Sport
Butchers try can’t prevent Scarlets loss
Alisha Butchers:
Powers away for the last score of the game (Pic. Riley Sports)
THE GAME of the third round of the Women Regional Championship saw the Scarlets Ladies take on their local rivals, the Ospreys, at the BT Sports Cardiff Arms Park last Sunday, December 20th. Both teams went into the game with unbeaten records so something had to give. The two teams went on to produce an outstanding display of rugby, which was yet another great advert for Women’s Regional Rugby in Wales.
The girls in red were on the back foot from the start. The Scarlets failed to deal with the initial kick off reception adequately allowing the Ospreys a strong attacking foothold deep inside the Scarlets half. When the Scarlets infringed at the breakdown, outstanding Ospreys outside half, Robyn Wilkins was on hand to settle any Ospreys nerves with a welltaken penalty with barely 2 minutes on the clock. The Ospreys continued to dominate early possession but the resolute defence of the Scarlets held firm. The Scarlets finally gained some possession and it was their turn to show their attacking qualities and from a free flowing move the Ospreys were caught off side.
Centre, Jodie Evans stepped forward to slot an excellent penalty from near the 10m line to tie the scores. From the restart, the Scarlets once again went on the attack. A scything break by Scarlets no 10, Hannah Jones saw her cut through the Ospreys defensive line. Jones was brought down with the line at her mercy by a fantastic try saving tack by Ospreys winger Ffion Bowen. Fortunately, Jodie Evans was on hand to gather Jones’s off load to score near the posts. Uncharacteristically Evans pushed her attempt at the extras wide of the upright. The game was now ebbing and flowing, with both teams creating opportunities and neutralizing those opportunities with ferocious defensive play. For the Ospreys, Scrum Half Keira Bevan was a constant threat with her elusive running whilst Scarlets captain Sioned Harries led by example in both attack and defence.
As the half drew to a close, the Scarlets’ discipline began to let them down. A series of unforced penalties gave the Ospreys momentum and finally from yet another soft infringement at the breakdown, Wilkins was able to slot her second penalty of the day and draw the first half to a conclusion with the Scarlets holding a slender 8-6 lead. The Ospreys started the second half by far the better. Barely 3 minutes into the half the Ospreys were camped on the Scarlets line. The Ospreys scrum had been gradually gaining dominance over the Scarlets 8 and that dominance came to the fore as they powered over the line for No 8 Shona Powell-Hughes to score. Wilkins adding the extras.
The game was taken away from The Scarlets over the next 10 minutes thanks to a further three excellently taken Wilkins penalties. The Scarlets poor discipline at the breakdown was once again costing them dearly allowing the Ospreys dominance of both territory and possession, allowing Wilkins the opportunities to demonstrate her unerring accuracy with the boot. The final Ospreys score came barely 3 minutes later. A flowing move by the Ospreys outside backs resulted in centre Adi Taviner breaking through the Scarlets defensive line. Taviner fed the ever-impressive Powell-Hughes who powered over for her and the Ospreys second try of the game.
Wilkins again converting to give the Ospreys a 29-8 lead. To their credit, the Scarlets came back into the game and were rewarded by scoring their second try of the game. After a period of sustained pressure by the reds, a break by centre Elen Evans saw her release back rower Alisha Butchers to score under the posts. Jodie Evans added the extra 2 points to draw the game to its conclusion.
Speaking after the game, Scarlets Captain Sioned Harries was in positive mood despite the loss; “I’m extremely proud of all the girls’ efforts and commitment throughout the campaign so far, entering the championship as the current title holders will always bring great pressure, but I thought the girls were excellent today and showed great endeavour. Unfortunately, we didn’t start the second half as we ended the first and the Ospreys punished us. We know what we need to work on for the next round of games and I am confident we will come back stronger for this experience. Our main focus is giving each player the best opportunity to showcase their talent on a regional and national scale whilst developing our ability as a squad.”
Scarlets Team: 15 Dyddgu Hywel 14 Angharad de Smet 13 Elen Evans 12 Jodie Evans 11 Jess Kavanagh 10 Hannah Jones 9 Ffion Lewis; 1 Emma Edwards 2 Delyth Davies 3 Danielle Jenkins 4 Ffion Jones 5 Elin Hywel 6 Alisha Butchers 7 Sioned Harries 8 Natalie Walsh Replacements: Morfudd Ifans, Rachel Norris, Gwenllian Prys, Awen Prysor, Jennie Collins, Steph Harries, Beth Jones, Brittony Price.
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
- Blair Murray (Scarlets – 7 caps)
- Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 2 caps)
- Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 7 caps)
- Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 11 caps)
- Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 4 caps)
- Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby – 41 caps)
- Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 63 caps)
- Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 53 caps)
- Elliot Dee (Dragons – 55 caps)
- WillGriff John (Sale Sharks – 4 caps)
- Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 40 caps)
- Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 22 caps)
- Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 56 caps)
- Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 22 caps) – captain
- Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 107 caps)
Replacements:
- Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 19 caps)
- Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 39 caps)
- Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 13 caps)
- Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
- Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 26 caps)
- Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 8 caps)
- Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 10 caps)
- 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
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.
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
- Sam Twiston-Davies – £21,968,167
- Harry Skelton – £18,837,862
- Harry Cobden – £17,717,810
- Sean Bowen – £11,520,715
- 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.
Calls for urgent reform as violence among teens rises in Wales
VIOLENCE AMONG TEENS LEADING TO CALLS FOR WELSH GOVERNMENT TO ACT WALES is experiencing an alarming surge in violent crime...
Caldey Island mourns loss of beloved long-time resident
CALDEY ISLAND is in mourning following the passing of its oldest resident, Rita Cunningham, at the age of 95. A...
Dog attack in Pembroke Dock sparks police probe and online debate
A VIOLENT dog attack in Pembroke Dock town centre on Tuesday (March 11) has led to a police investigation and...
Câr-Y-Môr leads Wales’ £105m regenerative sea farming push
PEMBROKESHIRE INITIATIVE LAUNCHES CROWDFUNDER TO EXPAND INDUSTRY Wales is poised to develop a £105 million regenerative sea farming industry, projected...
Milford man jailed for hurling racial insults during verbal attack
A Milford man has admitted hurling a barrage of racial insults at a male, after calling him ‘a black b******’...
Man faces charges over tragic death of baby in Tenby car park
A MAN accused of involvement in the death of a six-month-old baby in a multi-storey car park in Tenby has...
Oil tanker and cargo ship ablaze after collision in North Sea
MILFORD HAVEN LINKS TO LARGE SCALE MARITIME RESCUE OPERATION A MAJOR maritime disaster unfolded in the North Sea on Monday...
Milford Haven man jailed for six years after hiding cocaine in police car
A MILFORD HAVEN man has been jailed for six years after attempting to hide nearly 50 grams of cocaine under...
Pembrokeshire becomes latest council to consider devolution of Crown Estate
SENIOR councillors will consider a bid for Pembrokeshire to become the latest council to support the devolution of Crown Estate...
Festival of the Sea makes a splash at Milford Waterfront this weekend
MILFORD HAVEN is buzzing with excitement as the Festival of the Sea kicks off this weekend, bringing a wave of...
-
Crime18 hours ago
Calls for urgent reform as violence among teens rises in Wales
-
Top News2 days agoPembrokeshire man sentenced for driving four times over drink-drive limit
-
News3 days ago
Oil tanker and cargo ship ablaze after collision in North Sea
-
News10 hours agoDelays to Wales’ tribunal system ‘deeply troubling’
-
News4 days ago
Pembrokeshire becomes latest council to consider devolution of Crown Estate
-
Crime3 days agoJohn Cooper appeal file still under review, but CCRC says process ‘will take time’
-
Business4 days agoNew owners reopen The Vibe in Milford Haven
-
Crime2 days ago
Milford man jailed for hurling racial insults during verbal attack