Sport
Quins upset the odds
Pembroke 0
Pembroke Dock Quins 7
League 3 West A
PEMBROKE DOCK QUINS ensured they would have the bragging rights as they put in a determined performance to come away with a 0-7 win over rivals Pembroke on Saturday (Dec 17).
Going into the game, Pembroke sat third in the table and knew that a win would keep them in touch with leaders Milford.
However, the Quins who sat third from bottom with just two wins to their name, had other ideas and produced an excellent display to frustrate their rivals.
The last meeting between the two sides ended 12-17 to Pembroke and the Quins were also keen to avenge that loss.
The game was a tense affair, with both sides giving the ball away on a number of occasions.
The Quins started well and a kick forward looked to put them through but the ball was knocked on and a penalty awarded to the home side.
Pembroke had a chance to take the lead after 10 minutes but Luke Hartland’s penalty was short and the game remained without a score.
Possession continued to switch back and forth between the teams but neither were able to find the opening score of the game.
Towards the end of the first half, Pembroke pushed forward looking to take the lead but they were held up well by a good Quins’ defence.
Quins’ Kevin Bratcher was shown a yellow card late in the half for an infringement but Pembroke were unable to make the man-advantage count.
It was the Quins who started the second half well and they finally got the opening score which their play had deserved.
The Quins worked the ball in front of the posts and it was Ben Hathaway who forced his way over the line, much to the delight of the Quins and their fans. Hathaway then picked himself up to send the conversion through the posts for a 0-7 lead.
The visitors knew that Pembroke would respond and it looked as if they might score but a pass wasn’t collected and the chance was gone.
The first half pattern of both teams giving possession away with a number of penalties returned as Pembroke were unable to get through.
Both sides gave their all in this game throughout as a number of crunching tackles were made in a typical local derby.
Kevin Bratcher was given his second yellow card late on and was therefore sent off but it did little to affect the outcome of the game.
The Quins were given a late penalty but Hathaway’s kick fell short and Pembroke were still in with a chance of getting something out of the game.
However, the Quins held out well and the referee’s whistle brought celebrations amongst the Quins’ players as they ensured an even happier Christmas with bragging rights over Pembroke.
The rugby takes a break over the festive period with no league fixtures until Saturday, January 7, when Pembroke will look to bounce back against Neyland.
On the same day the Quins will be hoping to build on their win as they welcome Cardigan.
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.
Sport
South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics
Two of the finest athletes in south-west Wales are dreaming about bringing home medals from the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Track cyclist Emma Finucane and sailing star Micky Beckett will head to France in a buoyant mood after enjoying a successful build-up to their respective events.
Welsh athletes collected a record-equalling 11 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games and hopes are high that the tally could be beaten this year.
The Carmarthen-born rider cemented her rapid rise up the sprint ranks by winning a gold medal at the 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.
She became Great Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 and is now on track to chase more medals at the Olympics across three events.
The 21-year-old has yearned to compete at the Summer Games since watching Team GB sparkle at London 2012 and she is eager to make her mark this summer.
“It’s a massive dream of mine and it’s pretty cool that I’m kind of living my dream,” Finucane said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the journey and hopefully I’ll get selected and compete for my country.
“And it’s exciting because as the Team GB women’s sprint. I feel like we’re in a really good place to do well at the Olympics, not just compete as Olympians.”
Pembrokeshire-born sailor Beckett will also head to Paris with his sights firmly set on winning gold in the hugely competitive ILCA 7 class.
He will renew rivalries with Australian Matt Wearn, who controversially claimed the World Championship title ahead of Hermann Tomasgaard and Beckett earlier this year.
Online bookmakers rate Wearn as the favourite to emerge victorious this summer, but Beckett’s recent form gives him every chance of turning the tables.
Several new sports betting sites in Australia cut the Welsh sailor’s Olympic odds after he completed a trio of World Cup successes at a recent event in Palma.
Beckett believes the hard work he has done over the past few months gives him every chance of toppling Wearn when the action gets underway this summer.
“There is still plenty of work to do and managing form is probably the most important thing of any athlete’s job,” Beckett said. “There is no point being the best in the world unless you are the best in the world when it counts.
Sport
Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown
In the picturesque setting of Kilgetty, under the soft glow of the evening sun, local football fans were treated to an enticing clash between Kilgetty and Carew in the Pembrokeshire League Division 1. With the season winding down, both sides took to the pitch amidst numerous squad rotations, following a hectic week of multiple fixtures.
The match kicked off in a leisurely pace, resembling more of an end-of-season friendly than a fierce competition. Kilgetty seized the early initiative, with the trio of Josh Bevan, Richard Tebbut, and Richard Cope causing headaches for the Carew defense, skillfully led by Gareth Lewis. It was Jac Waters who broke the deadlock for the home side, putting Kilgetty ahead 1-0 as the first half came to a close.
However, Carew emerged revitalised after the break, with Jonty Bennett, James Hinchcliffe, and Zac Rowell putting in the hard yards to level the score. The introduction of Harvey Drummond for the ineffective Sam Christopher added further depth to Carew’s attacking prowess, culminating in an equaliser courtesy of the excellent Hinchcliffe.
As tensions rose, the game took on a newfound intensity, marked by needless bookings, after a clearly offside goal and a few heated moments on the field. Despite the fatigue evident from their recent fixture congestion, both teams showcased their competitive spirit, treating the fans to an entertaining second half.
In the end, neither side could break the deadlock, with Kilgetty and Carew having to settle for a well-fought 1-1 draw. While neither team was at their absolute best, the match provided a fitting conclusion to their respective seasons.
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