Sport

Neyland clinch league title in dramatic finale as Carew’s gamble backfires

Published

5 months ago

August 26, 2024

IN a thrilling conclusion to the cricket season, Neyland retained their league title in dramatic fashion on Monday (Aug 26), after a roller-coaster weekend of cricket that saw Carew fall agonisingly short despite a valiant effort.

Carew, who moved to the top of the table with a crucial win over Neyland on Saturday (Aug 24), entered the final day of the season with their destiny in their own hands. However, a strategic decision during their match against St Ishmaels ultimately proved to be their undoing, allowing Neyland to snatch the title in extraordinary circumstances.

The weekend began with Carew securing a hard-fought victory over Neyland, winning by 34 runs to leapfrog their rivals in the standings. Batting first, Carew managed to post a modest total of 140-8, with Shaun Whitfield’s gritty 76 and Gareth Lewis’s unbeaten 32 being the standout contributions. Neyland, who had previously defeated Carew earlier in the season, struggled in their reply, collapsing to 55-6 before a late rally gave them a glimmer of hope. However, Whitfield’s five-wicket haul, coupled with James Hinchliffe’s 4-10, ensured Carew took the spoils, bowling Neyland out for 106.

This victory put Carew in pole position going into the final day, needing a win against St Ishmaels to secure the league title. Neyland, on the other hand, required Carew to slip up while also needing to secure all 20 points in their match against Saundersfoot to have any chance of retaining their crown.

On Monday, Neyland did all that was asked of them, with a century from opener Paul Murray and a disciplined bowling display from Rees and Lloyd, leading them to a comprehensive victory over Saundersfoot and, crucially, the maximum points on offer.

Meanwhile, all eyes turned to Carew’s match against St Ishmaels, where the drama reached its peak. Having won the toss, Carew opted to bowl first, a decision that, while leading to a comfortable victory, significantly limited the bonus points they could accrue from their batting performance. Despite winning the match, Carew only secured 16 points, four short of what was needed to clinch the title.

In a twist that few could have predicted, Carew’s strategic decision at the toss effectively handed the title to Neyland, who finished the season as champions by the narrowest of margins. For Carew, it was a bitter pill to swallow after a season of outstanding cricket, but the fine margins of the sport were laid bare on this most dramatic of final days.

Neyland, despite their stuttering finish to the season, will be delighted to have defended their crown. Their ability to capitalise on Carew’s misfortune speaks to the quality and resilience within their ranks. As the dust settles on an unforgettable season, Neyland’s name is once again etched on the trophy, a testament to their status as a top-tier side in the league.

The Pembrokeshire Herald extends its congratulations to Neyland on their remarkable title win, and commiserations to Carew, who will no doubt come back stronger next season.

Sport

Letterston marksman wins junior athlete award

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A TALENTED young athlete from Letterston has been honoured at the British Shooting Awards 2024.

Seren Thorne was shortlisted for the prestigious awards and attended the gala event held at the Imperial War Museum in Manchester. To the delight of her family and supporters, Seren was named the winner of the Rifle Pathway / Junior Athlete of the Year award.

This accolade highlights Seren’s exceptional skill and dedication to the sport, marking her as one of the rising stars in British shooting.

Her mother, Sian Thorne, expressed immense pride in Seren’s achievement, sharing photos of the memorable evening.

The British Shooting Awards 2024 celebrated excellence in the sport, with a full list of winners available on their official website.

PHOTO CAPTION: Champion marksman: Seren Thorne receiving the Rifle Pathway / Junior Athlete of the Year award (Pic: Supplied).

Sport

Previewing the 2025 Super Bowl

Published

3 days ago

January 20, 2025

Staff Writer

Each year millions of people across the world gather to watch one of the biggest sporting events of the year – the Super Bowl. Last year, 3.4 million people in the UK watched the Super Bowl, up 1.1 million from the previous year. Considering the growth in popularity of American football in the UK, we anticipate the viewership will be even higher for 2025.

The 2025 Super Bowl is scheduled to take place on 9 February 2025 at Caesars Superdrome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

NFL teams

12 teams began competing for a spot in the 2025 Super Bowl when the playoffs began on January 11. At this point, four teams were eliminated. This now leaves eight teams to compete in the Divisional playoffs. Four of these will make it to the Conference Championships before contesting for a spot at this year’s Super Bowl.

The eight teams left with a shot at competing in the 2025 Super Bowl are:

Philadelphia Eagles
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills
Detroit Lions
Houston Texans
Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Rams
Washington Commanders

Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs took the title for the second year in a row. However, the latest Super Bowl odds puts the Detroit Lions as the favourites to win this year’s Super Bowl, following a series of impressive performances in the regular season.

The national anthem and halftime show

Before the game commences, a special guest performs the national anthem. Last year, Reba McEntire offered a moving performance of The Star-Spangled Banner, and this year the task falls to jazz singer Jon Batiste.

It’s not just the football match that people look forward to. Super Bowl halftime shows are a spectacle in themselves and many look forward to the performance as much as the game itself. This year, 17-time grammy winner Kendrick Lamar is headlining the halftime show. Lamar previously headlined the Super Bowl in 2022.

How can I watch the Super Bowl in the UK?

The Super Bowl is being broadcast to fans free on ITV, including live online via ITVX on your laptop, mobile, or tablet.

Sky Sports is also broadcasting the event which you can watch online via Sky Go, NOW TV, or using the Sky Sports mobile app. You could also head to your local pub as plenty of pubs in Pembrokeshire will be showing the big game.

Will you be tuning in?

With a surge in popularity for American Football, it’s anticipated that more people from the UK than ever before will be turning their TVs on for the big event this year. Will you be watching this year’s Super Bowl?

Sport

Division Four West rugby: Thrills and tight contests on a chilly Saturday

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2025

Herald Sport

Exciting matches, hard-fought battles, and standout performances define the weekend’s action.

Dreigiau Emlyn Edge Harlequins in Close Contest
Dreigiau Emlyn 21 – Pembroke Dock Harlequins 15
Dreigiau Emlyn secured a narrow victory over Pembroke Dock Harlequins, strengthening their position in the top half of the table. Gethin Davies scored two crucial tries, while Deiniol Rees added three penalties and a conversion to steer the hosts to victory. The Harlequins kept the game competitive with tries from Craig Barnett and Tom Donovan, with Ben Hathaway converting one and kicking a penalty. However, Emlyn’s composed performance ensured they held on for the win.

Teirw Crymych Outgun Llangwm in High-Scorer
Llangwm 22 – Teirw Crymych 33
Teirw Crymych powered to a 33-22 victory over bottom-placed Llangwm, bolstering their challenge for the league’s top spots. Sion Williams and Morgan Jones led the visitors’ try-scoring efforts, with additional tries from Sion Owen and Nick Bevan. Adam Phillips was reliable from the tee, adding four conversions. Llangwm fought back with tries from Aidan Rees and Ryan Banner, while Harry Makepeace contributed two conversions and a penalty. Despite their spirited display, the hosts couldn’t match Crymych’s attacking prowess.

St Davids Win Key Clash Against Llanybydder
Llanybydder 17 – St Davids 29
St Davids took a significant step away from the relegation zone with a vital 29-17 win over Llanybydder. Harvey Godkin, Nathan Foster, Zac Morgan, and Morgan Griffiths all crossed the whitewash for the visitors, with Bob Froy converting three and adding a penalty to secure a bonus-point victory. Llanybydder’s John Evans delivered an impressive hat-trick of tries, with one conversion by Matthew Rowlands, but St Davids’ all-round performance proved too much for the home side.

Division Four West continues to deliver thrilling rugby as teams battle for position in a tightly contested league.