Sport

Neyland claim the title as Cresselly slip up

Published

7 years ago

August 29, 2018

NEYLAND claimed the Pembroke County Cricket Division 1 title on Saturday (Aug 25) as their win over Haverfordwest, coupled with defeat for Cresselly, saw them jump to the top of the table.

Going into the final game of the season, Cresselly led Neyland by six points with Haverfordwest 16 points behind in third and still in with a chance of taking the title.

Cresselly knew all they would need to do was win and the title would be theirs but they came up against a Lawrenny side who have already beaten them once in the league this season, and pushed them all the way in the Harrison Allen Final.

Neyland went into their game with Haverfordwest hopeful of such a repeat but faced a tough game with the side that have also held the top spot during the season.

Overnight rain had made the grounds heavy and that played a factor at the toss as Haverfordwest won the toss and elected to field while Lawrenny batted first against Cresselly.

Lawrenny were keen to how that they had not just come to make up the numbers as Brad McDermott Jenkins top scored with 97 for the visitors.

James Phillips scored 24 and Joe Kidney added 21 before Steve Lewis finished not out on 51 to take Lawrenny to a total of 252-8 from their 45 overs.

Ryan Lewis took three wickets for the loss of 51 runs while Simon Cole (1-39) also chipped in with a wicket.

Nick Koomen and Gregg Miller made a steady start to their innings sharing 39 for the first wicket before Miller was trapped leg before by Adam James on a score of 10.

Andrew Miller was then also trapped leg before by Simon Holliday on a score of 2 while Koomen, who had hit eight fours in a score of 45, was caught and bowled by Kieran O’Connor.

Ashley Sutton and Nathan Banner took Neyland past 100 runs with a good partnership but O’Connor struck again as he trapped Sutton leg before on a score of 31 that included two fours and a six.

Neyland had limped to 143-4 in the 35^th over and things did not look much better when Holliday had Banner caught and bowled on a score of 18.

However, Patrick Bellerby and Scott Jones then shared an excellent stand of 76 to swing the game in their favour.

Haverfordwest’s bowlers were not helping themselves either as James bowled a second no ball and had to be taken off, the second bowler to do so. They also gave away 36 extras.

Overthrows also proved costly as Neyland took two runs off an lbw shout. Bellerby made his way to score of 37 with three fours and Scott Jones finished not out on 41 with five boundaries as Neyland finished on 224-6 from their 45 overs.

Cresselly knew they would need to bat well if they were to reach their target and claim the Division 1 title. They made a steady start as Adam Chandler and Dan Sutton shared 49 for the first wicket.

Sutton scored 31 but he was then caught by McDermott-Jenkins off the bowling of Harry Thomas.

At the same time, Haverfordwest’s openers Simon Holliday and Ben Field shared a similarly steady start sharing 43 runs for the first wicket. Andrew Miller made the breakthrough as he had danger man Simon Holliday caught and bowled on a score of 15.

Miller then turned the screw once more as he trapped Field leg before on a score of 25 and had Lee Summons caught by Nick Koomen on a score of three to leave Town reeling on 49-3.

In Cresselly, the home side were doing their best to reach their target with Iwan Izzard scoring 42 before being bowled by McDermott-Jenkins and Dan Cherry was trapped leg before leaving them on 146-3.

Miller again returned to take his fourth wicket as he had Danny Potter caught by Gregg Miller on a score of 10.

Adam James was also bowled by Andrew Miller before Jake Merry was caught by Sean Hannon off the bowling of Gary Lloyd leaving Town on 81-6.

Dai Davies had scored 26 with a four and a six but he was then caught by Scott Jones off the bowling of Lloyd and Town were suddenly staring at a heavy defeat.

Cresselly’s Adam Chandler hit some excellent shots in his score of 64 but he was then caught by Joe Kidney off the bowling of Cole as Cresselly were reduced to 187-4.

McDermott-Jenkins then had Alex Bayley caught on a score of 17 and he also bowled Ryan Lewis as the title began to slip away.

Back in Neyland, the home side were making light work of Town as Archie Thomas was out for a score of 5, caught by Gregg Miller off the bowling of Nick Koomen.

O’Connor had scored 15 for Town but he was then trapped leg before by Lloyd and moments later they had victory as Lloyd bowled Johnny White for a duck.

That meant Lloyd finished with excellent figures 4-16 from his 6.5 overs and Town were all out for 110.

With news perhaps filtering through to Cresselly, they knew they would need to win if they were to pick up the Division 1 trophy.

Simon Cole scored 22 before he was caught by Matthew Kidney off the bowling of his namesake and Dan James scored 20 before he also fell to Cole.

Cresselly were running out of options as Sam Harts was bowled by Ryan Morton and needed to score 25 off the final over.

They were unable to knock off those runs as Cole bowled Nielson Cole to bring the game to a close and also giving the title to Neyland.

It brought to a close an excellent cricket season which has seen three different teams hold the lead at the top but with Neyland deserved winners.

Related Topics:Champions Cresselly Cricket Division 1 Haverfordwest Lawrenny Neyland

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Awards celebrate all that is good about Pembrokeshire sport

Published

2 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

4 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

4 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.