Sport
Bluebirds edged out by Canaries in closely-fought encounter
Haverfordwest County were left wondering what might have been after a competitive game at The Oval ended 2-1 in favour of Caernarfon Town on Saturday (Sept 17).
JD Cymru Premier action returned after a week’s break following the death of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and the Bluebirds got off to a poor start with Fidel O’Rourke’s strike giving the Canaries an early lead.
A fine solo effort from Jack Wilson drew the Bluebirds level, but, despite appearing to have the momentum, County conceded for a second time when Joe Faux found the net with what turned out to be the decisive goal.
Manager Tony Pennock made one change to the starting lineup from the last outing against Newtown a fortnight ago, with Elliot Scotcher coming in for Jazz Richards, who was unavailable through injury. There was also a first appearance in the matchday squad for striker Ivan Watkins, who joined the club on deadline day.
It was the hosts who started better as Rob Hughes’ shot from the edge of the area took a deflection and looped over the crossbar inside the first minute of the game.
Then, just four minutes later, Caernarfon went ahead when the ball landed invitingly for O’Rourke to fire home from inside the area, with the Bluebirds defending with just nine men with Rhys Abbruzzese and Ioan Evans off the pitch receiving treatment.
The heavy knock which Evans sustained eventually forced him off five minutes later, after he had tried to shake it off to no avail, with Watkins coming on in his place to make his debut for the Bluebirds.
Pennock’s side showed a good response to going a goal behind, and they created a great chance to equalise when a pinpoint ball upfield from Abbruzzese picked out Wilson, but he was denied by Josh Tibbetts after bringing the ball under control and shooting from just inside the area.
The remainder of the first-half was keenly-contested, as both sides battled to gain control. The closest County came to levelling was when Scotcher’s free-kick in stoppage time flew just over the bar.
Haverfordwest County came out with real intent after the restart, and could have found the net just two minutes into the second-half when Wilson’s ball to the far post almost picked out Jordan Davies, but the striker was unable to reach it and get the touch which surely would have sent it goalwards.
Watkins then blazed an effort over the bar as the Bluebirds continued to keep the pressure on, and it paid off just minutes later when another inch-perfect pass from Abbruzzese found Wilson, and the winger’s quick feet left Dion Donohue floundering before he shot past Tibbetts into the left corner to make it 1-1.
Now with the momentum, County pressed for a second goal, and they came close when Watkins’ squared pass found Ben Fawcett and Wilson was close by to strike the loose ball which was tipped over the bar by Tibbetts.
However, just five minutes later, the Caernarfon restored their lead when Faux was played in by a through ball and struck his first-time effort into the right corner.
After signing his first professional contract with the club last week, youngster Harri John was introduced with just under 20 minutes remaining to make his senior debut for Haverfordwest County.
The remaining chances in the game both fell the way of the Bluebirds. Captain Dylan Rees was unable to mark his birthday with a goal as his lobbed effort from inside the area was off target, before Fawcett saw his header from point-blank range well saved by Tibbetts to deny the Bluebirds what would have been a deserved share of the spoils.
Haverfordwest County are next in action on Tuesday evening, when they travel to Rhiw’r Ddar to face Taff’s Well in the third round of the Nathaniel MG Cup, kick-off is at 7.45pm.
The Bluebirds then return to league action on Saturday, September 24 as they host Flint Town United at the Ogi Bridge Meadow, kick-off at 2.30pm.
Sport
Community spirit shines at Saundersfoot charity night
New Hedges/Saundersfoot United praised after another sell-out fundraiser
A COMMUNITY football club in Pembrokeshire is being praised after raising money for two important causes through another packed charity evening in Saundersfoot.
New Hedges/Saundersfoot United (NHSU) hosted a sell-out event at Regency Hall on Saturday night, bringing together local residents, supporters and well-known faces for an evening of entertainment and fundraising.
The event featured an appearance by Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams, comedian Lenny Dee, a silent auction and fundraising activities in support of the Maxwell Family Genomics Fund and Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity.
Organisers said the evening highlighted the power of community spirit in Pembrokeshire and the difference local support can make to charities which rely heavily on fundraising to continue their work.
Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity supports children and young people coping with bereavement across west Wales, offering specialist help to families facing difficult circumstances.

Support for families
The Maxwell Family Genomics Fund also benefited from the evening, with money raised helping efforts linked to medical research and support for affected families.
The event was organised by New Hedges/Saundersfoot United, a club increasingly earning a reputation for successful charity fundraising alongside its sporting activities.
Saturday’s fundraiser marked the third consecutive sell-out charity event hosted by the club, following previous popular evenings featuring former Wales striker John Hartson and former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.
Club praised
Local supporters have praised NHSU for creating events that not only entertain but also raise substantial sums for good causes at a time when many charities face growing financial pressures.
One organiser said community fundraising remained vital, particularly for smaller charities that often struggle to secure long-term funding.
Without local backing, many organisations helping vulnerable families would simply be unable to continue their work.
The evening at Regency Hall was widely described by attendees as another major success for the club and a reflection of the strong community spirit in Saundersfoot and New Hedges.
Photo caption:
Charity night success: Guests gathered at Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, for New Hedges/Saundersfoot United’s latest sell-out fundraising evening (Pics: Darth Marty Media).
Sport
Runners tackle new route in Ras Y Castell 10k
MORE than 90 runners took to the streets and paths around Cardigan on Friday evening (June 5) for the annual Ras Y Castell 10k.
The race, organised by Cardigan Running Club, followed a brand new 10-kilometre course starting in the grounds of Cardigan Castle.
The route took runners past Castle Green House before heading through the town, across the old bridge over the River Teifi, and along the Teifi Marshes footpath towards the Welsh Wildlife Centre.
Competitors then continued to Cilgerran, completing a loop through the village and passing its 12th-century castle before retracing their steps back to Cardigan.
A final climb up Grosvenor Hill brought runners back into the castle grounds and over the finish line.























The event came in a special year for Cardigan Castle, which later this month celebrates the 850th anniversary of the birthplace of the first Eisteddfod.
The supplied results named Riche Norris as first finisher, with Llion Williams and Owain Rowlands also among the leading men.
The first female finisher was Bethan Williams of Emlyn Runners in 43 minutes 56 seconds. Cardigan Running Club’s Leanne Roberts was second in 44 minutes 34 seconds, with Delyth Griffiths third in 47 minutes 25 seconds.
Winners received their awards in the castle grounds, where runners also enjoyed a free barbecue after the race.
Cardigan Running Club’s next events will be the Summer Poppit Sands races, with the first of three taking place on Tuesday, July 21.
Images: Stuart Ladd
Sport
Pembrokeshire cricket weekend round-up: Week 7 shakes up promotion races
A WEEKEND of big wins, shock defeats and abandoned fixtures tightened several promotion races across the Pembroke County Cricket League.
Saundersfoot strengthened their grip on Division One, Pembroke stayed top in Division Two, Laugharne moved ahead in Division Three, while Cresselly III and Haverfordwest IV remain the sides to catch lower down the pyramid.
Division One: Saundersfoot send title warning
Saundersfoot produced the statement performance of the weekend, crushing Carew by 125 runs after posting 208-4. Simon Stanford hit 98, while Nick Cope added an unbeaten 60 before taking 4-7.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Saundersfoot | 7 | 110 |
| Carew | 7 | 103 |
| Neyland | 7 | 92 |
| Cresselly | 7 | 78 |
| Burton | 7 | 76 |
Cresselly beat Narberth by 51 runs, Burton defeated Lawrenny by four wickets, and Herbrandston shocked Neyland by 60 runs.
Division Two: Pembroke lead tight race
Pembroke remain top after an eight-wicket win over Llechryd, but the chasing pack is close behind.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Pembroke | 7 | 107 |
| Johnston | 7 | 104 |
| Cresselly II | 7 | 103 |
| Hook | 7 | 99 |
| Haverfordwest | 7 | 95 |
Cresselly II edged Johnston by just two runs, while Haverfordwest, Hook and Llanrhian also picked up wins.
Division Three: Laugharne go top
Laugharne moved to the summit after beating Burton II, while Kilgetty slipped up against Lamphey, who bowled them out for just 58.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Laugharne | 7 | 104 |
| Kilgetty | 7 | 100 |
| Carew II | 7 | 88 |
| Saundersfoot II | 7 | 79 |
| Lamphey | 7 | 75 |
| Pembroke II | 7 | 75 |
David Blackwell starred for Lamphey with superb figures of 5-5, while Pembroke II thrashed Stackpole by nine wickets.
Division Four: Leaders under pressure
Rain disrupted the division, but St Ishmaels II and Neyland II both made ground with victories.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Narberth II | 7 | 93 |
| St Ishmaels II | 7 | 92 |
| Hook II | 7 | 84 |
| Lawrenny II | 7 | 84 |
| Neyland II | 7 | 81 |
St Ishmaels II beat Lawrenny II by seven wickets, while Neyland II defeated Herbrandston II by eight wickets.
Division Five: Llangwm II keep pressure on
Only one game was completed, with Llangwm II beating Whitland II by nine wickets.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Cresselly III | 6 | 106 |
| Llangwm II | 6 | 99 |
| Llanrhian II | 6 | 87 |
| Whitland II | 7 | 81 |
John Palmer made 36 and David Lewis 29 as Llangwm II chased 72 with ease.
Division Six: Scourfield century leads Haverfordwest IV
Gareth Scourfield produced one of the performances of the weekend, hitting an unbeaten 124 as Haverfordwest IV chased 212 to beat Haverfordwest/Cresselly by three wickets.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Haverfordwest IV | 6 | 81 |
| Lamphey II | 5 | 76 |
| Neyland III | 7 | 75 |
| Whitland III | 6 | 73 |
Ollie Toy had earlier made 95 for Haverfordwest/Cresselly.
Weekend stars
| Player | Club | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Gareth Scourfield | Haverfordwest IV | 124 not out |
| Simon Stanford | Saundersfoot | 98 |
| Nick Cope | Saundersfoot | 60 not out and 4-7 |
| Charlie Arthur | Cresselly | 90 |
| David Blackwell | Lamphey | 5-5 |
| Jack Davies | Burton | 5-14 |
| Harry Nicholas | Herbrandston | 54 and 2-16 |
| Josh Lewis | Cresselly II | 57 and 3-31 |
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