Sport

Otters topple the leaders

Published

6 years ago

October 29, 2018

NARBERTH superbly toppled Championship leaders Cardiff Met on Saturday (Oct 27) as they came away with a 16-13 victory.

The game started with Cardiff Met kicking off with the advantage of a strong, cold wind behind them playing towards the clubhouse end. Initially they pinned the Otters in their own half but were slowly being driven back with the Otters forwards in groups of three forcing their way forward and successfully retaining possession.

Jonathan Rogers playing his first game after a foot injury produced one of his cannonball kicks well into the Met half near their 22. The ball was fielded but the Otters were able to force the Met defender into touch. From the lineout, the Otters moved the ball through the threes, from the stand side into midfield before the referee awarded them a penalty. Nick Gale came forward and struck the ball perfectly to send the ball soaring between the posts giving the Otters an early lead.

The Met kicked off, which was fielded via Dan Smith, he passed to Jonathan Rogers, the fly half produced one of his long passes out to centre Jack Price who was able to take the ball forward into Met’s 22 in inimitable forceful way before being brought to ground. From the breakdown the Otters pack drove forward before the ball landed in touch on the Redstone side of the ground on the 5 metre line.

The referee awarded a scrum from the lineout but the Otters were penalised for supposedly pushing before the ball was put in. This enabled the Met to kick the ball just into the Otters half with the oters being penalised. Their fly half kicked the ball into the Otters 22. The fast backs followed up but the Otters forced the ball into touch.

From the lineout, the Met set up a rolling maul which the Otters pack expertly managed to halt with the referee awarding the Otters a scrum enabling scrum half Lewys Gibby to kick over the Met players heads.

Forced to retreat, the Met then regained the ball and scored a good try near the clubhouse corner having moved the ball quickly from the far side and managing to create a gap in the Otters sturdy defence, for their inside centre Jack Wright to break clear via a sudden gap appearing and touch down. Fly half Henry Johnson converted to take Cardiff Met into the lead, 3-7 on twenty minutes.

The Otters kicked off and in the ensuing play were awarded a scrum. The pack showed their control pushing the Met backwards forcing the Met to concede a penalty. Jonathon Rogers then kicked and gained the lineout.

From the lineout the Otters threes took the ball into the Met 22 and from the moved the ball from left to right, then switching back towards the far side. The referee awarded the Otters pack a scrum and who again showed their superiority in the tight causing the Met to concede another penalty.

Again Nick Gale came forward and with much concentration struck the ball between the posts bringing the score to 6-7 on 27 minutes.

From the restart Richard Rees fielded and drove forward followed by a series of drives, by the Otters pack with Cardiff Met defending strongly. However, the series of ruck and drive forced the Met back to the halfway line before offending, the referee awarding the Met a scrum. This had to be reset with the Otters forcing the Met eight back as the eight Otters scrummed strongly. The sloppy heel by the Met resulted in outside centre Jack Price putting in a grubber kick along the ground.

The continued pressure forced the Met player into touch. At the lineout, Met managed to spoil the throw in, gained possession 10 metres inside the Otters half before a series of quick passing movements.

They moved the ball back and fore across the pitch before a gap appeared and the burly centre Oliver Morris showed surprising speed as he raced towards the line before Andrew Cook made a try saving tackle just one metre from the try line. The referee awarded the Otters a penalty at the breakdown which Jonathan Rogers safely found touch to relieve the pressure.

Play continued with both teams attempting to break through. The Met were awarded a scrum, heeling they kicked the ball into touch with the referee whistling half time with the score at 6-7.

In the second half the Otters were given a penalty after the Met were penalised for illegal crossing and they kicked to touch. At the lineout a Cardiff Met misdemeanour gave the Otters a scrum, then heeling the ball, it was moved swiftly only for the left wing to fail to take the pass with a strong possibility of a try being possible.

Play continued back and fore with both teams attempting to advance but being thwarted by both defences. Cardiff Met were penalised on 53 minutes just inside the Otters half. Jonathan Rogers kicked towards the clubhouse corner finding touch some fifteen metres from the line.

The Otters safely caught the throw in and set up a rolling maul moving to within five metres of the line number 8 Richard Rees broke clear and crossed over for a try towards the clubhouse corner. Nick Gale converted from a difficult position putting the Otters ahead 13-7.

Play continued and on 60 minutes Cardiff Met were awarded a penalty some 40 metres from the posts towards the far touchline. Using a torpedo style placement of the ball Henry Johnson added 3 points for the Met. The score was now 13-10.

Young Lewys Gibby who had performed well at scrum half was replaced by the experienced Rhys Lane and Bradley Davies replaced Dan Jacobs in the front row. Play continued with both teams attempting to make progress but both defences remained firm.

The scrummaging became a contest with the referee having to reset the scrum on occasions. The Otters were penalised and Henry Johnson kicked to half way, Jonathan Rogers gathered and this time the ball was carried by the wind over the dead ball line, a scrum was called near halfway with a Met put in, they heeled but at a subsequent ruck they were penalised.

At 71 minutes Nick Gale added three further points bring the Otters to a 16-10 lead. From the kick off the Met responded strongly managing to get to within 30 metres of the Otters try line via penalty kick. At the lineout they attempted to move towards the line but again the Otters defended strongly before managing to clear however, following a knock on, they were penalised.

Cardiff Met decided to run and force their way forward but at the breakdown the Otters gained the ball, Rhys Lane passed to Johnathan Rogers kicked long to the Cardiff Met 5 metre line. The Otters gained the ball at the lineout and forced their way forward for Rhys Lane to break out but was pulled down 2 metres from the line. Jack Price receiving the ball from the ruck attempted to force his way over but there was an infringement at the breakdown.

Then the pack were required to scrummage, the referee needed to reset the scrum. Cardiff Met had the put in heeled and forced their back down field to the halfway line. Further play took them to with 40 metres. The Otters were penalised and the last score of the game came when Johnson using his torpedo kick placed the ball between the posts on 79 minutes and right on 80 minutes the referee blew full time with the score 16-13.

Attack coach Deiniol Evans commented: “It was a very tight game against a very tough unbeaten Cardiff side, so it was nice for us to win. It was a tough game which could have gone either way. Our performance was excellent, I thought we played really well with some very good performances, the front five of the pack were superb again, the set piece was excellent.

“The boys carried hard Andrew Cooke played well, Richard Rees was excellent and Jack Price in the centre was very good. I think it was a really good result because they were unbeaten. We played well to our game plan. We should have scored a couple of tries, we could not do it first half and defended really well and fully deserved the win.”

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WRU explores potential Anglo-Welsh rugby competition

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Herald Sport

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

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.