Sport

Butchers try can’t prevent Scarlets loss

Published

10 years ago

January 7, 2016

Sarah-Jane Absalom

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.

Sport

British Truck Racing Championship roars into Pembrey for Convoy Cymru festival

Published

1 hour ago

June 4, 2026

Herald Sport

FIVE-TONNE racing trucks capable of reaching 100mph will thunder into Pembrey Circuit later this month for the Convoy Cymru Truck Racing Festival.

The British Truck Racing Championship will visit the ‘Home of Welsh Motorsport’ on Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21, with five races scheduled across the weekend and a capacity grid of 20 trucks expected.

The championship battle is finely poised after the opening rounds at Brands Hatch and Thruxton, where four different drivers shared victories.

Every point at Pembrey could prove crucial as the drivers make their only visit of the season to Wales.

2011 champion David Jenkins, driving the Jenkins Motorsport Development MAN TGS, arrives at Pembrey leading the premier Division 1 class.

Ryan Smith, in the Worldwide Truck Racing Daimler Freightliner, is just six points behind as he aims to become the first driver to win 11 titles in the premier class.

Ten-time champion Stuart Oliver, driving the Team Oliver Racing Volvo VNL, is only one point further back in third.

Another driver to watch is Terry Gibbon, who will replace series veteran Richard Collett in the Team Collett Truck Racing MAN TGX. Collett, who claimed a popular victory at Brands Hatch in April, is recovering from major surgery.

In Division 2, reigning champion Jake Evans leads the class for highly modified production-based trucks in his Jake Evans Trucksport MAN TGX.

John Powell, the 2024 Division 2 champion, is second in class in his JP Truck Racing DAF XD, with Bradley Harvey third in only his second season of truck racing.

Away from the truck racing, the weekend will also feature the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Audi Cup, Civic Cup, Mini Challenge Trophy and Junior Saloon Car Championship.

There will also be tractor pulling demonstrations on Pembrey’s purpose-built track, as well as funfair rides, monster truck rides, live music, a food village and the circuit’s Formula 1 bar and restaurant.

Phil Davies, Pembrey Circuit Manager, said: “Few forms of motorsport put on a show quite like truck racing and the British Truck Racing Championship never disappoints when it visits Pembrey.

“With the championship battle so finely poised, five spectacular races on the schedule and a capacity grid of trucks expected, all the ingredients are in place for a memorable Convoy Cymru Truck Racing Festival weekend.

“Combined with our packed off-track entertainment programme, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re a dedicated motorsport fan or looking for a great family day out.”

Advance tickets cost £22, while children aged 12 and under go free.

More information and tickets are available at pembreycircuit.co.uk.

Sport

Fishguard gears up for first Festival of Sports weekend

Published

5 days ago

May 30, 2026

Herald Sport

Harbourside town to host new triathlon and family-friendly sporting events with live music and celebrations

FISHGUARD is preparing to welcome athletes, families and spectators next weekend as a brand-new Festival of Sports comes to town, bringing races, live entertainment and a post-event celebration to the historic harbour.

Organised by Activity Wales Events, the inaugural Fishguard Festival of Sports will see competitors take part in a series of endurance events set against the backdrop of Pembrokeshire’s dramatic coastline.

The festival promises scenic race routes, historic surroundings and what organisers describe as “incredible spectator support,” with participants encouraged to make a weekend of the occasion.

Among the attractions are commemorative finisher medals, family-focused participation opportunities and live music taking place across the town throughout the weekend.

One of the more unusual features of the event allows runners to cross the finish line with their children or loved ones, giving families the chance to celebrate together.

Camping will also be available for visitors travelling to the area, while race registration and number collection will take place from 2:00pm on Friday, June 5, at the Phoenix Centre in Fishguard.

Organisers say entries for the sporting events close on Monday, meaning anyone hoping to take part is being urged to sign up quickly.

The festival is expected to provide a welcome boost for local businesses, with competitors and supporters likely to visit pubs, restaurants and shops across Fishguard and Goodwick during the weekend.

A post-race celebration is planned at The Farmers Arms in Fishguard, where participants and supporters will be able to enjoy live entertainment after the events.

Further details and event registration are available through Activity Wales Events.

News

Bowen trainers fined after racehorse drug test failures

Published

6 days ago

May 29, 2026

Herald Sport

Letterston racing family at centre of BHA ruling as two winners are disqualified

TWO Pembrokeshire horse trainers from Letterston have been fined £5,000 after two racehorses failed post-race drug tests, leading to both animals being stripped of race victories.

Peter and Mickey Bowen, father and brother of champion jockey Sean Bowen, appeared before a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel on Thursday (May 28).

The father-and-son training partnership was operating under the same licence at the time of the positive tests, although Mickey Bowen has been the sole licence holder since May 2025.

The pair were fined £4,000 for breaching Rule (K)2.2, which states that no category B substance may be present in a horse’s system on the day it is engaged to run.

They were also fined a further £1,000 for breaching Rule (D)24, which requires trainers to keep clear and accurate records of medication given to horses in their care within 48 hours of treatment.

Two horses disqualified

The disciplinary action relates to Flying Fortune and Olivers Travels, both of which have now been disqualified from wins in 2024.

Flying Fortune has been stripped of victory in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow on Friday (Oct 11, 2024).

The race is regarded as one of the key early contests of the National Hunt season, and the win had been a major success for the Bowen yard.

Racing reports at the time described it as a family affair, with Flying Fortune trained by Peter and Mickey Bowen and ridden by James Bowen. The mare was sent off 2/1 favourite and won by seven-and-a-half lengths.

However, a post-race urine sample later revealed the presence of procaine, a local anaesthetic.

The race has now been awarded to Intense Approach, trained by John McConnell.

Second winner loses race

Olivers Travels has also been disqualified from a 2m7f handicap chase at Worcester on Wednesday (Aug 21, 2024).

A post-race urine sample revealed the presence of dexamethasone, a corticosteroid commonly used to treat inflammation or allergic reactions.

That race has now been awarded to Galloping Pride, trained by Emma Lavelle.

The BHA said the case was dealt with by way of a plea agreement approved by the independent disciplinary panel.

A BHA statement said: “Following this morning’s hearing before the independent Disciplinary Panel, the Panel has approved a Plea Agreement.

“The penalty for breaching Rule (K)2.2 is a £4,000 fine and (D)24 a £1,000 fine.

“The two horses involved, Olivers Travels (IRE) and Flying Fortune (IRE), will be disqualified from their respective races at Worcester on 21 August 2024 and Chepstow on 11 October 2024.”

The ruling does not suggest any wrongdoing by the jockeys involved. The disciplinary action was directed at the trainers over the presence of prohibited substances on race day and failures in medication record keeping.