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Bateman and Newman win Tennis titles

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Winner: Will Bateman hitting a forehand winner in the men’s final

ONCE again Haverfordwest played host to the historical Pembrokeshire County Tennis Championships. The tournament which also coincides with Wimbledon is steeped in over 80 years of history and this year’s event was as closely fought as ever.

As always the setting at The Parade, Haverfordwest creates an idyllic setting overlooking the town and the Cleddau river. The finals day presented some of the closest and longest matches in recent championship history as the sun shone and the weather was thankfully kinder than it had been at the start of tournament.

Following the official photocall, finals day began with the Men’s and Ladies singles final. Former Champion Will Bateman, who hadn’t picked up a racket competitively for 2 years prior to the start of the tournament, took on last year’s runner up and number one seed Dylan Preece.

From start to finish, this was a really entertaining match with titanic long rallies from the baseline interspersed with exciting attacking play in the forecourt with an array of volleys and drop shots around the net. Will took a tight first set 6-4, the second set was also a tight affair with Will claiming the title once again with a straight sets victory 6-4, 6-4.

The Ladies Final proved to be just as entertaining with lots of incredible rallies. This Year’s final was between last year runner up Sarah Newman and former champion Sharon Irish. Sarah coming through a hard fought first set 6-3. The second set was an even closer tussle with Sarah Newman leading 6-5 and one game away from the title that had evaded her the previous year. In what proved to be the final game of the match Sarah secured a 6-3, 7-5 victory to win her first Ladies singles title.

Next up were the Men’s and Ladies doubles finals and as always provided for some exciting tennis living up to the high standards of some of the finals of the past. In the Men’s final top seeds Dylan Preece and Marc Thompson took on third seeds Adam and Joe Colwill. Adam and Joe, aged sixteen and fifteen respectively battled hard with their more experienced opponents and at 6 all in first set looked to take advantage in the tie break. However, the top seeds held their nerve and took the first set on the tie break. The second set proved just as competitive with Adam and Joe putting behind them their first set disappointment to take the second set 6-4 and level the match at one set all. The deciding champions tie break to 10 points was even more exciting than the previous two sets. Despite the younger partnership leading in the deciding champions tie break Dylan and Marc eventually came through 10-8 to claim the Men’s Doubles title.

The Ladies Doubles final featured defending champions and top seeds Sandra Rowlands and Amy Walters against second seeds Sarah Keogh and Jane Allen. All four players are very familiar with each other’s games and this led to an intriguing battle in a very closely fought contest. The first set was on a knife edge from start to finish with the champions and top seeds coming through 7-5. The second set proved almost as tight as the first, with the second seeds using all their experience to try and force a third set but alas to no avail. The defending champions retained their title with a 7-5, 6-4 victory.

After a short break Dylan Preece and Sandra Rowlands were back on court pairing up for the Mixed Doubles final. Their opponents Sarah Newman and Gordon Hardy, champions from 2 years ago were sure to provide formidable opponents. The first set provided scintillating action for the many spectators with Sarah and Gordon taking a one set advantage 7-5. Dylan, despite playing his third final of the day was still in top form along with his partner Sandra as they levelled up the match with a 6-4 win in the second set. The champions tie break to ten points was won by Dylan and Sandra 10-3 as they claimed their first Mixed Doubles title.

The final match of the championships was the Men’s plate which was contested by two of the tournaments younger stars Andre Thompson and Lewis Phillips. Andre triumphing with a 6-0, 6-3 victory to claim the title for a second time.

After the completion of the matches spectators and competitors were treated to a delicious tea organised by the ladies of the Pembrokeshire County Tournament committee. As well as presentations to all the winners and runners up, as is tradition the Beryl Thomas- Cleaver Trophy for best junior performance during tournament was awarded to Adam Colwill who displayed some deft touches and incredible shots around the net.

Chairman Peter Lilley thanked the tournament sponsors Westhaven Construction and Roger Walker Tennis Holidays for their continued sponsorship of this prestigious event and the organising committee who as always work so hard to put on this great event. There was a presentation to Tournament Director Mrs Sue Jones and Peter thanked Sue for her fantastic organisation of the event without which the event would not be the success that it is.

Entries for next year’s event will be open in the Spring of 2018 and confirmed dates for the event will be released in the coming months. Details can be found on the Haverfordwest Tennis Club website at www.haverfordwesttennis.com

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Fox’s Fantastic Clarby shock the county to win Senior Cup

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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.

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South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics

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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.

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Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown

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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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