Sport
Haverfordwest ladies back on track with convincing win
HAVERFORDWEST Ladies RFC got their season back on track with a convincing 53-0 win over Old Penarthians at Pembroke Road on Sunday, 10 April.
Cancellations meant this was only their second game of 2022, but there were few signs of rust from Jeff Clout’s side.
There were two tries from player of the match Ella Sturley who was unstoppable in the centre, while versatile flanker Menna Pugh-Jones also crossed twice.
Emily Carrington was as industrious as ever in the breakdown, and got her just rewards with a turnover and try, as did Jana Neumann who latched on to a chip from scrum-half Emma Summons to go crashing over under the posts.
Mena Williams also impressed on her first senior game, scoring a try with her first touch after the ball was shipped out wide.
Maria Phillips was one of the returning “older faces” in the side, but proved her eye for the try line was as sharp as ever, picking up off the back of the scrum to cross on the blindside.
The eldest face of all, Ceri Coleman-Phillips, rounded off the day’s scoring after scooping up a loose ball and powering over.
Fly-half Elin Williams added four successful conversions to the points haul.
As well as the result, Haverfordwest can be encouraged with the performances of Becky Osborne, Mena Williams, Nicole Morrisey, Maria Smith-Fernandez, Beth Phillips and Rachel Barton who were all playing their first senior game for the club.
It has been quite the turnaround for the lady blues who at the start of the year were at risk of folding due to a lack of numbers, but for the second fixture running they were able to field a full matchday 23.
The day was rounded off with a presentation of an international shirt from current Wales wing Lisa Neumann, a former player of Haverfordwest.
Lisa is one of the 12 Wales players who turned fully-professional at the start of the year and the club was delighted to welcome her home.
Haverfordwest Ladies: Rhian Swift; Tati Richards, Lilly Arnold, Ella Sturley, Mena Williams; Elin Williams, Emma Summons (capt); Kate Allen, Becky Osborne, Sarah Lawrence, Jana Neumann, Christine Selby, Branwen Vaughan, Menna Pugh-Jones, Emily Carrington.
Replacements: Maria Phillips, Rachel Barton, Maria Smith-Fernandez, Ceri Coleman-Phillips, Ali Hopson-Griffiths, Bethan Phillips, Nicole Morrisey.
Sport
South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics
Two of the finest athletes in south-west Wales are dreaming about bringing home medals from the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Track cyclist Emma Finucane and sailing star Micky Beckett will head to France in a buoyant mood after enjoying a successful build-up to their respective events.
Welsh athletes collected a record-equalling 11 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games and hopes are high that the tally could be beaten this year.
The Carmarthen-born rider cemented her rapid rise up the sprint ranks by winning a gold medal at the 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.
She became Great Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 and is now on track to chase more medals at the Olympics across three events.
The 21-year-old has yearned to compete at the Summer Games since watching Team GB sparkle at London 2012 and she is eager to make her mark this summer.
“It’s a massive dream of mine and it’s pretty cool that I’m kind of living my dream,” Finucane said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the journey and hopefully I’ll get selected and compete for my country.
“And it’s exciting because as the Team GB women’s sprint. I feel like we’re in a really good place to do well at the Olympics, not just compete as Olympians.”
Pembrokeshire-born sailor Beckett will also head to Paris with his sights firmly set on winning gold in the hugely competitive ILCA 7 class.
He will renew rivalries with Australian Matt Wearn, who controversially claimed the World Championship title ahead of Hermann Tomasgaard and Beckett earlier this year.
Online bookmakers rate Wearn as the favourite to emerge victorious this summer, but Beckett’s recent form gives him every chance of turning the tables.
Several new sports betting sites in Australia cut the Welsh sailor’s Olympic odds after he completed a trio of World Cup successes at a recent event in Palma.
Beckett believes the hard work he has done over the past few months gives him every chance of toppling Wearn when the action gets underway this summer.
“There is still plenty of work to do and managing form is probably the most important thing of any athlete’s job,” Beckett said. “There is no point being the best in the world unless you are the best in the world when it counts.
Sport
Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown
In the picturesque setting of Kilgetty, under the soft glow of the evening sun, local football fans were treated to an enticing clash between Kilgetty and Carew in the Pembrokeshire League Division 1. With the season winding down, both sides took to the pitch amidst numerous squad rotations, following a hectic week of multiple fixtures.
The match kicked off in a leisurely pace, resembling more of an end-of-season friendly than a fierce competition. Kilgetty seized the early initiative, with the trio of Josh Bevan, Richard Tebbut, and Richard Cope causing headaches for the Carew defense, skillfully led by Gareth Lewis. It was Jac Waters who broke the deadlock for the home side, putting Kilgetty ahead 1-0 as the first half came to a close.
However, Carew emerged revitalised after the break, with Jonty Bennett, James Hinchcliffe, and Zac Rowell putting in the hard yards to level the score. The introduction of Harvey Drummond for the ineffective Sam Christopher added further depth to Carew’s attacking prowess, culminating in an equaliser courtesy of the excellent Hinchcliffe.
As tensions rose, the game took on a newfound intensity, marked by needless bookings, after a clearly offside goal and a few heated moments on the field. Despite the fatigue evident from their recent fixture congestion, both teams showcased their competitive spirit, treating the fans to an entertaining second half.
In the end, neither side could break the deadlock, with Kilgetty and Carew having to settle for a well-fought 1-1 draw. While neither team was at their absolute best, the match provided a fitting conclusion to their respective seasons.
Sport
The stage is set – Senior Cup Final
It’s the time of the year again, Saturday see’s Bridge Meadow host the senior cup final. The sun has been shining and both teams will be dying to get on the pitch. This year the final will be contested by Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road.
League champions Goodwick will go into the final as favourites, and most around the county expect a Goodwick win. It has been an outstanding season for Goodwick however cup success has evaded them so far. Clarbeston Road have impressed everyone this season and really deserve their place in this years final.
Neill Crawshaw will referee the game, with Tudor Walters and Stefan Jenkins running the line.
There will be a unique contest on the pitch as brothers Will Haworth and Laurie Haworth come face to face on opposing teams. Adrian their father was a great player in the county, and played in many cup finals himself.
The stage is set, Clarby will feel less pressure than Goodwick and will be a threat with Haworth, John and Davies in attack. Meanwhile Goodwick are also blessed with quality players in every department, there is no weak link in O’Sullivans team. Cup football and finals in particular never go as people predict. On paper Goodwick are firm favourites, Clarbeston Road will be happy the game will be played on grass though and not paper, anything can happen! Hopefully it’ll be a good crowd down at the Meadow for the show piece of Pembrokeshire football.
-
News4 days ago
Police and air ambulances at ‘serious incident’ at West Wales school
-
Business2 days ago
Largest Welsh port appoints communications and marketing director
-
Crime4 days ago
Pembrokeshire pensioner accused of 17 sexual offences against children
-
Crime3 days ago
All three school stabbing victims discharged from hospital, police confirm
-
Community5 days ago
County Hall to offer space for community banking
-
Crime6 days ago
Brian Davis: Wanted on suspicion of commercial burglary
-
Sport5 days ago
Swifts eyes on double.
-
Community2 days ago
Suspected explosive device found on west Wales beach