Sport
Neyland seal Division 1 title after beating Lawrenny in thriller
NEYLAND Cricket Club were crowned Champions of Division 1 on Saturday (Aug 21) as they beat Lawrenny in a thrilling end to the season.
Going into the game Neyland needed to make up a 9-point deficit on their title rivals while Lawrenny knew they just needed to win to secure the Division 1 title.
With Neyland reaching 140-9 in their innings Lawrenny looked favourites to go on and win it but Sean Hannon’s men produced an excellent bowling display to overhaul that deficit to ensure the hosts would retain their trophy.
The two sides played each other at the beginning of August and on that occasion it was Lawrenny who came out on top after bowling Neyland out for 155.
It was a similar low-scoring affair again on Saturday but Neyland held their nerve to avenge that defeat.
Lawrenny won the toss and chose to field after rain had hit the county for much of the night and morning before the game.
Nick Koomen and Patrick Bellerby opened up for Neyland with a partnership of 25 but Jamie Lewis made the breakthrough as he had Koomen caught by James Phillips.
Rob Williams then bowled Bellerby on a score of 19 from 14 balls to reduce Neyland to 32-2.
Williams also had Nathan Banner caught by Kurtis Marsh to put Neyland in further trouble on 43-3.
Ross Hardy and Scott Jones added 26 runs for the fourth wicket but Ryan Morton broke that partnership as he bowled Hardy on a score of 14.
Scott Jones scored 18 but he was caught by Tom Cole off the bowling of Kurtis Marsh.
Marsh then had Andrew Miller caught by Harry Thomas and when he bowled Patrick Hannon soon after, Neyland had slipped to 78-7.
Sean Hannon and George Evans took over and they shared 51 runs for the eighth wicket as they looked to give their side something they could defend.
Hannon scored 17 but was then caught by Cole off the bowling of Thomas.
George Evans went on to reach a score of 34 but he was ran out off the last ball of the innings as Neyland finished on 140-9.
Lawrenny made a steady start to their reply but Ross Hardy made the crucial breakthrough as he bowled Harry Thomas.
Soon after, Nathan Banner trapped James Buckle leg before to reduce Lawrenny to 21-2.
Kurtis Marsh made his way to a score of 36 with six fours but he was also trapped leg before by Gary Lloyd.
Nick Koomen then bowled James Phillips before Lloyd grabbed his second as he had Joe Kidney caught by Ross Hardy.
Koomen then grabbed his second as Hardy again took the catch to dismiss Ryan Morton.
Lloyd then bowled Tom Cole to reduce Lawrenny to 67-7.
Kyle Marsh and Rob Williams looked to keep Lawrenny in the game with a stand of 34 for the eighth wicket but time was also beginning to run out for the visitors.
Marsh had reached a score of 23 but he was bowled by Patrick Hannon to leave Lawrenny on 101-8.
It meant they needed another 40 in the final five overs to seal victory. They could however only reach 119 as Neyland secured victory by 21 runs.
The win gave Neyland 18 points while Lawrenny claimed six points. It saw Neyland finish top by only three points.
Speaking to the Herald after the match, Neyland captain Sean Hannon said: “Delighted about winning the league. Given the long season we’ve all had its reward for the effort the lads have put in.
“You have to give credit to Lawrenny for a fantastic tussle, there isn’t much between the sides as you can tell from the 5 games we’ve played them this season. I’m sure they’ll be hungry to go again next season!
“At half way I didn’t really dwell on our total. It wasn’t a massive score but I knew we didn’t give them full bowling points which was important.
“140 is a funny score really, 20 runs fewer and it would have been easy for them, 20 runs more then Lawrenny would have had to have a different mentality to get the runs which may have helped them.
“Our total was largely thanks to George Evans who remains a key figure in our squad and I was especially pleased to see him have a title winning knock. Although we were missing a few key players we still had a lot of bowling options so I knew we were capable of bowling them out!”
Neyland will look to make it a double-winning season on Saturday (Aug 28) when they take on Carew in the final of the Harrison Allen Bowl.
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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