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Sport

FAW FACE ACTION OVER BRIDGE MEADOW BLUNDER

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Bemused: Kazakhstan’s players look to each other in confusion

Bemused: Kazakhstan’s players look to each other in confusion

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF WALES (FAW) face disciplinary action after the Kazakhstan national anthem was not played before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 qualifier at the Conygar Bridge Meadow on Thursday, November 26. Alarm bells were set ringing when the Welsh anthem was played first, as it is customary to play the visiting teams anthem before the hosts, but when a lengthy delay occurred it was apparent to all in the ground that a problem had arisen.

A panicked scuffle could be heard over the PA system before the opening notes of the Welsh anthem were played again, sparking muffled laughter in the stands. An embarrassed Haverfordwest official then announced that he was ‘very sorry, but there appears to be a problem with the Kazakhstan anthem.’

This left the referee Tanja Subotic to encourage the visiting players to sing ‘acappella’, much to the dismay of manager Kaloyan Petkov, who waved his arms in disgust at the bemused UEFA officials. This has led UEFA to open disciplinary proceedings against the Welsh FA, with the European football governing body also opening proceedings because fans were stood around the pitch, when all international games have to have all spectators seated.

This was also a subject of embarrassment for Haverfordwest as an announcement came over the PA system several times during the game urging fans to take their seats, with a desperate tone coming across in some of the latter appeals.  It was apparent though, that despite these pleas, numerous spectators were not going to be made to move to a seat, however at no moment did it appear that a steward approached those standing in order to encourage them to move to the stands.

It is unclear whether the incidents will affect Bridge Meadow’s chances of hosting future international games. UEFA will make its decision on 10 December and the FAW has declined to comment until it knows the outcome.  It is not the first time that the Kazakhstan anthem has been the subject of a gaffe at a sporting venue.

In 2012, the Kazakhstan national shooting team was left stunned after a comedy national anthem from the film Borat was played at a medal ceremony at championships in Kuwait instead of the real one.  Wales’ win at the Bridge Meadow Stadium, which included a hat-trick for Helen Ward, was their first of the Euro 2017 qualifying campaign and saw them climb up to third place in Group 8.

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Sport

Wales XV named for Six Nations match against England

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WALES HEAD coach Matt Sherratt has named his team to face England in the final round of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations at a sold-out Principality Stadium on Saturday (Mar 15, KO 4:45pm, live on BBC and S4C).

There are two changes to the starting line-up that played Scotland last weekend.

In the back row, Aaron Wainwright starts at blindside flanker, with captain Jac Morgan moving to openside. Taulupe Faletau retains his place at No. 8.

Joe Roberts is named on the left wing for his first start of the tournament, pushing Ellis Mee to the right wing. Blair Murray continues at fullback.

In the front row, Nicky Smith starts at loosehead prop, Elliot Dee at hooker, and WillGriff John continues at tighthead prop for a third consecutive match.

Will Rowlands and Dafydd Jenkins maintain their second-row partnership.

Tomos Williams starts at scrum-half, with his club teammate Gareth Anscombe at fly-half.

Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn once again form the midfield combination.

Nick Tompkins returns to the matchday squad and joins Rhodri Williams and Jarrod Evans as the replacement backs.

Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, and Tommy Reffell provide forward cover.

Sherratt said: “Wales versus England is always a special occasion, and we know the atmosphere at Principality Stadium will be incredible. We’re excited to finish our campaign at home and want to deliver our best performance on Saturday.”

Wales team v England

  1. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 7 caps)
  2. Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 2 caps)
  3. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 7 caps)
  4. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 11 caps)
  5. Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 4 caps)
  6. Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby – 41 caps)
  7. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 63 caps)
  8. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 53 caps)
  9. Elliot Dee (Dragons – 55 caps)
  10. WillGriff John (Sale Sharks – 4 caps)
  11. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 40 caps)
  12. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 22 caps)
  13. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 56 caps)
  14. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 22 caps) – captain
  15. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 107 caps)

Replacements:

  1. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 19 caps)
  2. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 39 caps)
  3. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 13 caps)
  4. Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
  5. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 26 caps)
  6. Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 8 caps)
  7. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 10 caps)
  8. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 40 caps)

2025 Guinness Six Nations results:

Friday, Jan 31: France 43-0 Wales (Stade de France, Paris)
Saturday, Feb 8: Italy 22-15 Wales (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)
Saturday, Feb 22: Wales 18-27 Ireland (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
Saturday, Mar 8: Scotland v Wales (Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Saturday, Mar 15: Wales v England (Principality Stadium, Cardiff) KO 4:45pm GMT

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Sport

Premier League football: The 2024/25 season

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Whether you’re new to the world of football or a lifelong fan, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest standings, upcoming fixtures, and more. With this in mind, here’s an update on the current status of the 2024-25 Premier League season, including which fixtures to look out for and predictions for who will claim the title. 

Current standings

Liverpool are currently topping the Premier League table, having amassed 70 points over the course of the competition. They have won 21 out of their 29 matches in the season so far. Conversely, Southampton are sitting at the bottom of the league table, with just nine points. They have lost 23 out of 28 of their games.

But remember that the league table is always changing, so be sure to check in regularly, particularly as many teams have matches to catch up on due to Champions League and FA/League Cup commitments. So, things can change quickly. 

Upcoming fixtures

April is packed with some highly anticipated matches. The month will kick off with Arsenal vs Fulham on April 1 at 19:45 at the Emirates Stadium. This fixture is followed by several matches the next day, including Brighton vs Aston Villa and Liverpool vs Everton. 

Towards the end of the month, exciting matches such as Nottingham Forest vs Brentford and Liverpool vs Spurs will keep fans on the edge of their seats as the final league positions are decided. Make sure you keep an eye out for all upcoming matches, so you don’t miss out on any of the action. 

League predictions 

Chelsea are currently in the top four. However, they are the most likely to drop out of contention over the course of the remaining games – partially because they’re already 21 points behind Liverpool. The favourites to win the 2024/25 league are Liverpool at 80%, followed by Arsenal at 25%, Manchester City at 2.4% and Nottingham Forest at 1.2%. Despite some poor performances recently, Newcastle United are still in with a small chance of glory at 0.8%.  

Where can I watch Premier League football? 

The go to place to watch Premier League football is Sky Sports and TNT Sports. However, these packages can be costly. 

As a result, in recent years, many fans have turned to online streaming solutions, such as Hesgoal TV. These streaming sites show the games for free, but they’re illegal to use and you may face a penalty for watching or broadcasting matches. 

Will you be watching? 

Whether you enjoy football via Sky Sports, use a streaming service or watch games down at the pub with your mates, keep an eye out for your favourite team and see how they perform in the final few matches of the season. 

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Sport

Sean Bowen amongst UK’s highest-earning jockeys as he shines at Cheltenham

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PEMBROKESHIRE’S own Sean Bowen, hailing from Letterston, has cemented his place among the UK’s top jockeys, ranking fourth on the all-time career earnings list for British National Hunt riders. With a staggering £11.5 million in prize money to his name, Bowen continues to make waves on the biggest stage—Cheltenham Festival 2025.

Bowen’s rise to the top

The latest rankings, compiled by racing experts at OLBG, highlight Bowen’s remarkable achievements:

Top-Earning British Jockeys

  1. Sam Twiston-Davies – £21,968,167
  2. Harry Skelton – £18,837,862
  3. Harry Cobden – £17,717,810
  4. Sean Bowen – £11,520,715
  5. Charlie Deutsch – £7,071,208

Bowen, 26, has quickly become one of the most respected jockeys in the sport, following in the footsteps of his father, Welsh trainer Peter Bowen. His younger brother, James Bowen, also ranks among the top-earning jockeys, sitting in seventh place with £5.6 million in career winnings.

With major wins in the Grand National and multiple Grade 1 victories, Sean Bowen is a name synonymous with Welsh racing success.

Cheltenham Festival 2025: Bowen in Action

This week, Bowen has been front and centre at the Cheltenham Festival, competing in multiple high-stakes races:

  • Heads Up – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) (March 12): Bowen guided Heads Up to a strong second-place finish, proving his ability on one of the festival’s biggest stages.
  • Western Zephyr – Grand Annual Chase (March 12): In one of the most unpredictable handicap chases, Bowen put in a solid ride aboard Western Zephyr.
  • The Goffer – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (March 12): Tackling Cheltenham’s unique Cross Country course, Bowen took on the gruelling challenge with The Goffer.
  • Might I – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (March 12): Competing in one of the festival’s most competitive handicap hurdles, Bowen demonstrated his versatility.
  • Jane Eire – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (March 13): Bowen will look to add another big festival win to his name in this prestigious event.

A Pembrokeshire jockey on the big stage

As one of Wales’ top sporting figures, Sean Bowen’s continued success keeps Pembrokeshire in the spotlight of British horse racing. With Cheltenham still in full swing, local fans will be hoping for more triumphs from the Letterston star.

His incredible career earnings, combined with his continued performances at the festival, show why he is one of the most respected and successful jockeys in the UK today.

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