Sport
Llanrhian seal Alan Brown success
LLANRHIAN won the Alan Brown trophy in Whitland on Sunday (July 7) as they beat Stackpole by 36 runs in Whitland.
Stackpole won the trophy in 2015 while Llanrhian were aiming to win it for the first time.
Llanrhian batted first and made 114-8 before Stackpole replied with 106-7 in their first innings. That meant Llanrhian led by 8 runs at tea and a score of 150-4 set Stackpole 159 to win the game.
Stackpole could only reach 122-7 in reply giving Llanrhian victory in an excellent game.
Llanrhian batted first but they lost Richard Reed and Jack Jones early on as both fell to the bowling of Richard Mackay.
Nigel Delaney made a score of 23 and Tom Clarke scored 27 as they piled on the runs.
Both fell to Simon Bevan though as Stackpole kept picking up wickets.
Ewan McDonald also claimed a wicket as did George Smith before Bevan claimed his third when he bowled Russell Watkins.
Dafydd Williams was run out late on but Ben RV Jones finished unbeaten on 37 as Llanrhian posted 114-8 in their first innings.
Stackpole lost opener Josh Davies early in their reply for a duck as he was caught by Reed off the bowling of Dafydd Williams.
Tom Clarke also bowled Alan Webster cheaply before Lewys Gibby and Simon Bevan took over.
Gibby scored 26 before he was bowled by Rhodri Owen and Bevan made a score of 40 before also falling to Owen.
Owen then had his third as he had Richard Mackay caught by Ben D Jones.
George Smith made a score of 12 before he fell to Karl Davies who then also had Alex Frearson caught by Richard Reed.
That meant that Stackpole finished on 106-7, giving Llanrhian a lead of eight runs at tea.
Llanrhian came out for their second innings determined to set a challenging target for their opponents and openers Reed and Ben RV Jones made a good start.
They shared 59 runs for the first wicket before Jones was bowled by Alan Webster on a score of 22.
Nigel Delaney was next in and he continued to put runs on the board in another good partnership with Reed.
Delaney made 28 before he was bowled by Richard Mackay.
Jack Jones made a score of 17 before he fell to the bowling of Ewan McDonald.
Reed had played superbly to reach a score of 60 but McDonald claimed his wicket to keep the score down.
Tom Clarke finished not out on 11 as Llanrhian reached 150-4 in their second innings, setting Stackpole 159 to win the game.
Josh Davies and Richard Mackay got their side off to a decent start in the final innings with Davies scoring 17 as he shared 33 runs with Mackay for the first wicket.
Davies was then caught off the bowling of Tom Clarke and Karl Davies then had Lewys Gibby caught by Nigel Delaney.
Rhodri Owen then had Alan Webster caught by Davies and George Smith caught by Reed as Llanrhian began to restrict Stackpole’s chase.
Mackay had made his way to a score of 32 but he was then bowled by Owen.
Paul Oeppen was run out on 14 before Ewan McDonald was caught by Davies off the bowling of Delaney.
Frearson finished not out on 16 but it wasn’t enough as Stackpole finished their second innings on 122-7, giving victory to Llanrhian.
After the match, Llanrhian’s Ben RV Jones was named man of the match for his excellent batting display over both innings.
News
Tigers second division Cup Champions
In a thrilling Pembrokeshire Division Two Cup final under the floodlights of Bridge Meadow Stadium, fans witnessed an epic battle between Monkton Swifts reserves and Johnston. Despite Monkton Swifts reserves being touted as favorites, Johnston proved their mettle from the outset.
The game kicked off with a burst of energy as Johnston’s center half, Craig Bendall, seized an early opportunity to put his team ahead just ten minutes into the match. However, Monkton Swifts’ prolific Scotsman, Davis, swiftly responded with an equalizer, showcasing the resilience of the favourites.
The momentum shifted again when the dynamic duo of Alfie and Scott Crawford of Johnston orchestrated a beautifully executed goal, putting Johnston back in the lead at 2-1.
As the game progressed, Monkton Swifts brought in reinforcements, including Ben Steele, to regain control. Their efforts paid off when Jordan Kilby leveled the score at 2-2 with just under 20 minutes remaining.
But the Crawfords had other plans. Combining once more, Scott provided the assist for Alfie, who coolly finished to put Johnston ahead once again.
With time running out, Monkton Swifts launched a relentless onslaught in search of an equalizer. However, Johnston’s defense held firm, defying the odds to clinch the Division Two Cup title in a memorable victory.
The match showcased the passion and determination of both teams, with Johnston emerging as deserving champions in a fiercely contested final at Bridge Meadow Stadium.
Sport
Promotion, relegation and everything in between.
As we come to the end of the 2023-2024 season it’s time to look at the winners and losers so to speak as most promotion and relegation battles are now all sewn up.
We begin at the very top where Goodwick United have blown away the first division to become deserved champions elect. At the opposite end of the table Fishguard Sports struggled all season and we comfortably relegated, going down with them are Neyland who’s relegation was confirmed a few weeks ago. Neither team were cut adrift and battled right until the end which is credit to both outfits, sometimes relegation can act as a spring broad and both clubs will be hoping this is the case.
Monkton Swifts reserves were the outstanding team in the second division and were a cut above the rest on their journey to becoming league champions on 56 points with an impressive plus 61 goal difference. As Monkton can’t be promoted due to their first team being in the first division it allowed both Herbrandston and St Ishmaels to be promoted. Herbrandston finished in third on 40 points, whilst the Mice just beat them to second place ending up on 42 points. Both clubs will now use the summer to prepare for the step up that awaits.
At the opposite end of the division, Cosheston never really got going and after their points deduction ended on a lowly 6 points which is never going to be enough to avoid relegation. The second relegation place was much closer with St Clears, Carew reserves and Broad Haven all being in a dog fight for the majority of the season. Broad Haven showed good fight and character which steered them clear of trouble while Carew found form at a key time, which means St Clears will play their football in the third division next season.
Sport
Fox’s Fantastic Clarby shock the county to win Senior Cup
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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