Sport
Bevan and Joyce return for Principality Stadium clash
WALES Women welcome back some familiar faces for this Sunday’s double-header against Italy at Principality Stadium (11:45).
Scrum-half Keira Bevan and wing Jaz Joyce are involved for the first time this year. Bevan returns from an ankle injury suffered on international duty during the autumn, whilst Joyce has been involved in sevens preparations for next month’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Elsewhere, Jess Kavanagh-Williams is the only player remaining from the back three which turned out against Ireland in Dublin a fortnight ago, with Hannah Jones starting at fullback and Joyce on the right wing.
With an unchanged pack, the only other change in the team sees Robyn Wilkins brought in at inside centre, as Wales seek a second win in this year’s competition.
“We’ve shown enough glimpses of our potential, both in victory and defeat, to give us a lot of encouragement,” said head coach Rowland Phillips. “We’ve got a great platform now to show the Welsh public what women’s rugby is all about, and in particular what Wales Women are about as a team. I hope we can do that on Sunday.”
On playing at Wales’ national stadium, Phillips said: “It’s a huge opportunity for us, and it’s great that the WRU has given us this chance to play in the best stadium in the world. There’s an incentive there in the venue alone, but our focus needs to be Italy and getting our game right.”
Should she be called into action from the bench, former netball and hockey player Alecs Donovan could make her debut at Principality Stadium, following a Player of the Match performance in the uncapped match against the Armed Forces last November.
Wales Women team to face Italy:
15 Hannah Jones (Scarlets) 14 Jaz Joyce (Scarlets) 13 Kerin Lake (Ospreys) 12 Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys) 11 Jess Kavanagh-Williams (RGC) 10 Elinor Snowsill (Dragons) 9 Keira Bevan (Ospreys) 1 Caryl Thomas (Scarlets) 2 Carys Philips (c) (Ospreys) 3 Amy Evans (Ospreys) 4 Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys) 5 Mel Clay (Ospreys) 6 Alisha Butchers (Scarlets) 7 Beth Lewis (Scarlets) 8 Sioned Harries (Scarlets) Replacements: 16 Kelsey Jones (Ospreys) 17 Gwenllian Pyrs (RGC) 18 Meg York (Dragons) 19 Natalia John (Ospreys) 20 Nia Elen Davies (Scarlets) 21 Jade Knight (Scarlets) 22 Alecs Donovan* (Ospreys) 23 Lisa Neumann (Scarlets)
Sport
Rugby: Neyland triumphs, Cross Keys dominates, and Tenby edges through
Neyland 30 – Cwmgors 21
In a lively game at Neyland, the home side triumphed over Cwmgors with a 30-21 score. Neyland’s fly-half Oli Rothero scored two tries, aided by captain George Williams and flanker Owain Evans, each adding a try of their own. Cwmgors, who contributed to the game’s fast pace, opened with a try by winger Richard Bradley, set up by center Owen Davies. Josh Evans and Rothero traded penalties early on, but Neyland’s consistent pressure ultimately secured their victory, with scrum-half Owen Hamer named Man of the Match.
Narberth 26 – Cross Keys 52 (Premiership Cup)
Cross Keys powered through the second half to secure a 52-26 win over Narberth. The Otters led 21-17 at halftime, driven by Ashley Sutton’s try and two more from flanker Sam Davies and winger Harry Fuller. However, Cross Keys responded with 35 unanswered points in the second half, with tries by Will Morgan, Laurence Donnelly, and James Smith. Narberth scored a consolation try through Josh Thomas, but Cross Keys advanced with authority.
Waunarlwydd 25 – Tenby United 27 (Division One Cup)
Tenby United edged past Waunarlwydd 27-25 to reach the WRU Cup’s last 16. Tenby led 24-3 early in the second half with contributions from Lloyd Thomas, Geraint Jones, and Gwion Jones. However, Waunarlwydd fought back with tries by Phil Evans and Ben Court, briefly taking a 25-24 lead. A late penalty by Lloyd Thomas sealed the narrow win for Tenby.
Haverfordwest 17 – Aberaeron 19 (Division Three Cup)
Aberaeron clinched a close 19-17 victory over Haverfordwest, marking a league and cup double in consecutive weekends. Aberaeron’s tries by Dyfrig Dafis and Steff Thomas gave them a first-half lead, but Haverfordwest’s Scott Candler replied with two tries of his own. Ultimately, Aberaeron held firm, with three penalties by Rhodri Jenkins proving decisive.
Cardigan 35 – Cwmafan 25 (Division Three Cup)
Cardigan mounted a stunning comeback to defeat Cwmafan 35-25. Initially trailing 25-9 with 20 minutes to go, Cardigan rallied with four tries, including a brace each from Alun Jenkins and Jack Taylor, while Shaun Leonard added three conversions to secure the win and advance to the last 16.
Furnace 17 – Narberth Athletic 20 (Division Four Cup)
Narberth Athletic edged Furnace 20-17, with new center Brad Cramb scoring 15 points on his debut. Cramb’s try, conversions, and penalties propelled Narberth Athletic to victory, despite a persistent Furnace side with tries by Harri Rees and Scott Hiddleston.
Teirw Crymych 24 – Bynea 7 (Division Four Cup)
Teirw Crymych secured a solid 24-7 win over Bynea, remaining strong in Division Four (West) B. The Bulls’ tries came from Osian Thomas (twice), Steffan Rees, and Trystan Griffiths. Despite Bynea’s late try by Rhys Gingell, Crymych finished strong and celebrated with team singing in the clubhouse.
Sport
Pembrokeshire Division One football – Match reports
Hakin United 2 – Monkton Swifts 0
HAKIN UNITED clinched a vital 2-0 win over Monkton Swifts, reducing the points gap with league leaders Goodwick United to just four. Jack Britton led the charge for the Vikings, scoring both goals at the Obs. The first came early, capitalizing on a defensive slip from the Swifts, allowing Britton to finish from close range. Hakin continued their offensive, with Mark Jones almost doubling the lead from a powerful header, only to be thwarted by a stunning save from Swifts’ goalkeeper, Taylor Gullam. The visitors’ day worsened in the second half with a red card, and Britton took full advantage, netting his second with a well-placed header off Leon Luby’s corner. This result keeps Hakin firmly in the title race as they push for the top.
Milford United 1 – Merlins Bridge 4
MERLINS Bridge showcased their second-half dominance in a 4-1 victory over Milford United at Marble Hall. The game began with a close first half, as Tomos Gwilliam opened the scoring for the Wizards, while Liam Parks came close to equalizing. However, Merlins Bridge pulled away after the break. Nathan Evans struck a powerful shot to reclaim the lead, and shortly after, Gwilliam set up Hayden Dimond for a deft header. Dimond later won a penalty, confidently converting it to secure his brace. This commanding win underscored Merlins Bridge’s attacking strength and resilience.
Herbrandston 4 – Carew 5
IN a dramatic clash at the bottom of the table, Carew triumphed over Herbrandston 5-4 in a match filled with goals. Herbrandston looked in control, leading 4-2 at halftime, with Matthew Jones and Adam Whatling scoring two each. However, a determined Carew mounted a comeback, as Shaun Whitfield struck twice in quick succession to equalize before Marcus Griffiths scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute. Herbrandston, despite their strong first-half showing, was left stunned by the Rooks’ spirited comeback.
Tenby 3 – Pennar Robins 2
A HAT-TRICK from Scott Ferney propelled Tenby to a hard-fought 3-2 win over Pennar Robins at the Clicketts. Ferney opened with a skilful chip over Pennar’s keeper Rory Williams. The Robins responded swiftly, with Cameron Brunton’s deflected shot and a header from Ben Adams putting them ahead. Tenby equalized under controversy when Ferney appeared offside but was allowed to play on. Ferney then sealed the win in the 86th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Pennar. His clinical finishing proved crucial in this tense encounter filled with intense action and close calls.
Sport
Pembrokeshire racer crowned world champion with Tom Brady’s electric raceboat team
A Welsh racer has clinched the title of world champion with Team Brady, a team co-owned by American football legend Tom Brady. Sam Coleman, hailing from Pembrokeshire, piloted Team Brady’s electric powerboat to victory in the E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series.
The inaugural E1 World Championship saw nine teams compete across five iconic global locations, including Jeddah, Venice, and Monaco. Each team, led by high-profile owners such as tennis star Rafael Nadal, actor Will Smith, and football great Didier Drogba, raced to showcase the future of electric mobility on water.
Coleman, alongside Finnish co-pilot Emma Kimiläinen, displayed remarkable skill in piloting the RaceBird, an innovative hydrofoiling electric powerboat designed for speed and efficiency. Over the season, Team Brady achieved three wins, ultimately securing an 11-point lead over their nearest competitor and claiming the championship title.
Reflecting on the victory, Coleman expressed his excitement and pride: “To be crowned the inaugural E1 Series World Champions is such a surreal feeling and something I’m unbelievably proud of. I must admit I was feeling quietly confident of securing the championship win—it’s hard not to be confident with Emma as my teammate and the backing of the dream team assembled by Joe and Ben. It’s not been the work of a minute; we’ve all worked hard, adapted quickly, and overcome challenges to put the team in the position to win the Championship.”
Brady, a former NFL star and co-owner of Team Brady, shared his enthusiasm following the win. “It feels amazing to win the first E1 World Championship,” he said. “I’m proud of the team and what we’ve accomplished. Competition is exciting for us, and life is about making memories and relationships, and I think what we’ve established in terms of our teamwork has been one of the most gratifying parts.”
The E1 World Championship forms part of the Electric 360 initiative, launched by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) earlier this year. This pioneering project unites E1, Formula E, and Extreme E under one mission: to advance electric mobility, foster innovation, and lead carbon reduction efforts within motorsport.
Rodi Basso, co-founder and CEO of E1, congratulated Team Brady on their historic achievement, saying, “We congratulate Tom and his team on their momentous win as the first-ever Champions on the Water following a season of tough competition and thrilling racing. As Team Brady write their name into the history books, we look ahead to a supercharged season two, as we take the innovative Championship to new cities around the world and continue to redefine racing on water.”
With the championship secured, preparations for season two are already underway, with new teams, owners, and host cities anticipated to be announced soon.
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