Sport

Bluebirds top table for New Year

Published

6 years ago

January 6, 2020

Tom Sinclair

JD Cymru Division One South
Haverfordwest County 4 Llanelli Town 1

THE BLUEBIRDS continued their recent run of good results with a 4-1 victory over Llanelli Town.

Despite going down to defeat, the Reds of Llanelli can take consolation from a vastly improved display in which they more than matched the home side box-to-box.

The only element missing from the visitors’ performance was the delivery of a telling final ball which could have led to a goal.

Llanelli’s meagre playing resources are already stretched by a long injury list and, at Bridge Meadow, three development players were in the matchday squad out of necessity.

To add to the problems, the visitors were also without a recognised striker, making the task of attempting to salvage some positive outcome from the contest even more difficult.

In fact, the visitors were the livelier side in the opening stages.

Ryan Hurlow played a ball into the path of Kyle Copp close to goal, but he failed to make a telling contact and a decent chance was lost.
Liam Samuel also posed a threat to the Bluebirds` goal with a run to the edge of the area, but he delayed his shot which was eventually blocked and then cleared out of danger.

The home side countered after a rebound from a Ben Fawcett strike fell to Kurtis Rees. Llanelli’s Lee Bevan acted quickly to alleviate the threat.

Copp and Hurlow combined with the latter forcing a corner which was eventually dealt with, but it was the home side who eventually struck first on 25 minutes when a Kieran Howard free-kick was headed out only as far as Rees who launched a 30-yard high ball into the goalmouth over the head of Kai Rees despite the Reds` keeper best efforts to prevent it finding the net.

A corner to the Bluebirds into the goalmouth was cleared with some difficulty by the visitors` defence, while Rees pulled off an important save by turning over a header from Marcus Griffiths when he connected with another Howard set-piece.

Haverfordwest had a goal disallowed for offside when referee Teifion Cook overruled the assistant referee’s failure to flag.
With the score 1-0 at the half, Llanelli had done well to hold off the league leaders and would have drawn confidence from their display.
Shortly after the kick-off for the second half, came the game’s most controversial moment.

Llanelli keeper Rees bravely put himself on the line to claim the ball from the feet of a Haverfordwest player. Rees was clearly injured and remained prone on the ground when the ball broke free into the path of Haverfordwest’s Howard. With the goalie incapacitated, Howard guided the ball into the back of the visitors’ net.

There was confusion about whether the effort would stand, particularly as Rees continued to receive treatment on the field following his injury while Llanelli players expressed their disapproval to the ref. However, the goal stood and, after further treatment, the shaken Rees was able to resume.

Galvanised by the perceived injustice, Llanelli struck back quickly.

Awarded a free-kick, Copp swung the ball into the Haverfordwest box where Bevan rose highest to head the ball beyond the Bluebirds’ Kyle Stuart to haul the Reds back into the game.

As the game opened up, both sides created chances. For Llanelli, Joe Clarke’s strike from the edge of the eighteen-yard box went wide. Kyle Stuart made a fine save from Copp’s well-struck effort.

With fifteen minutes left, the Bluebirds cutting edge up front proved decisive. The ball was neatly played through to Fawcett, who out-muscled defender Chris Thomas before hitting a low shot past Rees.

The score seemed to take the air out of Llanelli’s sails and Haverfordwest piled on the pressure. An effort from Wilson was well stopped by Rees, while Griffiths was prevented from scoring only by a last gasp tackle from Zac Griffiths. Fawcett saw his finish from an assist by Howard rebound off the top of the crossbar.

With time running out, a ball driven across the face of Llanelli’s goal was met by an attempt to hack it clear by Brown which only ended up in his own net.

The result was hard on the vistors, who for the most part had matched their opponents for effort. At least they have a chance of turning matters around when the sides do it all again on Friday evening (January 3) at Stebonheath, kick off 7.30 p.m.

TEAMS
Haverfordwest County: Stuart; Bradley (Merry, 82); Rowe; Pemberton ©; Howard; Tancock; Watts; Rees; Fawcett; Griffiths; Wilson (Palmer, 68); Subs. not used; Drake; Hughes; Harman.
Llanelli Town: Rees; Griffiths; Brown; Thomas; Bevan ©; Clarke; Copp; Logan; M. Cutler; Hurlow; Samuel.

SCORERS: Haverfordwest County; Rees, 25; Howard, 46; Fawcett, 76; Brown (OG), 90.
Llanelli Town; Bevan, 49.
CARDS: Haverfordwest County; Griffiths.
Llanelli Town; Thomas; Clarke; M. Cutler.
REFEREE: Teifion Cook.

Sport

Haverfordwest secure bonus-point win over title-chasing Tumble

Published

14 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST produced one of their standout performances of the season to claim a 34–22 bonus-point victory away to title-chasing Tumble on Saturday (Mar 21).

The Blues showed composure and attacking intent throughout, running in five tries against one of the division’s strongest sides to underline their credentials in the closing stages of the campaign.

Tumble, who began the day among the league leaders, were expected to provide a stern test on home soil, but Haverfordwest rose to the challenge with a clinical display in both attack and defence.

Iori Curtis was named man of the match following an influential performance, crossing for a try and playing a key role in the visitors’ attacking phases.

The try scorers for Haverfordwest were Karl Busch and Jack Evans, while Curtis added his name to the scoresheet. Scott Candler led the way with a brace, helping to secure the all-important bonus point.

Adam Phillips was reliable from the tee, converting three of the tries and adding a penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

The result marks a significant win for the Blues, not only for the points gained but for the manner in which it was achieved against high-quality opposition.

Club officials also praised the travelling supporters and player sponsors for their continued backing, which they say remains vital to the team’s success.

Sport

Cardigan edge thriller as Amman fight to the finish

Published

14 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Herald Sport

Division 3 West: Amman United 26 – Cardigan 33
AMMAN UNITED remain in the bottom two of Division 3 West despite a spirited and entertaining performance against Cardigan at a sun-drenched Cwmamman Park.

The hosts made a bright start and took the lead after ten minutes. From a well-worked lineout move and a series of tight phases, number eight Alun Lewis powered over for the opening try.

However, Cardigan responded almost immediately. A turnover during an Amman attack allowed the visitors to counter, with winger Alun Jenkins sprinting nearly fifty yards to score. Full back Llyr Jones added the conversion.

The visitors extended their advantage following a dominant scrum, with quick ball moved wide for wing Iwan John to cross.

Amman hit back in a lively, free-flowing contest. A quickly taken tap penalty from Lee Evans released centre Gareth Drewson, who crashed over for a try, with Iestyn Griffiths converting.

Captain Rhydian Jones impressed with several trademark breaks, but Amman were hampered by struggles at both the lineout and scrum. It was from a five-metre scrum that Cardigan secured their third try.

The visitors claimed a bonus point just before half-time when outside half Jac Davies crossed for their fourth, again following a strong scrum, to give Cardigan a 26-12 lead at the break.

Amman began the second half strongly and reduced the deficit when Drewson collected his second try from broken play. Griffiths again added the extras.

Both sides were reduced to fourteen players following a scuffle, with Cian Lewis and Aaron Tomkinson shown yellow cards.

Craig Ratcliffe and Keelan Griffiths worked tirelessly for Amman, while substitute Owain Armishaw made a positive impact off the bench after Shaun Watkins was forced off injured. For Cardigan, Owen Fletcher, Luke Rogers and captain Marcus Castle stood out.

Further pressure from the visitors paid off when flanker Connor Owen crossed to extend the lead to 33-19.

Amman continued to push and were unfortunate not to score when Dylan Lloyds chased an up-and-under and appeared to have grounded the ball, only for play to be brought back due to an earlier injury.

The home side’s persistence was eventually rewarded when Lloyds crossed in the corner. Griffiths produced an excellent touchline conversion to secure a bonus point for Amman.

In a dramatic finish, Amman came close to snatching a draw, but Lloyds was held up over the line as he went for the corner, and the final whistle brought the contest to an end.

Youth reach final

Amman Youth also enjoyed success, progressing to the Welsh Youth Cup final after a tense 20-20 draw against Bargoed Youth at Briton Ferry. The young side advanced on try count and will now look forward to a trip to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in the coming weeks.

Business

Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged

Published

3 days ago

March 20, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.

In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.

A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.

“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.

“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.

“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”

It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.

“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.

“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”

The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.