Sport

Bateman and Newman win Tennis titles

Published

9 years ago

July 28, 2017

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

Sport

More than 160 runners take on inaugural Llys-y-Frân 10km

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2026

Herald Sport

MORE than 160 runners crossed the finish line at Llys-y-Frân Country Park on Sunday as the inaugural Llys-y-Frân 10km brought together competitors of all abilities for a day of trail running and community fundraising.

Organised in partnership with AspireX Events and Run the Trails, the race followed a scenic route through the park’s woodland, trails and reservoir-side landscape.

Supporters gathered along sections of the course to cheer on the runners, creating an encouraging atmosphere throughout the event.

The race was held in support of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, which works to protect the county’s landscape and help more people experience the outdoors.

Katie Macro, Charity Director at the Trust, said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better first Llys-y-Frân 10km.

“Seeing more than 160 runners take part was incredible, and the atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic.

“Every runner, volunteer, supporter and sponsor played a part in making the event such a success, and we’re extremely grateful for the support we received.”

The Trust thanked AspireX Events and Run the Trails, particularly Jay Skipper and his team, for helping ensure the event ran smoothly from start to finish.

Sponsors Pure West Radio, Scott Williams Motorsports, Bridaltique and HealthAspire were also thanked for helping make the event possible.

Casey from All Things Fit led warm-up and cool-down sessions for participants, while visitors were able to browse coastal clothing from Sakura.

Podium winners also received goodie bags provided by Tamlyn from Hyla.

Photographers James from JWJT Media, Lilly-Louise Clynes and Dave Marriott captured images from throughout the day, documenting both the race and the community support surrounding it.

Katie added: “It has been wonderful to work alongside so many local businesses and individuals who gave their time, expertise and support.

“Partnerships like these create opportunities for people to get outdoors, experience Pembrokeshire’s incredible landscapes and bring our community together.

“We hope this is the first of many successful Llys-y-Frân 10km events.”

The Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust said it now hopes to build on the success of the inaugural race and continue working with AspireX Events and Run the Trails to encourage more people to explore Pembrokeshire through outdoor events.

Caption: Community spirit was on show at Llys-y-Frân Country Park as more than 160 runners took part in the inaugural Llys-y-Frân 10km in support of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust.

Sport

Bluebirds continue pre-season preparations with victory over Caerau Ely

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2026

Herald Sport

Second-half goals from Lewis Rees and Will Hughes earned Haverfordwest County a 2-1 win at the Bridge Meadow

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY continued their preparations for the new JD Cymru Premier campaign with a 2-1 victory over Caerau Ely at the Bridge Meadow Stadium on Tuesday evening.

After a goalless opening 45 minutes, the Bluebirds took control of the contest with two goals in the space of seven second-half minutes.

Lewis Rees made the breakthrough in the 55th minute, putting the home side ahead following a closely contested first half.

Will Hughes then doubled Haverfordwest’s advantage in the 62nd minute, giving the Bluebirds what appeared to be a comfortable lead as the game entered its final half-hour.

Caerau Ely responded almost immediately, reducing the deficit just three minutes later to ensure Haverfordwest were made to work for the victory.

The Bluebirds successfully protected their narrow advantage during the closing stages to record a useful 2-1 win in their penultimate pre-season outing.

The fixture provided another opportunity for the Haverfordwest coaching staff to assess the squad, build match fitness and continue preparations ahead of the beginning of the competitive campaign.

Haverfordwest will now turn their attention to their final friendly of the summer when they welcome Llanelli Town to the Bridge Meadow Stadium on Saturday, July 25.

Kick-off is at 2:30pm, with the match representing the Bluebirds’ final opportunity to fine-tune their preparations before the 2026-27 JD Cymru Premier season gets under way.

Haverfordwest County 2-1 Caerau Ely

Scorers: Lewis Rees 55’, Will Hughes 62’; Caerau Ely 65’.

Sport

Saka hat-trick fires England to bronze in ten-goal World Cup thriller

Published

5 days ago

July 19, 2026

Herald Sport

Three Lions survive remarkable French fightback to claim third place with a 6-4 victory in Miami

ENGLAND ended their World Cup campaign with a bronze medal after defeating France 6-4 in an extraordinary third-place play-off in Miami on Saturday night.

Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick as Thomas Tuchel’s side raced into a stunning four-goal lead before surviving a fierce second-half comeback led by Kylian Mbappé.

Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham were also on target for England, who secured their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966 and claimed third place in the competition for the first time.

Any fears that the disappointment of Wednesday’s semi-final defeat by Argentina would produce a subdued performance disappeared within three minutes.

Rice, wearing the captain’s armband as one of seven changes to England’s starting line-up, intercepted a poor pass from Désiré Doué before driving an emphatic finish beyond France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Saka briefly thought he had doubled the advantage after being released by Morgan Rogers, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

England did not have to wait much longer.

Rice delivered a corner into the French penalty area in the 19th minute and Konsa climbed above Adrien Rabiot to power a header past Maignan.

France struggled to cope with England’s pace on the break, although Dean Henderson was called upon to deny Mbappé after the forward cut inside from the left.

That save helped launch the move which produced England’s third goal in the 37th minute. Marcus Rashford and Saka both had efforts blocked before the Arsenal winger eventually forced the ball home.

Saka struck again in first-half stoppage time, collecting a pass from Eberechi Eze and finishing clinically to send England into the break with a remarkable 4-0 lead.

France manager Didier Deschamps responded with four substitutions at half-time and the changes immediately transformed the contest.

Mbappé pulled one back in the 48th minute after Michael Olise’s pass opened the England defence, before substitute Bradley Barcola reduced the deficit further six minutes later.

England, so composed during the opening period, suddenly looked vulnerable.

Mbappé exchanged passes with Olise before scoring his second in the 67th minute, making it 4-3 and leaving Tuchel’s side facing the possibility of surrendering a four-goal advantage.

France pressed for an equaliser, with Olise passing up a major opportunity as England desperately attempted to regain control.

The decisive moment arrived four minutes from time when England were awarded a penalty. Saka took responsibility and converted to complete his hat-trick, restoring a two-goal cushion.

Even then, the drama was not finished.

Ousmane Dembélé scored France’s fourth goal in the sixth minute of added time, but Bellingham responded almost immediately, surging through the French defence and finishing past Maignan to seal an unforgettable 6-4 victory.

The result brought an emotional conclusion to England’s campaign following their painful 2-1 semi-final defeat against Argentina.

Although the Three Lions again fell short of reaching a World Cup final, their bronze medal represents the country’s strongest showing in the competition for 60 years.

For Saka, who had remained on the bench throughout the semi-final, it was a particularly memorable response. His treble placed him alongside an elite group of England players to have scored a hat-trick at a World Cup.

France’s defeat marked the end of Deschamps’ 14-year reign as national team manager, while England will return home knowing that a chaotic and thrilling final performance at least provided a positive ending to their tournament.

France: Mbappé 48, 67; Barcola 54; Dembélé 90+6
England: Rice 3; Konsa 19; Saka 37, 45+1, 86 pen; Bellingham 90+8
Half-time: France 0-4 England
Venue: Miami Stadium
Attendance: To be confirmed