Sport
Rugby: Blues title charge continues
HAVERFORDWEST kept up their excellent form and the pressure on the top two in division three west, with a good win away to Pembroke Dock Quins. A real entertaining game filled with attacking rugby with Dan Berry the visitors front row forward putting in a man of the match performance.
From the off Blues had the ascendency in the scrums and after a few strange decisions by the referee really started to dominate. The Quins had a steady flow of possession from line outs and continued to put bodies on the line in defence throughout. The Blues scored first early on with flyhalf Liam Eaton finishing a flowing move with a good finish in the top corner, conversion missed. The visitors continue to pressure the Quins up he slope and scored two more tries through Captain, Busch and Mikey Griffiths. At around the 20min mark fly half Liam Eaton was forced to leave the field for a head injury assessment and did not return. Two yellow cards were then issued in quick succession to Terry Lovell for blocking and Iestyn Arnold for a high tackle as the Quins pressed. Both cards were border line. The Blues managed to repel the Quins for the remainder of the first half even when down to 13. At the oranges it was Quins 0-15 Haverfordwest.
After the break the attacking rugby continued from both sides. Midway through the second half the returning Kern Cunningham crossed over in the bottom corner after some fantastic handling. Mr Versatile Matty Phillips converted from the bottom touch line making the 22-0.
The Quins still kept pushing and throwing the ball around and were rewarded with a try in the top corner which was unconverted. With the bonus point in the bag the blues continued to drive the ball forward with some slick off loading in contact and were rewarded with a late try from veteran number 8 Jon ‘Wesley’ Mason capping a fine performance. That was the last score of a thoroughly entertaining match in which both sides contributed.
The Quins lineout work was slick throughout and their centres pushed hard. Dane Pindair put in some big hits on his return to the blues line up, Mikey Griffiths was everywhere as usual and Dan Berry had an outstanding game not only tight forward play but in the loose carrying hard up the middle, off loading and strong in defence. There was also a hint of a dummy and maybe a side step (but to prevent him being banished from the front row club we won’t mention that) which resulted in him being named the visitors man of the match.
Final score :
- Pembroke Dock Quins 5-27 Haverfordwest
Pictures courtesy of – William John
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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