Sport

Otters suffer defeat in Championship Cup

Published

3 years ago

October 18, 2022

ANOTHER difficult fixture for Narberth in a very tough and competitive league saw Pontypool RFC visiting the Lewis Lloyd Ground in the Championship Cup Competition on Saturday (Oct 15).

‘Pooler’ had brought a big crowd with them and the 500 seater Grandstand was packed to capacity with WRU Board member Anthony Buchanan and Geraint John, Community Director of Rugby amongst the spectators.

Pontypool has amassed a team capable of matching anyone in the Premier Division and with a strong wind at their backs in the first half they took little time to dismantle the Narberth defence.

The Otters are currently lacking a few seasoned players through injury and the young inexperienced side failed to cope early on with some excellent attacking play from the rampant Pontypool forwards and elusive backs.

A set piece move at the line-out saw the Pontypool hooker dive over in the corner for the first try and this was quickly followed by a try from broken play scored by the Pooler outside centre (0-10).

Nick Gale then kicked a penalty for the Otters but further tries followed from the Pooler full back who collected the ball from a kick ahead and scored wide out and a second for their hooker who dived in under the posts (3-24).

There were still ten minutes to go before half time and Pontypool used this time to increase their lead with further tries from their scrum half and inside centre to leave the half time score at 3-38.

The Narberth supporters were fearing the worst but everyone appeared to have underestimated both the significant strength of the wind and the plucky young Otters who didn’t let their heads drop and took full advantage of the conditions.

Within minutes of the second have starting, the Otters had got some points on the board when a flowing three-quarter movement saw wing Josh Davies kick the ball downfield, reclaim possession and score a try close to the posts. Gale duly converted.

Pooler responded immediately and from close quarters their No.8 drove over to once again extend the lead to 10-45.

Narberth refused to give up and from a sloppy Pooler line-out throw Otters flanker Josh Hamer collected the ball on the half way line and raced downfield to score wide out. Fly half Jonathan Rogers converted the try (17-45).

With the wind causing problems Pontypool reverted to keeping the ball tight amongst the forwards but the Narberth defence held firm and kept knocking them back on every occasion.

To the delight of their supporters the Otters scored one final try when replacement scrum half George MacDonald picked up a loose ball at a ruck and dived in under the posts to make the final score a more respectable 24-45 to the visitors.

Related Topics:Narberth pembrokeshire Pontypool Rugby

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Keeper scores 121st-minute wonder goal before saving two penalties

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13 hours ago

December 14, 2025

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Cwmamman United stun Tenby AFC in an unforgettable 3-3 thriller to reach the last sixteen of the West Wales Intermediate Cup

Cwmamman Utd 3 Tenby AFC 3 (Cwm win 3–2 on pens)

AN EXTRAORDINARY cup tie unfolded at Grenig Park as Cwmamman United and Tenby AFC shared a breathless 3-3 draw, before the hosts edged through 3–2 on penalties.

Tenby struck almost instantly, with Lloyd Hughes finding the net inside the opening minute. Cwm hit back on 14 minutes when Cam Isaac produced a superb finish to level the tie, but Joe Leahy restored Tenby’s lead before the break – a goal that for long spells looked like it might settle the contest.

Deep into stoppage time, however, Cwmamman refused to accept defeat. In the 100th minute, Jackson Brereton pounced to smash home an equaliser and force extra time.

The drama only intensified. Tenby were awarded a hotly disputed penalty in the 114th minute, converted confidently by Hughes. The spot-kick also saw Cwm’s Kieran Rees – who had been excellent alongside Kai O’Donnell at the heart of the defence – shown a red card.

But with virtually the last kick of the game, Cwm’s goalkeeper Kai Rees strode forward for a final desperate attack and unleashed a stunning 25-yard volley to make it 3-3, sparking wild celebrations around the ground.

Rees was far from finished. In the decisive shootout, he produced two superb saves to secure a 3–2 penalty win and send Cwmamman United into the last sixteen of the West Wales Intermediate Cup.

Photo: Cwm goalkeeper Kai Rees.

News

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – Week Twelve results

Published

13 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Herald Sport

A PACKET week of fixtures in the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association’s Friendly League saw key wins at both ends of the table as teams continue to jostle for position going into the second half of the season.

Match results (Week 12):

Hundleton 10–0 Lamphey
Badgers 2–8 St Johns
Reynalton 0–10 Carew
Kilgetty 8–2 East Williamston
Cosheston v Llanteg – postponed
St Twynnells – bye week

A previously postponed fixture was also completed, with St Twynnells drawing 5–5 with Reynaltón.

League table (after Week 12):
East Williamston remain top, having played 10 and won eight, with a strong shots difference of +125. Reynaltón sit second after 11 games with 58 points, while St Johns and Hundleton follow closely behind on 54 points each.

At the mid-table mark, Carew (49 points), St Twynnells (48) and Kilgetty (46) remain tightly grouped. Badgers, Lamphey, Llanteg and Cosheston make up the lower order, though the number of games played varies, leaving room for movement in the coming weeks.

Full standings:

Team	P	W	D	L	S/D	Points
East Williamston	10	8	0	2	+125	72
Reynaltón	11	5	2	4	+35	58
St Johns	10	5	1	4	+32	54
Hundleton	10	5	1	4	-2	54
Carew	9	5	0	4	-25	49
St Twynnells	10	4	2	4	-34	48
Kilgetty	11	5	0	6	-44	46
Badgers	11	3	1	7	-59	45
Lamphey	11	5	0	6	-10	44
Llanteg	8	4	0	4	-5	41
Cosheston	9	3	1	5	-13	40

If you’d like, I can also turn this into a shorter snippet for the website or expand with quotes, season context, or upcoming fixtures.

Sport

Haverfordwest RFC names Team of the Week

Published

17 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST Rugby Football Club has announced its latest Team of the Week, celebrating standout performers from across the junior age groups following another busy weekend of fixtures.

Players from the U7s through to the U16s Eagles have been highlighted for their work rate, teamwork and commitment on the pitch, with coaches praising the effort shown by all who took part.

The club said the selections recognise not only individual performances but the dedication shown by players at training and during matches throughout the season.

Parents and supporters were quick to share their congratulations online, with particular praise for U12s players George Bentley and Tom Wheeler, who impressed during their fixture.

Team of the Week – 14 December 2025

U7s: Ollie Bromham & Arthur Slee
U8s: Theo Headland & Lyla Phillips
U9s: Theo Canton & George Thornton
U10s: Rhys Davies
U10s Eagles: Frankie Campbell
U11s: Griff Jenkins & Ollie Edwards
U12s: George Bentley & Tom Wheeler
U12s Eagles: Cyra Ellis
U15s: Logan Keane
U16s Eagles: Laura Cichon

Coaches thanked players and families for their continued support as Haverfordwest RFC moves through the winter fixtures, saying the positivity around the club remains a key part of its success.