Sport
Riders rewarded for hard work
RED KITE TREC Group Riding Club celebrated its first full year as a British Horse Society Riding Club with a social event at which members were presented with a series of awards.
Maxine Nixon, Chair of the Riding Club said: “As a new club the Red Kite TREC Group had been very fortunate to gain sponsorship for awards from local businesses.
“While other local riding clubs tend to offer riders opportunities to compete in showing jumping and dressage events the Red Kite TREC Group offers riders an exciting way to learn new skills and build confidence for both horse and rider whatever their age or experience.
“The Riding Club has riders who are newcomers to the BHS TREC discipline who have just started to compete right up to one club member, Lynn Davies, who has ridden for the Senior GBR TREC Team at the World Championships.”
Last winter the Riding Club held a series of TREC competitions in which riders and their horses were required to negotiate a variety of obstacles. NFU Mutual Insurance, Narberth sponsored the Newcomers Class award which was accepted by Vice Chair, Lynn Davies on behalf of winner Anne Howkins McKay from Denise Rigby and Rachel Bowen, Insurance Administrators at the Narberth Branch.
The Intermediate Class , sponsored by Station Garage at Kilgetty, was won by Wendy Bernard on her horse Amber and was presented by Vice Chair, Lynn Davies, on behalf of the Hyundai Dealership. Alun and Gwenfair Mason from Lampeter Velfrey presented their Open Class Champions Shield to Kate Gillam. Arberth Veterinary Centre, Narberth sponsored the Pairs Champions award which was won by Shan Pace and Elspeth Lancaster.
Maxine Nixon continued: “BHS TREC develops the skills a horse and rider needs while out hacking, with three phases testing your ability in orienteering, negotiating obstacles and basic flatwork. It really is a sport for everyone and the Red Kite TREC Group regularly runs training days to help members develop the necessary skills.”
During the summer Red Kite TREC Group members entered BHS TREC competitions throughout Wales and as a club the Group ranks members into a league table. This year the league table was topped by Bridget Stein. Eifion Roberts was second and Dorothy Harris third.
In recognition of the distance individual members have ridden in TREC events the Riding Club presents riders with Milestone awards on completion of 50Km, 100Km, 150Km, 250Km and 500Km. 500Km, “milestones” were awarded to Lynn Davies and Chris Paine.
Maxine said: “The Club also enters teams in Endurance GB’s Riding Club competitions and this year came fifth in the UK Championship held at Builth Wells. The Club was placed third in the”Best Turned Out Team” competition at the Championship”
She added: “Red Kite TREC Group is a really friendly club. Our membership has steadily increased over its first twelve months. We hope to go forward from strength to strength and would welcome new members to one of our taster events.
News
Tigers second division Cup Champions
In a thrilling Pembrokeshire Division Two Cup final under the floodlights of Bridge Meadow Stadium, fans witnessed an epic battle between Monkton Swifts reserves and Johnston. Despite Monkton Swifts reserves being touted as favorites, Johnston proved their mettle from the outset.
The game kicked off with a burst of energy as Johnston’s center half, Craig Bendall, seized an early opportunity to put his team ahead just ten minutes into the match. However, Monkton Swifts’ prolific Scotsman, Davis, swiftly responded with an equalizer, showcasing the resilience of the favourites.
The momentum shifted again when the dynamic duo of Alfie and Scott Crawford of Johnston orchestrated a beautifully executed goal, putting Johnston back in the lead at 2-1.
As the game progressed, Monkton Swifts brought in reinforcements, including Ben Steele, to regain control. Their efforts paid off when Jordan Kilby leveled the score at 2-2 with just under 20 minutes remaining.
But the Crawfords had other plans. Combining once more, Scott provided the assist for Alfie, who coolly finished to put Johnston ahead once again.
With time running out, Monkton Swifts launched a relentless onslaught in search of an equalizer. However, Johnston’s defense held firm, defying the odds to clinch the Division Two Cup title in a memorable victory.
The match showcased the passion and determination of both teams, with Johnston emerging as deserving champions in a fiercely contested final at Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Sport
Promotion, relegation and everything in between.
As we come to the end of the 2023-2024 season it’s time to look at the winners and losers so to speak as most promotion and relegation battles are now all sewn up.
We begin at the very top where Goodwick United have blown away the first division to become deserved champions elect. At the opposite end of the table Fishguard Sports struggled all season and we comfortably relegated, going down with them are Neyland who’s relegation was confirmed a few weeks ago. Neither team were cut adrift and battled right until the end which is credit to both outfits, sometimes relegation can act as a spring broad and both clubs will be hoping this is the case.
Monkton Swifts reserves were the outstanding team in the second division and were a cut above the rest on their journey to becoming league champions on 56 points with an impressive plus 61 goal difference. As Monkton can’t be promoted due to their first team being in the first division it allowed both Herbrandston and St Ishmaels to be promoted. Herbrandston finished in third on 40 points, whilst the Mice just beat them to second place ending up on 42 points. Both clubs will now use the summer to prepare for the step up that awaits.
At the opposite end of the division, Cosheston never really got going and after their points deduction ended on a lowly 6 points which is never going to be enough to avoid relegation. The second relegation place was much closer with St Clears, Carew reserves and Broad Haven all being in a dog fight for the majority of the season. Broad Haven showed good fight and character which steered them clear of trouble while Carew found form at a key time, which means St Clears will play their football in the third division next season.
Sport
Fox’s Fantastic Clarby shock the county to win Senior Cup
Strong favourites Goodwick United were expected by many to be lifting the senior cup again come Saturday afternoon. However Clarbeston Road had other ideas, we warned they were a dangerous opponent with pressure off, this proved to be the case.
A healthy crowd at the Bridge Meadow were treated to an excellent final, often cagey perhaps boring affairs this final was far from boring. It took just seven minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Clarby captain Rheinallt George put the underdogs ahead. However just before the twenty minute mark his opposite number in Scott Delaney squared things up with a trademark header.
Goodwick then took the lead when another set piece caused problems for Clarby who failed to deal with a free kick before Rhys Dalling latched onto the loose ball to volley his team into the lead. However the lead was short lived as the impressive Jake Booth found the net at the second time of asking to make it all square at the break.
Halfway through the second half another set piece led to the equaliser when Matthew Davies headed home a Laurie Haworth corner. Goodwick manager O’Sullivan rung the changes in search of a way to find an equaliser. Newly introduced striker Nathan Greene was fouled in the box and Rhys Jones had the chance to level the cup final, however Rhys Mansell had other ideas and he saved the penalty. The save gave his team a huge boast and belief that this could be their day, and indeed it was.
Most of the season we have hyped up the quality and character of this Clarby team and praised Matthew Fox and his players. Fox has done a excellent job and this is just rewards, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Clarby began this cup run by beating Hakin who have dominated this cup for so many years. An excellent achievement for all involved and an interesting plot going into next season, will Clarby be able to challange Goodwick in the league also.
For Goodwick it’ll be a bitterly disappointing defeat in a season of such dominance just the one trophy will be the least most expected from this quality side. Many thought Goodwick would win the treble and they were certainly capable, which will be the frustrating factor for the Goodwick management.
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