Sport
Pembrokeshire youngster heading for School Games National finals

THE UK’s largest multi-sport event for talented young athletes, the School Games National Finals will be returning for its 15th year from September at Loughborough University.
This year, up to a thousand young athletes will be competing at the event, hoping to emulate Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games heroes and former School Games National Finals alumni, Adam Peaty, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Hannah Cockroft, in their own path to success.
The four-day event, led by children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust, will host 1,000 aspiring athletes aged between 13 and 18. Athletes to watch out for include Michael Jenkins (17) from Pembrokeshire, who is already a para world record holder in F38 discus and Charlie McIntyre (17) from Southend, England, who won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Wheelchair Basketball.
The opening ceremony will be held on Friday at the campus’s Hazlerigg Fountain from 8:15 pm to 9:00 pm and will be hosted by Paralympian Kate Ager and Olympian Montell Douglas.
Former School Games National Finals alumni and 2022 Commonwealth Games medallists will also be making appearances on stage including, Joe Fraser (Gold, Gymnastics), winner of 3 Gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, Shannon Archer (Bronze, Gymnastics) who received Scotland’s first ever individual women’s gymnastics medal at the games, and multiple Northern Ireland record holder in swimming, Daniel Wiffen (Silver, 1500m Freestyle).
The School Games National Finals is one of the many initiatives led by the Youth Sport Trust which is committed to providing opportunities outside of competition to create a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport. The event is a key part in supporting young people to develop a sense of belonging and to become future changemakers.
As part of the Athlete Education Programme, high profile athletes will share advice to young athletes regarding competing in major competitions, alongside providing workshops designed to provide skills for life. This will be led by Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medallists, Hannah Cockroft OBE (Wheelchair 100m T33/4), Nathan Maguire (Wheelchair 1500 metres T54) and Emma Reid (Judo).
This year the School Games National Finals 2022 is taking place thanks to National Lottery funding from Sport England as part of the organisation’s Birmingham 2022 legacy investment.
Held at Loughborough University, it provides the young athletes with first class facilities and the experience of being in a sport competition village akin to the Commonwealth Games.
Register for your ticket to one or more events here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/2022Schoolgamesfinals or stream SGNF live on the Youth Sport Trust website and YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/YouthSportTrust. You can also follow SGNF social media for the latest updates, search @_schoolgames on Twitter or @schoolgames on Instagram.
Sport
Manager reflects on unity, discipline, and a season built on belief

IN the days leading up to Sunday’s play-off final, Haverfordwest County manager Tony Pennock said one thing clearly: “The boys are looking forward to it and will be up for the challenge.”
He wasn’t wrong.
While supporters rightly celebrate a 3–1 win over Caernarfon Town and the return of European football to the club, it’s worth remembering that this moment was forged not in 90 minutes, but across a season built on togetherness, hard graft, and quiet conviction.
Pennock, reflecting before the final, pointed to signs he’d seen as early as last June.
“From the first session up at the Racecourse, then the beach the following week, you just saw a group that really wanted to work hard for each other,” he said.
That unity has defined the Bluebirds’ campaign. They achieved a club-record 51 points and finished with the best defensive record in the Cymru Premier — conceding just 26 goals in 32 games. It was a season not of flashy wins, but of collective discipline, focus, and belief.
And while Haverfordwest’s third-place finish guaranteed them a home final, it also meant an unusually long layoff — nearly four weeks without competitive football. For some, that might have spelled rust or lost momentum. For Pennock, it was opportunity.
“The break has given us a chance to get a few of the injured boys back fit,” he said on Friday. “No excuses from us — the boys are ready.”
Sunday’s performance proved that readiness, not just in energy but in character. It was a composed display from a squad that knew what was at stake and trusted in the process that had brought them this far.
Behind the scenes, there was also a challenge: keeping the squad focused and mentally prepared during the long wait. “Whatever happened in the previous 32 games doesn’t matter anymore,” Pennock said. “It’s all about Sunday.”
With the job now done and European qualification secured for the second year running, attention turns to logistics, the UEFA draw, and the question of whether Haverfordwest will again have to play at Cardiff City Stadium due to ground regulations.
But for now, the focus remains on a season that delivered on its promise — and on a manager who asked for belief and got it in return.

Photo caption: Stronger together: Haverfordwest’s season success rooted in unity and belief (Pic: HCAFC)
Cover photo by Pic by Craig Thomas/FAW
Sport
Bluebirds beat Caernarfon Town 3–1 to book place in UEFA Europa Conference League

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC will once again fly the flag for Pembrokeshire in Europe after a thrilling 3–1 win over Caernarfon Town in the JD Cymru Premier European play-off final on Sunday (May 18).
In front of a passionate home crowd of 1,717 at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium, the Bluebirds produced a composed and clinical performance to book their place in the First Qualifying Round of the 2025–26 UEFA Europa Conference League.
Ben Ahmun opened the scoring for the hosts in the 17th minute with a composed finish, before Dan Hawkins doubled the lead shortly after the half-hour mark. Ahmun sealed the victory with his second of the afternoon in the 85th minute, rounding off a memorable display.
Caernarfon pulled one back deep into injury time through Louis Lloyd (90+4), but it was too little, too late for the visitors, as Haverfordwest celebrated back-to-back European qualifications — a historic achievement for the Pembrokeshire club.
This result means Haverfordwest will enter the UEFA Conference League at the First Qualifying Round, with the draw expected in mid-June and matches scheduled for July.
It continues an impressive rise for the club, who last summer thrilled supporters across Wales with their dramatic European ties against Shkëndija of North Macedonia, narrowly exiting the competition on penalties after a heroic second-leg performance in Cardiff.
The win also cements Haverfordwest’s growing reputation as a force in domestic Welsh football — with a strong squad, local support, and the experience of last year’s European campaign to build on.
Full-time: Haverfordwest County 3–1 Caernarfon Town
Scorers:
Haverfordwest – Ahmun (17, 85), Hawkins (32)
Caernarfon – Lloyd (90+4)
Attendance: 1,717
Venue: Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium, Haverfordwest
Competition: JD Cymru Premier European Play-Off Final
Photo caption:
Bluebirds flying high: Haverfordwest players celebrate after qualifying for Europe (Pic: HCAFC)
Sport
Carew crush Llangwm as title race begins to take shape

CAREW remain the team to beat in Division One of the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League after another dominant performance, as the early-season table starts to take shape.
The 2022 champions were ruthless against Llangwm, piling on a massive 365-5 before skittling the visitors for just 102 — winning by 263 runs. Nick Davies struck a classy 101, supported by 88 from Shaun Whitfield and 62 from Tim Hicks. In reply, James Hinchcliffe tore through the Llangwm batting with figures of 4-8, while Iori Hicks chipped in with 2-15.
Cresselly remain on their heels, comfortably beating Lawrenny by eight wickets. After bowling Lawrenny out for 119 — with Tom Arthur taking 3-29 and Charlie Arthur 3-32 — Morgan Lewis (60) and Charlie Arthur (41*) saw them home in just 21.5 overs.
Neyland kept pace near the top with a hard-fought four-wicket win over Burton. Ashley Sutton’s 76 and Dai Davies’s unbeaten 23 proved vital after Burton posted 147 all out, with Luke Hayman contributing 22 and taking 3-35 in a losing effort.
Saundersfoot also chalked up a win, chasing down 102 to beat Whitland by seven wickets. Prashant Gautam was the pick of the bowlers, taking 5-10, while Nick Cope took 4-21 and hit 26 not out to complete a fine all-round display.
Haverfordwest edged past Herbrandston by four wickets in a nervy low-scoring affair. Herbie were dismissed for 98, with Chris Phillips taking 3-11 and Fin Ateyo 3-13. Ben Field guided Town to victory with a patient unbeaten 50.
DIVISION ONE RESULTS – SATURDAY, MAY 17
- Carew 365-5 (Nick Davies 101, S. Whitfield 88) beat Llangwm 102 all out by 263 runs
- Cresselly 123-2 (Morgan Lewis 60) beat Lawrenny 119 all out by 8 wickets
- Neyland 148-6 (Ashley Sutton 76) beat Burton 147 all out by 4 wickets
- Saundersfoot 103-3 (Nick Cope 26no, Gautam 5-10) beat Whitland 102 all out by 7 wickets
- Haverfordwest 100-6 (Ben Field 50no) beat Herbrandston 98 all out by 4 wickets
DIVISION ONE TABLE (AFTER WEEK 4)
Pos | Team | P | W | L | Bat | Bowl | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carew | 4 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 20 | 78 |
2 | Cresselly | 4 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 17 | 76 |
3 | Neyland | 4 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 18 | 66 |
4 | Saundersfoot | 4 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 14 | 62 |
5 | Haverfordwest | 4 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 13 | 50 |
6 | Burton | 4 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 16 | 40 |
7 | Lawrenny | 4 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 39 |
8 | Herbrandston | 4 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 38 |
9 | Whitland | 4 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 11 | 36 |
10 | Llangwm | 4 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 22 |
DIVISION TWO: Narberth and Pembroke unbeaten
Narberth stay top with a dominant 155-run win over Johnston. Jamie McCormack smashed a stunning 175, before Ryan Williams (4-49) helped bowl Johnston out for 169.
Pembroke are hot on their heels after chasing down Hook’s 230 with six wickets in hand. Jack Harries was the standout, finishing unbeaten on 125.
Carew II and Llechryd also enjoyed wins, while St Ishmaels crushed Burton II by 217 runs, with Brennan Devonald (136) and Peter Bradshaw (83) in the runs.
Division Two table (Top 3):
- Narberth – 78 pts
- Pembroke – 76 pts
- Hook – 65 pts
DIVISION THREE: Fishguard flying
Fishguard top Division Three after an eight-wicket win at Stackpole. Nigel Delaney anchored the chase with 63 not out.
Jake Davie’s unbeaten 96 helped Pembroke Dock beat Hundleton by 72 runs, while Steve Williams (73) and Charlie Holder (54) powered Hook II past Laugharne.
Elsewhere, Lamphey edged out Kilgetty by 3 wickets, and Neyland II held off Haverfordwest II in a tight contest.
Division Three table (Top 3):
- Fishguard – 69 pts
- Pembroke Dock – 64 pts
- Kilgetty – 52 pts
DIVISION FOUR: Saundersfoot II stay perfect
Saundersfoot II made it four from four with an eight-wicket win over Narberth II. Lewis Treadway-Williams top-scored with 44 not out.
Pembroke II were equally dominant, thrashing Haverfordwest III by 131 runs with Paul White unbeaten on 118.
Crymych and St Ishmaels II also recorded big wins, while Carew III saw off Lawrenny II by 70 runs.
Division Four table (Top 3):
- Saundersfoot II – 76 pts
- Crymych – 68 pts
- Pembroke II – 67 pts
DIVISION FIVE: Pembroke Dock II out front
In Division Five, Pembroke Dock II made light work of Haverfordwest IV, winning by nine wickets. Tom Grimwood hit an unbeaten 60.
Herbrandston II defeated Hundleton II, while Llechryd II cruised to victory over Cresselly III. Whitland II and Neyland III did not play.
Division Five table (Top 3):
- Pembroke Dock II – 67 pts
- Whitland II – 65 pts
- Herbrandston II – 65 pts
DIVISION SIX: Lamphey II climbing
Lamphey II secured a seven-wicket win over Kilgetty II, while Whitland III eased past Llechryd III by ten wickets. Pembroke III won a low-scoring game against Haverfordwest/Cresselly.
Division Six table (Top 3):
- Haverfordwest/Cresselly – 49 pts
- Lamphey II – 41 pts
- Pembroke III – 38 pts
Next week promises more exciting action across all divisions, with several top-of-the-table clashes in the pipeline.
-
Business2 days ago
New Barti BBQ sauce launches at Angle’s iconic Old Point House
-
Business6 days ago
Skilled labour crisis hits Pembrokeshire’s fishing fleet, warns new national report
-
Health7 days ago
Councillor urges men to get tested following stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis
-
Crime6 days ago
Man due in court over alleged New Year’s Day GBH at Narberth pub
-
Crime6 days ago
Warrant issued for Haverfordwest man who allegedly sent menacing messages
-
News7 days ago
Sad farewell to Folly Farm’s majestic Lion, Hugo
-
News6 days ago
Welsh Water fined £1.35m for widespread sewage permit breaches
-
Community7 days ago
Pembrokeshire community fund has been launched by landfill operator