Sport
Rugby Round Up 11/11/23
Narberth claimed top spot in the Championship on Saturday with a win over Llangennech 44-15. This was thanks largely to an excellent hat-rick from pacy winger Dean James. Aled Rees and Ifan Phillips also crossed the whitewash for the Otters as well as captain Powell. While Rogers continued his good for with the boot, the outside half kicked four conversions and two penalties. The result puts the Otters top with 33 points and 3 points clear of both Brecon and Llangennech themselves.
Meanwhile staying in the Championship but further north in the county, Crymych beat Maesteg Quins 33-24, to continue their impressive start to the season. The result lifts Crymych to fourth in the league in their first season in the Championship this is an excellent season so far. Tries for the hosts came from a brace from both Eilir George and Tomos Phillips, substitute forward Dan Page also crossing the line.
In the second division, there was contrasting fortunes for the Pembrokeshire based teams. Tenby who are absolutely flying continued this vain of form with a 32-20 win over Nantgaredig. Broadhurst, Baker, Allen and Brown all contributing with tries, while Lloyd Thomas was reliable as always with the boot. It’s five wins from five now for the Heywood Lane team and they will be delighted with how things are going so far. Elsewhere Fishguard and Milford Haven were on the wrong end of results. They were both beaten fairly comfortably Fishguard losing 31-7 on the road to Lampeter, while Mumbles beat Milford Haven 43-7, with James Trueman’s try and conversion the only score for the Mariners. They sit third from bottom and have played more games than both, Amman United and Tycroes who sit below them, they will be wanting to pick up a few wins before Christmas.
In the third division Haverfordwest continue to go from strength to strength, as they beat local rivals Llangwm 36-10. A fairly inexperienced Llangwm team battled hard but didn’t have the quality to match the blues. Llangwm are always up for this derby match, however players such as Lee Summons, Mikey Jones, Jamie Zambass and the returning Gareth John have played in enough of these derbies to know what to expect. The quality and the experience of the blues showed, however the Wasps fought till the end, Ieuan Power, Phil Llewelyn and Ashley James all showing plenty of determination. On the score sheet for the hosts were Lee Summons, Gareth John, Mike Phillips and Mike Griffiths. A good display of local rugby played in a great competitive spirit.
In the other derby of the day Neyland triumphed over struggling Pembroke upon their return to division three. A well deserved win for the All Blacks on the road. George Evans and Mark James playing key roles in the 24-14 win for the visitors. As we touched on worrying times for Pembroke who would have expected more wins on the board at this stage of the season.
Finally St Davids picked up a good win against Pembroke Dock Quins, winning 36-17. As predicted St Davids pack were dominant, and it was a key factor in the end result. Saints will be looking to use this victory as a platform to kick on for the next few weeks.
Sport
South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics
Two of the finest athletes in south-west Wales are dreaming about bringing home medals from the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Track cyclist Emma Finucane and sailing star Micky Beckett will head to France in a buoyant mood after enjoying a successful build-up to their respective events.
Welsh athletes collected a record-equalling 11 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games and hopes are high that the tally could be beaten this year.
The Carmarthen-born rider cemented her rapid rise up the sprint ranks by winning a gold medal at the 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.
She became Great Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 and is now on track to chase more medals at the Olympics across three events.
The 21-year-old has yearned to compete at the Summer Games since watching Team GB sparkle at London 2012 and she is eager to make her mark this summer.
“It’s a massive dream of mine and it’s pretty cool that I’m kind of living my dream,” Finucane said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the journey and hopefully I’ll get selected and compete for my country.
“And it’s exciting because as the Team GB women’s sprint. I feel like we’re in a really good place to do well at the Olympics, not just compete as Olympians.”
Pembrokeshire-born sailor Beckett will also head to Paris with his sights firmly set on winning gold in the hugely competitive ILCA 7 class.
He will renew rivalries with Australian Matt Wearn, who controversially claimed the World Championship title ahead of Hermann Tomasgaard and Beckett earlier this year.
Online bookmakers rate Wearn as the favourite to emerge victorious this summer, but Beckett’s recent form gives him every chance of turning the tables.
Several new sports betting sites in Australia cut the Welsh sailor’s Olympic odds after he completed a trio of World Cup successes at a recent event in Palma.
Beckett believes the hard work he has done over the past few months gives him every chance of toppling Wearn when the action gets underway this summer.
“There is still plenty of work to do and managing form is probably the most important thing of any athlete’s job,” Beckett said. “There is no point being the best in the world unless you are the best in the world when it counts.
Sport
Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown
In the picturesque setting of Kilgetty, under the soft glow of the evening sun, local football fans were treated to an enticing clash between Kilgetty and Carew in the Pembrokeshire League Division 1. With the season winding down, both sides took to the pitch amidst numerous squad rotations, following a hectic week of multiple fixtures.
The match kicked off in a leisurely pace, resembling more of an end-of-season friendly than a fierce competition. Kilgetty seized the early initiative, with the trio of Josh Bevan, Richard Tebbut, and Richard Cope causing headaches for the Carew defense, skillfully led by Gareth Lewis. It was Jac Waters who broke the deadlock for the home side, putting Kilgetty ahead 1-0 as the first half came to a close.
However, Carew emerged revitalised after the break, with Jonty Bennett, James Hinchcliffe, and Zac Rowell putting in the hard yards to level the score. The introduction of Harvey Drummond for the ineffective Sam Christopher added further depth to Carew’s attacking prowess, culminating in an equaliser courtesy of the excellent Hinchcliffe.
As tensions rose, the game took on a newfound intensity, marked by needless bookings, after a clearly offside goal and a few heated moments on the field. Despite the fatigue evident from their recent fixture congestion, both teams showcased their competitive spirit, treating the fans to an entertaining second half.
In the end, neither side could break the deadlock, with Kilgetty and Carew having to settle for a well-fought 1-1 draw. While neither team was at their absolute best, the match provided a fitting conclusion to their respective seasons.
Sport
The stage is set – Senior Cup Final
It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.
League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.
Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.
There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.
The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.
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