Sport

Neyland win Harrison Allen Bowl

Published

10 years ago

August 2, 2015

NEYLAND won the Harrison Allen Bowl for the seventh time in their club’s history after they beat Whitland with the last ball of the match in a dramatic final on Saturday, August 1.

Winning Captain: Gregg Miller lifts the Harrison Allen Bowl

Needing 111 to win, Neyland struggled and Whitland capitalised taking eight wickets.

However, Sean and Patrick Hannon remained steady and Patrick hit a four with the last ball to spark scenes of joy amongst the Neyland team and supporters.

Speaking after the match and of his last ball heroics, Patrick Hannon said: “Whitland brought the field in and I was looking to hit it over the top. Thankfully it went straight over and for four.

“Whitland did fantastically well, nobody would have believed, defending 111, that Whitland could have come close. Their bowlers did extremely well so all credit to them.

“This win is fantastic and it means a lot to us. We lost someone close to us earlier in the season in Martin “Ceefax” Rees so we want to dedicate this victory to him.”

Neyland skipper Gregg Miller accepted the Harrison Allen Bowl and also dedicated the win to Martin and thought back tears as he spoke of him.

Earlier in the day, Neyland won the toss and elected to bowl first, meaning they would be batting last.

The game was played at Cresselly Cricket Club in front of a good crowd and despite a short rain break, they enjoyed a thrilling game of cricket.

Paul Davies and Dylan Blain opened the batting for Whitland and made a good start but in the third over, the pair went for two runs but Davies came up short and he was run out.

Kevin Pearce was the new man but was soon sent back as he was caught by Patrick Hannon to leave Whitland 27-2.

Blain was joined at the crease by Jonathan Thomas and the pair put on twenty runs for the third wicket before Blain departed after hitting the ball straight to Nick Koomen on the boundary who made no mistake with the catch.

Iestyn Scourfield then found Patrick Bellerby on the ropes to leave Whitland on 57-4.

Thomas and Leighton O’Connor then shared 33 for the fifth wicket to put Whitland in a good position.

However, Thomas was clean bowled by Andrew Miller and he was sent back to the pavilion having made 31.

O’Connor then hit two sixes but was unlucky on the third occasion as he picked out Nathan Banner and Whitland were now 105-6.

Nathan Banner was brought into the attack and he soon removed Whitland captain Matthew Davies before 2 wickets in as many balls reduced them to 117-9.

Whitland could only add a further eight runs, finishing on 125-9 from their opening 22 overs.

Nathan Banner started the Neyland innings like a house on fire as he made 18 in the first two overs but he was undone and Whitland had their first wicket.

Gregg Miller and Ashley Sutton then took Neyland to 59-1 in the tenth over before rain interrupted.

After taking an early tea, play resumed and it didn’t take long for Sutton to get going as he hit a six from the fourth ball of the over.

Whitland’s Wayne Howells then took two crucial wickets as first he got rid of Gregg Miller for 48 before trapping Sutton Leg before wicket.

Nick Koomen played well in a brief cameo of 24 before another cameo, including two sixes off the last two balls, of 21 from Henry Durrant took Neyland to 154-5, a lead of 29 runs.

Whitland knew they would have to bat well early on in their second innings to clear the deficit and they reached it in the fourth over having lost one wicket.

They were going along at a steady pace and reached 60-2 in the ninth over, a lead of 31.

Jonathan Thomas then hit two big sixes as Whitland looked to get going again but that momentum was soon checked.

Thomas went for another big shot but he was caught on the boundary by Patrick Bellerby.

Three more wickets fell in quick succession, two to Andrew Miller and Whitland were left reeling on 86-6.

Scott Newton and Matthew Davies looked to keep the scoreboard ticking but Newton then hit the ball straight back to Andrew Miller who took the catch.

Whitland had moved on to 115-7 but only lead by 86 and knew they would need more to have a chance of winning the game.

Gregg Sleep was the new man but he was clean bowled having made 9 but Whitland’s lead had crept up to 99.

Disaster then struck for Whitland as captain Matthew Davies, on a score of 25, went for a single but he was sent back but he couldn’t get back in time and was unfortunately run out.

Mark Lee and Wayne Howells saw out the remaining overs as Whitland finished on 139-9, meaning Neyland would need 111 to win.

Some precise bowling early on restricted Neyland to 19-0 after the first five overs and things soon got worse.

Mark Lee bowled Gregg Miller for four before Ashley Sutton hit the ball back to Lee and he was sent back without scoring with Neyland on 21-2.

Out: Gregg Miller is bowled as the momentum swung in Whitland’s favour

Nathan Banner and Nick Koomen steadied the ship taking Neyland to 51-2 after 12 overs.

Banner was then out for 17 as he was caught on the boundary having made 17.

They then took 13 off one over, Koomen hitting a six and four to move on to 44, to move on to 85-3 but the momentum soon swung back in Whitland’s favour.

Andrew Miller was caught by Wayne Howells off the bowling of Jonathan Thomas and Neyland were 85-4.

Nick Koomen was still in on 44 but he attempted a sweep shot which proved to be his downfall as he missed and was given out LBW by the umpire.

Important knock: Nick Koomen’s 44 was crucial for Neyland

With the very next ball Patrick Bellerby walked down the wicket but missed the ball completely and keeper Blain had the easiest of stumpings and suddenly, Neyland were 86-6.

Henry Durrant departed soon after as he was caught on the boundary by Kevin Pearce off the bowling of Leighton O’Connor to leave Neyland on 99-7.

Jonathan Thomas then bowled Scott Jones and Neyland were 104-8.

That meant they would need seven off the last over. Try as they might they could not remove the Hannon brothers. They took five off the first five balls of the final over and the scores were level.

Whitland brought their field right in to save the single but Patrick Hannon lofted the ball back over the bowlers head for four and Neyland had won by two wickets.

It was a closely thought game and Whitland will be disappointed to lose in the way they did but can be proud of the fact that they came close to upsetting the odds.

Whitland’s Jonathan Thomas was named man of the match for his efforts but that will come as consolation to an unlucky Whitland side.

Man of the Match: Whitland’s Jonathan Thomas was named Man of the Match

For Neyland it is their second trophy this season after winning the Duggie Morris Cup and their seventh success in the Harrison Allen tournament.

News

Awards celebrate all that is good about Pembrokeshire sport

Published

2 days ago

December 2, 2025

Herald Sport

PEMBROKESHIRE’S sporting community came together on Friday evening as Folly Farm hosted the annual Sport Pembrokeshire Awards – a night dedicated to honouring achievements across every level, age group and discipline.

The awards recognise exceptional performances, inspiring journeys and the volunteers who keep local sport thriving behind the scenes. The ceremony was once again presented by Ceri Coleman-Phillips of BBC Wales Sport, supported by Cris Tomos.

Lifetime honour for Premier League star

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to Pembrokeshire’s own Simon Davies.
The former Wales winger enjoyed a distinguished Premier League career with Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.

Davies scored in the 2010 Europa League final for Fulham, won fifty-eight caps for Wales – scoring six – and captained his country during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. He was named Welsh Footballer of the Year in 2002 and Fulham’s player of the season in 2007–08. After leaving the club in 2013, he returned to his boyhood side Solva AFC, famously paying £3 subs to play against St Ishmaels.

Special recognition for Wales Women’s Street Football Team

Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas introduced the evening’s Special Award, honouring the players of the Wales Women’s Street Football Team for their remarkable run to the quarter-finals of the Homeless World Cup in Oslo.

The squad trains in Haverfordwest and included five outstanding Pembrokeshire players – co-captains Tor Planner and Marie Tilley, alongside Claire Mantripp, Sam Lewtas and Bryony Davies. All have overcome personal challenges, including homelessness, mental health difficulties and social exclusion, yet wore the Welsh jersey with pride on the world stage.

The team was led by manager Jo Price, former Wales and Arsenal goalkeeper.
Support staff included Anji Tinley, Manager of the Garth Youth & Community Project and a Pembrokeshire County Councillor.

Cruising Free honoured after rowing the Atlantic

The Chairman’s Award for 2025 was presented by Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen to ‘Cruising Free’ of Neyland Rowing Club, who achieved one of the world’s toughest endurance feats – rowing 3,200 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

Sophie Pierce, Janine Williams, Miyah Periam and Polly Zipperlan completed the gruelling crossing from Lanzarote to Antigua, raising money for cystic fibrosis and the Paul Sartori Foundation.

At 32, Sophie became the first person with cystic fibrosis to row an ocean, while 70-year-old Janine became the oldest woman ever to complete the challenge. The team’s achievement was hailed as a powerful example of determination, unity and courage.

Parkrun pioneers win School Award

The School Award went to the Federation of Tavernspite and Templeton Schools – the first Parkrun School in the UK.

The federation has built a Parkrun curriculum with Parkrun UK, using the weekly event to boost physical activity, support wellbeing, and develop leadership through the Parkrun Ambassador scheme. The schools were praised for exceptional inclusion, providing adapted PE equipment, wheelchair races and strong support for disadvantaged pupils. Estyn has highlighted their work as best practice.

A strong year for Pembrokeshire sport

Summing up the event, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said:
“My congratulations go to everyone who won awards and all those nominated. We are so lucky to have such a strong sporting scene here in Pembrokeshire, and my thanks go to all those who work so hard to ensure people of all ages and abilities can take part in the sports they love. Thanks also to our sponsors Valero, Folly Farm and Pure West Radio for supporting this celebration each year.”

Full list of winners

Girls U16: Ava Tyrie (Brazilian Ju Jitsu – Pembroke MMA)
Boys U16: Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)

Club of the Year: Milford Haven Hockey Club (MAIN PHOTO)
Junior Disability: Jake Evans (Llangwm RFC)
Young Volunteer: Alannah Heasman (Haverfordwest High School)
Junior Team: Merlin’s Bridge FC Under-14s 2024/25
Unsung Hero: Jenny Lewis (Clarbeston Road AFC)
Senior Team: Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club
Male Achievement: Liam Bradley (Triathlon)
Female Achievement: Sanna Duthie (Running)
Disability Sport: Rachel Bailey (Boccia)
Club Organiser: Silfan Rhys-Jones (Fishguard Table Tennis Club)
Coach of the Year: James North (Kilgetty AFC)
School Award: Tavernspite & Templeton Federation of Schools
Chairman’s Award: Cruising Free (Neyland Rowing Club)
Special Award: Street Football Wales
Lifetime Achievement: Simon Davies (Wales, Spurs, Fulham, Everton & Solva AFC)

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Week ten results

Published

4 days ago

November 30, 2025

Herald Sport

The Friendly League continues as Reynalton close the gap on leaders East Williamston

THE LATEST round of fixtures in the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association’s Friendly League produced another mix of tight contests and emphatic victories.

Kilgetty were beaten 8–2 at home by Hundleton, while Reynalton delivered the standout performance of the week with a 10–0 win over East Williamston. Llanteg also impressed, defeating Carew 8–2.

Elsewhere, St Twynnells claimed a 7–3 win away at the Badgers, and Lamphey ran out 7–3 winners against St Johns. Cosheston had the bye.

League table – Week ten

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	S/D	Points
East Williamston	8	7	0	1	+130	62
Reynalton	8	5	1	2	+64	50
Hundleton	8	4	1	3	+3	42
Llanteg	8	4	0	4	–5	41
Badgers	9	3	1	5	–21	41
St Johns	8	3	1	4	–6	38
St Twynnells	8	4	0	4	–34	37
Lamphey	9	4	0	5	–15	36
Kilgetty	9	4	0	5	–49	36
Cosheston	8	3	0	5	–13	35
Carew	7	3	0	4	–54	32

Reynalton’s dominant win means they move within touching distance of leaders East Williamston, setting up an intriguing second half to the season.

Sport

South Africa run riot as Wales suffer record defeat in Cardiff

Published

5 days ago

November 30, 2025

Herald Sport

Wales 0–73 South Africa
WALES endured one of the heaviest defeats in their history on Saturday as world champions South Africa ran in 11 tries at the Principality Stadium, producing a brutal 73-0 demolition that exposed the gulf between the sides and underlined the scale of the rebuilding task facing Welsh rugby.

The fixture, arranged outside the international window, left Wales without several first-choice players and short on experience. South Africa, by contrast, arrived in Cardiff at full strength and in ruthless form. What followed was a one-sided contest from the opening minutes to the final whistle.

First-half dominance

The Springboks established their authority early, their scrum immediately overpowering the Welsh pack and setting the tone for the afternoon. Tries from Gerhard Steenekamp, Ethan Hooker and Jasper Wiese put the visitors 21-0 ahead, with Wales struggling to exit their own half and repeatedly conceding penalties under pressure.

Wales’ lineout functioned reasonably well and there were brief flashes of ambition from Joe Hawkins, Joe Roberts and Rio Dyer, but every half-chance dissolved through handling errors or South Africa’s suffocating defensive line. A late surge from the Boks saw Morne van den Berg cross just before the break for a 28-0 half-time lead.

Second-half collapse

Any hopes of containment disappeared after the interval. South Africa emptied their bench—bringing on yet more power—and immediately cut through Wales again. Wilco Louw, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (twice), Canan Moodie, Ruan Nortje and Eben Etzebeth all scored in a relentless second half.

Wales’ discipline faltered under the pressure. Taine Plumtree and Aaron Wainwright were both shown yellow cards, with Wainwright’s high tackle sent to the bunker for review. South Africa’s own discipline cracked late on when Etzebeth received a straight red card for making contact with the eye area of Alex Mann—an incident captain Siya Kolisi later claimed was accidental.

Reaction

Player of the match Andre Esterhuizen, who produced a series of thunderous carries and turnovers, said the Springboks “worked really hard” to complete their Autumn clean sweep, praising Wales for “never giving up”.

Kolisi was gracious in victory but said he did not want the Etzebeth incident to overshadow the performance, adding: “The only way a team gets better is by playing the best. Wales will be stronger for facing this.”

Former Wales captain Dan Biggar, working as a pundit, was blunt in his assessment. “There are players there that aren’t at this level now, and may not play this level again,” he said. “I don’t think anyone learned anything from that.”

A difficult day for Welsh rugby

For Wales, the defeat will strengthen scrutiny of the WRU’s scheduling and long-term planning. A young and inexperienced squad battled gamely in patches—Mann, Hawkins and Dyer among those showing fight—but the mismatch was stark.

A crowd of around 50,000, well below capacity, reflected the mood of supporters as another bruising year for Welsh rugby nears its end.

Head coach Warren Gatland will now attempt to piece together the positives from a chastening afternoon, but the bigger questions facing the structure of the game in Wales remain unanswered.