Sport
Pembrokeshire League Division One preview – 06-01-2024
AFTER an extremely wet December and festive period, pitches around the county will be grateful for a bit of respite, however it’s likely some games will be cancelled this coming weekend due to saturated ground. However the forecast is improving and we hope for a full complement of fixtures, as there are some very important games scheduled up and down the county.
Fishguard Sports v Merlins Bridge
As we heard from Fishguard boss Phil Jones before Christmas, they are up for the fight and prepared to battle for every point. They need results and they need them fast, home form will be crucial in their fight for survival and they’ll be hoping to start the new year with a positive result. The visitors have had a fairly good season so far but will need to win every game if they have aspirations of being an outsider in the title race.
Goodwick United v Tenby
Goodwick have had to wait to bounce back from their first loss in what feels like forever in the FAW Amauter Trophy. They will be chomping at the bit to make a statement and to get back to winning ways. Tenby however will provide a good test if the best version of Tenby turns up, they’ve struggled with consistency so far this season.
Hakin United v Clarbeston Road
The Vikings will be keen to keep up the pressure on Goodwick at the top of the table when they host Matthew Fox’s Clarbeston Road. Clarby beat Hakin in the senior cup and will take confidence from this, another win here would add to what’s been an impressive season for Clarby so far.
Monkton Swifts v Milford United
Monkton Swifts host one of the most impressive teams in the first division this season in the form of Steve Parks’ Milford United. They find themselves two points behind the Swifts and have played two fewer games, an impressive season for the newly promoted men from Marble Hall. Relegation doesn’t seem to be a realistic threat for either of these clubs but they’ll both be looking to finish as high as possible and do some damage in cup competitions.
Pennar Robins v Neyland
Carl Vincent’s Pennar Robins came out 6-2 victors in the reverse of this fixture back in December a repeat of this result would be huge for the hosts. From what they’ve shown before Christmas they have far too much quality to be relegated and a few wins will see them comfortably in mid-table. Neyland sit on 12 points the same as the hosts and will be aiming to build on their win last time out against Tenby.
Hopefully the weather is kind to us and we get a lot of exciting football played in the county this coming weekend. Good luck to all involved.
Sport
Winners and losers from the 23/24 season
With all but a couple of the fixtures having been completed for this season. We take a look at the promotions and relegations throughout the divisions.
Division One –
Champions – Goodwick United, uneaten in the league all season and champions by a huge 17 point margin to second placed Hakin. An outstanding league campaign for O’Sullivan’s men.
Relegated – Neyland & Fishguard Sports
Division 2
Champions – Monkton Swifts Reserves. Having only lost two games all season Monkton dominated the division winning the league by a huge 14 point margin. Being a reserve team they can’t be promoted as their first team are in the first division.
Promoted – St Ishmaels & Herbrandston. Swifts winning the league meant second and third place would be promoted to the first division and Tish and Herbie took full advantage and have returned to Pembrokeshire’s top flight.
Relegated – St Clears & Cosheston
Division 3
Champions – Lawrenny, a much tighter title chase in the third division between Solva and Lawrenny. However it was the former who secured the title by three points and will be looking forward to the second division next season.
Promoted – Solva, only three points behind the champions and definitely deserving of their promotion.
Relegated – Letterston & Pennar Robins II
Division 4
Champions – Camrose Reserves who came out on top of a thrilling chase for the title.
Promoted – Tenby Reserves who push Camrose really hard in the title challenge. They fell three points short of becoming champions, however they held off local rivals New Hedges Saundersfoot in the promotion race who ended two points behind them.
Relegated – Milford Athletic & Carew III
Division 5
Champions – Hundleton. The return of Hundleton couldn’t have gone much better they have won the league and with a staggering goal difference of plus 98.
Promoted – Johnston Reserves.
Sport
Cricket season to begin… finally
The cricket season is set to begin this coming Saturday after a delay due to bad weather. The first two rounds of fixtures have been re arranged due to an extremely wet March and April. This coming Saturday should have been match week three, however it is the first game of the season.
We eagerly await the season and what promises to be exciting league and cup campaigns across the county. Neyland are definitely the team to beat after their excellent season last time out. Newly promoted Haverfordwest and Whitland will be wanting to cement their places back in the top division of the county.
Whilst the second division looks set to be the most competitive for years. Pembroke and Lamphey are the two new comers to the league and will definitely be more competitive than last seasons relegated teams. Johnston will be aiming to avoid a relegation battle this season under new captain Chris Fitzpatrick.
News
Jonathan Davies to say farewell to Scarlets at the end of the season
ONE of the Scarlets’ greats, Jonathan Davies, will say farewell to the club at the end of the season.
After 16 seasons spanning two spells at the club, the man known as ‘Foxy’ will be moving on at the end of the campaign.
From Bancyfelin in Carmarthenshire, Jonathan has made 209 appearances in a Scarlets jersey having made his debut for the club against Northampton Saints as an 18-year-old back in 2006.
A former club captain, he was an integral member of the side that lifted the Guinness PRO12 title in 2016-17, the Scarlets clinching the trophy in style thanks to a mesmeric brand of attacking rugby.
Jonathan has gone on to become one of the most decorated centres in world rugby, representing the British & Irish Lions in the Test series against Australia (2013) and New Zealand (2017) – where he was player of the series. He has also played 96 Tests for Wales, featuring in two Grand Slam-winning sides, a further two championship wins, and two Rugby World Cups in New Zealand (2011) and Japan (2019). He has also captained the national side on four occasions.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s final home match against Ulster, Jonathan said: “I am going to miss this place and this group. Day to day, being around a great bunch of boys and saying you are working you feel very privileged.
“It has been incredible to play for a team I supported when I was a young boy. I have enjoyed every minute and have some wonderful memories, but everything has to come to an end.
“I remember my first day coming into the Academy at Stradey, I remember walking into the changing room for training with the likes, Vernon Cooper, Matthew Rees, Iestyn Thomas, Alix Popham – who were the ‘guvnors’ of the changing room – and putting my bag on the bench and coming in afterwards and it was on the floor; I tried another spot the next day and the same happened! it was a great learning; myself, Ken and my generation were probably the last ones to have experience of that old school environment.”
Recalling the highlights of his Scarlets career, lifting the PRO12 trophy in Dublin in 2017 figures at the top of the list, as does playing alongside his younger brother James ‘Cubby’.
He added: “There was a span of five or six games in which I never enjoyed rugby as much as I did during the end of that season when we won the PRO12. I have always said, if we were still in European competition at that point we would have won it.
“The rugby we played was so much fun and so natural, we were operating at a level that we didn’t really need to talk about what was expected of us. It felt as if we were operating at our highest level possible and the talent in that group was so high it showed in the games leading up to the final and then in the final.
“Playing alongside my brother was another special moment and winning a trophy as part of the same side is something I am very proud of.”
As for the future, Jonathan has a testimonial year beginning in June and is also hoping to continue his playing career.
“I would love to see if there is another opportunity to play elsewhere, whether that be abroad or not,” he adds. “I still enjoy coming to train and playing. I am always told you are a long time retired – if you feel you can add to an environment or a team I feel I’d be stupid not to.
“The Scarlets have been a huge part of my life. When you get older there is an appreciation of the effort that people – coaches, team-mates, staff – have put into your career. The supporters here have been amazing from day one as well.”
Paying tribute to one of the Scarlets’ greats, head coach Dwayne Peel said: “I played in the same game as Foxy’s debut, there was a lot of talk of this kid from Bancyfelin coming through and when he turned up he was more developed than some of the senior boys! He was strong and fast and you could see straight away he was something special.
“He was always destined for big things, but he has also worked tirelessly on his game to become the best No. 13 in the world and is an example to any young player who aspires to make it as a professional.
“I am sure the next few weeks will be an emotional time for him, saying his farewells. He has been a big part of this club for a long time.”
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