Category: Sports

Cricket

After a disappointing couple of results that saw the First Team lose in the semi final of the national village cup and the quarter final of the Welsh Cup on consecutive Sunday’s we entered a massive last week of the Cricket season. 

This started with a home game against Lawrenny in the First Division league title decider at the Athletic club fields and we trailed Lawrenny by Nine points and Neyland had to win the game and ensure we did not give them to many bonus points in doing so. 

After a wet morning the game started on time thanks to the great work of ground staff, committee and players. Neyland batted first and scored 140 for 9 and bowled out Lawrenny for 118 to secure a third league title on the trot.

The following Saturday saw us travel to Cresselly and face Carew in the Harrision Allen Bowl Final in the First Carew innings we had Carew all out for 108 with some great bowling and fielding by our team. Neyland batted next scoring a massive 241 for 2 in our 22 overs a record score in the final breaking the other Two records set in the previous finals by us, Patrick Bellerby scored 134 not out Ross Hardy 49 not out and Nick Kooman 38.

In the Carew Second innings they scored 154 for 8 which left Neyland needing 23 when they batted which was passed comfortably to win the Bowl for the Tenth time and Second year on the trot and saw Captain Sean Hannon lift the Bowl in front of a massive Neyland support. Patrick Bellerby was named Man of the Match.On the Sunday captain Sean Hannon took the trophy to the houses of people who could not attend the final and have been stalwarts of the cricket club including Ann Phelan.

The Second Team finished mid table in Division Three and won the Alec Colley cup final at Pembroke beating Cresselly over Two innings with William Hughes winning the Man of the Match.

The Third Team also had a good season finishing in the top half of the season and narrowly going down in the semi final of the Ken Morris cup to a very good Narberth team.

The ladies also enjoyed a good season with numbers increasing and having a decent league season as well as getting to a couple of softball festivals.

The Junior section keeps going from strength to strength and this year saw fantastic numbers in our Dynamos and All Stars.

The community and business people have really got behind the club this season and was reflected by the numbers of supporters at games and Neyland Cricket Club are grateful for the support shown.

Rugby 

Yesterday saw our First team play for the time in 18 months with a thumping 58 -23 win at our rivals Llangwm under the leader ship of Captain George Williams and coaches Graham Richards and Steven Evans.

Today sees the Junior and mini section’s start there season. Wednesday night at the Athletic Club sees our newly formed Youth team under coach Colin Picton take to the pitch for the First time against Llangwm Youth it is great to see the youth team back in the club and we wish the well for the coming season

The First Xl are currently joint top of the Pembrokeshire County Division One with Five games left and hoping to retain the title we won in 2019.

The team play tonight in the semi final of the Harrison Allen Bowl having won the bowl last season.

This year the Club entered the Voneus Broadband National Village Cup for the First time and although we are a town we are allowed to enter due to the population size of Neyland .Over 350 teams entered this year.

We won through to the Dyfed area final and beat Cresselly to qualify for the National rounds where we faced long trips to Stafford to play Milford Hall and then near to Mansfield where we played Clipstone and after being just a couple of runs short of victory rain abandoned the match and we returned the week after for a replay in Neyland which was also abandoned after a few overs.

The rules state that the match must have a bowl off to get a winner every player must have one ball to try and hit the wickets Neyland won this 4 – 1 after Nine players from each side had bowled, the bowl off took place in the sports hall of the new Hub facility.

We then travelled to South Wingfield in Derbyshire for the Quarter final which our lads won convincingly to progress to a home semi final on the 8th of August against either Houghton Main ( Yorkshire) or Alvaney (Cheshire) and to top off a great day Andrew Miller was voted the Theakstone’s (sponsor) player of the round award. The match also live on LiveFM sport radio where Club Chairman Martin Jones and Team Manager Peter Davies gave some insight into the club and players. The radio station are hoping to be in Neyland for the semi final.

To compete in this competition has been very costly and local business people, former players and Neyland Town Council have all contributed to help with the expense for which the player’s and club are very grateful. The team also reached the quarter final of the Welsh Cup last Sunday with a convincing win over Clydach near Swansea and now face Welsh premier league side Newport (Gwent) at Neyland on a date to be confirmed. Many of the team also represent the Pembrokeshire County Team . Sean Hannon is the current Captain of Neyland and Pembrokeshire. The team are also currently Pembrokeshire and Welsh indoor League Champions.

The Second Xl are through to there Second Alec Colley cup final having won it in 2018 and sit mid table in the Pembrokeshire division Three the Team is Captained by Paul Miller.

The Third Xl are the breeding ground with many teenagers and young players taking part and enjoying cricket with a few old heads to help guide them last season saw the 3s win the Kenny Morris cup for the First time under Captain Sam Laugharne the team recently saw three Ladies play for them in one match.

The Ladies Xl goes from strength to strength under the Captaincy of Sarah Arran and recently got to a soft ball final at Laugharne and are enjoying a good season although many of the ladies are new to the game.

The Junior section keeps on thriving with record numbers of children taking part in All Stars and Dynamos cricket coaching plus strong numbers in our junior age groups. The club is led by a strong and positive committee with excellent groundstaff and coaches. We also thrive on the family aspect at the club with many wives partners and children attending games.

Take out of this want you want Simon I thought would cover all bases to give you some insight of what goes on at Neyland CC

• 

• 

The Neyland Under 8s won in the Tenby Soccer 7s today

Leo Power was Man of The Match in the final and Ben Phillips scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win over Pennar.  It’s the 1st time a Neyland team has won a Tenby Tournament.

£25     Liz Llewellyn          ( 85)
£15     Colwyn Phelps       ( 50)
£10     Ray Evans (13)

Winners for March

,£25 Noreen Hatfield (159)
,£15 Sam Johnson (140)
£10 Bethan Arnold (98)

After a good away victory at St.Clears last week, the Nomads maintained their winning ways with an impressive 3-0 home result against Narberth. It took just 10 minutes for the homesters to convert a goal scoring opportunity. Justin Harding crossed the ball for Wayne Vaughan-Parry to volley in. Another ten minutes passed when Harding added to his season’s tally when the keeper failed to hold on to the ball and was punished by the striker.

So with the score at 2-0 at the interval there was an expectation that there would be ‘more of the same’ during the second period. However the ‘Bluebirds’ did not give up the cause and made frequent forays especially down the flanks. However they were unable to convert any chances and as the game drew to an end it seemed that there would be no second period goals. However Neyland added a third goal with the final kick of the game when Andrew Smith slotted in another Harding cross.

Pictured below are scorers Andrew Smith, Wayne Parry and Justin Harding. Team: Patrick Hannon, Andrew Kemp, Paul Hannon, Nathan Banner, Nick Koomen, Mikey Chandler, Nathan Warlow, Henry Durrant, Sean Hannon, Wayne Parry, Justin Harding, Andrew Smith, Ollie Marshall. Next week the 1st X1 is away to Hakin in the First Division

Here are the January winners for the 200 Club

£25      Julie Davies (128)
£15      John Walters (200)
£10      Gareth Barrett (168)

On Saturday, the 1st X1 entertained Pennar Robins in a First Division fixture at the Athletic Ground. Pitch conditions were just as bad as the previous week and the constant blustery wind did little to promote fast flowing football – or so it was thought!

Within 40 seconds from the kick off a ball out wide to the left found Henry Durrant and he took the ball in his stride, cut in to the penalty box and let fire a thunderous shot which the keeper marginally touched but couldn’t hold and the ball hit the upright and deflected into the back of the net. Within 10 minutes, Wayne Parry rifled home a second and on 20 minutes Joe Charlton headed home a cross from the right to make it 3-0 to the Nomads. Wayne Parry was supplied a great ball to notch up his second before the interval.

The second period of play witnessed more pressure from the home side with constant forays toward the Robins goal. However it was a rare break by the visitors which reduced the margin to 3 goals. Not to be outdone it was Henry Durrant who popped up again for Neyland’s 5th goal before Wayne Parry completed his hatrick. Parry then left the field for Andrew Smith.

Durrant then completed his hatrick and was replaced by Nathan Warlow (who was in the starting line-up but mistakenly travelled to St. Clears unaware of the change of fixture). Phil Bevan then came on in place of Justin Harding and scored with his head from his first touch! And finally it was Andrew Smith’s turn to contribute to the tally to give a final score of 9-1.

Team: Mikey Chandler, Andrew Kemp, Nicky Koomen, Nathan Banner, Sean Hannon, Scott Jones, Gary Power, Henry Durrant, Joe Charlton, Justin Harding, Wayne Vaughan-Parry, Nathan Warlow, Andrew Smith, Phil Bevan. Pictures are the goal scorers: left to right Andrew Smith, Joe Charlton, Henry Durrant (3), Wayne Parry (3), Phil Bevan.

Next Saturdat the 1st X1 is home to Johnston and the 2nd X1 is away to Pembroke Boro.

Nomads were home to St. Clears on Saturday 13th February.

As expected the pitch became extremely difficult after just 15minutes of play. In truth the condition of the ground did not allow any sort of flowing football and it was thought that the fixture might well be a ‘bit of a lottery’in terms of outcome. However the home side started positively and had to wait only 15 minutes before they opened the scoring. An excellent cross from Wayne Parry wide out, on the left led to Justin ‘Skinny’ Harding latching on to the ball and firing out of reach of the visiting keeper. So the game plodded on with no further goals prior to the break. And then there was stalemate for about 20 minutes until a short cross in front of goal saw Mikey Chandler slot the ball home for Neyland’s second. With no addition to the scoring, the Nomads were pleased to finish up with a 2-0 win.

Team: Patrick Hannon, Andrew Kemp, Paul Hannon, Nathan Banner, Sean Hannon, Nathan Warlow, Gary Power, Scott Jones, Mike Chandler, Wayne Vaughan-Parry, Justin Harding,Nick Koomen, Joe Charlton, Callum Power

The 2nd X1’s fixture at Carew was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. Next Saturday the 1st X1 is home to Pennar Robins and the 2nd X1 is away to Narberth -both K.O. Times 2.30 pm

Neyland’s away fixture against Milford United at Marble Hall was one of only four First Division games played as a result of ‘still saturated’ pitches. It seems unlikely that any pitches will be restored to ‘anything like normal’ for weeks or months to come. United’s ground was still very boggy down the middle and in the penalty boxes. Additionally the rain did not subside throughout the game.

It took some time to get a handle on these conditions and it was evident from the outset that passing football was not going to materialise. Although applying pressure from the start it took some 25 minutes before the visitors took the lead. A strike against the crossbar bounced back in to the penalty area and Nathan Warlow hammered the ball into the back of the net to give the Nomads a 1-0 margin at half time.

Within 5 minutes of the restart, a through ball from Sean Hannon found Justin Harding in space and he slid the ball passed the homesters keeper to increase the lead. Another 20 minutes passed before Henry Durrant latched on to the ball and volleyed the shot from outside the box to give the Nomads a 3-0 victory.

Team: Patrick Hannon, Sean Hannon, Nicky Koomen, Paul Hannon, Andrew Kemp, Nathan Warlow, Scott Jones, Henry Durrant, Mikey Chandler, Wayne Vaughan-Parry, Justin Harding, Nathan Banner, Joe Charlton, Andrew Smith. Photo: Skipper Sean Hannon closes in on a Robins attack! Meanwhile at Neyland the 2nd X1 had a resounding 9-2 victory over St. Ishmaels with goals from Phil Bevan 2, Gary Power 2, Callum Power, Leigh Power, Aaron Bowles, Jo Durrant and Andy Davies Next week the 1st X1 is at home to Goodwick United and the 2nd X1 is away to St. Florence – both ko times at. 2.30pm

After last week’s postponement due to adverse weather, the Nomads were pleased to get another fixture ‘under their belts’. The visitors to the Athletic Ground in the First Division Derby were Herbrandston.
Conditions were far from ideal and it was clear from the outset that the pitch might suffer some irreparable damage – which may prove to be costly later in the season. However, although there was a blustery wind both sides were able to settle to some positive attacking football. Those who braved the elements had to wait for 25 minutes before the home side opened their account. An accurate cross from the left of the ground found skipper, Sean Hannon, joining the forwards in the visitor’s penalty box. He directed an accurate header which eluded the keeper to give the Nomads a 1-0 lead. Although several more chances came to the home side the score was unchanged at the break.
During the first period of the second half, Herbie launched a few forward forays and looked as if they were likely to convert an equaliser. However the home side’s defence dealt effectively with these attacks and launched some counter-attacks of their own. After 15 minutes Nathan Warlow found himself in receipt of the ball on the edge of the box. He rounded one defender, saw a clear space to goal and struck an excellent shot which rocketed in to the top of the Herbie net. That was the ‘margin’ which gave the Nomads the confidence to really set up a series of attacks. After a further 15 minutes, Sean Hannon again went into ‘forward mode’ striding down the left flank and striking a fine shot/cross which Justin ‘Skinny’ Harding managed to get a toe to and netted for Neyland’s third.
And with five minutes remaining, Henry Durrant went on a run down the centre of midfield, passed a defender before turning and rifling the ball into the top of the net from just outside the penalty box.
The 4-0 victory takes the team up to 4th in the division. The 2nd X1 fixture at Pendine was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Next Saturday the 1st’s are home to Narberth.

Team: Patrick Hannon, Nicky Koomen, Nathan Banner, Paul Hannon, Sean Hannon, Mikey Chandler, Scott Jones, Henry Durrant, Nathan Warlow, Wayne Vaughan-Parry, Justin Harding, Gary Power, Andrew Kemp, Phil Bevan

On Saturday 31st October, the Nomads entertained Tenby in the First Division of the Pembrokeshire League. The home side took little time in settling into the game and playing so,e good passing football. After just 10 minutes an accurate cross from Skinny Harding found Wayne Parry on the far side of the opponents goal and he headed home with pin-point accuracy. Within another 10 minutes the Nomads took a two goal lead when Harding struck from close range. Toward the end of the first half, Gary Power went on a weaving run, passing several Tenby players, and struck the ball low into the right hand corner of the net. However before the break came there was a determined run by Tenby’s Sam Christopher which resulted in him striking home to reduce the deficit. So the home side went into the interval with a 3 – 1 goal margin.

The initial impetus at the start of the second half by the home side was thwarted by Tenby and there appeared to be a ‘turning of the tide’ when the visitors launched a couple of positive moves. Neyland pulled things back in their favour when Wayne Vaughan-Parry struck his second goal of the game. However the dominance of the first half did not really materialise and a couple of defensive errors allowed Tenby to score their second goal to give a final tally of 4 – 2 to the Nomads.
Team: Patrick Hannon, Nicky Koomen, Nathan Banner, Paul Hannon, Scott Jones, Sean Hannon (Capt.), Gary Power, Henry Durrant, Mikey Chandler, Wayne Vaughan-Parry, Justin Harding, Nathan Warlow, Andrew Kemp.

Next week the 1st X1 has been drawn at home to Penyfan in the West Wales Cup, KO 2.00pm

The second eleven were away to Letterston in the 4th Division Cup. They came away with a creditable 4 – 1 win thanks to Andrew Smith (3) and Joe Charlton.
Team: Marlon Hutchings, Jo Durrant, Oli Marshall, Jarred Campbell, Lee Phillips, Callum Power, Phil Bevan, Joe Charlton, Ashley Hutchings, Andrew Smith, Aaron Bowles, Jason Davies, Sam Harding, Kyle Arran

Another ‘super Saturday’ saw the Nomads at home to Milford United on Saturday 26th Sept. And another decent crowd witnessed another win in the First Division for the homesters.

The ‘Ronins’ played some good football and proved difficult to break down. Neyland had to wait for 25 minutes before the deadlock was broken. Awarded a free kick just inside the visitor’s half, centre back Nicky Koomen stepped up to float a ball into the visitor’s penalty area. However such was the accuracy and pace of the ball that it evaded both defenders and the Neyland strikers and floated over the keeper into the net giving the Nomads a one goal lead at the interval.

There was almost a ‘repeat performance’ in the second period when supporters had to wait for almost half an hour before Neyland made the game safe. Justin Harding latched on to the ball left of the goal, beat a defender and neatly turned and swept the ball into the net for the Nomad’s second. So the 2 – 0 victory moved the team up to 4 th in the first division.

Team: Patrick Hannon, Scott Jones, Paul Hannon, Nicky Koomen, Sean Hannon, Nathan Warlow, Gary Power, Henry Durrant, Mikey Chandler, Justin Harding, Aaron McQuillan, Andrew Smith, Niall Day.

Next week the 1st X1 is home to Narberth in the Senior Cup K.O. 2.00 pm

On Saturday 19th September the Nomads 1st X1 entertained Merlins Bridge in the First Division. A glorious day attracted a sizeable crowd to the Athletic Ground. The ‘Bridge’ always proved a stern test but there was an element of optimism after the success of last season when the Neyland outfit beat the ‘Wizards’ on to occasions.

The first period of play reflected an equal share of possession with both sides creating a couple of opportunities to score. However the home crowd had to wait 25 minutes before the deadlock was broken as Mikey Chandler fired home for the Nomads with his right foot.

The score remained at 1-0 at the interval and home supporters were anxious that the next goal might decide the outcome of the game. Within 15 minutes of the start of the second half, Wayne Parry connected with the ball in the box to convert the Nomad’s second – and relief that there was now some breathing space. And the final goal came just 5 minutes from the final whistle when Justin Harding ‘fired a rocket’ which deflected off a Bridge defender to make the final score 3-0 to the homesters. Pictured below are the scorers – from left to right – Mikey Chandler, Wayne Vaughan-Parry and Justin Harding.

Team: Patrick Hannon, Scott Jones, Paul Hannon, Nicky Koomen, Sean Hannon, Nathan Warlow, Gary Power, Henry Durrant, Mikey Chandler, Wayne Parry, Justin Harding, Aaron McQuillan, Joe Charlton, Phil Bevan.

Next Saturday the 1st X1 is home again – to Milford United, KO 2.30pm

Saturday saw the start of the mini and junior football fixtures and also witnessed the first use of the ‘Vaughan Field’ which lies adjacent to the ‘north field’ and the rugby pitch. After 18 months of preparation – including ploughing, rolling and re-seeding – the field looked great and is more than adequate to accommodate 3 mini games simultaneously. There were three teams playing at home on Saturday and two away. Pictured below are the players from the under 7’s and under 9’s prior to their games. The coaches and managers are delighted to announce that membership of the mini and junior squads has already exceeded 100 as the season starts! Great news for the club and for the town. So come on all you Neyland Pirates – wear those shirts with pride and have lots of fun with the club!