Sport
Michael Cheika emerges as favourite to replace Warren Gatland
Irish interim also in contention for permanent Wales role
MICHAEL CHEIKA has emerged as the 3/1 favourite with BoyleSports to succeed Warren Gatland as the permanent Head Coach of the Wales Rugby Union team as the latest odds were revealed on potential candidates.
It was announced on Tuesday that Gatland was leaving his position in the wake of Wales’ challenging start to the Six Nations, which has extended their record-breaking losing streak to 14 international matches.
The 22-15 defeat to Italy in Rome last Saturday marked their first loss in the Italian capital since 2007 and left them facing the prospect of their second successive wooden spoon as they lie rooted to the bottom of the Six Nations table.
Cheika, who has previously coached Australia and Argentina at international level, is stepping down from his role as Head Coach at the Leicester Tigers at the end of the season, with the Midlands side currently sitting fourth in the Premiership table.
Matt Sherratt, who was appointed by the WRU to see out the Six Nations campaign, is only 4/1 third favourite to stay on after the tournament and take the job on a permanent basis, and trails Cheika and Ireland’s interim Head Coach Simon Easterby in the early betting.
Easterby is due to return to the Irish backroom team when Andy Farrell completes his Lions coaching duties and will lead the Six Nations favourites when they attempt to keep their Grand Slam prospects on track with a trip to Cardiff next weekend.
But the former flanker is now second favourite at 3/1 for the Wales hotseat and is believed to be a long-term target for the WRU along with Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith, who is also prominent in the list of potential appointments at 4/1.
Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “Michael Cheika is prominent in the scrum and punters are clearly well aware of his impending availability. But the prospect of Wales raiding a Six Nations rival remains a very possible outcome according to the latest odds, with Ireland’s Simon Easterby thought to be high on the list of permanent targets.”
Next Permanent Head Coach of Wales
3/1 Michael Cheika
7/2 Simon Easterby
4/1 Matt Sherratt
9/2 Franco Smith
8/1 Stuart Lancaster
9/1 Brad Mooar
10/1 Graham Rowntree
10/1 Steve Tandy
12/1 Frans Ludeke
12/1 Vern Cotter
12/1 Dai Young
16/1 Jonathan Humphreys
16/1 Dwayne Peel
16/1 Rob Howley
16/1 Shaun Edwards
20/1 Joe Schmidt
20/1 Adam Jones
News
Clubs event inspires girls to try new sports
MORE than 50 young people took part in a multi-sport taster event designed to encourage girls to get involved in new activities.
The Sport Pembrokeshire Community Clubs event was held at Fishguard Leisure Centre on Sunday (Dec 1) for pupils from Ysgol Bro Gwaun and its feeder schools, with sponsorship from Valero.
Local sports clubs and activity providers offered a wide range of sessions, including cricket, self-defence, rowing, dance, hockey, tennis, table tennis, rugby and basketball. Water for participants was kindly provided by Princes Gate.
Young Ambassadors from Ysgol Bro Gwaun also played a key role in helping the event run smoothly.
Dan Bellis, of Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “It was a fantastic evening and it was brilliant to see so many young people and coaches in attendance.
“There was a wide range of activities on offer and everyone clearly enjoyed themselves.
“We hope the girls who took part have discovered a new sport or activity and will continue their involvement with the local clubs and providers who supported the event.”
Sport
Keeper scores 121st-minute wonder goal before saving two penalties
Cwmamman United stun Tenby AFC in an unforgettable 3-3 thriller to reach the last sixteen of the West Wales Intermediate Cup
Cwmamman Utd 3 Tenby AFC 3 (Cwm win 3–2 on pens)
AN EXTRAORDINARY cup tie unfolded at Grenig Park as Cwmamman United and Tenby AFC shared a breathless 3-3 draw, before the hosts edged through 3–2 on penalties.
Tenby struck almost instantly, with Lloyd Hughes finding the net inside the opening minute. Cwm hit back on 14 minutes when Cam Isaac produced a superb finish to level the tie, but Joe Leahy restored Tenby’s lead before the break – a goal that for long spells looked like it might settle the contest.
Deep into stoppage time, however, Cwmamman refused to accept defeat. In the 100th minute, Jackson Brereton pounced to smash home an equaliser and force extra time.
The drama only intensified. Tenby were awarded a hotly disputed penalty in the 114th minute, converted confidently by Hughes. The spot-kick also saw Cwm’s Kieran Rees – who had been excellent alongside Kai O’Donnell at the heart of the defence – shown a red card.
But with virtually the last kick of the game, Cwm’s goalkeeper Kai Rees strode forward for a final desperate attack and unleashed a stunning 25-yard volley to make it 3-3, sparking wild celebrations around the ground.
Rees was far from finished. In the decisive shootout, he produced two superb saves to secure a 3–2 penalty win and send Cwmamman United into the last sixteen of the West Wales Intermediate Cup.

Photo: Cwm goalkeeper Kai Rees.
News
South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association – Week Twelve results
A PACKET week of fixtures in the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association’s Friendly League saw key wins at both ends of the table as teams continue to jostle for position going into the second half of the season.
Match results (Week 12):
- Hundleton 10–0 Lamphey
- Badgers 2–8 St Johns
- Reynalton 0–10 Carew
- Kilgetty 8–2 East Williamston
- Cosheston v Llanteg – postponed
- St Twynnells – bye week
A previously postponed fixture was also completed, with St Twynnells drawing 5–5 with Reynaltón.
League table (after Week 12):
East Williamston remain top, having played 10 and won eight, with a strong shots difference of +125. Reynaltón sit second after 11 games with 58 points, while St Johns and Hundleton follow closely behind on 54 points each.
At the mid-table mark, Carew (49 points), St Twynnells (48) and Kilgetty (46) remain tightly grouped. Badgers, Lamphey, Llanteg and Cosheston make up the lower order, though the number of games played varies, leaving room for movement in the coming weeks.
Full standings:
| Team | P | W | D | L | S/D | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Williamston | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | +125 | 72 |
| Reynaltón | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | +35 | 58 |
| St Johns | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | +32 | 54 |
| Hundleton | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | -2 | 54 |
| Carew | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | -25 | 49 |
| St Twynnells | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | -34 | 48 |
| Kilgetty | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | -44 | 46 |
| Badgers | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -59 | 45 |
| Lamphey | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | -10 | 44 |
| Llanteg | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | -5 | 41 |
| Cosheston | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -13 | 40 |
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