Sport

Battling Wales’ wait for All Blacks win goes on

Published

8 years ago

November 28, 2017

By Jonathan Twigg

A PACKED Principality Stadium in Cardiff witnessed a sporting occasion on Saturday (Nov 25) when the New Zealand All Blacks, under the stewardship of former Wales Head Coach Steve Hansen emerged with a 33-18 victory over Warren Gatland’s Welsh side, to extend their winning run to 30 and with it extend the longest winning sequence in international rugby.

Not since Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953, a year when Sir Edmund Hillary climbed Mount Everest have Wales lowered the All Blacks colours, conceding over 1000 points in the process; the All Black side on Saturday showed ten changes to the one which drew the final test of the summers battle with the British & Irish lions, showing true character to win the game scoring four tries in the process.

Wales included eight Scarlets players in their staring XV in a ‘phoenix’ moment they were led out by centre Scott Williams who was winning his fiftieth cap, even though he failed to make the original squad selection for the Autumn series.

The crowd had been whipped into a frenzy on the cold winter evening thanks to the RAF band of the Regiment of the Royal Welsh who will be celebrating their centenary next year. A former fighter pilot from Cardiff, Roald Dahl utilised a period of ‘grounding’ to hone his writing skill but not even he could have scripted the drama which unfolded before the 74,500 capacity crowd, starting wih the anthems to the ever impressive Maori ‘Haka’.

The kick off saw the ball plunged into the hands of Jake Ball with the Scarlets lock forward setting the platform for Dan Bigger to hoist a ‘Gary Owen’. Beauden Barrett and Sonny Bill Williams looked shaky as play was moved back a forth across the pitch by Wales.

From a scrum 5m out the Welsh pack got a nudge on and Scarlets full back Leigh Halfpenny opened the scoring with a ninth minute penalty. Scarlets scrum half Gareth Davies appeared in the amphitheatre as a concussed Rhys Webb was withdrawn and despite Scarlets hooker Ken Owens and his line out jumpers being unable to win that set piece battle the scrum was gaining momentum.

Wales were enjoying both territory and possession but as in any groundhog scenario, the Webb Ellis cup holders first foray into the Welsh half by winger Rieko Ioane set in motion a flowing All Black move. Scrum half Aaron Smith took up the mantle and moved back outside to find winger Waisake Naholo who ran over Scarlets winger Steff Evans to stun the crowd into silence, and Barrett rubbed salt into the wounds with a brilliant touchline conversion for a 7-3 lead.

The difference between the world champions and any pretenders to their crown is the clinical way they ensure they score when opportunities are presented to them. Wales have a fluency in their running and passing through the channels but let themselves down with a lack of vision and composure at the crucial time.

Winger Hallam Amos had one such opportunity as did Taulupe Faletau who spilled the ball with the white line beneath him as ferocious battle lines were drawn deeply in the turf. A shoulder dislocation to Ball brought forth asthma sufferer Cory Hill proving such a lifelong debilitating illness does not prevent participation at the highest level.

Big game players develop as their experience builds, where young winger Evans will take solace as he was found wanting at key times, with missed tackles and grubber kicks to make him turn.

New Zealand developed a game plan to play on this but could not prevent the influence of Scarlets prop Rob Evans on the game; now the nominated first receiver as he put Biggar into space to create the opening for Evans to flutter those magic daps, the reason why the youngster has been selected by Gatland.

On his tail was six foot six Scarlets flanker Aaron Shingler who linked well with back row colleagues Faletau and Josh Navidi to offer Halfpenny a 45m penalty which he failed to accept. The back row trio were using front foot ball and the All Blacks made 86 tackles, 70 more than their hosts as they kept the saucepan simmering and not boiling despite Halfpenny taking the score back to 7-6.

Scrum half Davies volleyed the ball though for the Welsh forwards to hit the gain line at pace, although the World champions themselves refused to settle for an easy three points when offered. They were happy to go live with a quick tap and drive from three penalties which was rewarded with second try for Naholo in the corner for a 12-6 lead.

Wales did want to play and a length of the field counter attack in the final minute of the half set Amos away on a 40m burst. Biggar freed Williams who strode for the corner as the half time whistle saw them just a point adrift and had Tom and Glyn Richards from the Castle Inn, Newport purring with disbelief.

“The atmosphere is electric and Wales have fed off the passion within this cauldron. Credit the All Blacks who have smothered the Welsh fire and hold a lead when they have been under the cosh for the majority of the game” screamed Glyn.

Wales were dangerous and had stopped the Kiwis playing, pushing them back through the gate and making them defend with vigour, but it was in the final third where the difference stood out. Faletau was set at outside centre for the offensive line but perhaps tiredness, familiarity or compliancy prevented the importing scores appearing. The All Blacks possess brilliance, which Wales have but perhaps don’t exploit for the final piece of magic to finish the jigsaw.

The second half began with a more even share of the ball and Naholo straightened his running line to put Ioane through the defence line; when he was stopped Naholo was on hand to score under posts for 19-11 from which Doctor Jamie Roberts replaced Williams to hopefully inject a change in fortunes as prop and Evans departed with fifteen minutes remaining.

The Welsh ambition died when Biggar’s popped pass lacked peripheral vision as his support players were off the pace; Ioane read the play to collect and scoot over for a converted try at 26-11. Amos and Navidi continued to set a belligerent platform; Faletau came close to scoring and the scrum reached a dominant stratosphere, with Kiwi skipper also Sam Whitelock yellow carded.

With a man advantage a solid scrum ensued from which Davies emerged from the blindside to squeeze over from 10m and Halfpenny superbly converted for 26-18 but two scores still required for victory.

The seven man All Black pack absorbed their man deficit and from quick ball off their own scrum Smith looped around replacement Lima Sopoaga for man of the match Ioane to arrive off his wing and blitz over for a classic try, converted by Barrett to end the games scoring 33-18 with five minutes left.

Wales have one game left in their Autumn Series against South Africa, before their attention will switch to the opening game of the Six Nations.

A Gregor Townsend inspired Scotland arrive at the Principality Stadium on Saturday (Feb 3) for the afternoon kick off which will bring a stern test which Wales will have to meet front on.

Up Next

Scott is best boxer on the night

Don't Miss

George North returning to Wales

Business

Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.

In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.

A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.

“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.

“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.

“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”

It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.

“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.

“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”

The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.

News

Haverfordwest sailor leads global team to historic victory in Korea

Published

2 days ago

March 18, 2026

Herald Sport

Lou Boorman celebrates home port win in round-the-world yacht race

A HAVERFORDWEST-born sailor has led her team to a landmark victory on the global stage, winning a major leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race as it arrived in South Korea.

Lou Boorman, aged 23, skippered Team Tongyeong to first place as the fleet sailed into the Korean port city this week (Mar 16), marking a historic moment for the race.

The win is particularly significant as it is the first time the round-the-world event has ever stopped in Korea – and the home team claimed the top spot.

Speaking from the yacht after crossing the finish line, Lou said: “We did it, we performed under the pressure! To get a win into our home port, I can die happy!”

From Pembrokeshire to the world stage

Lou, who grew up in Haverfordwest, has quickly risen through the ranks of competitive sailing. Before taking on the challenge of leading a Clipper Race team, she had already secured titles as British, Irish and Welsh Female Champion.

Now skippering one of the race’s international teams, she is responsible not only for navigation and strategy, but also for leading a diverse crew – many of whom had never sailed before joining the race.

The Clipper Race is one of the toughest endurance challenges in sport, covering 40,000 nautical miles over eleven months, with crews facing extreme weather conditions ranging from freezing Pacific crossings to equatorial heat.

High-stakes gamble pays off

Team Tongyeong took a major risk during this stage, playing its ‘Joker’ card – a race tactic that doubles points if successful.

The gamble paid off, earning the team maximum points and securing their place at the top of the leaderboard.

Lou said: “We’ve worked really hard and put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Going into our home port there is a lot of pressure to perform, and we added to that pressure by playing our Joker – and we got twenty points, so I’m very proud of the team.”

This marks the team’s second win in recent stages, building momentum as they pass the halfway point of the global race.

Life at sea and leadership challenges

Reflecting on her journey so far, Lou highlighted the challenges of leadership as much as the physical demands of sailing.

She said: “Sometimes the sailing comes second to the people because they are the important ones. To lead them through that is one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, but it’s also one of the most rewarding.”

She added: “My favourite thing about sailing is the magic of the sea, the stars, the storms and the remoteness. I feel free and at my happiest at sea.”

Global race continues

The Clipper Race fleet will remain in Tongyeong for a week of cultural events before setting off across the North Pacific towards Seattle.

The race will later visit Panama, Washington DC, and Oban before returning to Portsmouth this summer, completing a full circumnavigation of the globe.

For Pembrokeshire, Lou’s achievement puts a local name firmly on the world sailing map – and highlights the global reach of talent from West Wales.

Sport

New2Golf scheme returns to South Pembrokeshire Golf Club

Published

3 days ago

March 17, 2026

Herald Sport

Six-week beginner programme offers affordable route into the sport

SOUTH PEMBROKESHIRE GOLF CLUB is preparing to launch its popular New2Golf scheme for 2026, with the latest intake starting on Monday (Apr 13).

Now in its eighth year at the Pembroke Dock course, the initiative offers a low-cost and welcoming introduction to golf. All equipment and professional tuition are included for a small fee, making it accessible to people of all ages and abilities – including complete beginners who have never picked up a club before.

The scheme is also ideal for those who have previously played golf and are looking to return to the game after a break.

Participants will receive coaching from qualified golf professionals at the club’s practice ground during early evening sessions over a six-week period. There will also be an option to continue with further sessions after the initial programme.

Golf provides a great opportunity to stay active, enjoy the outdoors and meet new people. As a low-impact sport, it allows players to gradually build fitness while learning new skills. Whether approached competitively or socially, it offers a relaxed and enjoyable way to spend time outdoors.

Last year’s New2Golf intake ranged in age from eight to 70, highlighting the sport’s broad appeal and accessibility.

Located in Pennar, Pembroke Dock, South Pembrokeshire Golf Club enjoys scenic views over the Haven waterway. The club has a thriving membership across junior, ladies’, men’s and seniors’ sections, and prides itself on being friendly and supportive to new players.

Members regularly help newcomers develop their skills on the course, offering guidance on rules, techniques and course play.

The clubhouse also serves as a social hub, offering home-cooked food, a bar and meeting facilities, with a busy calendar of events throughout the year.