Sport

Wanderers walloping of Crymych marred after fracas

Published

8 years ago

January 24, 2018

By Jonathan Twigg

THE WRU National leagues have copped some criticism since its inception in 1995, although this game in the shadow of Stradey Park, previous home of the Scarlets, showed the raw side of Club rugby at its uncompromising best and unfortunately its worst on Saturday (Jan 20).

Llanelli Wanderers emerged 44-12 victors over Crymych as both sides saw it as a crunch relegation encounter, the first at the ground since the renovation work undertaken by the community club.

The game was marred when Crymych prop Jason Nicholls took a punch when exposed in the scrum in the final minute and resulted in a trip to Morriston hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured eye socket, nose and cheekbone.

Both sides entered the fixture with players associated to their respective clubs; no permits, no dual registration which were not normally selected and both came to play the conditions set before them at the ‘Ranch’. It was Crymych who took on the challenge of playing against the wind and the slope, finding the tenacity of home flanker Steffan Tafetsauffer, No 8 Nicky Harries and scum half Josh Weeds difficult to deal with in the opening exchanges.

The visitors lost influential scrum half Jonathan Rogers at the end of the first quarter, which was pointless despite continual penalties awarded by Cwmtwrch based referee Efryn Morris-Roberts to the home side through the ten and twelve channels. Morris Roberts, originally from Bala and teaching in Ystradgynlais was frim in his opinions as the underfoot conditions played their part. He didn’t endear himself to the visiting support who question those marginal decisions vociferously and as the game wore on perhaps with tinted spectacles.

Outside half Jonathan George eventually landed a penalty after 22 minutes from in front of the posts to open the home sides account, which spurred the visiting ‘mountain men’ into action. Replacement scrum half Gareth Davies was a livewire and chose to take a quick tap penalty thirty metres from the Wanderers try line, feeding second row Rhys Davies who combined with flanker Aled Harries to send outside half Jake Jenkins the ball.

He drew in centres Carwyn and Ifan Phillips to make ground with ball in hand allowing No. 8 Guto Davies to pounce for the games opening try, converted by outside centre Ifan Phillips.

Crymych were on top at this stage, the home side reduced to 14 men after Harries was deemed to have overstepped the tolerance level of Morris Roberts, which allowed the visitors to secure a second try. Scrum half Davies once again took a quick penalty finding the try scorer Davies close at hand. Jenkins and the Phillips’s boys in midfield created space for full back Tomos Phillips who glided over unopposed for an unconverted try.

What epitomises club rugby best is the ability to expect the unexpected and on small decisions much wider consequences occur. As the half ended the Crymych forwards, minus teenage hooker Lee Griffiths who had been injured five minutes before lost possession when they should have put the ball clear of the touchline.

Photo by Darren Harries

The resultant turnover led to a penalty and the games second yellow card when flanker Sion collella trudged off for handling in the ruck.

Front ball to skipper James Bannister led to a drive down towards the new changing quarters, with replacement Ben Phillips touching down for an un converted try, as George effort clipped the upright for the second time in the half and 12-10 scoreline in favour of Crymych.

Replacement back row dynamo Zak France-Miller started the second period well carrying the ball, linking with his scrum half as their side tried to absorb the loss of Collella.

However, France -Miller saw his pass intercepted seven minutes into the half, which allowed centre Rhydian Morgan to scoot into the corner under pressure for an unconverted try. The Maroon shirted home side were on the charge as Bannisters second row colleague Ben Williams trampled 20 metres towards the line which put Morgan in for his second try of the afternoon, again unconverted by George.

The yellow card against Crymych had yielded three tries and fifteen points but perhaps most importantly the games and possibly Division 1 West survival in the Wanderers favour.

Crymych had lost their way, playing unstructured rugby at a tempo not suited to their game meaning they were losing the close quarter exchanges drawing incandescent commentary from diehard followers.

The home pack were buoyant with ball in hand and destructive in defence stopping the visitors in their tracks, ensuring they played the game deep in Crymych territory.

Last years Divisional runners up plundered in for their bonus point try from scrum half Josh Weeds after George had booted a penalty and Morris-Roberts reversed a free kick for back chat. Full back Lloyd Thomas crossed to finish a flowing handling move and George converted whilst also crossing the whitewash to make his travel from Cardiff worthwhile.

Flanker Sianco Morgan and man of the match Morgan crossed, the later completing a try hat trick which suggested the Max Boyce ballad relating to Morgan the Moon.

The Wanderers equivalent would have been atop of Pen Waun Twmpath after the game, 502 feet above sea level, bathed in white light and chewing a stick of Porthcawl rock. Toasted at the Ranch by Bethania and his colleagues with copious amounts of the local ale, Morgan’s team now stand 14 points clear of their opponents having lost just a single game since November 4, although a dark cloud may be hovering because of the Nicholls rumble.

They head across the Loughor bridge to tackle Gorseinon on Saturday (Jan 27); meanwhile Crymych must forget their WRU National Bowl quarter final at home to Ystalafera in March and reflect on their indiscipline as another crunch relegation fixture looms high when last seasons Division 1 West champions Kidwelly make an appearance at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

Related Topics:Crymych fracas Llanelli Wanderers Rugby

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Sport Pembrokeshire Awards finalists announced

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FINALISTS for this year’s Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been revealed, with 39 individuals and clubs shortlisted for honours at the annual celebration of local sporting achievement.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “A big thank you to everyone who sent in nominations. The judging panel had an extremely tough task narrowing down such a strong field of candidates.

“Pembrokeshire continues to punch above its weight when it comes to sporting prowess, and I’m sure the awards will once again showcase both on-field success and the incredible efforts of the volunteers and coaches who make it all possible.”

The winners will be unveiled at a gala ceremony at Folly Farm on November 28, organised by Sport Pembrokeshire.

The event is sponsored by Valero, Folly Farm, and Pure West Radio, and will also see the presentation of three special accolades — the School Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Chairman’s Special Achievement Award.

The awards recognise those who have excelled in sport over the past year or dedicated their time to coaching, organising, and supporting grassroots sport across the county.

Finalists (in alphabetical order)

Girls U16

Mary Falconer (Climbing)
Cerys Griffiths (Swimming)
Ava Tyrie (MMA)

Boys U16

Conor Cremona (Weightlifting)
Elijah Jones (Surfing)
Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)

Club of the Year

Carew Sports Club
Chaos Netball Club
Milford Haven Hockey Club

Junior Disability Award

Jake Evans (Llangwm RFC)
Jack Gray (Fishguard Thunderbolts)
Ella Meacham (Windswept Watersports)

Young Volunteer of the Year

Enfys Battelley-de Torres (Camrose AFC)
Alannah Field (Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club)
Alannah Heasman (Haverfordwest High School / Pembrokeshire College)

Junior Team

BJJ Pembrokeshire Junior MMA Team
HHVCS Year 7 Girls Rugby
Merlins Bridge FC Under-14s

Unsung Hero

Sarah Bagley (Windswept Watersports)
Geoff Daye (Lamphey Cricket Club)
Jenny Lewis (Clarbeston Road AFC)

Senior Team

East Williamston Short Mat Bowls Club
Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club
Pembrokeshire Hockey Club – Ladies 1s

Male Achievement

Llew Bevan (Darts)
Liam Bradley (Triathlon)
Reuben Lerwill (Gymnastics)

Female Achievement

Sanna Duthie (Running)
Ria Jones (Judo)
Amelia Nuttall (Sailing)

Disability Sport Award

Rachel Bailey (Boccia)
Evelyn Thomas (Weightlifting)
Hannah Webster (CrossFit)

Club Organiser

Huw Jones (Haverfordwest Golf Club)
Leanne Jones (Camrose AFC)
Silfan Rhys-Jones (Fishguard Table Tennis Club)

Coach of the Year

Jamie Barrellie (Tenby Sharks Girls Rugby)
Rob Codd (Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club)
James North (Kilgetty AFC)

Sport

BBC Cymru Wales to show festive Welsh URC derbies free-to-air

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2025

Herald Sport

WELSH rugby fans are set for a strong line-up of festive fixtures after BBC Cymru Wales confirmed it will broadcast three BKT United Rugby Championship derbies over Christmas and New Year.

The matches will be shown live on Scrum V Live as part of a co-exclusive agreement with Premier Sports, meaning both broadcasters will carry the games simultaneously. The fixtures include Cardiff v Scarlets on Thursday, 19 December at 7:45pm, Cardiff v Dragons on Boxing Day at 3:00pm, and Ospreys v Cardiff on New Year’s Day at 5:30pm.

All three programmes will be presented by Catrin Heledd, with commentary from Gareth Rhys Owen. Former Wales stars Alun Wyn Jones and Jonathan “Fox” Davies are among the guests lined up to offer analysis.

Garmon Rhys, Interim Director of BBC Cymru Wales, said the broadcaster was pleased to showcase the festive derbies once again. He said the games had become a key part of many Welsh households’ Christmas sporting traditions and praised the production teams delivering the live coverage.

United Rugby Championship chief executive Martin Anayi welcomed the arrangement, describing the derbies as an important part of the Welsh rugby calendar and saying the partnership would help the matches reach as wide an audience as possible.

Sport

Euro 2028: Historic opportunity for Wales to shine on world stage

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2025

Herald Sport

Calls for investment in transport as Principality Stadium confirmed as host

Wales is set to take centre stage in 2028 after UEFA confirmed that Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will host matches – including the opening game – of the Euro 2028 tournament.

The announcement has been welcomed across Welsh football, with senior figures saying the event will deliver a major boost to the economy, raise Wales’ global profile, and give supporters the chance to witness elite tournament football on home soil for the first time.

The Principality Stadium, which can host more than 70,000 spectators, was selected as part of the UK and Ireland joint bid. It will be the first time Wales has staged fixtures at a major men’s international tournament.

Transport concerns raised

Responding to the news, the Welsh Conservatives urged ministers in Cardiff Bay to address long-standing transport capacity issues and reconsider proposals for a tourism levy, arguing that both could affect the fan experience during the tournament.

Gareth Davies MS, the party’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and Sport, said: “This is fantastic news for Wales and will be a huge boost for the economy in Cardiff and beyond. It’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase our culture and our ability to host major international events on the world stage.

“We’ve already proven our credentials with the UEFA Champions League Final in 2017, and on an even bigger stage, I’m confident we can deliver an even better tournament experience.”

He added that Euro 2028 will be “a historic opportunity for Welsh fans to experience a major international tournament on home soil – something that will inspire a new generation of supporters and players alike.”

Davies said the Welsh Government should “rethink their toxic tourism tax to ensure visitors and fans can experience the best of Welsh hospitality.”

Background

The UK and Ireland were confirmed as hosts of Euro 2028 in October 2023 after Turkey withdrew from the bidding process. The tournament is expected to generate hundreds of millions of pounds in economic activity across the host nations through tourism, accommodation, transport, and hospitality spending.

Cardiff previously hosted the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final, the world’s largest annual sporting event, drawing an estimated 300,000 visitors to the city and providing a major test of transport and policing capabilities.

Exact fixtures for Euro 2028 will be confirmed closer to the tournament, but Cardiff’s opening match is expected to attract international attention and bring tens of thousands of overseas supporters to Wales.

Welsh Government ministers have previously said the tournament will be a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to showcase Wales on a global platform.