Sport

Neyland claim tenth Harrison Allen win after stunning victory against Carew

Published

3 years ago

August 28, 2021

NEYLAND won the Harrison Allen Bowl trophy for the tenth time in their history on Saturday (Aug 28) as they beat Carew by nine wickets at Cresselly.

Neyland won the toss and chose to bowl with sunshine beaming down on the Cresselly pitch.

Carew though struggled to put runs on the board as they were bowled out for 109 in their first innings.

Neyland then took control of the game as they replied with the highest score in a Harrison Allen final of 241-2.

That was largely thanks to Patrick Bellerby who finished unbeaten on 134 while Ross Hardy was not out on 49.

It gave Neyland a massive first innings lead of 132 and gave Carew a mountain to climb.

They did reach 154-8 in their second innings but it meant Neyland would only need 23 to win the game.

Neyland lost Scott Jones in their second innings but Ashley Sutton and Ross Hardy got the runs required to seal the bowl.

Carew made a tentative start to the game as Nick Davies hit a four off the last ball of the first over and only two singles were taken in the second for an opening score of 6-0.

Nick and Lewis Hicks continued to build as they reached 31-0 in the sixth over.

Neyland then made the breakthrough as Nick Davies went for a six but saw his shot caught on the boundary by Patrick Bellerby.

Brian Hall joined Lewis in the middle but after being dropped by Nathan Banner, he was caught behind by Sean Hannon in the tenth over.

Looking to add more runs to the total, Lewis went for a run in the eleventh but it left Rhys Davies with too much to do and he was run out by Hannon.

That reduced Carew to 54-3 and it saw Lewis joined by brother Luke Hicks in the middle.

They could only add another ten runs to the score as Luke was caught superbly on the boundary by Nathan Banner off the bowling of Nick Koomen.

With the score on 64-4 captain Shaun Whitfield joined Lewis Hicks in the middle who had made his way to a score of 29.

At the start of the fifteenth Whitfield was caught by Patrick Bellerby off the bowling of Koomen as Carew’s score read 77-5.

James Hinchcliffe and Lewis Hicks took the score on to 90-5 after 17 overs but with just five to go they knew they would need to add to their score.

Hicks had made his way to a score of 48 but in the 19^th over, Ross Hardy took an excellent low catch to deny him his half century.

Carew reached 103-6 after twenty over but were looking for late runs to boost their total.

Nathan Banner was brought back to bowl the penultimate over but a four off his first ball gave Carew an early boost.

However, with the next ball Iori Hicks was stumped by Hannon and after the next ball, Hannon got two more stumpings in two balls to give Banner his third and fourth wickets.

Carew were bowled out for 109 after a good display from the Neyland bowlers.

Neyland started well with four fours in the first three overs as they reached 29-0 off the first four overs.

Nick Koomen hit the first six of the innings and they brought up the fifty partnership in the eighth over.

The ninth over though changed the complexion of the game as Bellerby hit three fours and two sixes as they scored 25 runs.

Nick Koomen was not to be outdone as he hit a six at the start of the tenth but he was then caught on the boundary by Lewis Hicks off the bowling of Sam Harts.

Ashley Sutton hit a couple of boundaries but he also fell to the bowling of Harts as Neyland slipped to 97-2 in the twelfth over.

That brought Ross Hardy to the crease and what happened next was something quite special.

Bellerby hit a six to reach his half century and Ross Hardy also hit a six to get himself going.

The fours and sixes continued to come as Neyland smashed themselves into a lead.

Bellerby reached his century in the eighteenth over with another four as Neyland reached 170-2, and a lead of 61.

Not to be outdone, Ross Hardy then hit two sixes and a four at the start of the nineteenth. Bellerbuy hit another six as Neyland’s lead neared 100 runs.

Bellerby hit a six at the end of that over and hit the four in the next as Neyland reached 200-2.

Hardy also hit a six as Carew’s bowlers continued to be punished.

Bellerby hit a six off the penultimate ball of the innings as he reached a score of 134 not out, leaving Hardy not out on 49 at the other end.

It had seen Neyland to a total of 241-2, the highest ever score in an innings in the final. Bellerby’s ton was also the highest individual score in a final. Bellerby and Hardy had also shared a third wicket partnership worth 144 runs.

It had also given Neyland a lead of 132 runs and it put Carew in an almost impossible position.

Carew made a steady start to their second innings, scoring just four runs off the first two overs.

Lewis Hicks continued where he had left off in the first innings though hitting two fours at the start of the third and a six off the last ball from Nick Davies pushed the score on to 19-0.

Ross Hardy bowled Nick Davies at the start of the fourth to make the score 20-1 with Carew still needing another 112 runs to make Neyland bat again.

Brian Hall and Lewis Hicks were doing their best to eradicate that lead as both men found the boundaries, taking the score to 40-1 after six overs.

They moved the score on to 68-1 off nine overs with Hall not out on 14 and Hicks unbeaten on 38.

However, with thirteen overs to go their deficit stood at 64 and they knew they needed to push on.

Having missed out on his half century Lewis would have been keen to reach that milestone in the second innings as he made his way to a score of 47.

He then saw Brian Hall depart on a score of 18 after being caught by Scott Jones off the bowling of Henry Durrant.

With the next ball Lewis Hicks was caught off the bowling of Durrant on a score of 47 as he again missed out on a 50.

There was no hat trick but Carew were now 81-3 after 13 overs.

That became 99-5 but a score of 33 from Rhys Davies pushed their score into three figures. When he was caught by Patrick Hannon off the bowling of Geraint Rees, Carew were 126-6, still needing another 6 runs to make Neyland bat again.

Iori Hicks hit a four and a six in his score of 15 before he was bowled by Rees while Sam Harts hit two late sixes to finish unbeaten on 13.

It saw Carew finish on 154-8 but it also meant Neyland would need only 23 runs to win the final.

Harts did trap Scott Jones leg before but Ashley Sutton and Ross Hardy got the winning runs to win the game for Neyland.

News

Milford Haven RFC celebrates Mini’s Section Presentation

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Herald Sport

MILFORD HAVEN RFC once again showcased its commitment to nurturing young talent as it celebrated its Mini’s Section Presentation on Sunday (May 5). The event, held with much enthusiasm, marked a significant moment for the club, reinforcing its dedication to the development of rugby at all levels.

The Mini’s section, a cornerstone of the club’s community engagement, witnessed a remarkable turnout, a testament to its growing popularity year by year. The event not only recognised the efforts of the young players but also extended gratitude to the invaluable contributions of coaches, parents, and supporters, whose unwavering support is instrumental in shaping the future of rugby in Milford Haven.

A special acknowledgment was reserved for Abbo, Paula, and Leanne, whose steadfast support has been pivotal in nurturing the Mini’s section, ensuring its success and growth. Their dedication and tireless efforts have played a significant role in fostering a nurturing environment for the young athletes to thrive.

The presence of the 1st Team Club Captain, Zac, and Vice Captain, Jimmy, added a touch of prestige to the occasion. Their attendance and active participation in presenting trophies to the Mini Mariners underscored the club’s ethos of unity and inclusivity across all age groups. Such gestures not only inspire the budding players but also instil a sense of belonging and pride in the larger Milford Haven RFC community.

In his remarks, Zac emphasised the importance of fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity within the club, where every member, regardless of age or experience, feels valued and supported. Such values lie at the heart of Milford Haven RFC, reinforcing its status as not just a rugby club but a tight-knit community.

As the event concluded, echoes of “Up the Mighty Mariners” reverberated through the grounds, encapsulating the spirit of determination and unity that defines Milford Haven RFC. With the Mini’s section flourishing and the club’s unwavering commitment to its development, the future of rugby in Milford Haven looks brighter than ever.

With each passing year, Milford Haven RFC continues to uphold its legacy as a nurturing ground for young talent, a beacon of sporting excellence, and a source of pride for the entire community.

As the red and white colours of the Mighty Mariners continue to soar high, so too does the spirit of camaraderie and passion that binds the club together, ensuring its continued success on and off the field.

News

Milford Haven clinches thrilling victory in KO Cup Plate Final

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN a gripping showdown at Heywood Lane, Tenby on Wednesday (May 1), Milford Haven emerged victorious in the 2024 KO Cup Plate Final, edging past a resilient Whitland side by a narrow margin of 24-21.

The clash, witnessed by a fervent crowd, showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, culminating in a nail-biting finish that saw Milford Haven secure their first-ever Plate trophy in the club’s history.

The Mariners took an early lead through a penalty courtesy of winger James Trueman, swiftly countered by Whitland’s full back Geraint Jones. However, Milford surged ahead with the first try of the match, as No 8 Dewi Williams powered over the line from close range, with Trueman adding the extras.

Despite Whitland’s efforts to claw back into contention with two penalties, reducing the halftime deficit to a single point, Milford Haven remained composed. The second half witnessed a relentless display from the Mariners, capitalizing on their dominant pack to create scoring opportunities.

James Trueman showcased his prowess with a spectacular try, expertly set up by swift passing from James Williams and Dan Jenkins. Trueman’s accurate kicking extended Milford’s lead further, before Scott Buirds crashed over for their third try, sealing a commanding advantage.

Yet, Whitland refused to concede defeat, launching a spirited comeback with tries from Owyn Griffiths and Dom Davies. Despite their valiant efforts, Whitland fell short in their pursuit of victory, with a crucial penalty attempt rebounding off the post in the dying moments.

Milford Haven’s Ollie Rothero was rightfully awarded the ‘man of the match’ accolade for his composed performance, epitomizing the team’s resilience throughout the contest. Rothero’s versatility and steadiness in the No 15 shirt proved instrumental in Milford’s triumph, despite stiff competition from Trueman’s impressive place-kicking and memorable try.

In the end, Milford Haven emerged as worthy victors, their victory a testament to their tenacity and unity on the field. As the final whistle blew, the Mariners celebrated a hard-fought triumph, etching their names in the annals of KO Cup Plate history.

The club said after the match on their Facebook page: “All the players, coaching team and committee would like to thank everyone that came over to Tenby to support the boys tonight. It really meant a lot to us as a club and no doubt the town!”

Line-ups:

Milford Haven: Ollie Rothero, Robbie Jones, James Williams, Dan Jenkins, Jamie Trueman, Efan Morgan, Dan McClelland, Aaron Mayne, Luke Ryan, Jimmy Buirds, Jay Goodall, Zac Davies (Capt), Ryan Mansell, Ieuan Davies, Dewi Williams. Replacements: Dai. Sweeny, Ben Jenkins, Ben Groves, Scott Buirds, Ethan Aldred, Lee Riley, Dean McSparron.

Whitland: Geraint Jones, Morgan Lewis, Jamie Goldsworthy, Dom Davies, Owyn Griffiths, Jonathan Thomas, Trystan Rees, Dafydd Walters, Marc Jones, Trystan Bowen, Benjamin Kirk, Dan Bennett, Lewis Tingay, Cian Evans, Zac France-Miller. Replacements: Ceiron Evans, Charlie Watson, Jack Worthing, Thomas Iraia, Geraint McCoan.

News

Goodwick 2nds clinch Division 3 Cup after dramatic penalty shootout

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Herald Sport

IN a gripping showdown at Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday (May 3), Goodwick United 2nds emerged victorious in a nail-biting encounter against Solva in the 2024 Division 3 Cup Final. The match, which ended 1-1 after normal time, saw Goodwick triumph 7-6 on penalties, securing the coveted cup in a marathon of tension and drama.

The game began at a frantic pace, with both sides showcasing their determination from the outset. Solva’s Robbie Jenkins proved to be a constant threat, testing Goodwick keeper Joe Docker early on. However, neither team could break the deadlock in the first half, with chances at both ends going begging.

As the match progressed, the intensity only heightened, with tackles flying in as both teams fought for supremacy. It was Solva who struck first blood, with Dan Bryce converting a penalty to put his team ahead with just 19 minutes remaining. But Goodwick refused to be beaten, and Kieran Price leveled the scores late on with a well-taken volley, sending the game into extra time.

Extra time saw no let-up in the action, with both sides pushing for a winner. However, it was Solva who found themselves reduced to ten men after Morgan Elliott was sent off. With neither team able to find a breakthrough, the match was ultimately decided by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

In a tense shootout that went to sudden death, it was Goodwick who held their nerve, with Haydn Smith scoring the decisive spot-kick to clinch victory for his team. The celebrations that followed were a testament to the resilience and determination of Chris Morris’s side, who battled through injuries and adversity to claim the title.

Reflecting on his team’s triumph, Morris expressed his pride in his players, praising their character and resilience in the face of adversity. For Solva, it was a bitter disappointment, but they can take pride in their valiant effort throughout the match.

As the final whistle blew, it was Goodwick United 2nds who emerged as the worthy winners, etching their names into the annals of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League’s Division 3 Cup history.

Line-ups:

Solva: Luke Phillips, Luke Mason, Harry Elliott, Morgan Elliott, Kieran Price, Ryan Thomas, Finn Isles, Sam Price, Robert Jenkins, Josh Bland (Captain), Lucas Price. Substitutes: Craig Challonder, Billy Clift, Albie Burden, Daniel Rees, Francis John-Duarte.

Goodwick United 2nds: Joe Docker, Tyler Morris, Iwan James, Haydn Smith, Kyle Smith (Captain), Joshua Wellan, Seamus Drake, Niall Kinsella, Keegan Summers, Gary Reynolds, Ethan Priestley. Substitutes: Goncalo Rocha, Alex O’Sullivan, Daniel Bryce, Kieran O’Brien, Frankie Pearce.

Match Officials:

Referee: Alan Boswell.