Sport
Wales show heart in Dublin but Ireland hold firm
Ireland 27 – 17 Wales – Aviva Stadium, Dublin – Guinness Six Nations, Round Four
WALES produced their most encouraging performance of a difficult Six Nations campaign but ultimately fell to a 27–17 defeat against title-chasing Ireland in Dublin on Friday night.
In a fiercely contested match at the Aviva Stadium, Warren Gatland’s side showed resilience, energy and flashes of attacking brilliance, pushing the hosts far harder than many had predicted before Ireland’s experience told in the closing stages.
The defeat extends Wales’ winless run in the Championship to 15 matches, but the performance offered genuine signs of progress from a squad still rebuilding.

Ireland made the early breakthrough after six minutes when wing Jacob Stockdale finished neatly in the corner following slick build-up play. Fly-half Jack Crowley added the conversion to give the home side a 7–0 lead.
Wales gradually grew into the contest and were rewarded in the 17th minute when debutant fly-half Dan Edwards slotted a penalty to put the visitors on the scoreboard.
Defensively Wales were resolute, repelling repeated Irish attacks with a disciplined line that frustrated the hosts for long periods of the first half.
Just as Ireland looked to be heading into the break ahead, Wales produced a moment of magic. Loosehead prop Rhys Carre burst down the blindside, shrugging off a challenge before powering clear for a remarkable 35-metre try. Edwards converted to give Wales a shock 12–10 half-time lead.
Ireland responded quickly after the restart. Number eight Jack Conan crashed over in the 44th minute following sustained pressure, restoring the hosts’ advantage.
Yet Wales refused to fade. Replacement flanker James Botham finished a well-worked move just past the hour mark, and Edwards’ conversion cut the deficit to 19–17, raising hopes of an upset.
The decisive moment came in the 68th minute when fullback Jamie Osborne crossed following a clever offload from Stockdale, securing Ireland’s bonus point.
Crowley added a late penalty in the 77th minute after Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams was sin-binned, ensuring Ireland closed out the match 27–17.
Despite the defeat, Wales can take encouragement from a committed display that included more than 200 tackles and two well-taken tries.
Captain Dewi Lake said afterwards that the squad believes a breakthrough victory is close.
“The win is coming,” he said. “You can feel the belief building in the group.”
Against one of the tournament favourites, Wales showed determination and growing cohesion. If they can build on this performance, the long wait for a Six Nations victory may not last much longer.
Ireland: Tries – Stockdale (6), Crowley (37), Conan (44), Osborne (68); Cons – Crowley (2); Pen – Crowley (77).
Wales: Tries – Carre (40), Botham (63); Cons – Edwards (2); Pen – Edwards (17).
Man of the match: Jack Conan (Ireland)
Sport
Community spirit shines at Saundersfoot charity night
New Hedges/Saundersfoot United praised after another sell-out fundraiser
A COMMUNITY football club in Pembrokeshire is being praised after raising money for two important causes through another packed charity evening in Saundersfoot.
New Hedges/Saundersfoot United (NHSU) hosted a sell-out event at Regency Hall on Saturday night, bringing together local residents, supporters and well-known faces for an evening of entertainment and fundraising.
The event featured an appearance by Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams, comedian Lenny Dee, a silent auction and fundraising activities in support of the Maxwell Family Genomics Fund and Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity.
Organisers said the evening highlighted the power of community spirit in Pembrokeshire and the difference local support can make to charities which rely heavily on fundraising to continue their work.
Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity supports children and young people coping with bereavement across west Wales, offering specialist help to families facing difficult circumstances.

Support for families
The Maxwell Family Genomics Fund also benefited from the evening, with money raised helping efforts linked to medical research and support for affected families.
The event was organised by New Hedges/Saundersfoot United, a club increasingly earning a reputation for successful charity fundraising alongside its sporting activities.
Saturday’s fundraiser marked the third consecutive sell-out charity event hosted by the club, following previous popular evenings featuring former Wales striker John Hartson and former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.
Club praised
Local supporters have praised NHSU for creating events that not only entertain but also raise substantial sums for good causes at a time when many charities face growing financial pressures.
One organiser said community fundraising remained vital, particularly for smaller charities that often struggle to secure long-term funding.
Without local backing, many organisations helping vulnerable families would simply be unable to continue their work.
The evening at Regency Hall was widely described by attendees as another major success for the club and a reflection of the strong community spirit in Saundersfoot and New Hedges.
Photo caption:
Charity night success: Guests gathered at Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, for New Hedges/Saundersfoot United’s latest sell-out fundraising evening (Pics: Darth Marty Media).
Sport
Runners tackle new route in Ras Y Castell 10k
MORE than 90 runners took to the streets and paths around Cardigan on Friday evening (June 5) for the annual Ras Y Castell 10k.
The race, organised by Cardigan Running Club, followed a brand new 10-kilometre course starting in the grounds of Cardigan Castle.
The route took runners past Castle Green House before heading through the town, across the old bridge over the River Teifi, and along the Teifi Marshes footpath towards the Welsh Wildlife Centre.
Competitors then continued to Cilgerran, completing a loop through the village and passing its 12th-century castle before retracing their steps back to Cardigan.
A final climb up Grosvenor Hill brought runners back into the castle grounds and over the finish line.























The event came in a special year for Cardigan Castle, which later this month celebrates the 850th anniversary of the birthplace of the first Eisteddfod.
The supplied results named Riche Norris as first finisher, with Llion Williams and Owain Rowlands also among the leading men.
The first female finisher was Bethan Williams of Emlyn Runners in 43 minutes 56 seconds. Cardigan Running Club’s Leanne Roberts was second in 44 minutes 34 seconds, with Delyth Griffiths third in 47 minutes 25 seconds.
Winners received their awards in the castle grounds, where runners also enjoyed a free barbecue after the race.
Cardigan Running Club’s next events will be the Summer Poppit Sands races, with the first of three taking place on Tuesday, July 21.
Images: Stuart Ladd
Sport
Pembrokeshire cricket weekend round-up: Week 7 shakes up promotion races
A WEEKEND of big wins, shock defeats and abandoned fixtures tightened several promotion races across the Pembroke County Cricket League.
Saundersfoot strengthened their grip on Division One, Pembroke stayed top in Division Two, Laugharne moved ahead in Division Three, while Cresselly III and Haverfordwest IV remain the sides to catch lower down the pyramid.
Division One: Saundersfoot send title warning
Saundersfoot produced the statement performance of the weekend, crushing Carew by 125 runs after posting 208-4. Simon Stanford hit 98, while Nick Cope added an unbeaten 60 before taking 4-7.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Saundersfoot | 7 | 110 |
| Carew | 7 | 103 |
| Neyland | 7 | 92 |
| Cresselly | 7 | 78 |
| Burton | 7 | 76 |
Cresselly beat Narberth by 51 runs, Burton defeated Lawrenny by four wickets, and Herbrandston shocked Neyland by 60 runs.
Division Two: Pembroke lead tight race
Pembroke remain top after an eight-wicket win over Llechryd, but the chasing pack is close behind.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Pembroke | 7 | 107 |
| Johnston | 7 | 104 |
| Cresselly II | 7 | 103 |
| Hook | 7 | 99 |
| Haverfordwest | 7 | 95 |
Cresselly II edged Johnston by just two runs, while Haverfordwest, Hook and Llanrhian also picked up wins.
Division Three: Laugharne go top
Laugharne moved to the summit after beating Burton II, while Kilgetty slipped up against Lamphey, who bowled them out for just 58.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Laugharne | 7 | 104 |
| Kilgetty | 7 | 100 |
| Carew II | 7 | 88 |
| Saundersfoot II | 7 | 79 |
| Lamphey | 7 | 75 |
| Pembroke II | 7 | 75 |
David Blackwell starred for Lamphey with superb figures of 5-5, while Pembroke II thrashed Stackpole by nine wickets.
Division Four: Leaders under pressure
Rain disrupted the division, but St Ishmaels II and Neyland II both made ground with victories.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Narberth II | 7 | 93 |
| St Ishmaels II | 7 | 92 |
| Hook II | 7 | 84 |
| Lawrenny II | 7 | 84 |
| Neyland II | 7 | 81 |
St Ishmaels II beat Lawrenny II by seven wickets, while Neyland II defeated Herbrandston II by eight wickets.
Division Five: Llangwm II keep pressure on
Only one game was completed, with Llangwm II beating Whitland II by nine wickets.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Cresselly III | 6 | 106 |
| Llangwm II | 6 | 99 |
| Llanrhian II | 6 | 87 |
| Whitland II | 7 | 81 |
John Palmer made 36 and David Lewis 29 as Llangwm II chased 72 with ease.
Division Six: Scourfield century leads Haverfordwest IV
Gareth Scourfield produced one of the performances of the weekend, hitting an unbeaten 124 as Haverfordwest IV chased 212 to beat Haverfordwest/Cresselly by three wickets.
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Haverfordwest IV | 6 | 81 |
| Lamphey II | 5 | 76 |
| Neyland III | 7 | 75 |
| Whitland III | 6 | 73 |
Ollie Toy had earlier made 95 for Haverfordwest/Cresselly.
Weekend stars
| Player | Club | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Gareth Scourfield | Haverfordwest IV | 124 not out |
| Simon Stanford | Saundersfoot | 98 |
| Nick Cope | Saundersfoot | 60 not out and 4-7 |
| Charlie Arthur | Cresselly | 90 |
| David Blackwell | Lamphey | 5-5 |
| Jack Davies | Burton | 5-14 |
| Harry Nicholas | Herbrandston | 54 and 2-16 |
| Josh Lewis | Cresselly II | 57 and 3-31 |
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