Sport
Tenby seal double in thrilling final
Tenby 21
Aberystwyth 17
Pembrokeshire
KO Cup Final
TENBY secured a league and cup double on Friday night (May 12) as they beat Aberystwyth 21-17 in a pulsating Pembrokeshire KO Cup Final.
The game was played at Crymych’s Parc Lloyd Thomas Ground and a good crowd gathered to watch.
The Seasiders secured their league the previous weekend whereas opponents Aberystwyth finished their season on April 22.
However, Aber showed no signs of any ring-rust as they took the lead early on in the game.
After a lineout close to the line the ball was played to Matthew Hughes who spotted a gap to break through and score the opening try under the posts. Steffan Rees added the extras for a 7-0 lead.
Just two minutes later Tenby broke with Jordan Asparassa down the right who passed for Jonathan Morgan to score under the posts. Ashley Sutton then added the extras to level the scores.
With twelve minutes on the clock Tenby took the lead for the first time as Ashley Sutton scored from a penalty.
Tenby began to get into their stride and Morgan soon went over for his second try of the match. Ashley Sutton had a difficult conversion from wide on the left and his kick fell short leaving the score at 15-7.
The Seasiders again pushed forward but after they were held up, Aber conceded a penalty within kicking range and Sutton picked the ball up before sending it sailing through the posts.
The wind was proving a problem for Aber as they were given a penalty moments later but with the wind in their faces, the kick was held up and fell just short.
Tenby were then guilty of giving the ball away cheaply, giving Aber a line out. From that Aber moved the ball to the right for Steffan Rees who scored in the corner to reduce the deficit. Rees then did excellently to send the conversion through the posts to make it 14-18.
The half time whistle signalled the end to a thrilling first half with both sides giving their all to pick the cup.
Rain began to fall at the start of the second half and that led to a number of players slipping or dropping the ball as they struggled to adapt to the conditions.
Aber started the second half well and had a series of chances to go in front but they were held up well by some good Tenby defence.
Five minutes in Tenby were down to 14 men as Luke Hansford was shown a yellow card and Steffan Rees sent the resulting penalty through the posts to bring the gap between the two teams to just a single point.
It was end to end stuff but neither side were able to make a breakthrough. Two Tenby players went for the same ball and when the ball spilled forward to an Aber player it looked like they might score but the pass was dropped.
Aber replacement Tom Slinger then went on a run down the left wing and he kicked the ball towards the line. The referee spotted a foul by the Tenby player going for the ball just in front of the line and awarded a scrum to Aber.
From that scrum it seemed Tenby had won the ball but the linesman called play back stating that a Tenby player had knocked the ball backwards and Aber had another chance. However, they could not take advantage and another dropped pass gave play back to Tenby.
With ten minutes to go Tenby gave themselves a bit of breathing space as Sutton sent over another penalty.
Aber thought they had scored with seven minutes to go but the linesman spotted a forward pass and play was called back just as Gruff Jones was about to cross the line.
They again won the ball back but another knock on gave Tenby the chance to seal victory but Sutton’s penalty was wide. Sutton then tried his attempt at a drop goal as the ball came back to him but his shot went wide.
Tenby held on and the final whistle sparked scenes of celebrations amongst the Tenby players and coaches.
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.
Sport
The stage is set – Senior Cup Final
It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.
League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.
Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.
There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.
The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.
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