Sport
Wales Women target ‘home’ games in Six Nations
WALES WOMEN’s head coach Rhys Edwards is targeting a clean sweep of victories at the Gnoll when his side host three games in the rapidly approaching Six Nations championship in February and March.
Edwards is keen that his side build on the success of last year’s home games at St Helen’s where Wales stunned England in the opening game of the campaign.
“Over the last few seasons the girls have been fortunate enough to play in front of big crowds at Aberavon and Swansea,” said Edwards.
“The support we had in Swansea last season was tremendous and hopefully it will be the same at Neath where the Gnoll is part of Welsh rugby folklore. Hopefully the girls can create their own slice of history at one of the most iconic grounds in Welsh rugby.”
Wales will also play a friendly against defending Six Nations champions, Ireland at Ystrad Mynach on Sunday, 24th January where tickets will be available on the gate for just £5.
It will provide Edwards with one final chance to run the rule over his squad before announcing his team to tackle the Irish in the opening game of the Six Nations at Donnybrook on Saturday, 6th February.
Wales’ following two rounds will be at the Gnoll against Scotland and France before they take on England at Twickenham Stoop in round four on Friday, 11th March before the campaign concludes nine days later at home against Italy, who have held the upper hand over Wales in recent times.
Wales captain Rachel Taylor is already looking forward to the new campaign.
“These really are exciting times for the team – with some senior players stepping down from international rugby there is a great chance for new talent to prosper this season,” she said.
“We’ve placed certain expectations on ourselves and there is no doubt the home games will be key in our quest to qualify for the next World Cup. With age grade teams doing well in the Ospreys region this season, hopefully we can draw a big crowd on match days to further develop the momentum currently being witnessed in the women’s game in Wales.”
Wales Women’s Six Nations games at the Gnoll
February 2016
Sun Feb 14 14:00
Wales Women v Scotland Women
Sun Feb 28 14:00
Wales Women v France Women
Sun Mar 20 14:00
Wales Women v Italy Women
Tickets have been on sale from Monday,December 21 2015 from www.wru.wales/tickets. Tickets will be £10 for adults, £5 for students and free for U16s
News
70 Pembrokeshire clubs benefit from Sport Wales funding
SEVENTY Pembrokeshire clubs have been successful in receiving grants from the Be Active Wales Fund over the last financial year.
In total the clubs received more than £407,800 from the grants scheme from Sport Wales in 2023/24.
The fund backed 25 different sports, ranging from archery, basketball and cricket to sailing, short mat bowls and weightlifting and everything in between.
The Be Active Wales Fund is open to applications from not for profit community clubs and groups to help develop and sustain their activities.
Grants range from a minimum of £300 up to a maximum of £50,000.
The scheme will support coach education courses, the purchase of essential items of equipment right up to larger projects such as floodlighting and boats for sailing clubs.
For advice and support with your application contact Alan Jones or Lois Hilling at Pembrokeshire County Council’s Sports Development department, Sport Pembrokeshire on [email protected]
The Be Active Wales Fund is always open for applications.
More information is available on the Sport Wales website.
Sport
Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double
Two thrilling semi finals last weekend has meant Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road will meet in the senior cup final this coming Saturday.
Goodwick faced Pennar Robins in their semi final who pushed the champions very hard. Carl Vincent will be disappointed but proud of the Robins as they gave a great account of themselves. However in the end Goodwick’s quality and experience just was too much for Vincent’s team.
The other semi was an absolute thriller, and after a nail biting game Matthew Fox’ Clarby progressed to the final. A offside call has sparked a lot of debate around the county. However it seems that linesman Jenkins made an absolute perfect call so credit to him for that.
Both teams would have wanted a nice week of preparation for the final, maybe without any games to play. Unfortunately this hasn’t been possible due to the fixture backlog and both outfits have played already this week.
Goodwick will be favourites of course, however if anyone can upset the apple cart Saturday it’s this Clarbeston Road team. Fox’ outfit have impressed over and over this season. Without too much pressure on them, they are in a good place going into the final.
The double at one staged looked like the minimum Goodwick would be aiming for this season. However losses in other cup competitions, means its Senior Cup success or just the league title for the outstanding team of the season. Oddly becoming champions with no cup success maybe seen as a huge disappointment considering their dominance this season. A unique pressure. However if anyone can handle that pressure it’s O’Sullivans outfit.
Sport
Swifts eyes on double.
Monkton Swifts reserves have blown away the second division this season and now have the double in their sights. They face Merlins Bridge reserves in the semi final of the second division cup and lived up to their favourites tag.
Swifts won comfortably with key player Butland getting three assists and Josh Sture grabbing a brace. Waterman and Rhys Sture added the other goals as outstanding Monkton won 4-0.
Herbrandston and Johnston played in the other semi final and this was a much harder fixture to call. The promoted Herbie a younger and perhaps less physical outfit in comparison to the Tigers. Johnston quickly took control of the game when they found themselves two up after just 29 minutes.
However when Scott Murray was shown a red card just eight minutes later, Herbie would have been confident of staging a comeback. Despite being a man light, Johnston held Herbie until the final minute of the 90, when Alex Ouzman gave Herbie late hope. The Tigers held firm however and progress to the final where they will be underdogs. A tag that I’m sure the players and manager Steven Allen won’t mind too much.
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