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Sport

Young Otters thrash Ystalyfera

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ON Saturday, September 4, in the Championship Cup Narberth RFC once again fielded a young development side against visiting Ystalyfera.

The game kicked off on a beautiful sunny afternoon in front of a large crowd who had come to see the first home match for about eighteen months.

Narberth got off to a flying start and after a mere five minutes youngster George MacDonald playing at scrum half picked the ball up from a ruck, darted round the blindside and chipped ahead. He gathered his own kick and dived over in the corner for the first try. Nick Gale converted from the touchline (7 – 0).

Shortly thereafter the Otters had a lineout close to the visitors try line and set up a rolling maul. When this was brought down close to the line Narberth No.8 Guto Davies, playing in only his third match for the home team, picked the ball up and barged his way over the try line. Gale again converted (14 – 0).

Ten minutes later and the Otters were on the scoreboard once again. From an attack by the visitors on the ten metre line young Otters flanker, Josh Hamer, turned the ball over and the ball was quickly fed to fly half Ashley Sutton who broke through the visitors defence and then passed to supporting winger, Will Hughes, who scored in the left hand corner. Another superb kick by Gale saw the try yet again converted (21 – 0).

Despite the scoreline Ystalyfera had been playing some good rugby and after an attack by the Otters broke down the visitors left wing got hold of the ball and kicked downfield. The ball bounced kindly for him and he was able to gather his kick and dive over in the corner. The conversion attempt failed (21 – 5).

Despite this set back Narberth continued to attack and within five minutes had scored again. An initial break by Prop Bradley Davies saw the ball spun across the Narberth backs with precision passing from centres Joe Hutchings and Jake Jenkins and it ended up with wing Dafydd Pritchard who dived over to score in the right hand corner. Once again Gale converted with a superb conversion (28 – 5).

The Otters attacking was relentless and after switching play across the field on at least four occasions the ball was swiftly fed by MacDonald to Ashley Sutton who found himself in space with only the visitors tight head Prop in front of him. He easily glided passed him and scored under the posts. Needless to say, the try was converted by Gale (35 – 5). The whistle then blew for half time.

 Ystalyfera started the second half with renewed vigour and put the Otters under significant pressure but the home team’s defence had held firm during the first half and they were determined to try and keep the visitors out. Eventually however after a series of drives towards the line by the Ystalyfera forwards the ball was fed out to the visitor’s centre who sliced through the Otters defence and scored under the posts. The try was converted (35 – 12).

Ystalyfera were now gaining more possession and were looking to spread the ball wide at every opportunity. Another kick downfield by the visitor’s left wing saw the Otters rushing back to defend their line. From the ensuing ruck the ball was fed to fly half Sutton who made a half break before slipping the ball inside to Guto Davies.

He passed to centre Joe Hutchings who made further ground before offloading to Nick Gale who finally got the ball away to supporting flanker Josh Hamer who scored in the corner. Another excellent kick from Gale saw the try converted (42 – 12).

At this stage the floodgates started to open but in fairness to Ystalyfera they never stopped trying and the Otters had to work hard for the points. After a series of forward drives by hooker Rhodri Owens and Props Bradley Davies and Ifan James a gap opened up for replacement scrum half Declan Smith who ran in under the posts and Gale duly converted (49 – 12).

Almost from the kick off a lovely offload from young winger Ryan Scourfield saw Gale score in the corner and add the conversion (56 – 12).

It wasn’t long before the Otters were once again encamped on the visitors line and after several players were tackled just short of the line No.8 Guto Davies once again forced his way over the try line and Gale duly converted (63 – 12).

Ystalyfera refused to give up and with five minutes to go scored a consolation try by their winger which he duly converted (63 – 19). With the last move of the match Ashley Sutton side stepped his way through a number of now tired defenders to score under the posts. Gale completed his afternoon by kicking ten out of ten conversions (70 – 19).

After the match Team Manager Chris James said “With so many seasoned 1st team players unavailable today it was good to see several young players put their hands up for future selection. The 1st team coaches have been working very hard over the summer to get these youngsters up to Championship standard and whilst there will be some far more competitive teams to play during the season this augurs well for the Club’s future”.

Head Coach Sean Gale said that he had been impressed by several performances and all the coaches were very pleased with the hard work and dedication to training that many of these young players had put in pre-season.

Next week’s team selection would be causing them some headaches but that was just what they wanted.

Next week the Otters are again home in a Championship Cup match against Trebanos.

Sport

IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea to make Welsh history this weekend

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World-class triathletes descend on South Wales as Swansea hosts its first-ever IRONMAN Pro Series event

WALES will play host to a major milestone in triathlon history this weekend as IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea becomes the first-ever IRONMAN Pro Series event to take place on Welsh soil.

The race, held on Sunday (July 13), marks the twelfth stop on the 2025 global tour and is expected to draw thousands of spectators to the Swansea seafront. More than 60 professional athletes and over 2,500 age-group competitors will take part in the prestigious swim-bike-run event.

Among the elite contenders is reigning Swansea champion Harry Palmer (GBR), making his season debut, alongside Kat Matthews, the 2024 IRONMAN Pro Series champion, and Kristian Høgenhaug (DEN), who finished third in last year’s standings.

With $50,000 in prize money and up to 2,500 series points at stake, the event carries serious weight for those chasing the overall series crown and qualification slots for the 2025 IRONMAN World Championships in Nice and Kona.

Race day will begin at 7:00am with the professional men’s start, followed by the pro women at 7:05am, and the mass start for age-group athletes at 7:10am. The course features a scenic but challenging route, with a city-centre finish expected to be buzzing with spectators.

The event will also be broadcast live across the world on platforms including YouTube, DAZN, Outside TV (US and Canada), and ESPN via Disney+ (Latin America and Caribbean).

Speaking ahead of the event, organisers said Swansea had earned its place on the global calendar. “Bringing the Pro Series to Wales is a huge moment for triathlon in the UK, and especially for South Wales,” a spokesperson said.

A free-to-attend Pro Athlete Panel will take place at 2:00pm on Friday (July 11) at the Waterfront Museum’s Ocean Room, offering the public a chance to meet some of the sport’s biggest stars.

Among those set to speak are Germany’s Anne Reischmann, who currently leads the 2025 standings, and Britain’s Lizzie Rayner, who already has two podium finishes this year.

The oldest registered athlete is David Ransom, aged 77, while the youngest is 18-year-old Jaden Morgan, highlighting the sport’s wide appeal.

Media wishing to attend must register in advance, with accreditation closing on Friday. Race-day walk-ins will not be granted access to restricted areas.

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Education

Pupils’ multi-sports event hits the target

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MORE than 60 pupils have enjoyed trying out a range of different sports in a special
Sport Pembrokeshire event held last month

The event was held at Ysgol Glannau Gwaun with 65 pupils
from Years, 4,5 and 6 and the ALN unit taking part.

The sessions were run by local community clubs and Young Ambassadors from
Ysgol Bro Gwaun with pupils getting to enjoy rugby, cricket, hockey, archery and golf.
Sharon Osborne from Ysgol Glannau Gwaun, said: “Thanks to Sport Pembrokeshire
for organising a fantastic morning of activities for our pupils. They all thoroughly
enjoyed themselves.”

Dan Bellis of Sport Pembrokeshire, added: “A big thanks to Fishguard & Goodwick
Hockey Club, Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club and the Young Ambassadors
from Ysgol Bro Gwaun for putting on a fabulous morning of activities in glorious
sunshine!

“A big well done to all the pupils from Ysgol Glannau Gwaun for their effort and
enthusiasm throughout the morning.”

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Sport

Cresselly stay top as Lawrenny skittle Llangwm for just 39

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Dominant wins across the divisions as league tables begin to take shape

CRESSELLY retained their place at the top of Division 1 of the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Burton on Saturday (July 5).

Charlie Arthur led the chase with an unbeaten 65, while Simon Cole ripped through Burton’s batting with 4-8. The reply was brisk, with Cresselly reaching the target in under 18 overs.

Lawrenny produced a bowling masterclass to dismiss Llangwm for just 39. Rob Williams (6-12) and Jamie Lewis (4-23) shared the wickets before Lawrenny cruised to a 10-wicket win.

Herbrandston beat Neyland by 90 runs thanks to a strong showing with bat and ball. Charlie Malloy scored 68 and Jack Nicholas added 51 before Nathan Banner claimed 3-12.

Saundersfoot beat Haverfordwest by 81 runs with Tom Mansbridge taking 4-14 and Nick Cope chipping in with 4-28.

Carew chased down 134 to beat Whitland by three wickets. Brian Hall scored 33, while James Hinchcliffe finished on 28 not out and took 2-36 with the ball.


Division 1 Table

PosTeamPWLBatBowlPts
1Cresselly111013747192
2Carew11924252186
3Saundersfoot11744047164
4Herbrandston11743645155
5Neyland11653544141
6Lawrenny11653145138
7Whitland11473732113
8Burton11383538103
9Haverfordwest1138323498
10Llangwm11011212041

Division 2 Table

PosTeamPWLBatBowlPts
1St Ishmaels11924651187
2Pembroke11835347180
3Narberth11835050180
4Hook11834841172
5Llechryd11654241146
6Cresselly II11654329136
7Johnston11563942131
8Carew II11383938110
9Llanrhian11110451873
10Burton II11110292261

Division 3 Table

PosTeamPWLBatBowlPts
1Fishguard111013741186
2Pembroke Dock11923750184
3Lamphey11653838138
4Hundleton11653638138
5Stackpole11564235130
6Haverfordwest II11464437126
7Laugharne11463930114
8Kilgetty11464226108
9Hook II1137341983
10Neyland II1129312374

Division 4 Table

PosTeamPWLBatBowlPts
1Pembroke II111014747198
2Saundersfoot II11914445179
3St Ishmaels II11744842160
4Crymych11644434138
5Haverfordwest III10454033133
6Lawrenny II11553738125
7Carew III9443826104
8Llangwm II1129472592
9Llanrhian II1018362288
10Narberth II1129362279

Division 5 Table

PosTeamPWLBatBowlPts
1Llechryd II11914346192
2Herbrandston II11924350190
3Pembroke Dock II11734439157
4Whitland II9443219113
5Haverfordwest IV10363826104
6Hundleton II10453323100
7Cresselly III1027412889
8Neyland III1001033840

Division 6 Table

PosTeamPWLBatBowlPts
1Pembroke III10712736141
2Llechryd III8612730137
3Lamphey II1043272292
4Haverfordwest/Cresselly1036213188
5Whitland III*1034172465
6Kilgetty II1008141428

*Whitland III: 8-point deduction for use of permit players

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