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Neyland claim tenth Harrison Allen win after stunning victory against Carew

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NEYLAND won the Harrison Allen Bowl trophy for the tenth time in their history on Saturday (Aug 28) as they beat Carew by nine wickets at Cresselly.

Neyland won the toss and chose to bowl with sunshine beaming down on the Cresselly pitch.

Carew though struggled to put runs on the board as they were bowled out for 109 in their first innings.

Neyland then took control of the game as they replied with the highest score in a Harrison Allen final of 241-2.

That was largely thanks to Patrick Bellerby who finished unbeaten on 134 while Ross Hardy was not out on 49.

It gave Neyland a massive first innings lead of 132 and gave Carew a mountain to climb.

They did reach 154-8 in their second innings but it meant Neyland would only need 23 to win the game.

Neyland lost Scott Jones in their second innings but Ashley Sutton and Ross Hardy got the runs required to seal the bowl.

Carew made a tentative start to the game as Nick Davies hit a four off the last ball of the first over and only two singles were taken in the second for an opening score of 6-0.

Nick and Lewis Hicks continued to build as they reached 31-0 in the sixth over.

Neyland then made the breakthrough as Nick Davies went for a six but saw his shot caught on the boundary by Patrick Bellerby.

Brian Hall joined Lewis in the middle but after being dropped by Nathan Banner, he was caught behind by Sean Hannon in the tenth over.

Looking to add more runs to the total, Lewis went for a run in the eleventh but it left Rhys Davies with too much to do and he was run out by Hannon.

That reduced Carew to 54-3 and it saw Lewis joined by brother Luke Hicks in the middle.

They could only add another ten runs to the score as Luke was caught superbly on the boundary by Nathan Banner off the bowling of Nick Koomen.

With the score on 64-4 captain Shaun Whitfield joined Lewis Hicks in the middle who had made his way to a score of 29.

At the start of the fifteenth Whitfield was caught by Patrick Bellerby off the bowling of Koomen as Carew’s score read 77-5.

James Hinchcliffe and Lewis Hicks took the score on to 90-5 after 17 overs but with just five to go they knew they would need to add to their score.

Hicks had made his way to a score of 48 but in the 19th over, Ross Hardy took an excellent low catch to deny him his half century.

Carew reached 103-6 after twenty over but were looking for late runs to boost their total.

Nathan Banner was brought back to bowl the penultimate over but a four off his first ball gave Carew an early boost.

However, with the next ball Iori Hicks was stumped by Hannon and after the next ball, Hannon got two more stumpings in two balls to give Banner his third and fourth wickets.

Carew were bowled out for 109 after a good display from the Neyland bowlers.

Neyland started well with four fours in the first three overs as they reached 29-0 off the first four overs.

Nick Koomen hit the first six of the innings and they brought up the fifty partnership in the eighth over.

The ninth over though changed the complexion of the game as Bellerby hit three fours and two sixes as they scored 25 runs.

Nick Koomen was not to be outdone as he hit a six at the start of  the tenth but he was then caught on the boundary by Lewis Hicks off the bowling of Sam Harts.

Ashley Sutton hit a couple of boundaries but he also fell to the bowling of Harts as Neyland slipped to 97-2 in the twelfth over.

That brought Ross Hardy to the crease and what happened next was something quite special.

Bellerby hit a six to reach his half century and Ross Hardy also hit a six to get himself going.

The fours and sixes continued to come as Neyland smashed themselves into a lead.

Bellerby reached his century in the eighteenth over with another four as Neyland reached 170-2, and a lead of 61.

Not to be outdone, Ross Hardy then hit two sixes and a four at the start of the nineteenth. Bellerbuy hit another six as Neyland’s lead neared 100 runs.

Bellerby hit a six at the end of that over and hit the four in the next as Neyland reached 200-2.

Hardy also hit a six as Carew’s bowlers continued to be punished.

Bellerby hit a six off the penultimate ball of the innings as he reached a score of 134 not out, leaving Hardy not out on 49 at the other end.

It had seen Neyland to a total of 241-2, the highest ever score in an innings in the final. Bellerby’s ton was also the highest individual score in a final. Bellerby and Hardy had also shared a third wicket partnership worth 144 runs.

It had also given Neyland a lead of 132 runs and it put Carew in an almost impossible position.

Carew made a steady start to their second innings, scoring just four runs off the first two overs.

Lewis Hicks continued where he had left off in the first innings though hitting two fours at the start of the third and a six off the last ball from Nick Davies pushed the score on to 19-0.

Ross Hardy bowled Nick Davies at the start of the fourth to make the score 20-1 with Carew still needing another 112 runs to make Neyland bat again.

Brian Hall and Lewis Hicks were doing their best to eradicate that lead as both men found the boundaries, taking the score to 40-1 after six overs.

They moved the score on to 68-1 off nine overs with Hall not out on 14 and Hicks unbeaten on 38.

However, with thirteen overs to go their deficit stood at 64 and they knew they needed to push on.

Having missed out on his half century Lewis would have been keen to reach that milestone in the second innings as he made his way to a score of 47.

He then saw Brian Hall depart on a score of 18 after being caught by Scott Jones off the bowling of Henry Durrant.

With the next ball Lewis Hicks was caught off the bowling of Durrant on a score of 47 as he again missed out on a 50.

There was no hat trick but Carew were now 81-3 after 13 overs.

That became 99-5 but a score of 33 from Rhys Davies pushed their score into three figures. When he was caught by Patrick Hannon off the bowling of Geraint Rees, Carew were 126-6, still needing another 6 runs to make Neyland bat again.

Iori Hicks hit a four and a six in his score of 15 before he was bowled by Rees while Sam Harts hit two late sixes to finish unbeaten on 13.

It saw Carew finish on 154-8 but it also meant Neyland would need only 23 runs to win the final.

Harts did trap Scott Jones leg before but Ashley Sutton and Ross Hardy got the winning runs to win the game for Neyland.

 

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Long Course Weekend set to bring thousands to Pembrokeshire

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Three days of swimming, cycling and running will once again transform Tenby into one of the UK’s biggest endurance sporting festivals

TENBY is preparing to welcome thousands of athletes and spectators from across the UK and around the world as the Long Course Weekend returns to Pembrokeshire from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28.

Now firmly established as one of Europe’s largest participation sporting events, Long Course Weekend Wales combines swimming, cycling and running challenges over three days, attracting everyone from elite athletes to first-time competitors.

Unlike a traditional triathlon, competitors can enter one, two or all three disciplines, choosing distances that suit their ability. Those who complete the full long-course distances across all three days earn the coveted fourth medal, one of the event’s most sought-after prizes.

Three days of endurance

The weekend begins on Friday evening with the Wales Swim off Tenby’s famous North Beach.

Athletes will take to the waters of Carmarthen Bay in a range of distances, including the iconic 2.4-mile swim, while younger participants will have the chance to get involved through the popular LC Kinder event.

Saturday is dedicated to cycling, with thousands of riders expected to tackle the Pembrokeshire countryside during the Wales Sportive. Routes cater for a variety of abilities, from recreational cyclists to seasoned endurance competitors taking on the full long-course challenge.

The weekend reaches its climax on Sunday with a series of running events, including a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon.

The marathon route is regarded as one of the most scenic and demanding road races in Wales, taking runners through some of Pembrokeshire’s most spectacular coastal and rural scenery before the final run back into Tenby and the cheers of thousands of spectators.

A major boost for the local economy

Long Course Weekend has become one of Pembrokeshire’s most important annual events.

Hotels, guest houses, campsites, restaurants, cafés and shops across Tenby, Saundersfoot and the wider county benefit from the influx of visitors, many of whom stay for several nights.

For many businesses, the event provides a welcome boost at the start of the summer season, filling accommodation and generating significant spending across the local economy.

The event has also helped establish Tenby as one of Britain’s leading destinations for endurance sport alongside the annual Ironman Wales competition.

Spectators welcome

One of the defining features of Long Course Weekend is the support provided by local communities.

From the swim start on North Beach to villages along the cycling and running routes, competitors are encouraged by thousands of spectators throughout the weekend.

The finish-line atmosphere in Tenby is widely regarded as one of the highlights of the event, with runners and cyclists greeted by packed crowds as they complete their challenge.

Families, residents and visitors are encouraged to come along and support participants, with viewing areas available throughout the course.

Road closures and travel advice

Residents are being urged to plan journeys carefully throughout the weekend.

Organisers have confirmed that the Wales Sportive cycling event will once again operate without full road closures, although motorists should expect increased numbers of cyclists on roads across south Pembrokeshire and are urged to drive with extra care.

Traffic restrictions and road closures will, however, be in place around Tenby and along parts of the running routes on Sunday.

Drivers should allow extra travel time and check the latest information from organisers before setting out.

Emergency access arrangements will remain in place throughout the weekend and organisers have worked closely with emergency services, local authorities and transport providers to minimise disruption while ensuring participant safety.

What to expect

For three days, Tenby becomes the centre of the endurance sports world.

Visitors can expect a festival atmosphere throughout the town, with athletes arriving from across Britain and overseas, cafés and restaurants bustling with activity, and competitors of all ages taking on personal challenges.

Some will be chasing podium places. Others will simply be aiming to cross the finish line.

Whatever their goal, Long Course Weekend continues to showcase Pembrokeshire at its best, combining world-class sporting competition with some of the finest scenery in Wales.

As thousands gather once again on the county’s coastline this weekend, organisers are promising another unforgettable celebration of endurance, determination and community spirit.

Long Course Weekend 2026 at a glance

Friday, June 26

  • Wales Swim
  • LC Kinder children’s events

Saturday, June 27

  • Wales Sportive cycling events

Sunday, June 28

  • 5K run
  • 10K run
  • Half marathon
  • Full marathon

Location: Tenby and surrounding Pembrokeshire routes

Spectators: Free to attend

Advice: Check road closure information before travelling and allow extra time for journeys throughout the weekend.

 

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Pembroke County Cricket League: Week nine round-up

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Saundersfoot extend Division One lead as Cresselly III continue unbeaten run

SAUNDERSFOOT strengthened their position at the top of Division One in the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League with a convincing 145-run win over Burton.

Tom Mansbridge led the way with 86 as Saundersfoot posted 219-6, before Burton were bowled out for 74. Ollie Cook finished unbeaten on 20 and took 3-17, while Sam Franklin added 20 and 2-17.

Carew also enjoyed a strong afternoon, bowling Herbrandston out for 77 before reaching 79-2 to win by eight wickets. George Waters was the standout performer with 7-15, while Morgan Grieve made an unbeaten 61.

Cresselly kept themselves in the Division One chase with an eight-wicket win over Lawrenny. Mike Shaw took 4-10 before Tom Murphy’s unbeaten 105 saw Cresselly home.

Narberth beat Whitland by 103 runs, while St Ishmaels defeated Neyland by four wickets.

Division One results

FixtureResult
Saundersfoot 219-6 v Burton 74 all outSaundersfoot won by 145 runs
Carew 79-2 v Herbrandston 77 all outCarew won by eight wickets
Cresselly 178-2 v Lawrenny 173 all outCresselly won by eight wickets
Whitland 108-9 v Narberth 211-4Narberth won by 103 runs
St Ishmaels 139-6 v Neyland 137-8St Ishmaels won by four wickets

Division One table

PosTeamPldPoints
1Saundersfoot9148
2Carew9126
3Neyland9117
4Cresselly9116
5Burton999
6Herbrandston995
7Narberth978
8St Ishmaels964
9Whitland949
10Lawrenny947

Hook stay top in Division Two

HOOK remain top of Division Two after a dramatic one-wicket win over Johnston.

Johnston were bowled out for 137, with Callum James taking 4-26 and Brennan Martin 3-37. Hook then edged home on 141-9, helped by Aled Phelps’ 68.

Haverfordwest kept up the pressure with a seven-wicket win over Pembroke. Simon Williams took 5-11 and Fin Ateyo 4-19 before Ben Field’s unbeaten 43 guided Haverfordwest to victory.

Cresselly II beat Llangwm by 11 runs, Fishguard defeated Pembroke Dock by 18 runs, and Llechryd beat Llanrhian by 71 runs.

Division Two results

FixtureResult
Llangwm 155 all out v Cresselly II 166 all outCresselly II won by 11 runs
Pembroke Dock 57 all out v Fishguard 75 all outFishguard won by 18 runs
Pembroke 93 all out v Haverfordwest 94-3Haverfordwest won by seven wickets
Hook 141-9 v Johnston 137 all outHook won by one wicket
Llechryd 204-6 v Llanrhian 133 all outLlechryd won by 71 runs

Division Two table

PosTeamPldPoints
1Hook9138
2Haverfordwest9133
3Johnston9131
4Cresselly II9129
5Pembroke9129
6Fishguard993
7Pembroke Dock973
8Llanrhian973
9Llangwm970
10Llechryd965

Laugharne lead Division Three

LAUGHARNE stayed top of Division Three with a five-wicket win over Carew II.

Carew II were bowled out for 128 before Laugharne reached 129-5. Callum Collins-Davies took 4-13, Joe Hodges claimed 3-33 and finished 21 not out, while Matt Tait made an unbeaten 53.

Hundleton beat Kilgetty by one wicket in a close contest, Lamphey defeated Stackpole by eight wickets, Pembroke II beat Burton II by seven wickets, and Haverfordwest II beat Saundersfoot II by 43 runs.

Division Three results

FixtureResult
Laugharne 129-5 v Carew II 128 all outLaugharne won by five wickets
Hundleton 164-9 v Kilgetty 163-5Hundleton won by one wicket
Stackpole 112-8 v Lamphey 113-2Lamphey won by eight wickets
Burton II 146 all out v Pembroke II 150-3Pembroke II won by seven wickets
Haverfordwest II 133 all out v Saundersfoot II 90 all outHaverfordwest II won by 43 runs

Division Three table

PosTeamPldPoints
1Laugharne9143
2Carew II9113
3Kilgetty9113
4Pembroke II9112
5Lamphey9110
6Saundersfoot II991
7Burton II887
8Hundleton978
9Haverfordwest II976
10Stackpole835

Division Four remains tight

LAWRENNY II remain top of Division Four, although they had no game against Carew III.

Narberth II recorded a heavy win over Crymych, making 216-7 before bowling Crymych out for 58 to win by 158 runs. Manu Iddagoda made 62 and Arron Keane 57.

Neyland II beat Hook II by seven wickets, Herbrandston II defeated Llechryd II by 85 runs, and Haverfordwest III beat St Ishmaels II by 41 runs.

Division Four results

FixtureResult
Lawrenny II v Carew IIINo game
Narberth II 216-7 v Crymych 58 all outNarberth II won by 158 runs
Neyland II 184-3 v Hook II 182-6Neyland II won by seven wickets
Herbrandston II 216-6 v Llechryd II 131 all outHerbrandston II won by 85 runs
Haverfordwest III 128-9 v St Ishmaels II 87 all outHaverfordwest III won by 41 runs

Division Four table

PosTeamPldPoints
1Lawrenny II8120
2St Ishmaels II9119
3Narberth II9114
4Hook II9109
5Herbrandston II9104
6Neyland II9103
7Crymych992
8Llechryd II985
9Haverfordwest III984
10Carew III845

Cresselly III stay unbeaten

CRESSELLY III continued their unbeaten Division Five campaign with a 15-run win over Llangwm II.

Cresselly III made 190-6, with Steffan Jenkins scoring 57, Ollie Toy 47 and George Davies 32. Llangwm II replied with 175 all out, despite Toby Asson’s 68 and Bill Brant’s 40.

Llanrhian II beat Pembroke Dock II by three wickets, helped by Michael Lawrence’s unbeaten 43 and 2-6. Pembroke III defeated Whitland II by 67 runs, with Harry Penniket making 48.

Division Five results

FixtureResult
Cresselly III 190-6 v Llangwm II 175 all outCresselly III won by 15 runs
Llanrhian II 104-7 v Pembroke Dock II 102 all outLlanrhian II won by three wickets
Pembroke III 128-8 v Whitland II 61 all outPembroke III won by 67 runs
Llechryd III v Hundleton IINo game

Division Five table

PosTeamPldPoints
1Cresselly III8146
2Llangwm II8113
3Llanrhian II8108
4Whitland II9106
5Pembroke III879
6Pembroke Dock II963
7Llechryd III758
8Hundleton II728

Haverfordwest IV lead Division Six

ONLY one Division Six match was completed, with Haverfordwest/Cresselly beating Lamphey II by eight wickets.

Lamphey II were bowled out for 89 before Haverfordwest/Cresselly reached 90-2. Tom Rowlands was unbeaten on 66, while Dan Cole finished 12 not out and took 2-13.

Whitland III’s match with Haverfordwest IV was abandoned, as was Kilgetty II’s fixture against Laugharne II. Neyland III had a bye.

Division Six results

FixtureResult
Whitland III v Haverfordwest IVMatch abandoned
Kilgetty II v Laugharne IIMatch abandoned
Lamphey II 89 all out v Haverfordwest/Cresselly 90-2Haverfordwest/Cresselly won by eight wickets
Neyland IIIBye

Division Six table

PosTeamPldPoints
1Haverfordwest IV8101
2Lamphey II7100
3Whitland III893
4Neyland III884
5Haverfordwest/Cresselly770
6Laugharne II865
7Kilgetty II823

The results and tables cover Week Nine fixtures played on Saturday (June 20).

 

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National champions set for Lloyds Road Championships in Wales

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Strong Welsh contingent among elite field heading to Lampeter and Aberystwyth

SOME of Britain’s leading cyclists will head to Wales next week as the 2026 Lloyds National Road Championships get under way.

Sixteen former elite national road champions are among the riders named for the event, which begins in Lampeter on Thursday, June 25, before moving to Aberystwyth for the circuit race and road race.

Welsh rider Zoe Backstedt, of Canyon//SRAM Zondacrypto, is expected to be one of the headline names after winning the elite women’s time-trial title at last year’s championships.

Backstedt said: “I’m super excited to come back to Wales to race national champs this year. I don’t get to race in the UK a lot, let alone in Wales, so that makes it even more exciting to be there.

“We’ve got such a strong roster of riders in the UK, so it’s never going to be easy, but I hope I’ll come into this in good shape and fighting for the win.”

Millie Couzens, of Fenix-Premier Tech, returns to defend her women’s road race title. She faces a strong field including three-time road national champion Pfeiffer Georgi, Morven Yeoman, Imogen Wolff, Cat Ferguson, Anna Henderson and Flora Perkins.

In the men’s road race, Sam Watson, of NetCompany Ineos, will look to retain his crown against a field including former national champion Ben Swift, reigning under-23 champion Matthew Brennan, Adam Howell and Ethan Hayter.

Hayter said: “Nationals always seem to bring out the best in me. I’ve managed to win a jersey in 2024 and 2025, so it would be nice to try to add another in the TT or RR.

“Each year the level gets higher, but it makes for aggressive, exciting racing.”

Cameron Mason will return to Aberystwyth to defend his open circuit race title, with Thomas Armstrong, Matt Bostock and Oliver Wood among those expected to challenge.

Kate Richardson also returns as defending women’s circuit race champion. She will be joined by a strong field including Isabel Sharp, Carys Lloyd, Xan Crees, Jenny Holl and Josie Knight.

A number of Welsh riders will also compete across the championships, including Finlay Tarling, Elynor Backstedt, Anna Morris, Owain Doull MBE and Megan Barker.

Erin Boothman, following a successful track season, will make her Lloyds National Road Championships debut in the women’s road race and under-23 women’s time-trial. Ben Wiggins will also return to Ceredigion as he looks to improve on last year’s silver medal in the under-23 men’s time-trial.

Ten national champions’ jerseys will be contested over three days of racing.

The time-trial takes place in Lampeter on Thursday, June 25. The elite women, under-23 women and under-23 men will race over 25.6km, while the elite men will cover 38.4km.

Aberystwyth will host the circuit race on Friday, June 26, and the road race on Sunday, June 28, giving spectators the chance to watch some of Britain’s best riders on Welsh roads.

The championships return to Wales with support from the Welsh Government.

Pic: Lloyds National Circuit Championship 2025 (Pic: SWPix.com)

 

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