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Merlins Bridge win West Wales Youth Plate

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Report by Jonny Sutton

A GLORIOUSLY sunny day at Richmond Park, Carmarthen saw Merlins Bridge play off against Rhos in the West Wales Youth Plate

Having finished 3rd and 4th in their league campaigns, both teams supporters turned out in anticipation of a keenly contested match.

The pre match billing was accurate and the crowd were treated to an action packed match full of high quality football from both an attacking and defending viewpoint.

A cagey 1st 45 minutes ended nil nil with Rhos in control of the possession whilst Bridge probably had the best chance of the half.

Pacey winger Tom Mezzetta put, the usually lethal Striker, Fletcher Picton through 1 on 1. Picton never quite had complete control of the ball and although he got a shot away, the Rhos keeper pulled off a fine save.

At the other end the Bridge defence, consisting of full backs Tyler Sutton, Rhys Corney and Centre Halves Callum O’Riordan, Josh Silk and Henry Thomas, kept the Rhos attack at arms length.

Nil-nil at half time but on the hour the game swung in Rhos’ favour. A free kick on the left was swung into the box where the Rhos Centre Half Harvey Ranford headed the ball back across goal for Jacob Humphreys to power a close rang header home despite Bridge appeals for offside.

This was the moment that the Bridge youngsters would sink or swim, with tiring legs and bodies and up against a side who now had their heads up.

For the next 5 minutes it looked like Rhos would pinch a second as their confidence grew but then a 2nd wind came.

Bridge got classy midfielder Leon Davies on the ball more through the hard working trio behind him – Iwan Davies, George Morris and Skipper Harrison Goddard. With Davies starting to pull the strings half chances started to be created.

With 15 minutes to go a break from wingman Tomos Gwillam was stopped with a foul. From the resulting free kick, a wicked dipping ball into the box, was knocked home by the unfortunate Cole Shingler for an own goal. Bridge didn’t care who scored, they were level and chasing a winner.

With their heads up and attacking they almost snatched it near the death through Callum Rees but his left footed effort lacked the pace to beat the keeper.

The final few minutes of normal time saw Bridge defend a number of dangerous set pieces but they held out to take the game to extra time

As extra time started, both sets of fans finger nails were down to the bone as the game was swinging back and forth.

The energy levels by now had dropped and Bridge were finding space for their full backs to push into, left back Sutton started to get more of the ball and was constantly used as an outlet for Bridge to get forward.

Late in the second period of extra time another Rhos ball into the box was cleared off the line from Corney with the keeper stranded.

With the full time whistle going, players all over the pitch collapsed knowing they’d given everything and the lottery of penalties was going to decide the tie.

Rhos were now favourites having won a shootout to progress in the previous round whereas Bridge had lost their previous shootout earlier in the season in the West Wales Cup Semi Final

The first 10 penalties were all tucked away with the Bridge scorers Josh Silk, Henry Thomas, Tomos Gwillam, Iwan Davies and Fletcher Picton.

With the pressure ramping up and sudden death kicking in, Bridge flinched first with George Morris having his penalty saved by the Rhos Keeper.

This was the moment for Griffiths to step up and become the hero. Firstly saving the Rhos penalty to ensure another round of penalties and then, after Rhys Corney tucked his away, he repeated the feat again, saving low down to his left hand side and sending his team into ecstatic celebrations

For the team and coach Kevin Thomas it was a great way to end the season and bow out of Junior Football.

TEAM: Niall Griffiths, Tyler Sutton, Callum O’Riordan, Josh Silk, Rhys Corney, Henry Thomas, George Morris, Harrison Goddard, Callum Rees, Fletcher Picton, Tom Mezzetta. Subs: Leon Davies, Iwan Davies, Daniel Aghamelu, Iwan “Iwy” Davies, Tomos Gwillam.

Sport

Pembrokeshire teen and her horse take top honours at UK equestrian finals

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A YOUNG Pembrokeshire rider and her horse have made their mark on the equestrian world with a stunning performance at one of the UK’s top shows.

Seventeen-year-old Chloe Owen and her five-year-old horse, Tarr Dauntless – better known as Rodney – took top honours at the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) Rising Star finals at London’s Excel.

The pair, the youngest competitors in their class, not only won their category but also claimed the prestigious hunter championship. Their performance was hailed as “sublime” and “faultless” by leading equestrian magazine Horse & Hound.

Chloe, an A-level student at Haverfordwest High, has an unbreakable bond with Rodney, having helped raise him after his mother tragically died when he was a foal.

Rodney was bred by Chloe’s parents, Charles and Charlotte Owen of St Brides. His bloodline traces back to the first Holsteiner imported by the Hunter Improvement Society more than 50 years ago, a lineage carefully maintained by Chloe’s family.

However, Rodney’s early life was fraught with tragedy. His mother was attacked by a badger when he was just a few days old, suffering severe injuries that left her in a full plaster cast for three months before she succumbed to colic.

Charlotte said: “It was horrific. We bottle-fed Rodney, but his mum couldn’t play with him, so Chloe took over. They have such a lovely relationship – he’s a proper softie.”

The pair have had a remarkable debut season in the show ring, winning five out of seven championship titles, including Supreme Horse at the Pembrokeshire County Show.

“The London show in December was the first time Rodney had ever left Wales,” said Charlotte. “The furthest he’d travelled before was the Royal Welsh! But he just took everything in his stride.”

“I’ve never had a horse with a temperament like his—he’s so professional and so special. I knew from when he was a yearling that there was something different about him.”

Proud mum Charlotte added: “There were a lot of happy tears shed that day in London. There’s a very exciting future ahead for Chloe and Rodney—their first year together has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

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Sport

Bluebirds head to Caernarfon for second Championship Conference away fixture

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HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC will be looking to build on their solid start to the JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference as they travel north to face Caernarfon Town on Saturday.

Recent form and last encounter

The Bluebirds come into this fixture following a hard-fought goalless draw against Penybont last weekend at the SDM Glass Stadium. Meanwhile, Caernarfon Town picked up a strong 3-1 victory away at Bala Town last Friday, with TNS loanee Josh Lock netting twice and Adam Davies adding another to extend their winning streak.

The sides last met in October, playing out a 0-0 draw in front of the Sgorio cameras at LHP Stadium in Carmarthen. Earlier in the season, Haverfordwest secured a 2-1 victory at the Carling Oval, with a late goal from Owain Jones sealing the win after Ben Ahmun’s opener had been cancelled out by Matty Jones.

League standings

Tony Pennock’s men currently occupy third place in the standings, sitting seven points behind second-placed Penybont and seven points ahead of Caernarfon Town in fourth. A win on Saturday would strengthen their grip on a top-three finish.

Caernarfon Town – At a glance

  • Founded: 1937
  • Ground: Carling Oval
  • Manager: Richard Davies
  • Captain: Darren Thomas

Recent meetings between the sides

  • October 26, 2024: Haverfordwest County 0-0 Caernarfon Town
  • August 17, 2024: Caernarfon Town 1-2 Haverfordwest County
  • December 16, 2023: Caernarfon Town 0-1 Haverfordwest County
  • August 26, 2023: Haverfordwest County 1-1 Caernarfon Town
  • March 25, 2023: Haverfordwest County 2-2 Caernarfon Town

Form guide

  • Caernarfon Town: L L W W W
  • Haverfordwest County: W W D W D

Key player to watch

Josh Lock – The Caernarfon Town forward has been in fine form, scoring twice in their recent win against Bala Town. The Bluebirds’ defence will need to keep a close eye on him.

Match officials

  • Referee: Alex Livesey
  • Assistants: Martin Roberts, Chimezirim Iwueke
  • Fourth official: Nick Pratt
  • Observer: Kevin Parry

Kick-off at the Carling Oval is set for 2:30pm. Haverfordwest County will be hoping to return home with three points as they continue their push in the Championship Conference.

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Pembrokeshire rowers set off on Atlantic challenge after weather delays

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A TEAM of Pembrokeshire rowers has finally embarked on their gruelling 3,200-mile journey across the Atlantic after being held back by rough weather for over a week.

Team Cruising Free—comprising Sophie Pierce from Johnston, Miyah Periam from Milford Haven, Polly Zipperlen from Llangwm, and Janine Williams from Neyland—departed from Lanzarote on Saturday, February 1, as part of the 2025 Atlantic Dash.

The first few hours at sea proved punishing, with towering waves and relentless seasickness making the transition to life on the water anything but smooth. However, in a message to supporters, the rowers reassured everyone that they were adjusting and settling into a rhythm.

The Atlantic Dash team lines up before the adventure starts (Pic: Supplied)

Making history on the waves

The four-woman crew is one of only four teams competing in this year’s Atlantic Dash and is rowing in aid of three charities: Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, and Emily’s Entourage—a charity supporting research into cystic fibrosis.

For team member Sophie, the challenge is particularly personal. As someone living with cystic fibrosis, she hopes to become the first person with the condition to row the Atlantic. Meanwhile, 70-year-old Janine is aiming to set her own record as the oldest woman to complete the crossing.

Speaking before their departure, Sophie shared the team’s mix of excitement and nerves. “There’s a lot of uncertainty, so we’re focusing on taking it step by step rather than thinking about the entire journey to Antigua in one go.”

A tough start at sea

Once underway, the rowers quickly felt the brutal reality of their mission. Sophie described the opening stretch as exhausting, with the team rowing in two-hour shifts.

“The waves are huge, and we’re all shattered,” she said in a voice note home. “We’re covered in bruises, and I managed to smack my rib with an oar in the swell, so that’s sore. Miyah has been really seasick, but she’s finally managed to eat, which is a good sign. Polly’s also struggling with seasickness, but we’re pushing through.”

Despite the challenges, the team remains positive, helped by favourable wind and swell conditions that are carrying them in the right direction.

Community support driving them forward

The rowers have expressed immense gratitude for the backing they’ve received, particularly from their lead sponsor, Bluestone, as well as Dale Sailing, which supplied new solar panels to ensure their boat was fully prepared for the crossing.

Sophie also highlighted the camaraderie among the Atlantic Dash teams, describing the past month as a time of mutual support and encouragement.

Team Cruising Free is documenting their journey via Facebook, where supporters can follow their progress across the Atlantic.

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