Sport
Neyland seal home Village Cup semi-final after win in Derbyshire
NEYLAND will have a home tie in the semi-finals of the Village Cup after they beat Derbyshire side South Wingfield by five wickets on Sunday (July 18).
The Pembrokeshire side had already made the long trip to Mansfield for their abandoned last 16 tie and they made the slightly shorter trip to Derbyshire for their quarter final.
South Wingfield won the toss and chose to bat first but they were eventually bowled out for 101 in the 34th over.
The hosts made a steady start but Nathan Banner had opener Steven Wilson caught by Henry Durrant and Banner also bowled Andrew Wilson soon after.
That left the score on 18-2 but opener Richard Fenn and Alex Mace could only add another 22 runs before the next wicket fell.
Fenn had hit six fours in a score of 31 but he was then trapped leg before by Ross Hardy.
Mace fell on a score of 11 when he was caught and bowled by Andrew Miller who also ran out Charles Jones on the same score to leave the hosts on 57-5.
Sam Colclough did not last long in the middle as he was caught by Sean Hannon off the bowling of Miller for a duck.
Liam Mitchell scored 10 but he also fell to Miller when he was caught by Banner.
Harry Brown and Kyle Mitchell did their best to push the score on into three figures but after an eighth wicket stand of 25, Brown, who hit two fours and six in his score of 21, was caught by Patrick Hannon off the bowling of Henry Durrant.
That left South Wingfield on 96-8 and it was soon 97-9 when Brad McDermott-Jenkins trapped Mitchell leg before on a score of 9.
The home side were in danger of missing out on a three-figure score before Dan Connolly’s late boundary pushed the score to 101.
That was as good as it got though as Connolly was caught by Hardy off the bowling of McDermott-Jenkins.
Needing 102 to win Neyland made a steady start as Nick Koomen and Gregg Miller opened with a partnership of 31.
Miller departed first as he was caught by Kyle Mitchell off the bowling of Lewis Radford.
Soon after Ashley Sutton was caught by Sam Colclough off the bowling of Harry Brown as Neyland slipped to 40-2.
The Derbyshire side had their tails up with those two wickets but Koomen and Nathan Banner shared a third wicket stand of 54 to all but seal victory.
Banner was caught and bowled by Mitchell on a score of 23 and with the next ball, Mitchell had Ross Hardy caught by Liam Mitchell for a duck.
Sean Hannon was then caught by Steven Wilson off the bowling of Kyle Mitchell to reduce Neyland to 96-5.
However, with the very next ball, Koomen smashed the ball over the ropes to send Neyland to victory.
Koomen finished unbeaten on 68 with 11 fours and that late six to book a home semi-final tie for Neyland.
After the game, Neyland captain Sean Hannon said: “Delighted with another great win on the road. It will be nice to have home advantage in the semis which is reward for the effort the boys have put into travelling in the previous three rounds! Not only that but it’s nice for the supporters too, they will be able to come up and watch for once!”
Sport
Scarlets and local NHS Charity announce continued Wish Fund partnership
SCARLETS RUGBY has announced that it will be continuing its partnership with Hywel Dda Health Charities, the local NHS Charity, to support the Wish Fund campaign. The campaign raises funds to create magical memories for children and young people living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families.
The campaign, which launched in spring 2022, has already raised a fantastic £29,900 which has been used to create unforgettable experiences for paediatric palliative care patients and their families. These have included days out at the National Botanic Garden of Wales and Urdd Llangrannog, pantomime trips to Llanelli and Milford Haven, and fun family days at Parc y Scarlets.
Families have also enjoyed free entry to Scarlets games, and a Wish Fund information and support stand has appeared regularly at Scarlets home games.
Heulwen, who attended a Scarlets visit with her son Jake, said: “It was a magical day and Jake was thrilled to receive a signed shirt and hat. We’ll never forget it.”
Rachel Brown, Paediatric Palliative Care Play Specialist, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Scarlets are supporting our Wish Fund campaign.
“The Wish Fund provides us with opportunities to give that little extra to our patients and families which are beyond NHS expenditure. These include fantastic group activities and family day trips, therapeutic play toys to help young patients process what they are experiencing, and wellbeing resources for families and young siblings.
“It means we can create cherished memories together.”
Scarlets’ Wales international Gareth Davies said: “We are delighted to be a part of the Wish Fund campaign and hopefully we can help make a real difference to families across mid and west Wales.
“We want to help them create some brilliant memories which will last forever and hope to inspire people across the region to join with us and bring a bit of joy to their lives.”
The Wish Fund campaign will see the NHS charity and the Scarlets Rugby continue to work together to both raise funds for the campaign and raise awareness about the work of the Paediatric Palliative Care team.
News
Pembrokeshire filmmaker tackles extraordinary football documentary
BULL MOOSE PRODUCTIONS has announced the commencement of production of “Metcalf vs Puskás: The Forgotten Game,” a documentary chronicling a remarkable yet little-known charity football match from 1967.
The film, directed by Daniel Metcalf, from Pembrokeshire, explores the events leading up to some of Britain’s biggest footballing stars, alongside Daniel’s grandfather Mike Metcalf, taking on a Ferenc Puskás International XI for charity.
This independent production delves into a forgotten piece of football history, reconstructing a charity match that featured legends such as Billy Liddell, John Charles, Malcolm Allison, Dave Hickson, and Billy Bingham. The documentary aims to uncover this lost moment in football history while examining how sport brings communities together.
“This project is a journey of discovery,” says Daniel Metcalf, director. “It’s about uncovering a lost moment in football history, but it’s also about exploring how sport brings communities together. Through my grandfather’s story, we’ll examine the changing face of football over the past half-century.”
The production has already garnered significant support. Chester FC has provided access to a wealth of archival material and granted permission to film at their stadium. The project has also caught the eye of the footballing community, with Welsh legend Neville Southall stating, “A fascinating footballing story which should make for a great film, I can’t wait to watch and learn more about it.”
“Metcalf vs Puskás: The Forgotten Game” aims to recreate the atmosphere and sense of celebration surrounding this extraordinary match, using a combination of interviews, archival footage, and animation. The film will not only pay tribute to a unique moment in football history but also explore broader themes of community, memory, and social change.
Local Talent Opportunities
Bull Moose Productions is eager to collaborate with local talent in Pembrokeshire and surrounding areas. We are seeking filmmakers, technicians, and production assistants who are passionate about bringing this unique story to life. This project offers an excellent opportunity for emerging talent to work on a professional documentary production.
“We’re looking to build a community around this film,” says Daniel Metcalf. “Whether you’re a football fan, a history buff, or simply someone who loves a good story, there are many ways to get involved. We’re particularly keen to tap into the wealth of creative talent here in Pembrokeshire.”
- The production team is seeking individuals to assist with:
- Film crew positions for summer 2025 filming
- Pre-production organisation and research
- Post-production assistance (editing, sound, score)
- Fundraising and investment
- Marketing, social media and distribution
This is a unique chance for Pembrokeshire residents to contribute to a project with national appeal, gaining valuable experience in the film industry.
The production is also actively seeking financial support to ensure the highest quality for “Metcalf vs Puskás: The Forgotten Game”. We welcome investment from individuals and groups who are passionate about football history, local heritage, and compelling storytelling.
The team also plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign, offering supporters the chance to feel personally involved in the project through a range of perks and rewards. Additionally, Bull Moose Productions will be applying for funding from relevant film bodies to support this ambitious project.
For those interested in contributing their skills, investing in the project, or learning more about upcoming crowdfunding opportunities, please contact Daniel Metcalf directly using the details below.
- Bull Moose Productions is an independent film production company based in Wales, dedicated to telling unique and compelling stories that bridge personal narratives with broader historical and cultural contexts. With a talented team of upcoming film production experts, Bull Moose Productions is committed to creating high-quality, thought-provoking content that resonates with audiences both locally and internationally.
Education
Pembrokeshire College’s WRU Hub Officer Aled gets European experience
THE COLLEGE’S WRU Hub Officer and renowned rugby coach, Aled Waters, has recently returned from an exciting series of coaching stints in Germany and Austria, where he worked with top youth and national teams as part of ongoing international rugby collaborations.
In Germany, Aled’s coaching efforts were focused on a partnership between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and Rugby Deutschland, working with the Under-16s National 7s Squad. As part of this unique link, Aled provided high-performance coaching designed to develop the young squad’s skills in the fast-paced 7s format, preparing them for future international competitions.
After his time in Germany, Aled travelled to Austria, where he played a pivotal role in preparing the Austrian National Rugby Team for their participation in the upcoming Rugby Europe Competition, taking place over three consecutive weekends. His expertise helped ready the team for their first test, culminating in a thrilling match against Hungary.
Speaking about his international experience, Aled commented: “It’s been an incredible opportunity to help nurture rugby talent in both Germany and Austria. The players’ dedication and commitment are impressive, and I’m excited to see how they perform in upcoming tournaments.”
Looking ahead, Aled’s coaching journey is far from over. In November, he will be heading to Italy to continue his international coaching work, helping teams prepare for further competition within the Rugby Europe framework.
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