Sport
Swimmers take on open water
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SWIMMING (PCS) took a dip into the open water on Saturday (Jul 1), when swimmers took part in the Welsh Open Water Championships at in Parc Bryn Bach, Tredegar and much closer to home at the Parrog, Goodwick.
PCS has encouraged their swimmers to participate in open water events with many progressing into National events and those linked to Triathlon & Ironman, with former swimmers out in the sea for the Tenby Long Course event last weekend.
Sam Jones, Assistant Development coach to the Performance squad, said: “Open Water swimming now a very competitive environment and popular route for swimmers to develop their skills further.
“Craig [Nelson] and I actively encourage a number of our performance squad swimmers to participate in the Open Water cycle of competitive swimming as it often rejuvenates and refocuses the young swimmer in training as they have a new challenge to aim for.”
Jones was quick also to highlight that ‘in the events at Parc Bryn Bach and off the Parrog in Goodwick, all our swimmers who entered did so with optimism and a realistic chance to obtain a medal’.
Rhys Davies won the Men’s 1500m Open Water Sea Swim in Goodwick, completing the course in 20 minutes and 53 seconds, whilst in the Women’s Elite event, held at Parc Bryn Bach, Tredegar over 3000m, two sixteen year olds represented the County.
Lucy Harding and Louisa Twigg swam fantastic races in ideal conditions, which allowed Lucy to finish sixth [44:54] whilst Louisa Twigg finished in a time of 42:54 to take third place. In the Elite Women’s 1500m race, thirteen year old Megan Thomson finished in a time of 28:11, in fourth place and with it “a smile to great any summers day” said Jones.
Jones explained further on his return from the event that it was “an excellent weekend for all associated with Pembrokeshire County Swimming. Lousia Twigg not only finished with a medal but also qualified for British Open Water to be held at Rother Park near Sheffield on Monday (Jul 31), which is a fantastic result for Louisa and the whole team.”
With the increase in popularity in open water swimming, Pembrokeshire County Swimming is at the ‘cutting edge’ in offering local swimmers the best coaching and training for them to achieve their potential and compete at a British level.
News
70 Pembrokeshire clubs benefit from Sport Wales funding
SEVENTY Pembrokeshire clubs have been successful in receiving grants from the Be Active Wales Fund over the last financial year.
In total the clubs received more than £407,800 from the grants scheme from Sport Wales in 2023/24.
The fund backed 25 different sports, ranging from archery, basketball and cricket to sailing, short mat bowls and weightlifting and everything in between.
The Be Active Wales Fund is open to applications from not for profit community clubs and groups to help develop and sustain their activities.
Grants range from a minimum of £300 up to a maximum of £50,000.
The scheme will support coach education courses, the purchase of essential items of equipment right up to larger projects such as floodlighting and boats for sailing clubs.
For advice and support with your application contact Alan Jones or Lois Hilling at Pembrokeshire County Council’s Sports Development department, Sport Pembrokeshire on [email protected]
The Be Active Wales Fund is always open for applications.
More information is available on the Sport Wales website.
Sport
Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double
Two thrilling semi finals last weekend has meant Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road will meet in the senior cup final this coming Saturday.
Goodwick faced Pennar Robins in their semi final who pushed the champions very hard. Carl Vincent will be disappointed but proud of the Robins as they gave a great account of themselves. However in the end Goodwick’s quality and experience just was too much for Vincent’s team.
The other semi was an absolute thriller, and after a nail biting game Matthew Fox’ Clarby progressed to the final. A offside call has sparked a lot of debate around the county. However it seems that linesman Jenkins made an absolute perfect call so credit to him for that.
Both teams would have wanted a nice week of preparation for the final, maybe without any games to play. Unfortunately this hasn’t been possible due to the fixture backlog and both outfits have played already this week.
Goodwick will be favourites of course, however if anyone can upset the apple cart Saturday it’s this Clarbeston Road team. Fox’ outfit have impressed over and over this season. Without too much pressure on them, they are in a good place going into the final.
The double at one staged looked like the minimum Goodwick would be aiming for this season. However losses in other cup competitions, means its Senior Cup success or just the league title for the outstanding team of the season. Oddly becoming champions with no cup success maybe seen as a huge disappointment considering their dominance this season. A unique pressure. However if anyone can handle that pressure it’s O’Sullivans outfit.
Sport
Swifts eyes on double.
Monkton Swifts reserves have blown away the second division this season and now have the double in their sights. They face Merlins Bridge reserves in the semi final of the second division cup and lived up to their favourites tag.
Swifts won comfortably with key player Butland getting three assists and Josh Sture grabbing a brace. Waterman and Rhys Sture added the other goals as outstanding Monkton won 4-0.
Herbrandston and Johnston played in the other semi final and this was a much harder fixture to call. The promoted Herbie a younger and perhaps less physical outfit in comparison to the Tigers. Johnston quickly took control of the game when they found themselves two up after just 29 minutes.
However when Scott Murray was shown a red card just eight minutes later, Herbie would have been confident of staging a comeback. Despite being a man light, Johnston held Herbie until the final minute of the 90, when Alex Ouzman gave Herbie late hope. The Tigers held firm however and progress to the final where they will be underdogs. A tag that I’m sure the players and manager Steven Allen won’t mind too much.
-
News6 days ago
Police issue update on the search for Luke, missing from Pembroke Dock
-
News1 day ago
Police and air ambulances at ‘serious incident’ at West Wales school
-
Sport7 days ago
Herbrandston clinch promotion to Division One
-
News5 days ago
20mph U-turn: Some roads will return to 30mph following public outcry
-
Community5 days ago
Miracle pup finds her forever home after heart-wrenching journey
-
Community2 days ago
County Hall to offer space for community banking
-
Crime1 day ago
Pembrokeshire pensioner accused of 17 sexual offences against children
-
Crime3 days ago
Brian Davis: Wanted on suspicion of commercial burglary