A THRILLING set of results unfolded in the Pembrokeshire Second Division, with the league table starting to take shape. Teams across the division were involved in high-scoring and closely contested fixtures, making the battle for promotion and survival more intense. Below is a breakdown of the key matches from the latest round of games.

Broad Haven 0-5 Lawrenny

Broad Haven’s struggles continued as they were outclassed by Lawrenny in a 5-0 defeat. Owen James delivered an outstanding performance, netting a hat-trick. Matthew Lewis and Joe Kidney added to the scoreline, leaving Broad Haven rooted to the bottom of the table, still without a win. Lawrenny will be boosted by the result as their first win lifts them off the bottom.

Camrose 3-2 Monkton Swifts II

League leaders Camrose were pushed hard but maintained their excellent form with a 3-2 victory over Monkton Swifts II. Rudy Poole was the star, scoring twice to secure the win, keeping Camrose at the top of the table. Monkton Swifts put up a fight but remain mid-table.

Carew II 0-4 Neyland

Neyland continued their strong push for promotion with a comfortable 4-0 win against Carew II. Ben Gale bagged a brace, while Simon Ellis added to the tally, alongside an own goal from Carew. Neyland stay hot on the heels of Camrose in the race for the top spot, while Carew remain in a difficult position near the foot of the table.

Fishguard Sports 4-3 Solva

In an action-packed match, Fishguard Sports edged Solva 4-3 to keep up their challenge near the top of the table. Luke Thomas scored twice, supported by goals from Adam Lawrence and Ieuan Llewellyn. Solva’s efforts included two goals from Leo Dinmore and a strike from Josh Bland, but they came up just short in this seven-goal thriller.

Johnston 3-3 Narberth

A six-goal thriller saw Johnston and Narberth share the points in a 3-3 draw. Craig Bendall, Joey George, and Steve Mills were on target for Johnston, while Steffan Williams’ brace and Chris Brown’s strike earned Narberth a valuable point. Both teams remain in the middle of the table, with Johnston now hoping for more consistency in future matches.

Merlins Bridge II 4-1 Hakin United II

Merlins Bridge II produced a fine performance to beat Hakin United II 4-1, with Daniel Pearce netting twice. Liam Manwaring also got on the scoresheet, while Hakin contributed to their own downfall with an own goal. Henry Mayhew scored Hakin’s consolation goal, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a heavy defeat. Merlins Bridge move up the table, keeping their hopes of a strong season alive.

The results mean Camrose remain top with 16 points after their narrow win, continuing their unbeaten form. While Neyland are second, level on points with the leaders.

Fishguard Sports are also close behind with 15 points, just one point off the leaders, making it a tight three-horse race at the minute.

At the opposite end of the table Broad Haven FC continue to struggle, still searching for their first win of the season, with only two points after seven games.

AT Rally Chile, Welsh driver Elfyn Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin in their Toyota GR Yaris finished a commendable second, just 23.4 seconds behind team-mate Kalle Rovanpera from Finland. Despite formidable performances throughout the weekend, Evans couldn’t surpass the leading pace set by Rovanpera, who extended his advantage to 15.1 seconds by the final day.

Belgian racer Thierry Neuville edged closer to clinching his first World Rally Championship title by finishing fourth in his Hyundai. Neuville’s consistent performance throughout the season places him at the top of the standings with only two races remaining.

The rally, marked by challenging conditions including dense fog on Saturday and tricky tracks on Sunday, saw some of the season’s most dramatic driving. While Evans showcased some of Sunday’s best driving, Rovanpera proved unbeatable, dominating the field with his pace and precision.

Estonian driver Ott Tanak ascended to second in the overall standings after benefiting from the misfortune of Frenchman Sebastien Ogier, who faced suspension issues on Saturday forcing him to retire. However, Ogier made a strong comeback on Sunday, claiming victory in all four power stages to boost his points, ensuring he remains a contender in the championship.

With the 2024 season nearing its conclusion, Neuville looks poised to secure the championship as the teams prepare for the upcoming Central Europe Rally, traversing through Czechoslovakia, Germany, and Austria, followed by the final event in Japan. The tight race and the challenging conditions promise an exciting conclusion to this year’s championship.

Provisional World Rally Championship Standings after Rally Chile:

1. Thierry Neuville (Belgium) – Hyundai, 207 points
2. Ott Tanak (Estonia) – Hyundai, 178 points
3. Sebastien Ogier (France) – Toyota, 166 points
4. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain) – Toyota, 161 points
5. Adrien Fourmaux (France) – Ford, 150 points
6. Kalle Rovanpera (Finland) – Toyota, 114 points

THIS weekend’s action in Pembrokeshire’s First Division saw the competition heat up further, with notable performances both at the top and the bottom of the table. Here’s the full breakdown:

St Ishmaels 4-3 Carew

St Ishmaels secured their second win of the season with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Carew, continuing a positive run of form after thrashing Herbrandston 8-0 last week. This recent string of good results has seen them climb out of the relegation zone. While it’s still early days, St Ishmaels appear to be building momentum after their shaky start to the season.

Clarbeston Road 5-0 Merlins Bridge

Clarbeston Road put in a commanding performance against Merlins Bridge, securing a 5-0 victory. Ben John and Laurie Haworth both bagged two goals, while Matthew Griffiths also got on the scoresheet, highlighting Clarbeston’s attacking prowess. They remain firmly in the top half of the table and continue to push for a top three finish.

Hakin United 1-0 Kilgetty

Hakin United, currently second in the table, had to grind out a 1-0 win against Kilgetty, with Shane Walsh scoring the decisive goal. Despite a solid defensive display from Kilgetty, Hakin’s resilience shone through, though the match once again showed that they are not as dominant as in previous seasons. The victory sees Hakin stay two points behind league leaders Goodwick United.

Milford United 1-6 Tenby

Tenby continued their scintillating form with a dominant 6-1 win over Milford United. Scott Ferney led the charge with a hat-trick, supported by goals from Daniel Storer, Joe Leahy, and James Adern. Milford managed a single goal through Anthony Hubbuck, but Tenby’s quality shone through. Tenby now sits third in the league and looks capable of pushing the top two, Hakin and Goodwick.

Monkton Swifts 2-3 Goodwick United

Goodwick United, the league leaders, maintained their position at the top after a tough 3-2 win against Monkton Swifts. Goodwick continue to set the pace, but with teams like Tenby and Hakin United hot on their heels, the title race promises to be closer this year compared to previous seasons.

Pennar Robins 8-1 Herbrandston

Pennar Robins inflicted yet another heavy defeat on bottom-placed Herbrandston, this time winning 8-1. Herbrandston remains winless and rooted to the bottom of the table, having conceded a staggering 49 goals in just seven matches. They are looking increasingly likely to face relegation unless there’s a dramatic turnaround in form.