Sport

Vikings see off Wizards to reach Senior Cup semis

Published

3 years ago

February 13, 2022

HAKIN UNITED reached the semi-finals of the Senior Cup on Saturday (Feb 12) as they beat Merlins Bridge 4-1 at The Obs.

They now await the winner of the quarter final tie between Neyland and St Clears, which has been re-scheduled for Saturday, February 19.

Conditions were not easy for both sides as wind and rain battered the Observatory field for much of the 90 minutes.

Merlins Bridge had a claim for a penalty when Matthew D’Ivry went down under a challenge from Mark Jones but the referee waved away the appeals.

A few moments later the ball was played into the Hakin box and Will Haworth looked to pounce but home keeper Sam Franklin was able to get to the ball before Haworth could.

Hakin then had a couple of chances before they were given a chance to take the lead with just over half an hour gone.

Shane Walsh played the ball through for Camron Thomas and he was taken out, giving the referee no option but to point for the spot.

Ben Aldred buried the spot kick in the bottom left corner to give the Vikings the lead.

Leon Luby then saw a shot blocked before the break and the Vikings held on to their lead until the half time whistle.

Hakin started the second half well with Luby and Thomas combining well before the latter saw his effort blocked.

Just a minute later though the home side did double their lead as Walsh crossed into the box for Ashley Bevan who tapped home to make it 2-0.

That dented Bridge’s hopes of getting back in the game and Hakin continued to pile the pressure on.

The wind was playing havoc throughout and ten minutes into the second half it almost proved costly as James Dickson’s throw was held up allowing Jack Britton to head the ball into the path of Bevan but he fired over.

On the hour mark the Wizards had an excellent chance to get themselves back in the game. The ball was played over the defenders and Haworth stayed onside before latching on to it but he saw his shot saved by Franklin.

They were made to pay for that miss soon after as sub Justin Harding’s cross-come-shot from the right curled over Dickson and into the corner of the net to make it 3-0 to the hosts.

Merlins Bridge did pull a goal back with twelve minutes to go as Jordan Williams fired in to the bottom right corner.

It wasn’t enough to spark a comeback though and Hakin could have had more goals. Sub Gareth Fawcett was through on goal but sent his chip wide and then also saw another shot go wide late on.

As the clock ticked on to 90 minutes, Luby played the ball through for Harding and he cut inside his man on the edge of the box before curling the ball into the bottom right corner of the net to seal the win.

Hakin return to league action on Saturday, February 12, as they travel to Clarbeston Road. Merlins Bridge are also in league action as they travel to Hundleton.

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Sport

Dragons’ defeat to Pau dents their European ambitions

Published

3 days ago

January 16, 2025

Staff Writer

The Dragons’ European ambitions suffered a setback with a home defeat to Pau in Newport. This loss has intensified the pressure on the team as they prepare for a crucial match in South Africa. Having dented their hopes, the team now faces an uphill battle to recover. from it.

Match overview

In the recent game, the Dragons were unable to secure a victory against Pau. Despite a strong start, they couldn’t maintain their performance throughout the match. Pau capitalised on their opportunities, making it difficult for the Dragons to regain control. The team was unable to close out crucial moments of the game, which led to their downfall.

Before the match, the Dragons were given odds of 10/11 while Pau were given even odds. With Rugby Union matches now attracting a lot more online sports betting, according to senior editor Ian Bruce, many new and exciting sites are available to UK punters looking for some rugby betting action. Punters can visit and compare a range of the best sites here, being assured that they are safe and cover a wide array of sports and odds, with some offering added perks like instant payouts.

For punters betting on the Dragons, with this loss, their chances of progressing in the European competition are now uncertain. The Dragons will need to reassess their strategy and tighten up their play in the upcoming fixtures. Their performance was a reminder of how competitive European rugby can be and how small mistakes can lead to significant consequences. The result leaves them with a tough challenge ahead if they are to keep their hopes of advancing alive.

Key moments

Aaron Wainwright, keeping up his form from last year, and Rio Dyer, did their best for the Dragons. Their efforts were commendable, but the team’s overall performance fell short. Wainwright showed his typical work rate, making key tackles and contributing in the forward pack.

Dyer, on the other hand, was dynamic in attack, creating several opportunities. However, their individual brilliance wasn’t enough to lift the team as a whole. Key mistakes at crucial moments, such as turnovers and missed tackles, allowed Pau to exploit gaps in the Dragons’ defence.

In particular, the Dragons struggled in the breakdown area, where Pau won vital turnovers. Despite individual highlights, the team’s overall execution lacked consistency, which cost them the game. This match showcased how even with standout players, team performance is crucial for success at this level of competition.

Looking ahead

The Dragons now face a critical game in South Africa. This match is vital for their European hopes. A win is essential to keep their ambitions alive. They cannot afford another slip-up, especially in a tournament as competitive as the European Champions Cup. The team needs to make adjustments in key areas, particularly their decision-making under pressure and their discipline.

The match will be a true test of their character and ability to bounce back from adversity. The Dragons have shown resilience in the past, but this game will be a significant marker of whether they can push through and stay in the competition. They will need to focus on their strengths, play with intensity, and avoid the mistakes that have hurt them recently.

News

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association results

Published

6 days ago

January 13, 2025

Herald Sport

THE RESULTS of the catch-up games played over the Christmas/New Year period are as follows:

Llanteg 10 – 0 Hundleton
Reynalton 8 – 2 Badgers
Cosheston 10 – 0 St Twynnells

Updated League Table

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	S/D	Points
East Williamston	10	9	0	1	127	74
Carew	10	7	1	2	86	65
Reynalton	11	7	0	4	31	62
Hundleton	11	6	0	5	65	60
St Johns	10	7	0	3	69	58
Cosheston	11	6	0	5	33	54
Llanteg	9	3	0	6	-22	44
St Twynnells	11	3	0	8	-108	41
Badgers	9	3	1	5	36	40
Kilgetty	10	3	0	7	-85	40
Lamphey	10	1	0	9	-155	22

Singles tournament success

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the singles tournament this weekend. After a competitive Round Robin in the morning, players were divided into red and blue streams for the afternoon knockout stages.

Red Stream Winner: Simon Hall (Reynalton)
- Runner-up: Andrew Maclean (East Williamston)
Blue Stream Winner: Margaret Richards (Reynalton)
- Runner-up: Chris Clarkson (Lamphey)

Upcoming event

The next tournament will be the Doubles, held at Heatherton on Saturday, 15th February. Entry forms will be distributed shortly once details are finalized.

Sport

Pembrokeshire Second Division Match Report – January 11, 2025

Published

6 days ago

January 13, 2025

Herald Sport

A THILLING weekend of football in Pembrokeshire’s Second Division delivered key results that tightened the race for promotion and intensified the relegation battle.

Narberth 2-0 Hakin United II

Narberth bolstered their title aspirations with a commanding 2-0 victory over league leaders Hakin United II. Brychan David broke the deadlock with a clinical finish, and Jordan Williams secured the win with a second goal. The result leaves Narberth just two points behind Hakin in a hotly contested title race.

Merlins Bridge II 0-2 Fishguard Sports

Fishguard Sports continued their march towards a top-three finish, claiming a vital 2-0 win away at Merlins Bridge II. Ieuan Llewellyn coolly converted a penalty to give Fishguard the lead, while Luke Thomas added a second to seal the victory. With games in hand, Fishguard remain firmly in contention at the top end of the table.

Lawrenny 1-2 Neyland

Neyland edged a close contest against Lawrenny with a 2-1 win that keeps their top-half ambitions alive. Thomas Cole scored for the home side, but goals from Aidan Rees and Jack John secured all three points for Neyland in a hard-fought encounter.

Monkton Swifts II 1-7 Johnston

Johnston produced a dominant performance, thrashing Monkton Swifts II 7-1. Ryan Doyle netted twice, with further goals from Steve Allen, James Larsen, Marcus Allen, Callum Rees, and Joey George. The emphatic victory consolidates Johnston’s strong campaign, while Monkton Swifts II remain perilously close to the relegation zone.

Carew II 3-3 Solva

Carew II and Solva played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in a match filled with excitement. George Davies scored twice for Carew, with Charlie Perkins also on target. Solva responded with two goals from Josh Bland and an own goal that levelled the match. Both sides remain stuck in mid-table, with the result doing little to ease their relegation concerns.