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Sport

Otters have strength in depth

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THE Narberth RFC first team remained unbeaten during the WRU Cup and are now waiting for confirmation of the second round play-offs dates and venues. The strength in depth of the OTTERS is due to the commitment of the Coaches and back room staff for all teams not just the first.

The Club believes in nurturing the game and the players from the young sides under 5’s to under 16’s with just as much pride and commitment as that shown for the 1st team.

The results speak for themselves. One of the rising stars, George Macdonald, is only 18 years of age and playing for the 1sts has provided two magnificent performances as scrum half echoing the exploits of his father Chris MacDonald a former player and stalwart for Narberth RFC.

Members will fondly remember Chris – he was educated at Dyffryn Taf School, Whitland where he captained the schools senior side and was

Captain of Narberth RFC Under 15’s. On 27.04.1989 in the Youth Cup Final at Pembroke Chris scored 2 tries from centre position resulting in Narberth 14 Pembroke Dock Quins 10. The RFC club statistician Ken Mathias keeps records of all the teams and he provided the following insight.

He was also a member of the Narberth Youth Team that beat Cardigan 19-13 in the Final of the Youth Cup at Whitland following a replay. Chris was judged to be Player of the Tournament in the 1990 Narberth 7’s Squad that won the Pembs County 7’s tournament at Pembroke Dock Quins.

He made his debut in October 1990 in the Narberth First team in the Heineken League and during that season played 15 league games all of them at centre where he partnered either Peter Nicholas or Gerwyn Reynolds scoring his first league try in November of that year.

In November 1991 he played his first game at scrum half for the first team in the Heineken league and that turned out to be his favourite position in a long and illustrious career. During the season 1994 – 95 Chris joined Swansea RFC for a season and a half before returning to Narberth and he was subsequently elected Narberth First team captain in the season 1998-99. At the turn of the millennium in one season he scored 12 tries in league games.

Narberth RFC became champions of Division 2 and Chris played in 28 League games that season out of a total of 30 and his contribution the club’s promotion success was huge

His prowess in the sport led Chris in 2004-05 to join Llanelli in the Premiership and he scored the winning try in the last few minutes to win the Konica Minolta Cup Final 25 – 24 against Pontypridd. He stayed with them for two seasons before returning to Narberth. He also played for the Scarlets and represented the British Police on numerous occasions including several tours abroad

In April 2007 Chris played his last league game for Narberth and was awarded Man of the Match on merit. In total for the OTTERS Chris Macdonald played in 252 league games scoring 82 league tries and a further 10 in Welsh Cup games. Quite a record and his son George shows enough talent to match or surpass his dad’s achievements. Time will tell.

Under 9’s Charlie evading a Whitland tackler

In the meantime, at the start of the 2021-2022 season, other youngsters in the age group 16-18 are also showing promise in the Narberth RFC Youth Team. In the final game of September they beat Fishguard 20-10 in a pacy match played in good weather conditions on a superb OTTERS pitch. Defensively, many of the young bloods, some only just turned 16, were up against a heftier side of whom many of the opposition players were that bit older and more mature in their physique.

Youth Coach Rob Nicholas commented: “Our young Narberth youth team faced an older and much bigger Fishguard opposition on Saturday. From the outset Fishguard used their large forwards, running hard off the scrum half. After weathering this early onslaught with brave and aggressive tackling the home side started taking the game to the opposition.

Excellent handling and interplay saw them go into half time leading 10-0 with two well taken tries from Owen Llewellyn.

The second half mirrored the first with the visitors continuing to use their massive pack and the home team repulsing them time after time. Narberth continued to move the ball well and scored another excellent try through Yori Morgan.

Fishguard had a late rally but Narberth ran out fully deserved winners 20 points to 10. Outstanding for the young Otters were Yori Morgan, Brad Cramb, Owen Llewellyn, Tom Monk. The three coaches were unanimous in their choice of man of the match Harri Harries.

Not to be outdone the under 9’s age group were out practicing in the last Sunday of September. Ken Morgan went along to see the youngsters training routine involving tackle bags under the supervision of their coaches Andy Cotter, Dave Monan, Tomas Rees and Dylan Hughes.

At the end of the training session they then had a 40 minute session of two 20 minute halves playing against a Whitland team kitted out in their familiar Green and White strip from the neighbouring town.

There was some fast running from both sides but at this level the main aim of the coaches from both sides is to develop speed, awareness of space and passing the ball. The youngsters had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed playing on the 1st Teams pitch.

Youth Team Man of the Match Harri Harries

News

Triathlon returns to Fishguard – road closures announced

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FISHGUARD will once again play host to the Wales Triathlon this summer, with hundreds of competitors set to descend on the town for the popular sporting event on Sunday, June 15.

Organised by Activity Wales Events, the triathlon includes a two-lap sea swim in Fishguard Bay, followed by a two-lap cycle from Fishguard to St Davids and a four-lap run along the Marine Walk and out onto the breakwater.

In order to facilitate the bike leg on closed roads, several road closures will be in place throughout the day.

Major road closures

The A487 between Goodwick and Mathry will be closed between 9:45am and 3:00pm.

Between Mathry and Croesgoch, the A487 will be closed from 10:00am to 3:00pm, and from Croesgoch to St Davids the closure will run from 10:00am until 2:45pm.

Crossing points will be in operation at Mathry crossroads, Croesgoch crossroads, and the Llangoffan to Granston junction. Diversions will be signposted, with local traffic routed via minor B roads and through Haverfordwest for longer journeys.

Town centre impact

In Fishguard, West Street will be closed between 12:00pm and 6:00pm for the running stage. Residents will still be able to exit side roads, with diversions clearly marked.

Goodwick residents will be able to exit the town via the Tesco roundabout, which will remain open all day.

Care access and course passes

Care workers will be allowed access to visit clients within the closed sections, but must obtain a course pass via their organisation in advance.

On the day, carers using the route must:

  • Follow the direction of the race
  • Display their pass clearly
  • Keep hazard lights on at all times
  • Exit the route as soon as safely possible

Further information

The event attracted over 1,000 athletes last year, and organisers anticipate another strong turnout.

More information can be found at: www.walestriathlon.com/athletes/event-info
Road closure details are available at: community.walestriathlon.com

For course pass enquiries, contact: info@activitywalesevents.com

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News

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – Final Table 2024/25

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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)

PositionClubPlayedWonDrawnLostS/DPoints
1East Williamston201802313158
2St Johns201406111122
=3Carew201118105111
=3Cosheston20120877111
5Reynalton20110928104
6Hundleton2090117497
7Llanteg207112-7192
8St Twynnells208111-9789
9Badgers206113-2282
=10Lamphey206014-17967
=10Kilgetty206014-26267

Congratulations to East Williamston, who finish the season as clear champions with an impressive 158 points and a shot difference of +313.

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News

Plans submitted to redevelop home of one of Wales’ oldest football clubs

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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.

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