Sport

Hook prove too strong for Kilgetty in Under 13s final

Published

4 years ago

August 15, 2021

HOOK were crowned winners of the Under 13s league as they beat Kilgetty in the final at Cresselly.

This years’ final was between the top two sides from zones A & B both coming into the final with a 100% record in their zones with Hook beating Cresselly in one semi-final and Kilgetty beating Haverfordwest in the other. Both teams were winners in their own right and this was a repeat of the Under 11’s final of 2019.

Captain of Kilgetty, Jamie Keating, won the toss against his counterpart Oscar Willington of Hook and decided to bowl.

Hook built slowly with Rhys Phelps 11 and Ifan Williams looking very solid 25 retired. Jamie Keating bowled economically and Logan Hall 2-6 and a run out struck for Kilgetty.

However with Oscar Willington at the crease he added the required momentum with some fine shots all around the ground finishing with a big six to retire on 30. Kilgetty continued to bowl well with Olly Badham, George Morgan, Lewis Rossiter and Connor Davies with Hook finishing on 89-3.

Kilgetty needed a good start, but Callum Nutty 1-3 removed the dangerous Jamie Keating, 6 and Oscar Willigton looked very sharp removing Logan Hall. Kilgetty had to rebuild.

They did this through Kiaran Sine 25 retired and Connor Davies 8 who both ran between the wickets well. With Kilgetty still in the game albeit slightly behind the run rate there was a remarkable spell by Jamie Gray 3-10 with 3 wickets in one over, one bowled, a very good caught and bowled and an excellent catch by Ifan Williams on the backward square boundary, saw Hook take command.

Oscar Willington finished with 2-12 together with two catches. The other Hook bowlers, Rhys Phelps, Harri Evans, Ifan Williams and Manny Davies kept things tight and Kilgetty finished on 59-7.

It was great to see a large supportive crowd at the game who enjoyed an excellent evening of entertaining cricket.

In the presentation after the match Martin Jones (Junior Organiser) congratulated both sides on reaching the Final with some excellent play by both and Hook for their victory. Both sides should be proud of their Junior sections. He thanked Cresselly for hosting the final including Richard Arthur and David Cherry the grounds staff. Afterwards the Club laid some hot dogs and other refreshments for the players, which was well received.

He thanked Umpires Chris Stapleton and Steve Williams, Scorers Becky Badham & Jon Willington who all contributed to the evening’s entertainment.

Last and by no means least he thanked Sponsors Colin John of Llewelyn Davies & Co Chartered Accountants for his continued and valuable support of Junior Cricket in the County. It was also great to see Richard Merriman, County Chairman and his wife Linda present who presented Hook with the winners Cup and medals in the absence of Colin.

Also present was former County chairman Paul Webb and his wife Janice who presented the runners up Cup sponsored by Tavernspite Nurseries and medals to Kilgetty.

This year for the first time there was also an inaugural player of the match award. This was sponsored by the Williams family in memory of the late John Williams, who had umpired this final for countless years and he himself was a distinguished umpire, highly respected by all in Pembrokeshire cricket and further afield. This award was presented by Hilary Williams, widow and her son Mark with his brother Phil and Jonathan who were unable to attend on the night. The award was presented to Oscar Willington for his all-round contribution in the final.

*Hook’s Oscar Willington was man of the match*

Hook: Oscar Willington, Rhys Phelps, William Harries, Callum Nutty, Ifan Wlliams, Jamie Gray, Manny Davies, Jack Thomas, Freddie Goodridge, Dylan Goodridge, Harri Evans, Edward Johnson, Charlie Holder, Alfie Smethurst, Alex Blowes

Kilgetty: Jamie Keating, Dyland Sine, Kiaran Sine, Lewis Rossiter, Logan Hall, Euan Gottwalz, Morgan Chinsammy, Louie Treadaway-Williams, Connor Davies, George Morgan, Olly Badham, Arlo Jones, Ollie Tucker, Evan Jones

Sponsor: Colin John – Llewelyn Davies & Co Chartered Accountants

Umpires: Chris Stapleton & Steve Williams

Scorers: Becky Badham & Jon Willington

Coaches: Trevor Badham & Jon Willington

Venue: Cresselly CC

Sport

From Cymru Premier to Champions League: The rise of Nicky Hayen

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2025

Herald Sport

AT the time, it seemed an unexpected appointment for semi-professional Haverfordwest County. Now, just three years later, the man who arrived in west Wales on New Year’s Eve 2021 has taken Club Brugge to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Nicky Hayen, the first Belgian to manage in the Cymru Premier, is now one of the most sought-after managers in Europe. Having guided his side past Europa League holders Atalanta in the play-offs, his rapid ascent has caught the attention of the footballing world.

Some pundits have even suggested the 44-year-old could be in line for the Liverpool job when Arne Slot departs.

Few of the 273 fans at Bridge Meadow Stadium for Hayen’s biggest home victory – a 6-1 win over Cefn Druids – could have imagined that their manager would soon be preparing for Champions League clashes against Aston Villa.

But for Haverfordwest chairman Rob Edwards, who remains in regular contact with Hayen, his rise comes as no surprise.

Work ethic and early impressions

“The guy was a workaholic,” Edwards said. “He lived in my house while in Wales, and I’d wake up at 8:00am to find him watching match footage. When I went to bed at 11:00pm, he was still at it.”

A former defender with more than 400 appearances in Belgium and the Netherlands, Hayen arrived in Haverfordwest via coaching roles in Belgium and Saudi Arabia. His time as technical director and interim manager at Waasland-Beveren ended in relegation during the Covid-affected season.

Introduced to Edwards through a mutual contact in Belgium, Hayen impressed the Haverfordwest board with his detailed analysis and tactical vision.

“We just wanted to listen to every word he said,” Edwards recalled. “We knew he was the right person for the job and did everything we could to bring him in.”

Transforming Haverfordwest

Hayen’s influence was immediate. He took Haverfordwest from second-bottom to the brink of European qualification within six months, introducing a structured, possession-based style rarely seen in the Welsh top flight.

“He didn’t over-coach the players,” Edwards explained. “Instead, he gave them detailed opposition analysis and focused on their welfare. He got the best out of players in a way we didn’t expect.”

Despite the culture shock of moving to a small market town in Pembrokeshire, Hayen embraced his new surroundings.

“There are 14,000 people in Haverfordwest. It’s a beautiful place, but it was all about football for him,” said Edwards. “He is a family man, doesn’t drink, and stays off social media. He just works hard.”

The move to Brugge and European success

Edwards always knew Hayen wouldn’t stay forever. When Club Brugge came calling in 2022, offering him the chance to take charge of their Under-23s, the move was inevitable.

By 2023, he was assistant manager to Scott Parker before stepping in as interim boss when Ronny Deila left in March 2024. With Club Brugge struggling in the league, Hayen led them to nine wins from their last ten matches to clinch the Belgian title.

Former Ajax and Anderlecht striker Jan Mulder predicted in May 2024 that Hayen would soon be on the radar of Europe’s elite clubs.

“Next year, he will play a series of matches in the Champions League, attracting the attention of Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern and Manchester,” Mulder wrote.

His words have proven accurate. Hayen’s Club Brugge defeated Villa, Sporting, and Sturm Graz in the group stage, while also holding Juventus and Celtic. They then dispatched Atalanta in the play-offs with a commanding 5-2 aggregate win.

What next for Hayen?

Ahead of their Champions League clash with Aston Villa, Hayen spoke about how he continues to draw inspiration from his late mother, who passed away four years ago.

For Edwards, Hayen’s rise is a testament to his relentless dedication.

“Club Brugge have had better squads on paper, but he gets the best out of his players,” he said. “He is fanatical and leads by example. The younger players are thriving under him.”

Hayen’s short time in Wales also laid the foundation for future success at Haverfordwest. Under Tony Pennock, they qualified for Europe in 2023 for the first time in 19 years.

“It’s fantastic for the club to be linked with someone like him,” Edwards said. “And this is just the beginning. If he keeps going, he will be managing at the highest level soon enough.”

With the biggest clubs in Europe watching, Nicky Hayen’s journey from Bridge Meadow to the Champions League knockout stages may only be the start of an even greater story.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Friendly League catch-up results – Week 2

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2025

Herald Sport

THE LATEST round of catch-up fixtures in the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association has seen St Twynnells secure a dominant win over Hundleton, while Llanteg and Lamphey battled it out in a close contest.

Results:

St Twynnells 10 – Hundleton 0
Llanteg 7 – Lamphey 3
St Twynnells 8 – Kilgetty 2

Following these matches, the updated league standings are as follows:

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	S/D	Points
East Williamston	17	16	0	1	267	135
Carew	16	9	1	6	91	90
St Johns	15	10	0	5	71	88
Cosheston	16	9	0	7	42	84
Hundleton	17	8	0	9	57	83
Reynalton	16	9	0	7	24	83
Llanteg	17	6	1	10	-48	81
Badgers	17	6	1	10	-2	73
St Twynnells	16	5	1	10	-125	66
Lamphey	16	5	0	11	-119	56
Kilgetty	15	4	0	11	-181	51

The competition remains tight as teams continue their push towards the top of the table. More fixtures are scheduled in the coming weeks as the league heads towards its final stages.

Sport

The magic of ‘night golf’ lights up Tenby Golf Club

Published

2 days ago

March 9, 2025

Herald Sport

TENBY GOLF CLUB hosted an electrifying Night Golf event on Friday evening in aid of the Paul Sartori Foundation, delivering an evening of excitement, camaraderie, and glowing golf balls lighting up the night sky.

Club Captain Heather Morgan invited Club Night Golf (CNG) to run the event, with George Lever traveling from Surrey to ensure everything went smoothly. Thanks to unseasonably mild and dry weather, the course was transformed into a magical spectacle, with illuminated fairways, greens, and bunkers creating a truly unique playing experience.

The event followed a Texas Scramble format, adding to the fun and challenge as players navigated the course in complete darkness, some with head torches, others lighting up their trolleys, and a few relying on traditional flashlights.

One of the standout performances came from Jemma Nand-Lal, who clinched the Nearest the Pin prize, outshining even the pros. The night’s champions, Bev and Adrian Palmer, Lynne Campbell, and Mandy Jones claimed victory with an impressive five-shot finish.

With no lost players, no injuries, and a clubhouse buzzing with excitement afterward, one question dominated the conversation: “When’s the next one?” Given the overwhelming enthusiasm, a follow-up event seems inevitable.

All proceeds on the night were donated to the Paul Sartori Foundation.