponents made a good score of 191-6 from their 40 overs.
There were wickets early on for Henry Durrant and Nathan Banner which left Milford on 8-2 but Aaron Afford and James Davis dug in for the home side.
They shared 58 runs for the third wicket but that partnership was broken by Patrick Bellerby who ran out Afford on a score of 36.
Ross Hardy then got in on the act as he claimed his first wicket of the day to reduce Milford to 71-4.
Another good stand worth 80 runs between Davis and captain Stuart Phazey followed as they looked to set up a strong total.
The partnership was eventually broken by Jack John who had Davis caught by Bellerby on a score of 49.
Phazey had reached his half century moments earlier as he hit eight fours and a six in a score of 55 but he was then caught by George Evans off the bowling of Brad McDermott-Jenkins.
Tom Eley then finished unbeaten on 21 and Kevin Royce finished not out on 16 as they set Neyland a target of 192 to win the game.
Neyland also lost two wickets at the start of their reply as Chris Dean removed both Patrick Bellerby and Ashley Sutton.
Nathan Banner and Nick Koomen looked to steady the innings and they shared 47 runs for the third wicket.
Banner was then stumped off the bowling of Ron Firth on a score of 24.
Ross Hardy then joined Koomen in the middle and they shared another forty runs for the fourth wicket.
Hardy hit three fours and a six in his score of 23 but he was then caught off the bowling of Stuart Phazey.
Koomen continued to put runs on the board and was joined by Henry Durrant, with the pair adding another 54 runs on the board.
Koomen had hit nine fours in his score of 66 but he was then bowled by Phazey to leave Neyland on 145-5.
Durrant and Brad McDermott-Jenkins then added another 31 runs as Neyland edged closer to victory.
McDermott-Jenkins smashed three sixes and a four in a score of 24 from 11 balls but he then fell to the bowling of Aaron Afford.
Afford then had Durrant caught on a score of 20 to reduce Neyland to 180-7.
Sean Hannon and Andrew Miller then took over with Hannon reaching a score of 8 before the final over.
Miller grabbed two off the second ball meaning they needed just one more to win. Off the next ball Miller hit a four to win the game for Neyland.
After the game, Sean Hannon said: “Delighted by the win, home advantage is obviously key in this competition but thankfully we travelled with a strong team and it paid.
“The boys done brilliantly well to win the game and it was pleasing to see everyone chipping in with runs or wickets.”
Sport
Dragons’ defeat to Pau dents their European ambitions
The Dragons’ European ambitions suffered a setback with a home defeat to Pau in Newport. This loss has intensified the pressure on the team as they prepare for a crucial match in South Africa. Having dented their hopes, the team now faces an uphill battle to recover. from it.
Match overview
In the recent game, the Dragons were unable to secure a victory against Pau. Despite a strong start, they couldn’t maintain their performance throughout the match. Pau capitalised on their opportunities, making it difficult for the Dragons to regain control. The team was unable to close out crucial moments of the game, which led to their downfall.
Before the match, the Dragons were given odds of 10/11 while Pau were given even odds. With Rugby Union matches now attracting a lot more online sports betting, according to senior editor Ian Bruce, many new and exciting sites are available to UK punters looking for some rugby betting action. Punters can visit and compare a range of the best sites here, being assured that they are safe and cover a wide array of sports and odds, with some offering added perks like instant payouts.
For punters betting on the Dragons, with this loss, their chances of progressing in the European competition are now uncertain. The Dragons will need to reassess their strategy and tighten up their play in the upcoming fixtures. Their performance was a reminder of how competitive European rugby can be and how small mistakes can lead to significant consequences. The result leaves them with a tough challenge ahead if they are to keep their hopes of advancing alive.
Key moments
Aaron Wainwright, keeping up his form from last year, and Rio Dyer, did their best for the Dragons. Their efforts were commendable, but the team’s overall performance fell short. Wainwright showed his typical work rate, making key tackles and contributing in the forward pack.
Dyer, on the other hand, was dynamic in attack, creating several opportunities. However, their individual brilliance wasn’t enough to lift the team as a whole. Key mistakes at crucial moments, such as turnovers and missed tackles, allowed Pau to exploit gaps in the Dragons’ defence.
In particular, the Dragons struggled in the breakdown area, where Pau won vital turnovers. Despite individual highlights, the team’s overall execution lacked consistency, which cost them the game. This match showcased how even with standout players, team performance is crucial for success at this level of competition.
Looking ahead
The Dragons now face a critical game in South Africa. This match is vital for their European hopes. A win is essential to keep their ambitions alive. They cannot afford another slip-up, especially in a tournament as competitive as the European Champions Cup. The team needs to make adjustments in key areas, particularly their decision-making under pressure and their discipline.
The match will be a true test of their character and ability to bounce back from adversity. The Dragons have shown resilience in the past, but this game will be a significant marker of whether they can push through and stay in the competition. They will need to focus on their strengths, play with intensity, and avoid the mistakes that have hurt them recently.
News
South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association results
THE RESULTS of the catch-up games played over the Christmas/New Year period are as follows:
- Llanteg 10 – 0 Hundleton
- Reynalton 8 – 2 Badgers
- Cosheston 10 – 0 St Twynnells
Updated League Table
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | S/D | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
East Williamston | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 127 | 74 |
Carew | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 86 | 65 |
Reynalton | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 31 | 62 |
Hundleton | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 65 | 60 |
St Johns | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 58 |
Cosheston | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 33 | 54 |
Llanteg | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -22 | 44 |
St Twynnells | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | -108 | 41 |
Badgers | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 36 | 40 |
Kilgetty | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | -85 | 40 |
Lamphey | 10 | 1 | 0 | 9 | -155 | 22 |
Singles tournament success
A big thank you to everyone who participated in the singles tournament this weekend. After a competitive Round Robin in the morning, players were divided into red and blue streams for the afternoon knockout stages.
- Red Stream Winner: Simon Hall (Reynalton)
- Runner-up: Andrew Maclean (East Williamston)
- Blue Stream Winner: Margaret Richards (Reynalton)
- Runner-up: Chris Clarkson (Lamphey)
Upcoming event
The next tournament will be the Doubles, held at Heatherton on Saturday, 15th February. Entry forms will be distributed shortly once details are finalized.
Sport
Pembrokeshire Second Division Match Report – January 11, 2025
A THILLING weekend of football in Pembrokeshire’s Second Division delivered key results that tightened the race for promotion and intensified the relegation battle.
Narberth 2-0 Hakin United II
Narberth bolstered their title aspirations with a commanding 2-0 victory over league leaders Hakin United II. Brychan David broke the deadlock with a clinical finish, and Jordan Williams secured the win with a second goal. The result leaves Narberth just two points behind Hakin in a hotly contested title race.
Merlins Bridge II 0-2 Fishguard Sports
Fishguard Sports continued their march towards a top-three finish, claiming a vital 2-0 win away at Merlins Bridge II. Ieuan Llewellyn coolly converted a penalty to give Fishguard the lead, while Luke Thomas added a second to seal the victory. With games in hand, Fishguard remain firmly in contention at the top end of the table.
Lawrenny 1-2 Neyland
Neyland edged a close contest against Lawrenny with a 2-1 win that keeps their top-half ambitions alive. Thomas Cole scored for the home side, but goals from Aidan Rees and Jack John secured all three points for Neyland in a hard-fought encounter.
Monkton Swifts II 1-7 Johnston
Johnston produced a dominant performance, thrashing Monkton Swifts II 7-1. Ryan Doyle netted twice, with further goals from Steve Allen, James Larsen, Marcus Allen, Callum Rees, and Joey George. The emphatic victory consolidates Johnston’s strong campaign, while Monkton Swifts II remain perilously close to the relegation zone.
Carew II 3-3 Solva
Carew II and Solva played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in a match filled with excitement. George Davies scored twice for Carew, with Charlie Perkins also on target. Solva responded with two goals from Josh Bland and an own goal that levelled the match. Both sides remain stuck in mid-table, with the result doing little to ease their relegation concerns.
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