Sport
Quins put All Blacks to the sword
Pembroke Dock Quins 53-23 Neyland
THE Quins, with a much changed line up from the previous week at Lampeter, put the Pembrokeshire ‘All Blacks’ to the sword on Saturday (Sept 14) scoring no less than nine tries in the process, against a spirited Neyland side who quite easily could have come away with a four-try bonus point.
It took the Quins just three minutes to get the scoreboard moving as a superb pass out of the tackle by Outside Half Kieron Machin sent Centre Jordan Asparassa racing in from 35yds to touch down near the corner flag. Full Back Ben Hathaway missed the conversion.
The Quins lead, however, was short lived as Neyland launched a dangerous attack which ended with Left Wing Henry Macbeth scoring in the corner. Outside Half Toby Hayman missed the conversion.
The Quins were certainly not having things their own way, and when Toby Hayman slotted over a 35-yard penalty to give his side a 5-8 lead, the writing was certainly on the wall.
On 25 minutes the Quins hit back when Scrum Half Elliot Lewis caught the All Blacks napping as he darted round the blind side of a maul to score in the corner. Ben Hathaway missed the difficult conversion.
As the half was drawing to a close Centre Jack Price added an unconverted try to push the Quins into 15-8 lead.
Neyland hit back quickly though when Hayman landed a Penalty to send the teams into the break with the Quins just shading it 15-11.
As the second half started, it was a case of who would score first, and fortunately for the Quins it went their way.
The Quins, once again set up by Man of the Match Kieron Machin, completely outflanked the visitors defence which enabled Prop Liam Smith to again touch down wide out for another unconverted try.
That gave them a bonus point and they soon added a fifth try when Danny Manning, on as a replacement for Left Wing Josh Brown, scored in the corner. Ben Hathaway at last got his radar right and landed the conversion from the touchline.
With a 27-11 lead it was difficult to see how Neyland were going to come back.
The Quins’ sixth try was not long coming when a quick tap penalty sent Jordan Asparassa over for his second try. Ben Hathaway converted to push the lead out to 34-11.
Minutes later Jack Price, not to be outdone by his fellow centre, also grabbed his second try which was again converted by Ben Hathaway.
At 41-11 it looked all up for Neyland but they showed great spirit hitting back with a try from Flanker Owen Evans which was converted by Hayman.
As the game was drawing to a close their was a flurry of tries as Danny Manning added his second, which went unconverted before Neyland hit back with a close range unconverted try from Prop Craig Power.
Ben Hathaway then touched down for his third try of the season which he also converted himself to end the scoring.
Unfortunately for the All Blacks there was not enough time left for them to secure a try bonus point.
On Saturday (Sept 21), the Quins travel to Lampeter Town in the first round of the WRU Bowl, and if it’s anything like the league game a few weeks ago it should be a thriller.
Team: Ben Hathaway, Josh Brown, J Asparassa, Jack Price (Capt), Jordan Kokolin, Kieron Machin, Elliot Lewis, Liam Smith, Marcus Phillips, Jack Davies, Ben Gibby, Martin Cully, Danny McLeod, Harold Owen, Ollie Parsons. Replacements: Dai Moseley, Bronzac Burley, Hywel Baker, Danny Manning, Danny Potter.
Sport
South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics
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.
Sport
Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown
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.
Sport
The stage is set – Senior Cup Final
It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.
League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.
Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.
There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.
The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.
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