Sport

Milford Atheltic into the hat after seven goal thriller

Published

10 months ago

March 18, 2024

Herald Sport

Div 4 Cup Quarter Final at Pill lane.

Milford Athletic 4-3 Carew 3rds.

On a day when the awful Pembrokeshire weather decimated the fixture list once again, the game between Milford Athletic and Carew 3rds at Pill Lane was deemed playable with a morning pitch inspection. Both teams have struggled in the league this season, with Athletic finally finding some semblance of their previous good form more recently. Whilst the pitch was heavy through the middle, it was firm underfoot and both teams were glad to get the game on.

Playing downhill in the first half, Athletic dominated play and had a number of chances before Referee Marty Jones awarded a penalty to the home team in the 8th minute. Club stalwart Dave Hawkins neatly slotted the pen home for a deserved lead, and Athletic looked keen to put the game out of sight going 2 up on 11 minutes. Carew battled hard and kept in the game until the 31st minute when Athletic scored their third, and surely killed the game as a competitive tie. 3-0 with just over half hour played.

To their credit, in driving rain, Carew stepped up a gear and quickly scored 2 superb goals through Jack Broadhurst and Sam Goodwin (who had a blinder today) giving Carew renewed hope for the tie. There was no doubt Carew finished the half stronger, and with the advantage of playing downhill in the second half, the tie was still on a knife edge.

A much closer second half, on a pitch that was now just barely playable, seemed likely to play out with no further addition to the scoreline, when up popped Pete Tunstallbto add a fourth for the home team and this time surely seal the tie.

Both teams were trying to play good football, but the pitch was truly awful at this stage, with the referee checking the playing surface numerous times during the latter stages. It seemed Athletic were cruising home when, in injury time, Carew scored their third of the afternoon, and really made the last few minutes of added time exciting! Despite their best efforts Carew couldn’t equalise, and the home team progress through to the 4th division Cup semi final in a thrilling cup tie, made all the more difficult by horrendous playing conditions.

On an afternoon where the game could have easily got away from the players and ref, both teams played sensibly making the referees afternoon an easy one with just the one booking all game.

Credit to both clubs for managing difficult conditions perfectly and good luck to Athletic in their semi final.

Sport

Dragons’ defeat to Pau dents their European ambitions

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2025

Staff Writer

The Dragons’ European ambitions suffered a setback with a home defeat to Pau in Newport. This loss has intensified the pressure on the team as they prepare for a crucial match in South Africa. Having dented their hopes, the team now faces an uphill battle to recover. from it.

Match overview

In the recent game, the Dragons were unable to secure a victory against Pau. Despite a strong start, they couldn’t maintain their performance throughout the match. Pau capitalised on their opportunities, making it difficult for the Dragons to regain control. The team was unable to close out crucial moments of the game, which led to their downfall.

Before the match, the Dragons were given odds of 10/11 while Pau were given even odds. With Rugby Union matches now attracting a lot more online sports betting, according to senior editor Ian Bruce, many new and exciting sites are available to UK punters looking for some rugby betting action. Punters can visit and compare a range of the best sites here, being assured that they are safe and cover a wide array of sports and odds, with some offering added perks like instant payouts.

For punters betting on the Dragons, with this loss, their chances of progressing in the European competition are now uncertain. The Dragons will need to reassess their strategy and tighten up their play in the upcoming fixtures. Their performance was a reminder of how competitive European rugby can be and how small mistakes can lead to significant consequences. The result leaves them with a tough challenge ahead if they are to keep their hopes of advancing alive.

Key moments

Aaron Wainwright, keeping up his form from last year, and Rio Dyer, did their best for the Dragons. Their efforts were commendable, but the team’s overall performance fell short. Wainwright showed his typical work rate, making key tackles and contributing in the forward pack.

Dyer, on the other hand, was dynamic in attack, creating several opportunities. However, their individual brilliance wasn’t enough to lift the team as a whole. Key mistakes at crucial moments, such as turnovers and missed tackles, allowed Pau to exploit gaps in the Dragons’ defence.

In particular, the Dragons struggled in the breakdown area, where Pau won vital turnovers. Despite individual highlights, the team’s overall execution lacked consistency, which cost them the game. This match showcased how even with standout players, team performance is crucial for success at this level of competition.

Looking ahead

The Dragons now face a critical game in South Africa. This match is vital for their European hopes. A win is essential to keep their ambitions alive. They cannot afford another slip-up, especially in a tournament as competitive as the European Champions Cup. The team needs to make adjustments in key areas, particularly their decision-making under pressure and their discipline.

The match will be a true test of their character and ability to bounce back from adversity. The Dragons have shown resilience in the past, but this game will be a significant marker of whether they can push through and stay in the competition. They will need to focus on their strengths, play with intensity, and avoid the mistakes that have hurt them recently.

News

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association results

Published

5 days ago

January 13, 2025

Herald Sport

THE RESULTS of the catch-up games played over the Christmas/New Year period are as follows:

Llanteg 10 – 0 Hundleton
Reynalton 8 – 2 Badgers
Cosheston 10 – 0 St Twynnells

Updated League Table

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	S/D	Points
East Williamston	10	9	0	1	127	74
Carew	10	7	1	2	86	65
Reynalton	11	7	0	4	31	62
Hundleton	11	6	0	5	65	60
St Johns	10	7	0	3	69	58
Cosheston	11	6	0	5	33	54
Llanteg	9	3	0	6	-22	44
St Twynnells	11	3	0	8	-108	41
Badgers	9	3	1	5	36	40
Kilgetty	10	3	0	7	-85	40
Lamphey	10	1	0	9	-155	22

Singles tournament success

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the singles tournament this weekend. After a competitive Round Robin in the morning, players were divided into red and blue streams for the afternoon knockout stages.

Red Stream Winner: Simon Hall (Reynalton)
- Runner-up: Andrew Maclean (East Williamston)
Blue Stream Winner: Margaret Richards (Reynalton)
- Runner-up: Chris Clarkson (Lamphey)

Upcoming event

The next tournament will be the Doubles, held at Heatherton on Saturday, 15th February. Entry forms will be distributed shortly once details are finalized.

Sport

Pembrokeshire Second Division Match Report – January 11, 2025

Published

5 days ago

January 13, 2025

Herald Sport

A THILLING weekend of football in Pembrokeshire’s Second Division delivered key results that tightened the race for promotion and intensified the relegation battle.

Narberth 2-0 Hakin United II

Narberth bolstered their title aspirations with a commanding 2-0 victory over league leaders Hakin United II. Brychan David broke the deadlock with a clinical finish, and Jordan Williams secured the win with a second goal. The result leaves Narberth just two points behind Hakin in a hotly contested title race.

Merlins Bridge II 0-2 Fishguard Sports

Fishguard Sports continued their march towards a top-three finish, claiming a vital 2-0 win away at Merlins Bridge II. Ieuan Llewellyn coolly converted a penalty to give Fishguard the lead, while Luke Thomas added a second to seal the victory. With games in hand, Fishguard remain firmly in contention at the top end of the table.

Lawrenny 1-2 Neyland

Neyland edged a close contest against Lawrenny with a 2-1 win that keeps their top-half ambitions alive. Thomas Cole scored for the home side, but goals from Aidan Rees and Jack John secured all three points for Neyland in a hard-fought encounter.

Monkton Swifts II 1-7 Johnston

Johnston produced a dominant performance, thrashing Monkton Swifts II 7-1. Ryan Doyle netted twice, with further goals from Steve Allen, James Larsen, Marcus Allen, Callum Rees, and Joey George. The emphatic victory consolidates Johnston’s strong campaign, while Monkton Swifts II remain perilously close to the relegation zone.

Carew II 3-3 Solva

Carew II and Solva played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in a match filled with excitement. George Davies scored twice for Carew, with Charlie Perkins also on target. Solva responded with two goals from Josh Bland and an own goal that levelled the match. Both sides remain stuck in mid-table, with the result doing little to ease their relegation concerns.