Sport
Venables’ treble sends Bluebirds packing

BALA Town’s Chris Venables scored a six minute second half hat trick to knock Haverfordwest County out of the JD Welsh Cup on Saturday (Oct 16).
After a goalless first-half at the Ogi Bridge Meadow, the tie was turned on its head by the Lakesiders forward, who netted three goals in six minutes to see his side through to the quarter-finals.
Mason Jones-Thomas’ fantastic solo effort gave the Bluebirds hope with just over a quarter of an hour remaining, but the north Walians were able to see out the remainder of the match to take the spoils.
Wayne Jones’ side could have been behind early on if it wasn’t for the sharp reactions of goalkeeper Wojciech Gajda, who did well to deny Venables’ headed effort from close range, with Kieran Smith fired the rebound over the crossbar.
There were precious few clear-cut opportunities in the remainder of the opening period, with Jack Wilson’s free-kick just evading the head of a teammate, before Bala’s Ollie Shannon played a ball into the area which somehow beat everyone and rolled to safety.
The Bluebirds went close to taking the lead just one minute after the break when Wilson’s cross found Danny Williams, with the striker’s improvised flicked effort went just wide.
The visitors went ahead when an unmarked Venables met Steven Leslie’s free-kick to head past Gajda.
Colin Caton’s side doubled their lead two minutes later when a shot was blocked inside the area, eventually falling to the Venables, who was able to prod home from close range.
The Lakesiders marksman completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark with a carbon copy of his first goal, as he once again got on the end of a Leslie set-piece to score and complete an impressive afternoon’s work.
County didn’t give up the fight in the last half an hour, and were rewarded for their efforts when Jones-Thomas fired a stunning effort into the top right corner, after the winger had cut inside and beat a couple of opposition players.
The Bluebirds return to JD Cymru Premier action next Saturday (October 23) with a home game against Cefn Druids at the Ogi Bridge Meadow (Kick-off: 14:30).

Sport
IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea to make Welsh history this weekend

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.
Education
Pupils’ multi-sports event hits the target

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.”
Sport
Cresselly stay top as Lawrenny skittle Llangwm for just 39

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
Pos | Team | P | W | L | Bat | Bowl | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cresselly | 11 | 10 | 1 | 37 | 47 | 192 |
2 | Carew | 11 | 9 | 2 | 42 | 52 | 186 |
3 | Saundersfoot | 11 | 7 | 4 | 40 | 47 | 164 |
4 | Herbrandston | 11 | 7 | 4 | 36 | 45 | 155 |
5 | Neyland | 11 | 6 | 5 | 35 | 44 | 141 |
6 | Lawrenny | 11 | 6 | 5 | 31 | 45 | 138 |
7 | Whitland | 11 | 4 | 7 | 37 | 32 | 113 |
8 | Burton | 11 | 3 | 8 | 35 | 38 | 103 |
9 | Haverfordwest | 11 | 3 | 8 | 32 | 34 | 98 |
10 | Llangwm | 11 | 0 | 11 | 21 | 20 | 41 |
Division 2 Table
Pos | Team | P | W | L | Bat | Bowl | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | St Ishmaels | 11 | 9 | 2 | 46 | 51 | 187 |
2 | Pembroke | 11 | 8 | 3 | 53 | 47 | 180 |
3 | Narberth | 11 | 8 | 3 | 50 | 50 | 180 |
4 | Hook | 11 | 8 | 3 | 48 | 41 | 172 |
5 | Llechryd | 11 | 6 | 5 | 42 | 41 | 146 |
6 | Cresselly II | 11 | 6 | 5 | 43 | 29 | 136 |
7 | Johnston | 11 | 5 | 6 | 39 | 42 | 131 |
8 | Carew II | 11 | 3 | 8 | 39 | 38 | 110 |
9 | Llanrhian | 11 | 1 | 10 | 45 | 18 | 73 |
10 | Burton II | 11 | 1 | 10 | 29 | 22 | 61 |
Division 3 Table
Pos | Team | P | W | L | Bat | Bowl | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fishguard | 11 | 10 | 1 | 37 | 41 | 186 |
2 | Pembroke Dock | 11 | 9 | 2 | 37 | 50 | 184 |
3 | Lamphey | 11 | 6 | 5 | 38 | 38 | 138 |
4 | Hundleton | 11 | 6 | 5 | 36 | 38 | 138 |
5 | Stackpole | 11 | 5 | 6 | 42 | 35 | 130 |
6 | Haverfordwest II | 11 | 4 | 6 | 44 | 37 | 126 |
7 | Laugharne | 11 | 4 | 6 | 39 | 30 | 114 |
8 | Kilgetty | 11 | 4 | 6 | 42 | 26 | 108 |
9 | Hook II | 11 | 3 | 7 | 34 | 19 | 83 |
10 | Neyland II | 11 | 2 | 9 | 31 | 23 | 74 |
Division 4 Table
Pos | Team | P | W | L | Bat | Bowl | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pembroke II | 11 | 10 | 1 | 47 | 47 | 198 |
2 | Saundersfoot II | 11 | 9 | 1 | 44 | 45 | 179 |
3 | St Ishmaels II | 11 | 7 | 4 | 48 | 42 | 160 |
4 | Crymych | 11 | 6 | 4 | 44 | 34 | 138 |
5 | Haverfordwest III | 10 | 4 | 5 | 40 | 33 | 133 |
6 | Lawrenny II | 11 | 5 | 5 | 37 | 38 | 125 |
7 | Carew III | 9 | 4 | 4 | 38 | 26 | 104 |
8 | Llangwm II | 11 | 2 | 9 | 47 | 25 | 92 |
9 | Llanrhian II | 10 | 1 | 8 | 36 | 22 | 88 |
10 | Narberth II | 11 | 2 | 9 | 36 | 22 | 79 |
Division 5 Table
Pos | Team | P | W | L | Bat | Bowl | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Llechryd II | 11 | 9 | 1 | 43 | 46 | 192 |
2 | Herbrandston II | 11 | 9 | 2 | 43 | 50 | 190 |
3 | Pembroke Dock II | 11 | 7 | 3 | 44 | 39 | 157 |
4 | Whitland II | 9 | 4 | 4 | 32 | 19 | 113 |
5 | Haverfordwest IV | 10 | 3 | 6 | 38 | 26 | 104 |
6 | Hundleton II | 10 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 23 | 100 |
7 | Cresselly III | 10 | 2 | 7 | 41 | 28 | 89 |
8 | Neyland III | 10 | 0 | 10 | 33 | 8 | 40 |
Division 6 Table
Pos | Team | P | W | L | Bat | Bowl | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pembroke III | 10 | 7 | 1 | 27 | 36 | 141 |
2 | Llechryd III | 8 | 6 | 1 | 27 | 30 | 137 |
3 | Lamphey II | 10 | 4 | 3 | 27 | 22 | 92 |
4 | Haverfordwest/Cresselly | 10 | 3 | 6 | 21 | 31 | 88 |
5 | Whitland III* | 10 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 24 | 65 |
6 | Kilgetty II | 10 | 0 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 28 |
*Whitland III: 8-point deduction for use of permit players
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