Sport
Quins upset Blues to reach KO Cup semi-final
PEMBROKE DOCK Quins upset all the odds by beating League 3 West A leaders Haverfordwest on Saturday (Apr 16) in a pulsating clash with the result in doubt up until the last minute.
The win now puts them into the semi-final of the KO Cup against Aberystwyth at home on a date to be arranged.
On a beautilful Easter Saturday in front of probably the biggest crowd in Pembrokeshire rugby this season, it was the Quins who forced the first error after just three minutes. Outside Half Euan MacDonald sent his 45-yard attempt just wide of the Blues Uprights.
The Blues were dominating the early scrums but were not taking full advantage of the penalties that the Quins were conceding, the Quins first up tackling was stopping the Blues virtually every time they tried to mount a serious attack, and with Prop Jack Davies and a resurgent Flanker Jordan Palmer causing all sorts of problems at the Breakdown and with Centres Jack Price and Gethin Bradney bottling up the middle, things were not going the Blues way as they found the Quins difficult to break down.
On 26 minutes the Quins struck when Centre and Captain Jack Price scattered Blues defenders everywhere and touched down near the posts, Euan MaDonald converted and against all the odds the Quins were 7-0 up.
Once again the Blues responded, but still could not make any inroads into Quins defence.
Then right on half time the Quins scored their second try through Jack Price with a carbon-copy of the first try, Euan MaDonald added the extra to stretch the Quins lead to 14-0 and a few minutes later the referee blew for half time with the Quins on the attack.
The second half started and the Blues showed that they are not unbeaten in the League for nothing, when Wing Jack Evans hauled his side back into the game, out flanking the Quins defence to touch down wide out with the half just four minutes old, Outside Half Jake Morgan missed the difficult conversion.
Points were now a precious commodity for the Blues as they tried to get within one score of the Quins.
The Quins, after defending as if their lives depended on it finally transgressed, and Jake Morgan slotted over a penalty from in front of the posts to drag his side back into it at 14-8.
The home side still held on, barely getting out of their half as they dug deep.
With 10 minutes to go the Blues struck when Centre Matthew John cut through the Quins defence to touch down wide out. The Quins defenders to their credit made the conversion difficult and Jake Morgan missed.
The Quins were now leading 14-13 and it was going to be a tough ask for the young side to hang on.
But this they did admirably, the forwards were putting in a huge effort with Hywel Baker, Harry Owen, Ben Gibby coming to the the fore as the Quins rang the changes from the bench and the interchanges.
With five minutes to go the Quins almost put the game beyond doubt when replacement Centre Aaron James hacked through but the bounce of the ball eluded him about a yard from the line.
The Quins were now firmly deep in Blues territory for the first time in the half. As the game went into injury time and with the Blues’ backs behind their own goal line, the Quins looked odds on favourites.
The Blues tried to run out of defence with 6 minutes into injury time already gone, they transgressed more in desperation than anything else and up stepped Euan MaDonald to put the penalty over, the referee blew for no side and the Quins Marched into the Semi Final.
The Pembrokeshire KO CUP is one of the oldest cup competions in Wales, it has struggled over the years since professionalism, but by hook or crook it has still managed to keep going.
With Grass Roots Rugby struggling,this match was a beacon of hope with a large crowd and a local Derby played on a Bank Holiday which is very important to the respective Clubs.
TENBY Sailing Club was left becalmed last week, with scheduled races abandoned due to a complete lack of wind.
Both the Tuesday (Apr 8) and Saturday (Apr 12) dinghy races had to be called off. Despite the slow start, members are hopeful for more favourable weather when the National Redwing series gets underway on May 15.
Cruiser racing is set to begin on Sunday (May 4) at 11:30am, marking the start of a packed sailing calendar.
Meanwhile, two familiar vessels have now departed the club’s fleet. Cocoa, formerly owned by Frank Miller, has been sold and relocated to Aberdovey. Heather, once skippered by Denny Young, has been retired after reaching the end of her sailing days.
Looking ahead, a passage race from Pembroke Haven to Tenby on Saturday (Jun 14) promises to be a major event, bolstered by sponsorship offering £500 in prize money.
That same day, Swansea Sailing Club plans to cruise to Tenby, which could result in a large and impressive flotilla anchoring in North Bay. To assist visiting crews, Tenby Sailing Club will run a Rhib shuttle to shore.
In the junior section, 26 young sailors have enrolled in this season’s training sessions. From Wednesday (Apr 16) at 5:30pm, they’ll be out on the water in three newly acquired RS Teras, expanding the club’s training fleet to six boats.
The new dinghies were secured through funding from the Sport Wales Be Active Wales Fund. Senior instructor Harrison Richards welcomed the additions, which were delivered to the club by Jon Nuttall.
WELSH rugby fans have something extra to cheer about this year, as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) launches its 2025 Autumn Nations Series ticket sales with exclusive discounts for clubs, students, and young supporters.
In a first for the Union, tickets purchased through WRU Member Clubs will benefit from a £5 discount across all categories for every match in the series. The move is aimed at strengthening grassroots engagement and rewarding those who support their local clubs.
The senior men’s side will face a blockbuster line-up at Principality Stadium this November, taking on Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and reigning world champions South Africa in what promises to be an unforgettable month of Test rugby.
WRU CEO Abi Tierney said the initiative is about keeping international rugby accessible and supporting the clubs at the heart of Welsh communities.
Tickets went on sale today (April 15) for debenture holders and premium members. From May 20, WRU Member Clubs will be able to offer tickets to their communities at the new discounted rates. Public sale will follow shortly after.
“It’s incredibly important that international rugby in Wales remains accessible to a wide audience,” said Tierney.
“We want to encourage fans to purchase tickets from their clubs. Clubs are the beating heart of Welsh rugby, and rewarding early purchasers with a discount just made sense.
“We’re also excited to introduce student pricing for the first time, after a successful trial last year. Alongside our existing 50% concession for under-18s, students will now also benefit from half-price tickets — even on the discounted club prices.”
The series kicks off against Argentina on Sunday, November 9 — Los Pumas’ 13th visit to the Welsh capital — followed by Japan on Saturday, November 15, in their first Cardiff clash since 2016.
Wales then take on the All Blacks on Saturday, November 22, before concluding the series with a heavyweight showdown against South Africa on Saturday, November 29.
Hospitality packages for all matches are also available from £270 + VAT via WRU.WALES/VIP, while general tickets can be purchased from WRU.WALES/TICKETS.
Autumn Nations Series 2025 – Fixtures and Prices
WALES v ARGENTINA
3:10pm, Sunday 9 November, Principality Stadium
Priority sale:
- CAT A: £40 / £20 concession
- CAT B: £30 / £15 concession
- CAT C: £20 / £10 concession
- AFZ: £20 / £10 concession
Public sale: - CAT A: £45 / £22.50 concession
- CAT B: £35 / £17.50 concession
- CAT C: £25 / £12.50 concession
- AFZ: £25 / £12.50 concession
WALES v JAPAN
5:40pm, Saturday 15 November, Principality Stadium
Priority sale:
- CAT A: £40 / £20 concession
- CAT B: £30 / £15 concession
- CAT C: £20 / £10 concession
- AFZ: £20 / £10 concession
Public sale: - CAT A: £45 / £22.50 concession
- CAT B: £35 / £17.50 concession
- CAT C: £25 / £12.50 concession
- AFZ: £25 / £12.50 concession
WALES v NEW ZEALAND
3:10pm, Saturday 22 November, Principality Stadium
Priority sale:
- CAT A: £100 / £50 concession
- CAT B: £75 / £37.50 concession
- CAT C: £55 / £27.50 concession
- AFZ: £55 / £27.50 concession
Public sale: - CAT A: £105 / £52.50 concession
- CAT B: £80 / £40 concession
- CAT C: £60 / £30 concession
- AFZ: £60 / £30 concession
WALES v SOUTH AFRICA
3:10pm, Saturday 29 November, Principality Stadium
Priority sale:
- CAT A: £85 / £42.50 concession
- CAT B: £65 / £32.50 concession
- CAT C: £45 / £22.50 concession
- AFZ: £45 / £22.50 concession
Public sale: - CAT A: £90 / £45 concession
- CAT B: £70 / £35 concession
- CAT C: £50 / £25 concession
- AFZ: £50 / £25 concession
Anyone who has sailed with a yacht crew will know just how bonding that experience can be.
From the moment the boat is launched, the crew hauls away as one cohesive body, resulting in one of the strongest team ethics imaginable.
But if you’re female, then a degree of ‘gender division’ may rear its dampening head, quashing your confidence, your ability and your downright enjoyment of being at sea.
But now, thanks to the foresight of local vet Charlotte Hamilton and her iconic pink boat, ladies of all ages and all sailing abilities are being introduced to the joys of sailing whilst supporting two of the UK’s foremost breast cancer charities – Breast Cancer Now and Metup UK.
Two years ago Charlotte lost one of her closest friends to breast cancer, following a ten-year battle after she was diagnosed with the disease when she was just 23. In 2022, Charlotte’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer; thankfully has made a complete recovery.
“Because of what I’ve witnessed, with my mother and with Connie, who was my best friend from college, breast cancer is something that’s very close to me,” Charlotte told The Pembrokeshire Herald from her home in Neyland.
“Connie was only 23 when she was diagnosed, but by then, the cancer had gone to her liver as they initially thought it was hormonal. She fought it for ten years and always wanted to visit Pembrokeshire, but sadly she died two weeks before she was due to come and visit.”
As a result, the pink boat is being sailed in memory of Connie, while the women who are learning to sail her are called ‘The Pink Puffins’.
Charlotte, who is a vet with the Fenton Vets practise in Haverfordwest, was given the boat some 18 months ago by her husband, Lloyd.
“Lloyd is a keen sailor who regularly races on the Cleddau, but I’d never really taken part,” she explains. “So the idea was for me to start building my sailing confidence. Last summer I took the boat out with two other women and we enjoyed it so much it got us thinking about starting to race. If the men can do it, so can we.”
The boat is an Achilles 24 cruise-racer, capable of reaching decent speeds and covering good distances.
“She’s capable of crossing the Atlantic, although The Pink Puffins are perfectly content to stick with the Cleddau for the time being,” laughed Charlotte.
“Since launching her a few weeks ago, we now have around 40 women who are starting to sail her,. We train every Sunday at Neyland and we took part in our very first race last Wednesday.
“Ok, we didn’t win, but being able to take part was fantastic and that’s the whole purpose of The Pink Puffins. It’s about having fun, and the women taking part can do as much or as little as they like. A lot of women have never set foot on a sailing boat before, and because it tends to be such a male-orientated thing, the thought of learning to sail can be a bit intimidating. So if somebody wants to come out with us just to watch, that’s perfectly fine. And if they want to get involved with sailing her a little later on, then that’s great.”
The interest that is already being shown and the rise in numbers means that additional racing sessions will be introduced later this season on Sundays.
Everyone attending the training sessions and the races is asked to make a donation which will be shared between Breast Cancer Now and Metup UK, however individuals can give as much or as little as they choose. If anyone is interested in finding out more about The Pink Puffins can email Charlotte on sailpinkpuffins@hotmail.com
Festival pulls appearance by ex-MP despite acclaim for honest memoir
A PLANNED appearance by former Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards at this year’s Llandeilo Lit Fest has been...
Easter holiday help for families – Kids eat free or for a pound at these local eateries
WITH the cost of living still putting pressure on many Pembrokeshire families, it’s good to see some local businesses stepping...
Cyclist airlifted after serious crash near Hundleton
A WOMAN was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries following a cycling accident in south Pembrokeshire. The incident occurred on...
Teen denies knife threat but admits damaging mum’s property
A HAVERFORDWEST teenager has denied threatening a man with a kitchen knife and carrying the weapon in public—but admitted damaging...
Former Welsh Secretary awarded peerage in Sunak’s resignation honours
Carmarthenshire politician among those elevated to House of Lords FORMER Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart has been...
‘Bitter disappointment’: Wales left out of UK steel rescue
Emergency bill to save Scunthorpe reignites anger over Port Talbot closure WELSH politicians from across the political spectrum have accused...
Tenby mobile signal branded ‘worse than the 1990s’ as coverage complaints grow
TENBY residents and traders are once again raising the alarm about poor mobile phone coverage, as the town enters another...
Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service
WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a...
Appeal launched as Welsh teenagers missing for nearly a week
POLICE have launched an appeal after two teenagers from Wales went missing almost a week ago. Isobel and Daniel, both...
Newcastle Emlyn man admits to attempted murder of baby
A MAN from Cwm Cou, Newcastle Emlyn has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a baby. Rhydian Jamieson, aged...
-
Crime6 days ago
Newcastle Emlyn man admits to attempted murder of baby
-
Crime6 days agoBroad Haven man admits stalking and bail breaches, denies criminal damage
-
Education7 days agoTeaching assistant forced to act after child left in locked toilet cubicle for hours
-
News5 days ago
A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle
-
Health2 days agoPembrokeshire ‘Pink Puffins’ race the Cleddau thanks to local vet’s vision
-
Business2 days agoMilford Haven and Pembroke Dock among top towns in Wales for sex toy sales
-
News7 days agoPort issues urgent statement following Milford Haven laser incident
-
News6 days agoArmed police with dogs close Narberth town centre