Sport

Angling: European Championships

Published

11 years ago

December 9, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Gala dinner and presentation: A great night had by all.

IT WAS the Dutch and not the Welsh anglers that swept virtually everything before them in European Federation of Sea Anglers 2014 European Shore Championships, organised by the Welsh Section, winning Individual Gold and Bronze as well as Team Silver and Bronze. Only German angler Volker Claus, winning the individual Silver and the Irish who won the International team competition, prevented the Netherlands from cleaning up completely It all started on the evening of Wednesday November 5 when 68 competitors, from 8 countries across Europe returned to Caernarfon to the Celtic Royal Hotel to attend registration for the event.

It was back to Llandudno’s northern foreshore, the only place it was possible to fish the opening Thursday 5 hour session, fished from daylight into dark. Following that gruelling session, not fish wise, but weather, as there were plenty to catch; the weather moderated and behaved itself for the second day of the competition when they could fish the intended beach at Pwllheli.

The final session, to be fished on the Saturday, again over 5 hours and entirely in the daylight, so that everything was done and dusted before the Gala Dinner, Presentation and Closing Ceremony that same evening, was again fished on the same stretch exactly as the previous evening so it was fair for all, none being able to snipe that someone only did well because they fished new ground during this last session.

At registration, on that first evening, the anglers were drawn 14 each into 5 zones, in which the matches would be fished, there being one angler from each international 5 man team in each zone, in this strictly catch, measure and release event, with individuals fitted in around them. Individual pegs were drawn on the beach in the zones 1 hour prior to the start, which worked and went down very well with all the anglers as a fair way to do things.

Where you finished in your zone would determine the points you were awarded with numbers of fish caught being used for count back purposes in the event of any ties. Fish caught were mainly whiting with quite a few Lesser Spotted Dogfish, with some Dabs, Flounder and the odd Codling.

So, how did the Welsh Lads and Ladies do? Well they had the winning Junior which was Daniel Tucker from Milford Haven and in the 5 man International Team event, in which the worst score is discarded each day, the Welsh A team, winners in 2010 at the same venue came a creditable 4th but by only 2 points, having held the lead after the first day.

This time the team consisted of, Philip Lustig (Stackpole), Haydn Cole (Lamphey), Derek Gregory (Milford Haven), Ken Gainfort (St Ishmaels) and John O’Connor (Llanycefn), Ken and Haydn finishing 7th & 9th respectively in the individual standings and Wales B team members Mike Flynn and Steve Lewis (Tenby) were 8th & 11th individually. Haydn was in the winning 3 and 4 man teams, Ken in the winning 2 man team. Mike was in the runners up 3 man and in the fourth placed 2 man team. Steve was in the runners up 2 man and in the third placed 3 man team. Tina Lustig (Stackpole), Derek and John managed a fourth in the Ladies, Senior and 4 man categories respectively. Finally, Daniel also had the longest round fish of the whole competition, a Bass of 43cm caught on the last day.

Sport

Haverfordwest County Under-13 girls shine at final FAW festival

Published

17 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Women and Girls have praised their under-13s after another strong showing at the third and final FAW Festival of the season.

The young Bluebirds travelled to Colliers Park in Wrexham on Saturday (Apr 4), where they once again impressed with their performances.

Club officials said the girls had performed fantastically well throughout the season, adding that everyone at Haverfordwest County was incredibly proud of their efforts.

The squad for the day was Libby O, Ela I, Ines M, Mila E, Scarlett C, Rachel B, Lydia H, Lilly M, Zara E, Leila P and Lillie EJ.

Well done girls.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Friendly League week 22 results

Published

18 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

RESULTS from week 22 of the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association Friendly League have been confirmed, with Badgers recording a comprehensive 10-0 win over Lamphey and St Twynnells edging past Cosheston 6-4.

An earlier fixture also saw Cosheston claim a 10-0 victory over Reynalton.

Several matches were postponed during the week, including Kilgetty v Carew, Llanteg v St Twynnells and Hundleton v East Williamston.

St Johns had the bye.

Latest results:
Cosheston 4 St Twynnells 6
Badgers 10 Lamphey 0
Cosheston 10 Reynalton 0

League table after week 22:
East Williamston — Played 19, Won 13, Drawn 0, Lost 6, Shot difference 169, Points 126
St Johns — Played 20, Won 12, Drawn 1, Lost 7, Shot difference 132, Points 118
Reynalton — Played 20, Won 8, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference 24, Points 99
St Twynnells — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 2, Lost 7, Shot difference 9, Points 99
Carew — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 9, Shot difference -12, Points 98
Hundleton — Played 19, Won 10, Drawn 1, Lost 8, Shot difference -7, Points 97
Llanteg — Played 18, Won 10, Drawn 0, Lost 8, Shot difference -16, Points 95
Badgers — Played 20, Won 7, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -104, Points 89
Cosheston — Played 19, Won 7, Drawn 2, Lost 10, Shot difference -39, Points 88
Lamphey — Played 20, Won 9, Drawn 0, Lost 11, Shot difference -71, Points 80
Kilgetty — Played 19, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 12, Shot difference -85, Points 73

League officials have reminded clubs that all outstanding matches must be completed by midnight on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Sport

Amman United Youth suffer agonising semi-final defeat

Published

18 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Herald Sport

Cup final dream slips away as Newcastle Emlyn battle back to seal 20-19 win in windy Carmarthenshire Cup clash

AMMAN UNITED YOUTH saw their Carmarthenshire Cup final hopes ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday (Apr 4) as Newcastle Emlyn snatched a 20-19 victory in a dramatic semi-final.

Played in difficult, windy conditions, the contest was fiercely competitive throughout, with Amman left to rue a series of handling errors that allowed the visitors back into the game.

Newcastle Emlyn made the stronger start, taking an early 3-0 lead through a penalty and then missing a chance to add to their tally.

Amman responded well and took control of the first half. Captain Ceian Lewis crossed following a well-worked catch-and-drive to put his side 5-3 in front. Toby Slater then produced an excellent touchline conversion in tough conditions to extend the lead to 7-3.

Amman continued to build momentum when Harvey Duncan made a sharp break down the wing to score their second try. Slater was again on target with an impressive conversion in the wind, giving his side a 14-3 lead at the break.

But the game turned soon after the restart. A costly Amman mistake allowed Newcastle Emlyn back into the contest, with the visitors scoring in the corner before adding the conversion to close the gap to 14-10.

Amman appeared to have steadied themselves when Kelston Fairhurst powered over from another catch-and-drive, stretching the lead to 19-10.

However, Newcastle Emlyn refused to give in. Strong forward play brought them another try, and the conversion cut the deficit to just two points at 19-17 as the pressure mounted in the closing stages.

The decisive moment came in the final five minutes when another Amman handling error handed Emlyn a crucial opportunity. The visitors worked their way into range and slotted a late penalty to edge ahead 20-19.

Amman had one final chance to rescue the game and opted for a catch-and-drive from a late penalty, having already found success with that tactic earlier in the match. This time, though, Newcastle Emlyn held firm to deny them and secure their place in the final.

It was a bitter end for Amman United Youth, who had looked in control at half-time, but Newcastle Emlyn showed resilience and composure when it mattered most.