Sport

Bonus point win sets up France showdown

Published

7 years ago

March 12, 2018

WALES gave themselves the best chance of finishing second in the Six Nations Championship as they beat Italy 38-14 at the Principality Stadium on Sunday afternoon (Mar 11).

Italy kicked off following a rousing rendition of Bread of Heaven and it wasn’t long before the Welsh Dragon roared into life.

Wales turned the ball over before winning a penalty which Gareth Anscombe kicked to touch. From the resulting line-out Wales worked the ball to the middle of the field and Hadleigh Parkes burst through the tacklers to touch down under the posts. Cardiff Blues kicker Anscombe added the extras.

From the kick off Italy won the ball back but Owen Watkin intercepted a pass and ran into the 22 before offloading to George North who went over for the try and Anscombe once again added the extras.

Any thoughts the home side had of an easy afternoon soon evaporated as Italy worked the ball over to the left hand side for Zebre’s Matteo Minozzi who reached over in the corner after breaking the tackle of Liam Williams. Tommaso Allan then added the conversion.

Wales continued to put the pressure on with kicks into the Italy 22 and on 16 minutes they nearly had a third try but a knock on prevented debutant James Davies from going any further.

From the resultant Italy scrum Wales were able to win the ball back and they thought they had their third try as Williams passed to Steff Evans on the left wing who kicked inside towards the posts and Gareth Davies ran on to touch the ball down.

However, French referee Jerome Garces went to the TMO to check if Davies was in front of the kicker which video replays proved to be correct and the try was ruled out.

With twenty minutes gone it was Italy’s turn to for a spell of pressure but a loose pass saw Williams kick the ball forward and pounce on it just past the halfway line only for Italy to win the ball back.

Captain Taulupe Faletau was doing his best to show why he had been given the armband for the game and he produced one of the biggest hits of the game as he floored Italy kicker Allan. Thankfully after a few minutes of treatment he was back on his feet.

Italy again had a good spell of pressure and won the ball twice in quick succession from turnovers before being given a penalty. Allan, perhaps still feeling the effects of that monstrous hit, sent his kick wide of the posts and the score stayed at 14-7.

Shortly before the break Wales won a penalty and Anscombe showed his fellow kicker how it was done as he increased the lead to 17-7.

On the stroke of half time the ball was kicked to the left hand side but Steff Evans couldn’t quite collect the ball and he knocked the ball on. Italy’s Minozzi ran in to collect the ball with Liam Williams also running in close behind who made another crunching tackle on the Italian.

Referee Garces again went to the TMO as replays showed Williams’ shoulder catching Minozzi on the cheek. After some delay, Garces showed Williams a yellow card, much to the anger of the Welsh fans.

The second half started with Wales a man light but that didn’t seem to affect them as they went in search of a third try.

Davies charged down a clearance kick giving Wales a scrum which saw Davies pass to Cory Hill who stretched his way over for that third try and Anscombe added the extra two points.

Moments later, Italy attacked but Davies was deemed to have knocked the ball on deliberately and he was given a yellow card, meaning Wales were two men light, albeit for another two minutes.

Williams’ penalty ended but Coach Warren Gatland decided he would bring Halfpenny on in his place, and he got one of the biggest cheers of the afternoon as he entered the field.

Dean Budd and Tommaso Benvenuti tried their best to get Italy back into the game but some good defending from Wales meant they were unable to go any further.

James Davies then passed to Faletau who in turn found Justin Tipuric but he knocked the ball on and the chance had gone.

With 65 minutes gone, Patchell offloaded quickly for George North who dropped down for his second try of the game and Wales’ fourth giving them a bonus point. Halfpenny then added the extra two points.

With ten minutes to go Patchell found Parkes who threw a lobbed pass out to the wing where Tipuric was on hand to collect and touch down in the corner for Wales’ fifth try and Halfpenny converted again.

With five minutes to go, Italy looked to restore some pride and it was sub Federico Ruzza who found Mattia Bellini who touched down before Allan added the extras.

The bonus point win puts Wales second in the table, a point ahead of England and France and with one final round of games to come, Wales will be hoping they can finish in style.

On Saturday (Mar 17), Wales take on France, also aiming to finish second, at the Principality Stadium (Kick off 5pm) while Six Nations Champions Ireland take on England at Twickenham (2:45pm).

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Sport

Rider list announced for Lloyds 2025 National Road Championships

Published

1 day ago

June 12, 2025

Herald Sport

TWENTY former national road champions are set to headline the provisional rider list for the 2025 Lloyds National Road Championships, which gets underway on Thursday 26 June in Wales.

Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team) will be one to watch in the women’s elite road race and under-23 time-trial. Ferguson is fresh off the back of an impressive 2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women campaign where she claimed both the points classifications and best young rider jerseys, the best British rider accolade and a career-first stage win in Kelso.

Three-time national road race and 2022’s under-23 time-trial champion Pfeiffer Georgi (Team Picnic PostNL) is set to defend her title, as well as Anna Henderson (Lidl-Trek), who won the time-trial last year in preparation for her silver-medal winning performance in the Olympic time-trial later that summer.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Max Walker (EF Education–EasyPost), looking to do one better after winning silver last year in the national road elite time-trial, while Seb Grindley (Lidl – Trek Future Racing) will look to build on his junior silver at worlds last year in the under-23 time-trial.

A host of Welsh riders are entered to be some of the crowd favourites in the event, including Owain Doull (EF Education – EasyPost), sisters Zoe Backstedt (CANYON-SRAM zondacrypto) and Elynor Backstedt (UAE Team ADQ), Elinor Barker (Uno-X Mobility) and Megan Barker (Tekkerz CC).

Two-time national champion, two-time Olympic champion and 2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) is entered in the road race and time-trial in his home country in what would be his last National Road Championships, after announcing he is due to retire at the end of the year.

Aberaeron’s hometown hero Josh Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers) is hoping to return to make it a hattrick and defend his time-trial title from the previous two years, while Tomos Pattinson (Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development) will aim to defend his U23 men’s time-trial title from last year.

The 2025 Lloyds National Road Championships provides a fantastic platform for British riders to enjoy the home roads and experience the support of friends, family and local fans.

A total of 10 coveted national champion’s jerseys are up for grabs across three days of racing, with the time-trial on Thursday 26 June 2025, the circuit race on Friday 27 June 2025, and the road race concluding the action on Sunday 29 June 2025.

The full rider list for the 2025 Lloyds National Road Championships can be found here: START_LIST_-_2025_Lloyds_National_Road_Race_Championships.pdf.

Councillor Clive Davies, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration said: “We are pleased to see such an exciting line up for the Lloyds National Road Racing Championships and we look forward to welcoming the riders and supporters to Ceredigion.”

To discover the routes of all three stages of this year’s Lloyds National Road Championships in more detail, and more information about the race, host venues, and participating teams, please click here: Routes revealed for the 2025 Lloyds National Road Championships

The 2025 Lloyds National Road Championships starts off with a challenging time-trial in Aberaeron on Thursday 26 June. Starting in Ffos-y-Ffin, the elite women, under-23 women and under-23 open will take to 27km of road, while the elite open will have to battle over 41km.

Aberystwyth plays host to both the circuit race on Friday 27 June and the road race on Sunday 29 June, allowing fans to come down and watch their favourite national riders battle for the title.

Sport

Haverfordwest announce first summer signing as Luc Rees joins Bluebirds

Published

2 days ago

June 11, 2025

Herald Sport

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Luc Rees, with the 22-year-old joining the Bluebirds ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Rees becomes the club’s first addition of the summer transfer window and arrives at the Ogi Bridge Meadow on a two-year deal. He most recently played for Barry Town United in the JD Cymru Premier.

The Swansea-born keeper came through the youth ranks at Swansea City, before going on to feature for Forest Green Rovers, Fleetwood Town and Widnes. During his time at Jenner Park, he made 34 appearances in all competitions.

Now, Rees links up with a Haverfordwest side preparing for their second European adventure in three seasons. The draw for the first qualifying round is scheduled to take place at UEFA headquarters in Geneva on Tuesday 17 June.

Speaking about the new signing, manager Tony Pennock said: “I’ve known Luc for many years and have always kept an eye on his career.
He’s had a variety of experiences for a young goalkeeper and has worked under some excellent coaches.

I believe in strong competition for places, and having two young but talented goalkeepers is a crucial part of our squad going forward. I’d also like to thank Steve Jenkins and Barry Town United for their cooperation throughout the transfer.”

Commenting on his move, Rees said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be joining such a fantastic club. From everything that’s happening both on and off the pitch, there was only one place I wanted to be. I can’t wait to meet the players, staff and supporters – it’s going to be a big, exciting summer.”

Sport

Carew continue dominance as Lawrenny and Whitland bounce back

Published

5 days ago

June 8, 2025

Herald Sport

CAREFULLY constructed innings and dominant bowling displays were the story of Week 7 in the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League.

In Division 1, leaders Carew maintained their perfect record with a comprehensive 104-run win over Herbrandston, powered by Tim Hicks’ unbeaten 115 and a six-wicket haul from Sam Harts (6-24). Shaun Whitfield also impressed with a half-century and two wickets.

Neyland climbed with a dominant 102-run victory at Llangwm, bolstered by a commanding 108 from Dia Davies and a five-wicket haul from Alan Webster (5-22).

Whitland made a statement by thrashing Haverfordwest by 84 runs, thanks to a team effort led by Kevin Pearce (52) and Iwan Bevan (4-12).

Cresselly narrowly edged Saundersfoot by 2 wickets, with key contributions from Phil Williams (54) and Tom Arthur (4-35). Despite a valiant 106 not out and four wickets from Sam Franklin, Saundersfoot slipped to third.

At Burton, Lawrenny bounced back with a solid 67-run win, as Rob Williams (31 & 3-23) and Jamie Lewis (3-26) delivered with both bat and ball.

Division 1 League Table:

Team	Pld	Points	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Runs For	Runs Against	Wkts Taken	Wkts Lost
Carew	7	134	7	0	30	34	1629	974	69	41
Cresselly	7	130	7	0	25	30	1246	975	62	35
Saundersfoot	7	111	5	2	26	28	1175	1156	58	35
Neyland	7	109	5	2	27	30	1396	1360	63	46
Lawrenny	7	80	3	4	21	27	991	994	56	53
Herbrandston	7	78	3	4	23	25	1070	1319	51	50
Whitland	7	63	2	5	25	18	1177	1042	37	67
Haverfordwest	7	63	2	5	22	19	1049	1124	41	60
Burton	7	56	1	6	22	24	1029	1273	50	64
Llangwm	7	32	0	7	17	15	798	1343	34	70

Division 2 League Table:

Team	Pld	Points	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Runs For	Runs Against	Wkts Taken	Wkts Lost
Narberth	7	136	7	0	33	33	1385	1061	67	55
St Ishmaels	7	109	5	2	28	31	1089	891	64	35
Pembroke	7	103	4	3	33	30	1339	1240	63	54
Hook	7	95	4	3	28	24	1114	1094	50	50
Johnston	7	93	4	3	26	27	964	1102	57	37

Division 3 League Table:

Team	Pld	Points	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Runs For	Runs Against	Wkts Taken	Wkts Lost
Fishguard	7	125	7	0	29	21	1111	1012	45	27
Pembroke Dock	7	108	5	2	24	30	875	798	60	28
Hundleton	7	106	5	2	24	28	896	801	57	36
Stackpole	7	96	4	3	29	24	1068	1031	48	37
Haverfordwest II	7	91	3	3	30	26	981	1035	55	52

Division 4 League Table:

Team	Pld	Points	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Runs For	Runs Against	Wkts Taken	Wkts Lost
Saundersfoot II	7	132	7	0	30	32	998	767	66	32
Pembroke II	7	125	6	1	30	31	1142	701	63	31
Crymych	7	104	5	2	32	22	1062	974	47	42
Haverfordwest III	6	98	3	3	27	21	772	892	43	45
St Ishmaels II	7	97	4	3	30	27	1023	865	54	46

Division 5 League Table:

Team	Pld	Points	W	L	Ab	Tied	Bat	Bowl	Runs For	Runs Against	Wkts Taken	Wkts Lost
Herbrandston II	7	123	6	1	0	0	26	31	831	776	63	32
Llechryd II	7	114	5	1	0	1	29	27	897	832	57	40
Pembroke Dock II	7	106	5	1	1	0	27	27	816	823	56	24
Haverfordwest IV	7	74	2	4	0	1	27	19	922	896	41	55
Whitland II	5	73	2	3	0	0	20	11	567	564	23	33

Division 6 League Table:

Team	Pld	Points	W	L	Ab	Bat	Bowl	Runs For	Runs Against	Wkts Taken	Wkts Lost
Pembroke III	6	93	5	0	1	17	21	480	472	44	15
Llechryd III	4	77	3	1	0	15	15	510	385	30	24
H’West/Cresselly	6	73	3	3	0	17	20	509	538	42	36
Whitland III	6	53	2	3	1	14	17	437	436	34	33
Lamphey II	6	52	2	3	1	17	12	516	529	28	37