Sport
Finals day serves up a treat
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Tournament-winners-scaled.jpg)
THE annual Pembrokeshire County Tennis Tournament was back with a bang this month with spectators blessed with glorious weather and some incredible matches.
Now in its 72nd year, 95 competitors entered the junior and senior tournaments which culminated in finals day at Haverfordwest Tennis Club on Saturday, July 17.
In all those years, Club President Brian Hearne said he could not remember a higher quality men’s final, which was contested between ex-Great Britain and Jersey’s most decorated tennis player Jeremy Cross and the club’s very own professional coach Tom Hole.
The Parade could well have been mistaken for Wimbledon with the standard on show, with Cross clinching the title Hole had won in the previous year.
Cross went on to add the mixed doubles trophy to his collection with the women’s singles champion Ceri Coleman-Phillips, who produced an unlikely comeback to beat Sarah Newman. Together they beat the holders Hole and Sarah Keogh in the final match of the day.
Hole picked up silverware in the men’s doubles with Nathan Jones as did Newman in the women’s doubles with partner Laura Davies.
Hole and Jones beat Laurie Haworth and Jack Britton, while Newman and Davies edged the experienced duo of Keogh and Jane Allen.
The junior tournament was just as hotly contested, with Robbie Stirling and Josie Hawke crowned the under 12s singles champions, while Levi Jones and Honey Johnston won the under 14s titles.
William Phillips won the boys under 16s crown, while Ned Rees-Wigmore and Jay Thomas won the under 12s boys doubles.
Club chairman Dean Richards declared the tournament a huge success, with “players having to contend with the heat as well as their opponents”.
“The tournament was well supported throughout the fortnight with crowds gathering every night to watch the matches in good spirit,” he said.
“A special mention to the Haworth family who came out in force to support their five entries.”
Mr Richards also thanked the tournament sponsors and umpires.
“Putting on a tournament does not happen on its own, there is a team of dedicated people to ensure it runs smoothly and is enjoyed by all.
“I’d like to thank tournament referee Tom Hole for all his hard work, ably assisted by Sarah Keogh who puts her heart and soul into the club.”
If you would like to give tennis a go, there are discounted memberships available for new players. Visit the club website or Facebook page. Alternatively contact membership secretary Sue Jones on 01437 711088.
Results in full:
Men’s singles
Jeremy Cross beat Tom Hole 6-1 6-3
Ladies singles
Ceri Coleman-Phillips beat Sarah Newman 1-6 6-4 1-0
Men’s doubles
Tom Hole and Nathan Jones beat Laurie Haworth and Jack Britton 6-0 6-1
Ladies doubles
Sarah Newman and Laura Davies beat Sarah Keogh and Jane Allen 6-2 6-3
Mixed doubles
Jeremy Cross and Ceri Coleman-Phillips beat Tom Hole and Sarah Keogh 5-7 6-2 1-0
Under 12s boys singles
Robbie Stirling beat Fynn Price 6-2 6-2
Under 12s girls singles
Josie Hawke beat Amelia Williams 7-6
Under 14s boys singles
Levi Jones beat Danny Thomas 6-2 6-2
Under 14s girls singles
Honey Johnston beat Charlotte Owen 6-2 6-3
Under 16s boys singles
William Phillips beat Tim Chadwick 6-3 6-2
Under 12s boys doubles
Ned Rees-Wigmore and Jay Thomas beat Sean Bolger and Fynn Price 6-2 3-6 1-0
News
WRU explores potential Anglo-Welsh rugby competition
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THE WRU is actively exploring the possibility of a future Anglo-Welsh competition. Multiple sources from both England and Wales have confirmed that preliminary discussions have occurred between key figures on both sides of the Severn Bridge.
Currently, the WRU is still under contract with the United Rugby Championship (URC) for a few more years, where it also holds stakeholder status. One proposal under consideration involves merging the URC with the Gallagher Premiership to create an Anglo-Welsh conference.
WRU Chairman Richard Collier-Keywood, when questioned about these talks by Wales Online, refrained from commenting directly but acknowledged the interest. “I’m totally aware that most Welsh people would want competition against England, and that does feel like a good direction of travel,” he said.
“At present, we remain committed to the URC. There are downsides and positives to the URC, and we aim to enhance the situation from a Welsh perspective. Our priority is to ensure stability for our four clubs and secure a sound future for them over the coming years. Once this is achieved, we can revisit and discuss future goals.”
Within Welsh rugby circles, there is a strong desire for more regular Anglo-Welsh fixtures. The URC has struggled to engage the broader public, and fixtures with English clubs would likely be more appealing and cost-effective compared to trips to South Africa or Ireland. Increased regular attendance is also anticipated.
“I’m totally cognisant that most Welsh people would want jeopardy against England, and most English people would want jeopardy against Wales,” Collier-Keywood continued. “However, we are currently committed to the URC for a few more years. It’s early days, but all options are on the table. There are benefits and downsides to the URC, and we aim to improve the situation from a Welsh rugby perspective.”
The WRU’s primary goal is to ensure the survival of its four professional clubs – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets – which face an estimated £29 million funding gap over the next five years. Previously, the WRU indicated that without a plan to bridge this funding gap by autumn, they would consider triggering the two-year notice clause on the Professional Rugby Agreement. This could mean cutting a team or implementing a tiered funding model. However, Collier-Keywood insists that retaining all four professional clubs remains the WRU’s priority.
“The arrangements we are looking at with the clubs retain four teams,” he said. “This is our stated objective because we believe four teams are necessary to consistently achieve our goal of being in the top five in the world. Reducing the number of teams would make this objective more challenging.
“The gaps mentioned are the figures we believe need bridging to maintain four competitive teams. These numbers reflect the stretch goals for our teams to be competitive in their competitions. I am optimistic we will reach this goal. We have positive engagement with the four clubs. While it’s not solely the WRU’s decision, as the clubs are privately owned, we are in good and positive dialogue to reach a favourable outcome.”
Collier-Keywood also called on regional team fans to support their teams. “The biggest thing fans can do to help is to attend matches. I recognise it’s a virtuous circle – if your team is winning and performing well, you’re more likely to attend. We need to boost our supporter base, make it vibrant, and have them present at matches.”
All four professional clubs are currently bound by a salary cap of £4.5 million, with allowances for two marquee signings outside the cap. Collier-Keywood is optimistic about increased funding for the clubs in the near future. “Absolutely, I do,” he said when asked about the potential for increased funding. “While it’s a tough ask for the very next season, we aim to ensure our teams are competitive in the years to come.”
The WRU’s exploration of an Anglo-Welsh competition represents a potential shift in the rugby landscape, promising exciting prospects for both Welsh and English rugby fans.
News
Former Welsh rugby star on trial for assaulting primary school pupil
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A former international rugby star, Matthew Back, stands accused of assaulting a primary school pupil by grabbing him so hard it left marks on his arm. The court heard that Back, 53, who played four times for Wales, was employed as a teacher when the alleged incident took place.
Prosecutor Christopher Evans outlined the case, stating that Back manhandled the child, resulting in a bruise after he forcibly took drawings away from him in the classroom. Evans argued that Back “lost control” during the altercation, mishandling the situation severely.
“Back manhandled the child. He handled the situation completely the wrong way,” Evans asserted. He further claimed that Back “didn’t de-escalate” the situation but instead “lost control on a small child.”
The court heard that the boy had been instructed to draw following a separate incident with another child. However, he rolled the paper into a “comical shape,” prompting Back to snatch the paper away. In response, the child lashed out at teaching assistants and was subsequently placed on a sofa for a “time out.”
Testimony revealed that Back kept the boy on the sofa, preventing him from leaving until he had calmed down and could be taken home. The child’s mother reported that he returned from school late, “very angry and very agitated.” Later that evening, the boy’s father discovered bruising on his arm.
When questioned by the parents, Back initially denied any knowledge of the incident, suggesting the marks could have been caused by the boy hiding in a small space or engaging in “rough and tumble” with other children. However, he later acknowledged that an incident had occurred and the child had been moved to the sofa.
Harriet Ealdon, defending, presented the court with messages exchanged between Back and the boy’s mother, illustrating their cooperative efforts to address the child’s behavioural needs. In one message, Back expressed pleasure in teaching the boy, to which the mother responded positively, noting her son’s excitement to attend school. Another message highlighted the “great teamwork” between them.
The court also heard that the child had been involved in 50 documented incidents at the school, all of which had been communicated to the parents—except for the alleged assault in question. The parents documented the bruise with multiple photographs taken over several days, leading them to raise concerns with the school. This prompted an investigation and the suspension of Back and two other individuals.
Matthew Back, hailing from Miskin, Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, denies the charge of assault. Back, who won four caps for Wales in 1995, has a notable rugby career, having played for Pontypridd, Bridgend, Swansea, Bristol, and Aberavon.
The trial, presided over by Recorder Bruce Gardiner, continues.
News
Haverfordwest County AFC launch 2024-25 away kit
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Haverfordwest County AFC have said this week that they are delighted to launch our away kit for the 2024-25 season.
Inspired by the history and heritage of Pembrokeshire, the shirt features the colours of the flag of St David, which is universally recognised and proudly flown at the Ogi Bridge Meadow. The flag itself is featured across the back of the collar.
The unique design will ensure that we represent the county on our travels around Wales throughout the season, while also enabling us to stand out on the field.
The shorts will be all-black, while the socks will be all-black with two yellow stripes at the top and a yellow Bluebird in the middle.
As is the case with the home shirt, the Haverfordwest County AFC and Tor Sports logos are printed in the top left and top right of the shirt respectively, while our ‘Playing For Pembrokeshire’ logo is featured in the bottom left corner.
You can purchase the new away shirt by visiting their club shop on Tor Sports by clicking here.
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