Sport

T20 International: Carnival or cricket?

Published

8 years ago

June 30, 2017

Laugharne & Hundleton Cricket Club: T20 Swalec Stadium

THE NATIONAL T20 I NTERNATIONAL between England and South Africa attracted over 15,000 spectators to the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff last Sunday (Jun 25) who were entertained royally by a performance that could have graced the West End stage.

Cricket can no longer be the pastime of the gentry, enjoyed of an afternoon on a village green in Middle England, where the Lord of the Manor XI played his workers; winning of course, with his grace ensuring he scored runs and took wickets to rapturous applause from the gathered throng of villagers, many of whom either work for him or had someone who worked for him.

This quintessential snapshot of cricket is a generation once removed and there is more chance of the noble game being played on the moon before its return.

Cricket is rich in history and the T20 format is heavy in entertainment value and rewards, for the England and Wales Cricket Board, Glamorgan County Cricket Club and the players. The bandwagon that is T20 sees players making a living at this format of the game, travelling to the Caribbean for the Calypso League, Australia for the Big Bash and the Indian Premier League. Adorned by those who follow the game these can live long in retirement.

Cricket is a sport; to achieve such rewards requires determination, success and luck. Ask thirty six year old Kevin Pieterson, or his mouthpiece Piers Morgan for their views on T20 cricket, some three years after Pietersons sacking by the ECB. A maximum of four hours game time compared to those who play ‘Test’ or County cricket, with seven hours of cricket each day, over four or five consecutive days.

T20 in Cardiff is an advert for the Capital City and Wales. Supported by the Welsh Government and the quango, ‘Visit Wales’ the influx to the economy goes beyond a matchday, with supporters returning on family holidays. That investment is the cricket, in a stadium designed to accommodate 16,000 people with an infrastructure to support it.

The SWALEC stadium has pedigree for producing the product, the recent ICC Champions games bear testament. Supporters follow the brand ‘Team England (and Wales) but they follow also the trail to Cardiff. The experience is everything and Cardiff is an attractive enticement; an International ground in the heart of a City.

Getting to game isn’t easy from west Wales, as Larter and Chris Williams [Lawrenny Cricket Club], testify as their National Express bus leaves half an hour after the end of play, to Kilgetty before taking the train to Narberth, and acquiring the ‘Family Taxi Service’ home. Plans can be made as the game will finish at the designated time of 5:40pm; short, sharp, full on razzmatazz and T20 appeal is unquestionable.

South Africa elected to field in overcast conditions series decider. Mangaliso Moshele dropped the old fashioned ‘Up N Under’ from Alex Hales as a passionate Wenglish crowd erupted. Morne Morkel squared the game accompanied by blaring music, flame throwers, TV replays and card waving, finger pointing spectators; 13-1 for cricket lovers but marketed to the Satellite spectator. This carnival of cricket appeals to all ages, where gender plays no part. Greeting the two teams entrance were Cricket Wales Girls teams.

England have rested skipper Eoin Morgan with the score at 1:1 in the series; baffling as their next ‘white ball’ game is 83 days away. But it hands Dawid Malan [Middlesex] his debut. He scored his first international run courtesy of a ‘six’; no mean feat on this stage when the ball is coming at 90mph. Small margins dictate a win or loss; South Africa’s fielding, particularly Andile Phehlukwayo was gifting the game to England as Malan became the highest scoring England T20 debutant.

The crowd, knowledgeable of the ‘stage play’ being performed to realise its building to a crescendo witness South Africa ensure the ‘Lions’ roar becomes croaky on 165-5 as the ‘Up N Unders’ were now being held. England closed on 181-8, which most of the crowd feel will be enough; just.

England resume with 22 – year- old Tom Curran milking the crowd for all his worth as he dive bombs in celebration of a wicket. Performances and charisma put bums on seats and Curran is the marketing gurus pin up as he ignites Wenglish choir. The Lager helps, both for those deep notes and for the attuned ears, and now the enigmatic conductor, AB Devilliers arrives.

AB lays bare the challenge to youngster Crane, where AB will do well to maintain South Africa’s record of 14 victories from the last sixteen series deciders. Half way stage and the visitors require 118 from 60 balls. AB dumps Cranes first four balls: 4,6,6,1. From the last ball he pings it to the hands of in front of the Fosters stand, to ‘Queens Another One Bites the Dust’. Number 44 Crane comes of age as he grows to ten foot tall on the back of the singing, becoming a giant in the Land of my Fathers. He’ll be back to Cardiff again; perhaps even beyond if he can persuade mum and dad to come on holiday.

England safely secure the ‘Up N Unders’ and the Boks have lost their spring, allowing the hosts Union Jack pyjama kit to shine brightly as the catching culprits at the crease for South Africa seek redemption. Adam Ants 1981 ‘Stand and Deliver’ as the mathematics show two runs a ball required for victory. On-field wickets only count in this game, although Moshele was superbly caught in the crowd by a paying spectator. His moment in the limelight shared on the Big Screens around the ground and Channel 402 across the World. Tick the box on that bucket list challenge before ‘Bomber Curran’ has one more finale as the game ends, 162-7.

Winners? England, by 19 runs, taking the series 2-1. Debutant Dawid Malan as man of the match. 15,000 supporters, a smiling CEO of Glamorgan Hugh Morris and those vendors trading within the stadium.

‘Hey Jude’, this crowd will also tell you it’s the business in and around Cardiff this weekend who will also be winners. Beyond this, Visit Wales and the Welsh Government will have statistics to prove the games true value, after the obligatory ‘Mexican Wave’ concludes.

News

Awards celebrate all that is good about Pembrokeshire sport

Published

4 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

6 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

7 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.