Sport
Llanrhian secure Alan Brown Cup hat trick
LLANRHIAN made it a hat trick of Alan Brown Cup wins as they beat Stackpole by five wickets in the final on Sunday (July 4).
The game was played at Whitland Cricket Club and the weather also played its part throughout the day.
The start was delayed because of earlier rain before the sides were forced off at the start of Llanrhian’s first innings.
Bright sunshine replaced the rain late in the afternoon before the game was completed in pouring rain with Llanrhian close to reaching their target.
Stackpole won the toss and chose to bat first but they lost both openers early on for ducks.
Alan Webster fell to the bowling of Daf Williams while John Williams was caught by Fraser Watson off the bowling of Jack Jones.
Lewys Gibby and James Adie got their side going with a good partnership which saw Gibby reach his half century.
Adie scored 32 before was bowled by Chris Arundel while Gibby went on to make a score of 80 before he was stumped by Richard Reed off the bowling of Tom Clarke.
Watson also took the catch to dismiss Simon Bevan to give Clarke his second wicket.
Yori Roberts hit a couple of sixes in a later score of 26 before he was bowled by Nigel Delaney.
Stackpole finished their innings with a good total of 165-6 and Llanrhian knew they would need to bat well with rain looming over them.
Either side of a rain break, openers Jon Strawbridge and Paul Lewis shared a century stand for the first wicket.
Lewis made a score of 38 but he was then caught by John Williams off the bowling of Alan Webster.
Strawbridge continued to punish the bowlers as he neared his century, hitting nine fours and six sixes as he reached a score of 97.
However, he was denied his ton as he was caught by James Adie off the bowling of Simon Bevan.
Jack Jones then finished unbeaten on 24 while Nigel Delaney was unbeaten on 11 as Llanrhian finished on 179-2.
That gave them a first innings lead of 14 but the game was still in the balance.
Stackpole looked to make a good start to their second innings but it was Llanrhian who soon gained the advantage.
Jack Jones trapped Alan Webster leg before, Tom Clarke had John Williams caught by Nigel Delaney and Jones also had Lewys Gibby caught by Matty Delaney.
That left Stackpole on 14-3 and it made their task of setting Llanrhian a big target even trickier.
James Adie and Yori Roberts took the score into the fifties but Nigel Delaney struck as he had Roberts stumped by Richard Reed on a score of 19.
Paul Oeppen fell in similar fashion and they also combined again to remove Adie.
Adie had reached a score of 63 but his wicket halted Stackpole’s momentum.
Chris Arundel picked up another wicket late on as Stackpole could only finish their second innings on 115-7.
That meant that Llanrhian would need just 102 to win the game.
Llanrhian lost wickets early on in their reply with Jonathan Strawbridge unable to replicate his first innings display.
He hit a six but was then caught by John Williams off the bowling of Jack Corbett.
Corbett struck again as he had Jack Jones caught by Paul Oeppen and Llanrhian were three down when Corbett had Richard Reed caught by Simon Bevan.
Paul Lewis had made a score of 27 but he also fell to the bowling of Corbett who went on to finish with excellent figures of 4-19.
Alan Webster bowled Nigel Delaney on a score of 19 as Llanrhian reached 92-5 off 13 overs.
That was as good as it got for Stackpole though as Tom Clarke (8 not out) and Chris Arundel (11 not out) saw Llanrhian to victory despite the rain.
It was an excellent win for Llanrhian who retained the Alan Brown Cup once again and won it for the third year in a row.
Jon Strawbridge was named the man of the match after his excellent first innings score.
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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