Sport
Otters come from behind to win final game of the season
NARBERTH travelled to Maesteg Quins with a relatively young and inexperienced team due to unavailability of players attending a wedding.
In the warm up wing Aled Rees turned over his ankle and took no part in the match and was replaced by Will Hughes starting his first league match for the Otters.
Despite these setbacks Narberth were first on the board with a penalty kicked by full back Nick Gale.
Quins replied with a penalty kicked by their fly half and then increased their lead with a further penalty for a Narberth infringement at a ruck (6-3).
Quins were putting Narberth under a lot of pressure and from a quickly taken penalty by their scrum half the ball was moved to their centre who ran through a gap in the Narberth defence and scored under the posts. The try was converted (13-3).
Both teams defences then held firm and there was no further scoring before half time. In the second half Narberth had the advantage of the wind but within the first five minutes the Quins centre intercepted a long Narberth pass and again ran in under the posts to stretch the score to 20-3.
This seemed to galvanise the Otters into action and after continued pressure near the Quins line wing Ashley Sutton scored in the corner to reduce the deficit. The try was unconverted.
Minutes later the ball was again moved wide to Sutton and after charging down the wing his kick ahead was collected by supporting scrum half George MacDonald who scored a try wide out which again went unconverted but brought the score back to 20-13.
Shortly afterwards Quins again extended their lead with their fly half kicking a further penalty. Narberth were soon piling on the pressure near the Quins line and after a break down the touchline by Gale he got his pass away when tackled to the supporting Sutton who again crashed over in the corner for an unconverted try (23-18).
Quins were now beginning to panic as the Otters fitness seemed to be making all the difference. With five minutes to go, from a turnover at a ruck the ball was swiftly moved to centre Josh Davies who found a gap in the Quins defence and ran in to score under the posts. Gale converted to put the Otters in front with little time left on the clock.
Then from the last move of the game the Otters had another scrum on the Quins line and MacDonald picked up the ball, shrugged off his opposite number and scored another well deserved try to make the final score 23-30 to the Otters.
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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