Sport

Otters and Wanderers battle to draw

Published

3 years ago

August 23, 2021

ON Saturday, August 21, Narberth RFC took a Development squad to Llanelli Wanderers who currently play in Division 1 West.

The starting 15 consisted of five young players making their debuts for the club at this level namely Prop Ifan James, flanker Josh Hamer, centre Ryan Scourfield and wings Lewys Thomson and Steffan Thomas. Unfortunately Lewys Thomson pulled a hamstring muscle in the warm up and was replaced by another debutant Ioan Phillips.

For the first twenty minutes the teams were evenly matched with both players and spectators alike getting used to the new rules of tap ‘penalties’ instead of scrums.

Both teams attempted to play attacking open rugby but with defences holding up there was no score until the 24th minute when Llanelli Wanderers were awarded a penalty and their full back kicked the goal to make the score 3-0 to the home team.

Just before half time veteran scrum half Rhys Lane put his opposite number under pressure at a scrum, robbed him of possession and darted downfield.

When tackled, the ball was quickly recycled and passed along the Narberth back division ably supported by No.8 Guto Davies who made an initial break before passing to Steff Phillips who in turn flicked the ball inside to centre Joe Hutchings who scored a try midway out.

Fly Half Ianto Griffiths narrowly failed with the conversion. Despite some enterprising rugby by both teams the first half ended without further score with the Otters leading 5-3.

Both teams made changes at half time with youngsters Tom Clarke and Jordan James replacing Bradley Davies and Rhys Lane for the Otters.

Wanderers made the better start to the second half and only stern defence from the Narberth back row and centres Joe Hutchings and Ryan Scourfield kept the home team out.

Then after 60 minutes a set move from the Wanderers backs saw their blind side winger burst through a gap in the Narberth defence and score a try under the posts which was converted to make the score 10- 5 to the home team.

Further changes were made in the Otters line up with another debutant, Will Hughes, replacing Steffan Thomas, George MacDonald replacing Jordan James and hooker Rhodri Owens having to move to blindside flanker to replace Tom Powell who had pulled a hamstring muscle.

At this stage the Narberth team managed to raise their game and came close to scoring on several occasions with strong bursts through the Wanderers defences by Steff Phillips, Guto Davies and Rhodri Owens.

Full Back Dafydd Pritchard almost got over in the corner only to be brought back by the referee for a forward pass.

Eventually, with ten minutes to go, the Otters were awarded a penalty and kicked to the corner. From the lineout the Otters formed a rolling maul which resulted in Rhodri Owens diving over the line for a try which evened the scores at 10-10.

Both teams threw everything into attack during the final minutes in an attempt to win the game and with the last play Narberth winger Ioan Phillips was put away with the try line seemingly at his mercy only to be brought back once again by the referee for a forward pass who then blew the whistle for full time.

Head Coach, Sean Gale, said after the match that he was pleased with the way the game had gone. It was a tough workout for a team full of youngsters looking to impress and they had stood up to the task with great determination and had fought hard to get back into the game to earn a draw and with a little bit of luck could have edged a win.

News

Free disability sports event heads to Pembroke Leisure Centre

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE Leisure Centre will play host to a free disability sports and physical event later this month with lots of sports and activities to try.

The insport series, in partnership with Disability Sport Wales, Sport Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire Leisure is an inclusive sport and physical activity event.

It offers opportunities for disabled young people (ages 5 years+) and adults across Pembrokeshire and friends and family are welcome.

On offer to try are: boxing, boccia, swimming (on a separate first come first serve booking basis), football, wheelchair rugby, target shooting, adaptive bikes, cricket, golf, multisport, and more.

The event takes place Pembroke Leisure Centre, on Wednesday May 29^th between 10am-2pm.

Booking for the event and swim places is required.

For more information please contact: Jess West from Sport Pembrokeshire byemail [email protected] or by calling 07795305871.

News

Two changes to Scarlets side for Zebre match-up

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

HEAD coach Dwayne Peel has made two changes to his Scarlets starting XV for Friday’s BKT United Rugby Championship round 17 clash with Zebre Parma at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (19:35 BBC Wales).

Alex Craig has recovered from a hamstring issue to take his place in the second row, while behind the scrum Ioan Lloyd replaces fellow Wales international Sam Costelow at fly-half.

Ioan Nicholas, Tomi Lewis and Ryan Conbeer continue in the back three; Johnny Williams again partners Eddie James, while Lloyd links up with the experienced Gareth Davies at half-back.

In the pack, the front row of Kemsley Mathias, skipper Ryan Elias and Harri O’Connor get the nod to start again. Craig partners Morgan Jones at lock, while Taine Plumtree, Dan Davis and No. 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu are selected in the back row.

On the bench, Wales U20s centre Macs Page – part of Llandovery’s Indigo Premiership title-winning side last weekend – is set to make his URC debut.

Scarlets scrum and contact skills coach Emyr Phillips said: “We are looking to build some momentum in these last two games to fire us into pre-season. We are encouraging the boys to play high-tempo rugby and get the ball moving because that’s when we are at our best. We know Zebre will bring emotion to the game and we need to match that.”

Scarlets team to play Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Friday, May 17 (19:35; BBC Wales)

15 Ioan Nicholas; 14 Tomi Lewis, 13 Johnny Williams, 12 Eddie James, 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias (capt), 3 Harri O’Connor, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Morgan Jones, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu.

Reps: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Ben Williams, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Macs Page

Players unavailable because of injury

Tom Rogers, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Steff Evans, Joe Roberts, Josh Macleod, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Jac Davies.

News

Charity football match scores big for mental health awareness

Published

1 week ago

May 11, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN an inspiring display of community spirit and sportsmanship on Friday (May 10), the Ogi Bridge Meadow stadium hosted a charity football match that saw local mental health charity, Give The Boys A Lift (GTBAL), triumph over 2Wish, with a final score of 5-1. The event drew a large crowd, who gathered to support both organizations dedicated to mental health and well-being.

GTBAL, a renowned Pembrokeshire charity known for its efforts in mental health advocacy, put on a strong performance, leading to a decisive victory that was met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the spectators. The match not only provided an evening of thrilling sports action but also raised significant awareness and funds for the causes represented by the two teams.

Maria Elena Smith, a spectator and supporter, praised the event, commenting, “Amazing effort from everyone involved. As always, the charities that support so many families and individuals have come out in force. Well done all and thank you for all the support.”

Adrian Smith, another attendee, highlighted the importance of the charities’ work, stating, “Don’t underestimate what both these charities do. It was a fantastic evening raising awareness.”

The event served as a reminder of the vital role these organizations play in the community, offering support and resources to those facing mental health challenges. Congratulations to all involved for a successful event that went beyond just a game, fostering community unity and support for pivotal causes.