Sport
Wales Over 50’s heading for India
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A WALES Over 50’s team head off for India today (Wednesday, Jan 31) for a cricket tour of the Asian country, taking in five games during the 14 day visit.
Captained by John Jones of Skewen, the touring party includes well known Pembrokeshire players Paul Webb (Cresselly), Richard Harries (Cresselly), Steve Jones (Burton) and Lyn Rees (Neyland) alongside Tour Manager, Nick Evans (Narberth).
Llangennech are represented by opening bowler Mike Lloyd, with the touring party’s scorer being Llanelli’s Alan Richards.
There is very little time for the players to acclimatise to conditions in India as they play their first game against Parsee Gymkhana in Mumbai on Friday morning (9am), with a second early morning fixture the following day against CCI at the Brabourne Stadium.
The tourists, including wives Janice Webb, Jean Jones and Richard Harris partner Louis Dunlop, will have the opportunity on day four to take in the beauty of the city and surrounding area, including a ferry trip to see the Elephanta caves.
They have a third encounter scheduled into their sub-continent itinerary playing once more in Mumbai against MIG, before heading to the island of Goa, to enjoy a three day break from the rigours of cricket.
There is an opportunity to visit the 17th Century built Portuguese Fort, at Aguada, undertake some traditional shopping, including a night time ‘flea market’ and participate in the variety of water sports prior to donning their cricket whites once more for back to back fixtures.
Having completed their sightseeing with a trip to a Spice Plantation and a walk around ‘Old Goa’ and its ancient temples, the penultimate tour game sees them encounter a MCC side at Margo Cricket Club and the final game will take place on the same ground against a Goa Seniors side.
The tour is concluded with a final two days of rest and recuperation on the beaches of the beautiful Indian resort beaches prior to a farewell dinner before heading back to Heathrow Airport.
They have been practising hard for the tour with nest organised by Richard Harris throughout December and January and had a pre tour get together with a curry evening at Tafarn Morlais which Paul Webb described as ‘the start point for what is going to be a great experience’.
Webb added: “Richard Harris has done a tremendous amount of work to ensure this trip goes ahead and I speak for everyone in the tour party in thanking him. The opportunity to visit a country like India, with good friends and play cricket is an experience of a lifetime. We are so looking forward to touching down in Mumbai and then playing cricket in a different environment.”
Wales Over 50’s Tour Party:
Nick Evans – Narberth CC (Tour Manager)
John Jones – Skewen CC (Captain) & Tracey Jones
Richard Harris – Cresselly CC & Louise Dunlop
Peter Docherty – Penarth CC & Sally Docherty
Paul Donovan – Tata Steel CC & Lisa Donovan
Paul Webb – Cresselly CC & Janice Webb
Steve Jones – Burton CC & Jean Jones
Lyn Rees – Neyland CC
Mike Lloyd – Llangennech CC & Shirley Williams
Steve Richmond – Porthcawl CC & Cath Richmond
Neil Williams – Pwllheli CC
John Lewis – Croesyceiliog CC & Nicole Lewis
Adrian Webber – Croesyceiliog CC
Nigel Clayton – Bridgend CC & Eleanor Clayton
Alan Richards – Llanelli CC (Scorer)
Richard Ashling (Umpire) & Sandy Ashling
News
WRU explores potential Anglo-Welsh rugby competition
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THE WRU is actively exploring the possibility of a future Anglo-Welsh competition. Multiple sources from both England and Wales have confirmed that preliminary discussions have occurred between key figures on both sides of the Severn Bridge.
Currently, the WRU is still under contract with the United Rugby Championship (URC) for a few more years, where it also holds stakeholder status. One proposal under consideration involves merging the URC with the Gallagher Premiership to create an Anglo-Welsh conference.
WRU Chairman Richard Collier-Keywood, when questioned about these talks by Wales Online, refrained from commenting directly but acknowledged the interest. “I’m totally aware that most Welsh people would want competition against England, and that does feel like a good direction of travel,” he said.
“At present, we remain committed to the URC. There are downsides and positives to the URC, and we aim to enhance the situation from a Welsh perspective. Our priority is to ensure stability for our four clubs and secure a sound future for them over the coming years. Once this is achieved, we can revisit and discuss future goals.”
Within Welsh rugby circles, there is a strong desire for more regular Anglo-Welsh fixtures. The URC has struggled to engage the broader public, and fixtures with English clubs would likely be more appealing and cost-effective compared to trips to South Africa or Ireland. Increased regular attendance is also anticipated.
“I’m totally cognisant that most Welsh people would want jeopardy against England, and most English people would want jeopardy against Wales,” Collier-Keywood continued. “However, we are currently committed to the URC for a few more years. It’s early days, but all options are on the table. There are benefits and downsides to the URC, and we aim to improve the situation from a Welsh rugby perspective.”
The WRU’s primary goal is to ensure the survival of its four professional clubs – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets – which face an estimated £29 million funding gap over the next five years. Previously, the WRU indicated that without a plan to bridge this funding gap by autumn, they would consider triggering the two-year notice clause on the Professional Rugby Agreement. This could mean cutting a team or implementing a tiered funding model. However, Collier-Keywood insists that retaining all four professional clubs remains the WRU’s priority.
“The arrangements we are looking at with the clubs retain four teams,” he said. “This is our stated objective because we believe four teams are necessary to consistently achieve our goal of being in the top five in the world. Reducing the number of teams would make this objective more challenging.
“The gaps mentioned are the figures we believe need bridging to maintain four competitive teams. These numbers reflect the stretch goals for our teams to be competitive in their competitions. I am optimistic we will reach this goal. We have positive engagement with the four clubs. While it’s not solely the WRU’s decision, as the clubs are privately owned, we are in good and positive dialogue to reach a favourable outcome.”
Collier-Keywood also called on regional team fans to support their teams. “The biggest thing fans can do to help is to attend matches. I recognise it’s a virtuous circle – if your team is winning and performing well, you’re more likely to attend. We need to boost our supporter base, make it vibrant, and have them present at matches.”
All four professional clubs are currently bound by a salary cap of £4.5 million, with allowances for two marquee signings outside the cap. Collier-Keywood is optimistic about increased funding for the clubs in the near future. “Absolutely, I do,” he said when asked about the potential for increased funding. “While it’s a tough ask for the very next season, we aim to ensure our teams are competitive in the years to come.”
The WRU’s exploration of an Anglo-Welsh competition represents a potential shift in the rugby landscape, promising exciting prospects for both Welsh and English rugby fans.
News
Former Welsh rugby star on trial for assaulting primary school pupil
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A former international rugby star, Matthew Back, stands accused of assaulting a primary school pupil by grabbing him so hard it left marks on his arm. The court heard that Back, 53, who played four times for Wales, was employed as a teacher when the alleged incident took place.
Prosecutor Christopher Evans outlined the case, stating that Back manhandled the child, resulting in a bruise after he forcibly took drawings away from him in the classroom. Evans argued that Back “lost control” during the altercation, mishandling the situation severely.
“Back manhandled the child. He handled the situation completely the wrong way,” Evans asserted. He further claimed that Back “didn’t de-escalate” the situation but instead “lost control on a small child.”
The court heard that the boy had been instructed to draw following a separate incident with another child. However, he rolled the paper into a “comical shape,” prompting Back to snatch the paper away. In response, the child lashed out at teaching assistants and was subsequently placed on a sofa for a “time out.”
Testimony revealed that Back kept the boy on the sofa, preventing him from leaving until he had calmed down and could be taken home. The child’s mother reported that he returned from school late, “very angry and very agitated.” Later that evening, the boy’s father discovered bruising on his arm.
When questioned by the parents, Back initially denied any knowledge of the incident, suggesting the marks could have been caused by the boy hiding in a small space or engaging in “rough and tumble” with other children. However, he later acknowledged that an incident had occurred and the child had been moved to the sofa.
Harriet Ealdon, defending, presented the court with messages exchanged between Back and the boy’s mother, illustrating their cooperative efforts to address the child’s behavioural needs. In one message, Back expressed pleasure in teaching the boy, to which the mother responded positively, noting her son’s excitement to attend school. Another message highlighted the “great teamwork” between them.
The court also heard that the child had been involved in 50 documented incidents at the school, all of which had been communicated to the parents—except for the alleged assault in question. The parents documented the bruise with multiple photographs taken over several days, leading them to raise concerns with the school. This prompted an investigation and the suspension of Back and two other individuals.
Matthew Back, hailing from Miskin, Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, denies the charge of assault. Back, who won four caps for Wales in 1995, has a notable rugby career, having played for Pontypridd, Bridgend, Swansea, Bristol, and Aberavon.
The trial, presided over by Recorder Bruce Gardiner, continues.
News
Haverfordwest County AFC launch 2024-25 away kit
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Haverfordwest County AFC have said this week that they are delighted to launch our away kit for the 2024-25 season.
Inspired by the history and heritage of Pembrokeshire, the shirt features the colours of the flag of St David, which is universally recognised and proudly flown at the Ogi Bridge Meadow. The flag itself is featured across the back of the collar.
The unique design will ensure that we represent the county on our travels around Wales throughout the season, while also enabling us to stand out on the field.
The shorts will be all-black, while the socks will be all-black with two yellow stripes at the top and a yellow Bluebird in the middle.
As is the case with the home shirt, the Haverfordwest County AFC and Tor Sports logos are printed in the top left and top right of the shirt respectively, while our ‘Playing For Pembrokeshire’ logo is featured in the bottom left corner.
You can purchase the new away shirt by visiting their club shop on Tor Sports by clicking here.
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