Sport

Cody Gakpo on course for Euro 2024 Golden Boot

Published

2 years ago

July 3, 2024

The 2024 European Championships in Germany has been a spectacular footballing event, with the biggest and best teams from across the continent doing battle in some spectacular contests.

Whilst the likes of holders Italy and highly fancied Belgium have already been eliminated and pre-tournament favourites England and France requiring plenty of luck to sneak through to the quarter finals, it has been a tournament packed with drama.

With the tournament having reached the quarter final stage, there are plenty of sides in the hunt for Euro 2024 glory with many football betting sites and there are plenty of options out there for punters and bookmakers alike, with some superb sports betting bonus offers on the market for Euro 2024 currently.

Another side that have been through the mill at the tournament is the Netherlands, a team that were seen as one of the dark horses in the competition from the outset and despite some tetchy moments, they have progressed to the last 8.

An opening last gasp win over Poland was backed up by a turgid draw with France and a pain-staking loss to Austria, results that left the Dutch finishing 3^rd in Group D and with plenty of work to do if they are to go all the way at Euro 2024.

Next up was a potentially tricky tie against Romania, a game that the Dutch comfortably prevailed from and the goal threat of Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, a man who always steps up for his country and who finds himself in the conversation for the Euro 2024 Golden Boot.

Glorious Gakpo

The impact Cody Gakpo has had on this Dutch side at Euro 2024 has been huge, with plenty of reds fans hugely enthralled by the performances he has been putting in for Holland at this tournament.

Playing on the left and cutting in on his right foot is a new role for Gakpo under Ronald Koeman for the Dutch national team but it maybe something incoming Liverpool manager Arne Slot looks to employ, as he seeks to get the best out of a player that has yet to develop a sense of consistency at Anfield.

Cody Gakpo has been the talisman for the Netherlands so far at Euro 2024, scoring the opening goal against Poland, before backing that up with further goals against Austria in the group stages and against Romania in the last 16.

3 goals in 4 games has propelled him firmly into Golden Boot contention and how Liverpool would love to have a fully fit and confident Gakpo this summer, before he returns to Anfield for a big season ahead in 2024/25.

Dutch Dream

The Netherlands last won a major tournament back in 1988 and their long wait for silverware is only three games away at Euro 2024.

Next up for Koeman, Gakpo and co. is a tricky looking tie against Turkiye, one of the best supported sides in the tournament and if they win that, the likes of England or Switzerland will be waiting for them in the semi-finals.

Despite the collective opinion that the Netherlands haven’t hit anywhere near top gear in Euro 2024, they have progressed through to the quarter finals relatively seamlessly and they will believe that if their performances improve, they could have the tools to go all the way and end their 36 year wait for a major tournament victory.

Golden Boot glory

With each of the sides left in the competition all having played 4 games each, the goal tallies across the competition from some players have been hugely impressive.

Cody Gakpo is joined at the top of the tree by German wonderkid Jamal Musiala, a player that has set the tournament alight thus far and who will be looking to propel his home nation to glory here at Euro 2024.

Elsewhere, big names such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Kai Havertz have all netted twice in the tournament and with their presence in the Golden Boot race noted, it could be an epic battle for individual honours here in Germany.

If the Netherlands are to go all the way however, it would be a huge achievement for Cody Gakpo and his Liverpool team mates Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch, who will be buoyed when they return to club life ahead of next season.

Sport

Young Crymych players step up to senior stage

Published

16 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Herald Sport

Five youth team players earn praise after impressing at championship level

CRYMYCH RUGBY CLUB has hailed the contribution of five of its youth players after they stepped up to feature in a senior side at championship level.

The young players, who remain part of the club’s youth setup, were given the opportunity to test themselves in a higher-level fixture, and impressed coaches and supporters alike with their attitude and commitment on the field.

Club representatives said it was “fantastic to see” the dedication shown by the youngsters, who rose to the occasion in what was described as a special experience for both the players and the club.

The match provided a valuable opportunity for development, allowing the next generation of Crymych players to gain experience in a more competitive environment while contributing to the senior squad.

The rugby club said the move reflects its long-term focus on nurturing homegrown talent and creating a clear pathway from youth rugby into the senior game.

Officials added that the future of the club looks bright, with the performance of the young “Teirw” – or Bulls – offering reassurance that the next generation is ready to carry the club forward.

The club congratulated the players on their achievement and said it hopes to see more youth players progressing through the ranks in the coming seasons.

Sport

Tenby youngsters book places in West Wales cup finals

Published

16 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Herald Sport

Under 13s and under 14s progress after District H finals day success

TENBY UNITED RFC’s junior sides enjoyed a memorable District H finals day, with two age groups securing victories and places in the West Wales cup finals.

The club’s under 13s lifted silverware after beating Crymych 32-17, while the under 14s edged a thrilling contest against Neyland, winning 18-17.

Tenby’s under 12s were also involved in a close match, narrowly losing 31-28 to Haverfordwest.

The under 13s and under 14s will now go on to represent the club at the West Wales cup finals at Parc y Scarlets on May 24.

Tenby United RFC congratulated the young Swifts on their achievements, saying: “Well done Swifts.”

Caption:

Winners: Tenby United RFC’s under 14s celebrate their District H final victory.

Sport

Carew set early pace as rain disrupts Pembrokeshire cricket programme

Published

18 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Herald Sport

RAIN played a major part in Week 2 of the Nicholas Insurance Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League, with several Division 1 fixtures abandoned after strong first-innings performances.

Carew made the biggest statement in the top flight, cruising to a ten-wicket win over St Ishmaels to move clear at the top of the table.

St Ishmaels were bowled out for 110, with Tim Hicks (3-18), Shaun Whitfield (3-14) and Logan Hall (2-27) doing the damage. Carew then eased to 111-0, Hicks completing an outstanding all-round display with 55 not out, alongside Morgan Grieve’s unbeaten 54.

Elsewhere, Narberth piled up 301-7 before rain intervened against Herbrandston, Jamie McCormack hitting a superb 104. Lawrenny (297-7) and Burton (203-7) also posted big totals before the weather had the final say.

Division 1 results

Match	Result
Cresselly 30-2 v Burton 203-7	Match abandoned
Narberth 301-7 v Herbrandston 51-0	Match abandoned
Whitland 10-0 v Lawrenny 297-7	Match abandoned
Saundersfoot 205-7 v Neyland	Match abandoned
Carew 111-0 v St Ishmaels 110 all out	Carew won by 10 wickets

Division 1 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Carew	2	2	0	0	36
2	Saundersfoot	2	1	0	1	27
3	Herbrandston	2	1	0	1	25
4	Neyland	2	1	0	1	25
5	Narberth	2	0	0	1	20
6	St Ishmaels	2	0	1	0	15
7	Burton	2	0	1	1	14
8	Whitland	2	0	1	1	14
9	Cresselly	2	0	1	1	11
10	Lawrenny	2	0	1	1	11

Johnston lead strong Division 2 pack

Johnston sit top after a dominant 135-run win over Llangwm, powered by Lewis Boswell’s 99 and Steve Mills’ 62.

Hook maintained their perfect start, edging Haverfordwest by four wickets, while Cresselly II brushed aside Llechryd by nine wickets after bowling them out for just 41.

Division 2 results

Match	Result
Llechryd 41 all out v Cresselly II 44-1	Cresselly II won by 9 wickets
Llanrhian 155-5 v Fishguard 154-7	Llanrhian won by 5 wickets
Hook 143-6 v Haverfordwest 142-9	Hook won by 4 wickets
Llangwm 106 all out v Johnston 241-6	Johnston won by 135 runs
Pembroke Dock 152-2 v Pembroke 168-8	Match abandoned

Division 2 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Johnston	2	2	0	0	40
2	Hook	2	2	0	0	37
3	Cresselly II	2	2	0	0	36
4	Pembroke	2	1	0	1	28
5	Haverfordwest	2	1	1	0	24
6	Pembroke Dock	2	0	1	1	23
7	Llanrhian	2	1	1	0	22
8	Fishguard	2	0	2	0	16
9	Llangwm	2	0	2	0	13
10	Llechryd	2	0	2	0	3

Kilgetty and Carew II lead Division 3 race

Kilgetty and Carew II are locked together at the top after two wins from two.

Lamphey produced one of the standout performances of the week, hammering Burton II by 155 runs, while Laugharne continued their unbeaten start.

Division 3 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Kilgetty	2	2	0	0	38
2	Carew II	2	2	0	0	38
3	Laugharne	2	2	0	0	37
4	Lamphey	2	1	1	0	28
5	Saundersfoot II	2	1	0	1	26
6	Hundleton	2	1	1	0	24
7	Haverfordwest II	2	0	2	0	14
8	Stackpole	2	0	2	0	14
9	Pembroke II	2	0	1	1	13
10	Burton II	2	0	2	0	12

Narberth II lead Division 4

Narberth II sit top after a five-wicket win over Neyland II, thanks to Jordan Howell’s unbeaten 88.

Hook II edged a thriller by one wicket, while Haverfordwest III also maintained a perfect start.

Division 4 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Pts
1	Narberth II	2	2	0	39
2	Hook II	2	2	0	36
3	Haverfordwest III	2	2	0	36
4	Lawrenny II	2	2	0	35
5	Crymych	2	1	1	29
6	Llechryd II	2	1	1	28
7	Neyland II	2	0	2	15
8	St Ishmaels II	2	0	2	15
9	Herbrandston II	2	0	2	13
10	Carew III	2	0	2	11

Rowlands ton headlines Division 5

Tom Rowlands’ superb 108 guided Cresselly III to victory, while Llanrhian II remain joint top after a crushing win featuring Rick Walton’s remarkable 8-13.

Division 5 table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Ab	Pts
1	Llanrhian II	2	2	0	0	40
2	Cresselly III	2	2	0	0	40
3	Whitland II	2	1	1	0	25
4	Llangwm II	1	1	0	0	19
5	Pembroke III	2	0	1	1	14
6	Llechryd III	2	0	2	0	11
7	Pembroke Dock II	2	0	1	1	11
8	Hundleton II	1	0	1	0	6