Sport
Seagulls miss out on a draw after missed conversion
FISHGUARD and Goodwick missed out on a draw in their game with Aberystwyth on Saturday (Sept 25) as they were beaten 25-27.
The visitors were the first to score as outside half Matthew Hughes kicked a penalty for obstruction.
However, the home side hit back almost immediately with an excellent solo try from their No10, James Griffiths. He added the conversion to give his team a 7-3 lead.
After good inter-passing involving backs and forwards Aber worked their way downfield for Hughes to break through the home side’s defence to run a full 20 metres to score a well-worked try. This went unconverted but Aber were narrowly ahead at 7-8.
The visitors again worked their way patiently downfield keeping possession using backs and forwards and it was entirely with the run of play that Bryn Shepherd went over for their second try and it was Aber who led 7-13 at half time.
The first half had been more competitive than the margin suggests as Fishguard had shown themselves to be a well-drilled team playing with cohesion and good understanding. Their skilled teamwork was to threaten Aber even more in the second half.
The score at the interval flattered the visitors as the home side were equal to anything Aber could offer. The scrums were even and they gave nothing away in the loose nor in the lineouts despite lacking height.
Fishguard showed that they could be even more competitive in the second half. They gathered Aber’s kick-off and ran hard at the visitors forcing desperate tackling and urgent defending.
Their pressure paid off as they were awarded a penalty to get back into the game at 10-13.
Now it was Aber who turned on the pressure as they carried hard and won phase after phase to make ground. From a ruck within Fishguard’s 22 metres, Charles Thomas threw out a long, accurate pass to Carwyn Evans who ran hard to cross the line for Aber’s third try. Hughes’ conversion gave the visitors a 10-20 lead.
Again Fishguard regrouped and were awarded with another penalty to close the gap to 7 points.
Once more, Aber fought back, kept possession and gained ground. They, and almost everyone except the referee, thought that Paul Stubbs had scored a good try from loose play; but it was disallowed for not grounding.
Denied a certain seven points the visitors heads dropped momentarily and they allowed Fishguard right back into the game. Such was the home side’s confidence during this period that they bullied and harassed their way downfield to cross for a try in the corner, scored by Chris Shousha. An excellent Griffiths conversion levelled the score at 20-20.
Although Fishguard were on top at this stage of the game it was the visitors who scored next as Carwyn Evans ran powerfully to score his second try of the afternoon.
Hughes converted the bonus point try and at 20-27, with only minutes left on the clock, Aber literally took their eye off the ball.
At a scrum near the half-way line, the Fishguard pack shunted the Aber eight clean off the ball and earned a penalty. They kicked for the corner, won the ensuing lineout, and for several minutes forced the visitors to defend desperately. Eventually their pressure paid off and Gavin Walsh scored their third try of the afternoon to take the score to 25-27.
As a drawn game looked certain, Griffiths’ missed with the conversion, and the final whistle was blown almost immediately.
It was a hammer blow for the Seagulls who had worked brilliantly throughout the game to keep themselves in it.
They will look to take the positives and regroup as their next game sees them travel to Crymych on Saturday, October 2.
All matches complete as season concludes
THE 2024/25 season of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – known as The Friendly League – has now officially concluded, with all clubs completing their outstanding fixtures.
The past few weeks saw the following catch-up matches played:
- Carew 8–2 Llanteg
- St Johns 8–2 Cosheston
- Hundleton 8–2 Reynalton
- Reynalton 9–1 Lamphey
- Cosheston 10–0 Kilgetty
- East Williamston 9–1 Kilgetty
Final League Table (2024/25 Season)
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | S/D | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Williamston | 20 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 313 | 158 |
| 2 | St Johns | 20 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 111 | 122 |
| =3 | Carew | 20 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 105 | 111 |
| =3 | Cosheston | 20 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 77 | 111 |
| 5 | Reynalton | 20 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 28 | 104 |
| 6 | Hundleton | 20 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 74 | 97 |
| 7 | Llanteg | 20 | 7 | 1 | 12 | -71 | 92 |
| 8 | St Twynnells | 20 | 8 | 1 | 11 | -97 | 89 |
| 9 | Badgers | 20 | 6 | 1 | 13 | -22 | 82 |
| =10 | Lamphey | 20 | 6 | 0 | 14 | -179 | 67 |
| =10 | Kilgetty | 20 | 6 | 0 | 14 | -262 | 67 |
Congratulations to East Williamston, who finish the season as clear champions with an impressive 158 points and a shot difference of +313.
FORMAL plans to redevelop the grounds of one of the oldest football clubs in Wales – which includes a new 310-seater stand – have been submitted to the council.
Aberystwyth Town Football Club has submitted an application for the redevelopment of its grounds at Park Avenue Stadium, Aberystwyth.
A supporting statement from agent JMS Planning and Development says the proposal seeks “full planning permission for the demolition of the existing main stand and the creation of a new clubhouse, turnstile, changing rooms, business unit and improvements to the existing seated and standing terraces which will include new roof canopies and all associated works”.
The formal application follows an earlier public consultation.
It adds: “Aberystwyth Town Football Club is proudly one of the oldest football clubs in Wales, whereby the club was founded some 140 years ago in 1884. The club is one of the founding members of what is now known as the ‘Cymru Premier’, of which it is only one of two teams to have never been relegated since its inception in 1992.
“The men’s senior team is loyally supported by local community and has seen an increase in attendance over the past couple of years, reaching nearly 6,000 spectators over the year for the men’s team alone. A number of Cymru Premier matches are broadcast live from the ground each season on S4C and streamed online to a worldwide audience. The Football Association of Wales recently confirmed a new structure and strategy to the league with the aim of boosting its commercial profile, competitiveness, and fan interest both nationally and internationally.
“As a Premier European Division, clubs are provided the opportunity to qualify for UEFA competitions and compete across the Continent, whereby it is imperative that facilities and infrastructure across the country are developed to meet UEFA Licensing requirements. Should Aberystwyth Town qualify – or host other clubs’ European matches as has occurred in recent years – the redevelopment of the facilities at Park Avenue will enable Ceredigion to continue to host continental sporting events.”
It says Aberystwyth Town Football Club “is often called ‘home’ by a number of other teams in the region which rely on the club’s facilities and all-weather pitch for the provision of training sessions and matches”.
The scheme itself is the first phase of development, the second relating to residential development.
Of phase 1, it says: “The proposal seeks the construction of a new clubhouse and community facility, a 310-seater stand, replacement turnstile, ticketing office, roofs over existing seated and standing terraces, new primary and secondary changing room facilities, dedicated business/employment unit, with improvements to accessibility throughout the site, including the re-construction of a dedicated disabled viewing platform.”
It adds: “The scheme proposes vast improvements to the accessibility of the site by providing step-free access throughout the whole site, thus promoting an inclusive environment. Similarly, the scheme introduces improvements to a dedicated viewing platform for less-able bodied.”
It goes on to say: “The existing main stand and changing rooms are in a state of deterioration and require significant investment if required to serve the club for years in the future. Hence, modern and fit-for-purpose facilities are proposed to revitalise the site which will enhance the provision of the community facility, encourage the uptake of sports, and in-turn promote the health and well-being of a wide range of social groups in the local and regional area.
“The development also promotes equality and inclusivity for both male and female players and officials, who will benefit from segregated and modern changing facilities, in accordance with the requirements of the Football Association of Wales.”
The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
IT was a weekend of frustration for Pembrokeshire’s top rugby sides, as Narberth narrowly missed out on valuable points in the Premiership Division and Crymych suffered a heavy defeat in the Championship (West). Despite showing fight and flashes of quality, both teams were ultimately undone—Narberth by second-half ill-discipline, and Crymych by a well-drilled Trebanos side.
Neath 29 – Narberth 21
Narberth produced a spirited performance but came away empty-handed after a hard-fought battle against high-flying Neath in the Premiership Division. The Otters showed impressive character, recovering from a 17-point deficit to trail by just a single point at the break—but second-half disciplinary issues ultimately proved their undoing.
Neath stormed into an early lead with two tries from Rhodri Wall and one from Iestyn Morgan, with Steff Williams adding a conversion. Narberth responded with tries from winger Dean James, scrum-half Lewys Gibby, and centre Llew Jones. Fly-half Osian Evans converted all three to keep the visitors in touch.
However, the tide turned when Jones was shown a second yellow card, and replacement Alex Williams also saw time in the sin-bin, reducing Narberth to 13 men. Neath took full advantage, with centre Kieran Charles crossing for a decisive try, converted by Williams, extending the gap to eight points—just out of reach for a losing bonus point.
The result leaves Narberth hovering just above the relegation zone, with Bonymaen close behind and holding a game in hand.
Trebanos 45 – Crymych 12
Crymych endured a heavy defeat on the road as a depleted side, still reeling from a recent illness outbreak, were comprehensively beaten by a slick Trebanos outfit in the Championship (West).
The Preseli Men trailed 19-0 at the break but managed second-half scores through captain Carwyn Phillips and replacement Jac Delaney, with one converted by Elis Thomas. However, it wasn’t enough to stem the flow as Trebanos ran in seven tries.
Home captain Steffan Lewis led the charge with a brace, while Sam Lewis, Matthew Hutchinson, Conor Thomas, and Rhodri Jones (2) also crossed. Kris Jones added five conversions to round off an emphatic victory.
Crymych remain in the relegation zone, but with four matches left to play, their hopes of survival are still mathematically alive.
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