Division 1 title race goes down to final game

Published

3 years ago

August 15, 2021

THE Division 1 title race will go down to the final game of the season after both contenders won their penultimate games on Saturday (Aug 14).

Reigning champions Neyland earned a good win away at Cresselly while league leaders Lawrenny won at home to Carew.

In Cresselly, the hosts made a good total of 230-7 in a game that was reduced to 42 overs a side.

Dan Sutton scored 45 before he was stumped by Sean Hannon but, in the same over, Iwan Izzard was dropped on a score of 26 and he made them pay, going on to make a score of 86.

Alex Bayley then finished unbeaten on 59 as Neyland were set a big target to win the game.

Neyland seemed unfazed by their target though as Patrick Bellerby and Nick Koomen both reached their half centuries.

Koomen fell on a score of 71 but Bellerby went on to make a century before falling on 105.

They were the only two wickets to fall as Ashley Sutton finished unbeaten on 37 to see Neyland to another excellent win.

In Lawrenny, Carew were bowled out for 125 with Tim Hicks their highest scorer on 48.

Sion Jenkins scored 17 while Iori Hicks finished unbeaten on 21 but they were unable to cope with Lawrenny’s bowlers.

Ryan Morton took five and Kyle Marsh took three wickets.

Joe Kidney scored 32 in Lawrenny’s reply but despite the best efforts of Carew’s Shaun Whitfield who finished with three wickets, the home side were able to reach their target.

Kurtis Marsh finished unbeaten on 65 to see Lawrenny to a five wicket win.

The top two will now face off in Neyland next Saturday (Aug 21), with the winner being crowned champions.

Going into the final game the sides are separated by just a few points and Saturday’s finale is likely to be a tense affair.

It was just a couple of weeks ago that Lawrenny won at home against Neyland to go back to the top of the table in a season that has had many twists and turns.

The 2021 season has been the first full one since the covid pandemic struck and it is fitting that the top two teams will do battle to see who will be crowned champions.

Welsh rally star eyeing second British championship success

Published

16 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

OSAIN PRYCE is eyeing his second British Rally Championship (BRC) title after a recording a superb victory in the Severn Valley Stages.

The Welsh star and co-driver Rhodri Evans finished 20 seconds ahead of Irish driver William Creighton, with championship leader Chris Ingram claiming third place.

The result left Pryce 15 points adrift of Ingram after two rounds and boosted his chances of adding to his 2022 British title success.

Pryce was excellent in his Ford Fiesta Rally2, wowing the sizeable crowds who lined iconic stages such as Hafren Sweet Lamb and Myherin.

The Welshman established an early lead over Ingram before withstanding a charge by Creighton to claim his first BRC victory since Rally Yorkshire in 2022.

“It’s a big relief – I’m so happy to get the win,” Pryce said. “We had a dodgy couple of stages at the end, and to be honest, it was so slippy, but I drove at a pace where I was comfortable.

“I did lose some time, which in the end wasn’t too bad, but we certainly had some hairy moments just trying to keep it on the road. Credit to everyone who’s got me here. Top job from Rhodri too – that’s his first-ever win!

While Ingram currently leads the standings by four points from Creighton, the Irishman could be the biggest threat to Pryce’s title hopes.

He is still getting to grips with his new Ford Fiesta Rally2 car, but has recorded back-to-back second place finishes to force his way into contention.

Bettors in Creighton’s homeland have backed their compatriot to emerge victorious this season, forcing bookmakers to cut his odds to win the title.

Several of the best Irish betting sites also make him the favourite to win the upcoming Jim Clark Rally in Scotland later this month.

However, Pryce will fancy his chances of claiming another victory as he strives to follow up his impressive 2022 British title success.

The Welshman won four of the seven events that season to clinch top spot by an emphatic 19-point margin from Keith Cronin.

With two of the final four rallies of the season set to be staged in Wales, Pryce could be a good bet to upset the odds over the next few months.

He has previously won Rali Ceredigion and the Cambrian Rally, which should give him the confidence he needs to secure another British title.

Sport

Winners and losers from the 23/24 season

Published

2 days ago

May 9, 2024

Herald Sport

With all but a couple of the fixtures having been completed for this season. We take a look at the promotions and relegations throughout the divisions.

Division One –

Champions – Goodwick United, uneaten in the league all season and champions by a huge 17 point margin to second placed Hakin. An outstanding league campaign for O’Sullivan’s men.

Relegated – Neyland & Fishguard Sports

Division 2

Champions – Monkton Swifts Reserves. Having only lost two games all season Monkton dominated the division winning the league by a huge 14 point margin. Being a reserve team they can’t be promoted as their first team are in the first division.

Promoted – St Ishmaels & Herbrandston. Swifts winning the league meant second and third place would be promoted to the first division and Tish and Herbie took full advantage and have returned to Pembrokeshire’s top flight.

Relegated – St Clears & Cosheston

Division 3

Champions – Lawrenny, a much tighter title chase in the third division between Solva and Lawrenny. However it was the former who secured the title by three points and will be looking forward to the second division next season.

Promoted – Solva, only three points behind the champions and definitely deserving of their promotion.

Relegated – Letterston & Pennar Robins II

Division 4

Champions – Camrose Reserves who came out on top of a thrilling chase for the title.

Promoted – Tenby Reserves who push Camrose really hard in the title challenge. They fell three points short of becoming champions, however they held off local rivals New Hedges Saundersfoot in the promotion race who ended two points behind them.

Relegated – Milford Athletic & Carew III

Division 5

Champions – Hundleton. The return of Hundleton couldn’t have gone much better they have won the league and with a staggering goal difference of plus 98.

Promoted – Johnston Reserves.

Sport

Cricket season to begin… finally

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2024

Herald Sport

The cricket season is set to begin this coming Saturday after a delay due to bad weather. The first two rounds of fixtures have been re arranged due to an extremely wet March and April. This coming Saturday should have been match week three, however it is the first game of the season.

We eagerly await the season and what promises to be exciting league and cup campaigns across the county. Neyland are definitely the team to beat after their excellent season last time out. Newly promoted Haverfordwest and Whitland will be wanting to cement their places back in the top division of the county.

Whilst the second division looks set to be the most competitive for years. Pembroke and Lamphey are the two new comers to the league and will definitely be more competitive than last seasons relegated teams. Johnston will be aiming to avoid a relegation battle this season under new captain Chris Fitzpatrick.