Sport

Scarlets off to a flier in title defence

Published

9 years ago

November 4, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Scarlets Girls U18’s 33
Ospreys Girls U18s 5

Try Time: The Scarlets dive over the line (Pic. Riley Sports)

A RAFT of talented girls from across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire helped the Scarlets Under 18’s get the defence of their regional championship title off to an excellent start on Sunday in Nantgaredig RFC by running in 5 tries and recording a bonus point win over a much improved Ospreys outfit 33 points to 5.

The girls in red opened their account after 3 minutes when, after excellent interplay between forwards and backs, centre Carly Jones broke through the opposition defence to score near the posts. Back rower Lleucu George duly converted the try.

Any thought that this game might be a one sided affair ended when from the kick off Ospreys burst into action and after an intense period of pressure the visiting supporters were duly rewarded when influential captain, Kelsey Jones, powered through the Scarlets defence to score a well-deserved try.

The Ospreys girls were ferocious in the contact area, turning the Scarlets ball over and putting the visitors once again on the front foot. Only resolute defence on the part of the home team held the visitors at bay. Indeed the next score registered was totally against the run of play, when Scarlets captain Bethan Lewis, managed to force an interception and show a good turn of speed and race away to score from 60m out. Scrum Half Lucy Packer adding the extras.

This score seemed to settle the home team and they finally started putting some phases together forcing the Ospreys to concede a penalty at the ruck. The Scarlets opted to kick it into the corner, and from the resulting lineout the home team set up an excellent driving maul. As the Ospreys committed more and more players to try and stem the diving maul, the ball was spun along the reds back line for Full back Delun Allcock to score an excellent try, George converting the try to give the Scarlets a half time lead of 21 points to 5.

The Ospreys started the second half with renewed vigour and once again put the home team under extreme pressure, but to their credit the Scarlets girls held firm and started to counter the threat that the visitors posed. Once again the Reds reverted to the phase play that had proved so successful at the end of the first half and were duly rewarded when Whitland speedster, Megan Davies was put clear. With the line seemingly at her mercy an excellent last-ditch tackle hauled her down. However, from the resulting ruck, the Ospreys were once again caught off side and some quick thinking by No 9 Lucy Packer saw her evade several tackles to score a great individual try and secure the bonus point for her team.

The Scarlets were now dominating the set piece and playing all their rugby on the front foot. Four minutes later, Allcock was fed the ball midway inside the Ospreys half and she duly raced away from the cover defence to record her second and the Scarlet’s 5th try of the day. At this point the Scarlets bench was emptied in order to give all the players some valuable game time.

With eight minutes left on the clock, Ospreys prop, Georgia Rossi, suffered an injury and the game was brought to a premature end.

The Scarlets will be extremely pleased with their days work. Pembrokeshire duo, Katie Thicker and Carys Lloyd were outstanding throughout as was Loosehead prop Gwenllian Prys. But credit must be given to the whole Ospreys outfit and to the significant progress and improvement they have made since last season.

Speaking after the game, Scarlets head coach Daryl Morgan said:

“The Ospreys have really grown and developed as a squad. They have some very talented players and they’re going to be a real handful to the other regions as the season goes on.

“It’s almost a relief to get the first game out of the way, today has given us a great foundation to build on for the rest of the season. I’m really pleased with the way the girls settled into the game after a bit of a rocky start. There was a lot of nerves before kick-off and there’s no doubt they impacted on the way we started the game, if anything, in the early stages we were trying too hard. But the players got back to what we’ve been working on in training and I’m really happy to come away with the win”

Next Weekend sees the Senior Women’s Regional Championship begin with The Scarlets taking on The Dragons in Whitland RFC, kick-off 2.30pm

TEAM:

Delun Allcock (Ammanford) 14. Katie Thicker (Haverfordwest) 13. Carly Jones (Ammanford) 12. Libby Jones (Welshpool) 11. Megan Davies (Whitland) 10. Megan Beech (Carmarthen Quins) 9. Lucy Packer (Ammanford) 8. Nia Walters (Whitland) 7. Bethan Lewis (captain) (Carmarthen Quins) 6. Lleucu George (Whitland) 5. Carys Lloyd (Pembroke Dock) 4. Catrin Rees (Ammanford) 3. Ruby Roberts (Nant Conwy) 2. Lauren Morgan (Whitland) 1. Gwenllian Pry (Nant Conwy)

Replacements:

Aeysha Fairclough (Ammanford) 17. Billy Joe Alexander (Ammanford) 18. Nicole Davies (Whitland) 19. Teresa Evans (Carmarthen Quins) 20. Megan Williams (Ammanford) 21. Sioned Phillips (Caernarfon) 22. Ffion Howells (Pembroke Dock) 23. Maisie Mackenzie (Ammanford)

Sport

New Hedges Saundersfoot win cup final in style.

Published

2 days ago

May 2, 2024

Herald Sport

Division Four Cup Final

New Hedges Saundersfoot 7-1 St Ishmaels Reserves

The Division Four Cup Final between New Hedges Saundersfoot and St Ishmaels reserves took place at Monkton Swifts, witnessed by an eager crowd. The game, officiated by Sean O’Connor, with Gareth Elliot and Dean Driscoll as assistant referees, promised an intense battle for the coveted trophy.

From the onset, New Hedges Saundersfoot showcased their dominance. Owen, Miles, Davidson, and Marsh all getting on the score sheet leading to an impressive goal tally.

The Mice never gave up and battled well but they struggled to contain their opponent’s attacking quality. Thomas Williams managed the one and only goal for Tish.

The final score stood at an emphatic 7-1 in favor of New Hedges Saundersfoot, underlining their superiority throughout the match.

New Hedges Saundersfoot emerged as deserved victors, clinching the silverware and adding a significant achievement to their season. Their comprehensive victory in the cup final will undoubtedly be celebrated by players and fans alike. Despite falling short of promotion in their league campaign, this triumph will serve as a testament to their talent and resilience on the field.

In conclusion, the Division Four Cup Final witnessed a commendable display of skill and determination from both teams. Congratulations to New Hedges Saundersfoot for their outstanding performance and well-deserved victory in the final.

News

Tigers second division Cup Champions

Published

3 days ago

May 1, 2024

Herald Sport

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.

Published

3 days ago

May 1, 2024

Herald Sport

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.