Sport

Ryan and Drewett join WRU

Published

9 years ago

January 27, 2017

Ben Ryan: Joining Welsh Rugby in a consultancy role

THE WELSH RUGBY UNION has made two new high level appointments to boost its performance department and coach development provision.

Ben Ryan, the sevens specialist coach who helped Fiji lift their first Olympic gold medal in the 2016 tournament in Rio, who is currently working with the National Basketball Association in America, joins Welsh Rugby in a consultancy role.

Peter Drewett has been appointed as the new WRU performance coach manager and will join Welsh Rugby from a similar position with the Hong Kong Rugby Union on March 1.

Former England sevens player Ryan guided Fiji to a record nine sevens tournament titles, including Olympic gold, after leaving his position as England sevens coach to take charge of the South Sea Islanders in 2013.

The 45-year-old has a wide-ranging remit to support, advising the programs and preparation planning of WRU national Age Grade sides and his expertise will be made available to all teams outside of the national squad – which includes the national U20s, national U18s, Women’s national programmes and both men’s and women’s sevens.

Drewett, 58, who takes over the position vacated by Geraint John, is a former Sports Science lecturer at Exeter University who has worked on 230 international matches across 10 World Championship campaigns with England and Hong Kong to date. He was at the Rugby Football Union between 1992-2006 working in player development and managing the U21s, U19s, schools and youth sides at different stages, before becoming Exeter Chiefs’ Director of Rugby and Head Coach until 2009 before working in a range of high profile consultancy roles, coaching Plymouth Albion in 2012 and then being appointed as Head of Elite Coach Development for HKRU in 2014.

“Ben Ryan’s appointment is a real coup for Welsh Rugby,” said John. “He is a much sought after high performance coach, who has been courted around the globe since his significant successes with the Fijian national sevens side.

“We are particularly interested in benefiting from the meticulous attention to detail and major planning experience which Ben showed to maximum effect during the Olympics in Rio and we want him to cover the whole of our performance division from U20s, U18s to the women’s game and, of course, his specific experience in sevens is a huge bonus.

“Ben will also be on hand to enhance our Coach Development programme, where he will support our coaches through his knowledge and experience of the world game.

“Peter comes on board as a full time member of staff in March and his role is very much about safeguarding the future of the game in Wales and making sure we have the very best systems in place to not only produce the best coaches, but to ensure the continued progression of those coaches.”

WRU CEO Martyn Phillips said: “We want attract the very best rugby minds to Wales as well as cultivate home-grown coaches who are the envy of the rugby-watching world and we have taken significant steps towards achieving those aims with the two appointments announced today.

“Ben brings a wealth of experience and expertise to strengthen our performance department and his appointment will be of benefit to both players and coaches throughout Welsh rugby.

“In Peter we are appointing a coach development manager who comes highly recommended and who has significant relevant experience of the role on a worldwide scale.”

Ben Ryan said: “I’m delighted to be joining the WRU in what is an incredibly exciting role and I am really looking forward to all that lies ahead.”

Peter Drewett added: “There is a wide array of existing coaching talent to be nurtured and we will also be reviewing the systems and structures in place, designed to safeguard and expand the future of coaching in Wales.”

Sport

Keeper scores 121st-minute wonder goal before saving two penalties

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Herald Sport

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

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Herald Sport

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

If you’d like, I can also turn this into a shorter snippet for the website or expand with quotes, season context, or upcoming fixtures.

Sport

Haverfordwest RFC names Team of the Week

Published

14 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST Rugby Football Club has announced its latest Team of the Week, celebrating standout performers from across the junior age groups following another busy weekend of fixtures.

Players from the U7s through to the U16s Eagles have been highlighted for their work rate, teamwork and commitment on the pitch, with coaches praising the effort shown by all who took part.

The club said the selections recognise not only individual performances but the dedication shown by players at training and during matches throughout the season.

Parents and supporters were quick to share their congratulations online, with particular praise for U12s players George Bentley and Tom Wheeler, who impressed during their fixture.

Team of the Week – 14 December 2025

U7s: Ollie Bromham & Arthur Slee
U8s: Theo Headland & Lyla Phillips
U9s: Theo Canton & George Thornton
U10s: Rhys Davies
U10s Eagles: Frankie Campbell
U11s: Griff Jenkins & Ollie Edwards
U12s: George Bentley & Tom Wheeler
U12s Eagles: Cyra Ellis
U15s: Logan Keane
U16s Eagles: Laura Cichon

Coaches thanked players and families for their continued support as Haverfordwest RFC moves through the winter fixtures, saying the positivity around the club remains a key part of its success.