Sport

Otters slip to defeat against Rhondda

Published

3 years ago

March 15, 2022

NARBERTH welcomed Ystrad Rhondda to the Lewis Lloyd ground on Saturday (Mar 12) for a league match having beaten the visitors in a Cup match the previous week.

After fifteen minutes centre Joe Hutchings made an excellent outside break and then slipped a pass inside to supporting scrum half George MacDonald who scored near the posts. Full back Nick Gale converted the try to give the Otters an early 7-0 lead.

Shortly afterwards from a driving maul near the Narberth line, the Ystrad hooker broke away and scored a try under the posts which was converted by the visitors fly half (7-7).

Ten minutes later a lovely break from the base of a scrum by George MacDonald saw the ball moved wide and Nick Gale scored in the clubhouse corner (12-7).

Shortly afterwards Gale increased the score with a penalty (15-7).

Just before the end of the first half Ystrad scored a further try which was converted to bring the score to 15-14.

Narberth supporters were looking for a better performance from their team in the second half but unfortunately Ystrad had other ideas and seemed to be far more determined to get a result on the day.

Narberth had a greater share of possession and dominated the set pieces but a dogged and sometimes offside defence kept the Otters from scoring.

Then a mistake in the Narberth defence gifted the visitors a try which was converted to give them a 15-21 lead.

Despite Narberth’s attempts in the last ten minutes of the game when they came close to scoring on several occasions, Ystrad’s defence held out and they gained a well deserved victory for their efforts.

Narberth will be hoping for a better performance when they travel to Trebanos for a league match on Friday night.

Sport

Wales head coach Matt Sherratt names side for Scotland clash

Published

7 hours ago

March 8, 2025

Herald Sport

WALES head coach Matt Sherratt has named an unchanged starting XV for their Guinness Six Nations clash against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday (KO 4:45pm GMT, live on BBC and S4C).

Jac Morgan continues as captain at blindside flanker, with Tommy Reffell at openside and Taulupe Faletau at No. 8. The front row remains the same, featuring Nicky Smith at loosehead prop, Elliot Dee at hooker, and WillGriff John at tighthead. Will Rowlands and Dafydd Jenkins retain their spots in the second row.

Tomos Williams starts at scrum-half, partnered by Gareth Anscombe at fly-half. In midfield, Ben Thomas lines up alongside Max Llewellyn. Ellis Mee, who made his debut in the previous match, keeps his place on the wing with Tom Rogers on the opposite side, while Blair Murray starts at fullback.

Two changes have been made among the replacements: Dewi Lake returns to the match-day squad for his first Six Nations appearance since 2022, and tighthead prop Keiron Assiratti also comes into the 23. Gareth Thomas, Teddy Williams, and Aaron Wainwright complete the forward replacements, while Rhodri Williams, Jarrod Evans, and Joe Roberts are the backup backs.

Sherratt said: “This week, we’ve challenged ourselves to keep improving. We want to maintain the same intent and bravery we showed against Ireland but ensure we build on our performance. We’re excited for the challenge of playing Scotland in Edinburgh and can’t wait to get out there on Saturday.”

Wales team to face Scotland

Starting XV:
15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 6 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 8 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 6 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 10 caps)
11. Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 1 cap)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby – 40 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 62 caps)

Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 52 caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons – 54 caps)
WillGriff John (Sale Sharks – 3 caps)
Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 39 caps)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 21 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 21 caps) – captain
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 25 caps)
Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 106 caps)

Replacements:
16. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 18 caps)
17. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 38 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 12 caps)
19. Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 4 caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 55 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 7 caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 9 caps)
23. Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 3 caps)

2025 Guinness Six Nations fixtures

Friday 31 January: France 43-0 Wales – Stade de France, Paris
Saturday 8 February: Italy 22-15 Wales – Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Saturday 22 February: Wales 18-27 Ireland – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday 8 March: Scotland v Wales – Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh (KO 4:45pm GMT)
Saturday 15 March: Wales v England – Principality Stadium, Cardiff (KO 4:45pm GMT)

Sport

MP praises Haverfordwest County FC for community work

Published

8 hours ago

March 7, 2025

Herald Sport

THE MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire has praised Haverfordwest County Football Club for its contributions to the local community, highlighting its impact during Commons questions in Parliament.

Henry Tufnell MP called on the Minister of State for Sport, Stephanie Peacock MP, to join him in recognising the club’s efforts and to wish them success for the rest of the season.

“I was thrilled to highlight the incredible work carried out by Haverfordwest County across our community,” said Tufnell. “Our local club facilitates football sessions for school pupils through the brilliant Fit & Fed programme, which also provides a healthy meal for pupils.”

He also commended the club’s walking football sessions, which have helped make the sport more accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

“I know the real difference access to sport can have for communities, and Haverfordwest County are making an amazing impact in our county,” he said.

“So, I was delighted that the minister could join me in applauding Haverfordwest County and wishing them luck for the rest of the season.”

Sport

Haverfordwest County v Penybont selected for live broadcast

Published

8 hours ago

March 7, 2025

Herald Sport

S4C have selected the JD Cymru Premier fixture between Haverfordwest County and Penybont for live broadcast on Friday 21 March (KO 19:45).

With a second-place finish potentially enough to earn European qualification, the game at Ogi Bridge Meadow – available to watch on S4C Clic and Sgorio’s online platforms and your smart TV – could prove crucial to both sides’ ambitions this season.

Penybont currently sit second in the JD Cymru Premier but have picked up just one point from four games in Phase Two so far, which has allowed third-place Haverfordwest to move just three points behind them with two wins and two draws since the split.

Two of the three league games between the two sides so far this season have ended goalless, while Penybont won 1-0 in the league in December and by the same scoreline in the Nathaniel MG Cup in September.