Sport
Rugby pays tribute to Tommo

TRIBUTES have poured in following the news that popular Scarlets match-day announcer Andrew ‘Tommo’ Thomas has passed away at the age of 53.
Tommo was a huge character at Parc y Scarlets on match-day, bringing his infectious personality to the mic.
An official statement from the Scarlets said: “We are devastated to hear that the voice of Parc y Scarlets, Andrew ‘Tommo’ Thomas, has passed away suddenly.
“Tommo was a hugely popular figure as the Parc y Scarlets match-day announcer, a passionate Scarlets fan who brought his character and energy to every match.”
Scarlets chaplain Reverend Eldon Phillips said: “We are devastated to hear this tragic news. Tommo loved the Scarlets and put his heart and soul into his role as our match-day announcer.
“A huge character, he was much loved by supporters, players and staff.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Donna and son Cian at this sad time.”
Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney said: “This is desperately sad news. Tommo will be greatly missed by us all. I’ll miss his smile, energy and passion. Gone too soon, much love to his family at this terrible time.”
Attack coach Richard Whiffin tweeted: “Incredibly sad news. Tommo will be greatly missed by us all. Will miss his match day hugs! Love to his friends & family at this terrible time.”
Referee Nigel Owens took to social media to say: “Rwy methu credu y peth. Well I am devastated. A great man and a true friend. I Cant beleive it. Cydymdeimlad dwys iw wraig ar mab ac ir teulu I gyd. Bydd colled enfawr ar ei ol. Always had a smile on his face. RIP Tommo
Tommo was hugely popular with Scarlets players who posted tributes on their own personal social media pages.
Springbok Uzair Cassiem said: “Devastated by the news of your passing! Always got the biggest smile, big handshake before and after games! To the family and friends of Andrew Tommo Thomas, condolences from my family and myself.
Wales prop Rob Evans said: “Really sad to hear the news about Tommo tonight. Thoughts are with his family, a great man full of laughs.”
Former Scarlets captain Rupert Moon said: “Lost a great friend @TOMMORADIO …… my brother by another mother. Thoughts with his family & all his many friends. Sleep well buddy. Big boys do cry.”
Another ex-Scarlets skipper Matthew Rees said: “Can’t believe the news coming from west tonight. Tommo you were a true gent. PYS will never be the same!!”
Former Scarlets full-back Morgan Stoddart said: “Hearing of the passing of @TOMMORADIO, dreadful news. What a great man. He brought laughter to any room he entered. Will be remembered and missed. #TrueScarlet
Title-winning Ireland lock Tadhg Beirne, now with Munster, said: “Very sad news to hear of the passing of Tommo. An absolute gentleman, a passionate Welshman, and a true Scarlet.”
Among the other former players to pay their tributes were Kieron Fonotia, Michael Tagicakibau, Ryan Lamb, Rhys Thomas and Gareth Maule, while messages of condolence came from Cardiff Blues, Dragons and Ospreys,
Dragons hooker Richard Hibbard said: “Really sad news, RIP Tommo. What a great bloke.”
Tommo was also a popular radio presenter. He had been with BBC Radio Cymru between 2014 and 2018. He then left to present a daily program on Nation Broadcasting station. In 2011 he won the Radio Presenter of the Year award for his work on Nation stations in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.
Rhuanedd Richards, Editor of BBC Radio Cymru, said: “Tommo was proud of his roots and a unique broadcaster who loved to entertain his audience on Radio Cymru. With his powerful voice and larger than life personality, his love for his family, west Wales and of course the Scarlets were a great influence on his broadcasting.”
Sport
From Cymru Premier to Champions League: The rise of Nicky Hayen

AT the time, it seemed an unexpected appointment for semi-professional Haverfordwest County. Now, just three years later, the man who arrived in west Wales on New Year’s Eve 2021 has taken Club Brugge to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Nicky Hayen, the first Belgian to manage in the Cymru Premier, is now one of the most sought-after managers in Europe. Having guided his side past Europa League holders Atalanta in the play-offs, his rapid ascent has caught the attention of the footballing world.
Some pundits have even suggested the 44-year-old could be in line for the Liverpool job when Arne Slot departs.
Few of the 273 fans at Bridge Meadow Stadium for Hayen’s biggest home victory – a 6-1 win over Cefn Druids – could have imagined that their manager would soon be preparing for Champions League clashes against Aston Villa.
But for Haverfordwest chairman Rob Edwards, who remains in regular contact with Hayen, his rise comes as no surprise.

Work ethic and early impressions
“The guy was a workaholic,” Edwards said. “He lived in my house while in Wales, and I’d wake up at 8:00am to find him watching match footage. When I went to bed at 11:00pm, he was still at it.”
A former defender with more than 400 appearances in Belgium and the Netherlands, Hayen arrived in Haverfordwest via coaching roles in Belgium and Saudi Arabia. His time as technical director and interim manager at Waasland-Beveren ended in relegation during the Covid-affected season.
Introduced to Edwards through a mutual contact in Belgium, Hayen impressed the Haverfordwest board with his detailed analysis and tactical vision.
“We just wanted to listen to every word he said,” Edwards recalled. “We knew he was the right person for the job and did everything we could to bring him in.”
Transforming Haverfordwest
Hayen’s influence was immediate. He took Haverfordwest from second-bottom to the brink of European qualification within six months, introducing a structured, possession-based style rarely seen in the Welsh top flight.
“He didn’t over-coach the players,” Edwards explained. “Instead, he gave them detailed opposition analysis and focused on their welfare. He got the best out of players in a way we didn’t expect.”
Despite the culture shock of moving to a small market town in Pembrokeshire, Hayen embraced his new surroundings.
“There are 14,000 people in Haverfordwest. It’s a beautiful place, but it was all about football for him,” said Edwards. “He is a family man, doesn’t drink, and stays off social media. He just works hard.”
The move to Brugge and European success
Edwards always knew Hayen wouldn’t stay forever. When Club Brugge came calling in 2022, offering him the chance to take charge of their Under-23s, the move was inevitable.
By 2023, he was assistant manager to Scott Parker before stepping in as interim boss when Ronny Deila left in March 2024. With Club Brugge struggling in the league, Hayen led them to nine wins from their last ten matches to clinch the Belgian title.
Former Ajax and Anderlecht striker Jan Mulder predicted in May 2024 that Hayen would soon be on the radar of Europe’s elite clubs.
“Next year, he will play a series of matches in the Champions League, attracting the attention of Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern and Manchester,” Mulder wrote.
His words have proven accurate. Hayen’s Club Brugge defeated Villa, Sporting, and Sturm Graz in the group stage, while also holding Juventus and Celtic. They then dispatched Atalanta in the play-offs with a commanding 5-2 aggregate win.
What next for Hayen?
Ahead of their Champions League clash with Aston Villa, Hayen spoke about how he continues to draw inspiration from his late mother, who passed away four years ago.
For Edwards, Hayen’s rise is a testament to his relentless dedication.
“Club Brugge have had better squads on paper, but he gets the best out of his players,” he said. “He is fanatical and leads by example. The younger players are thriving under him.”
Hayen’s short time in Wales also laid the foundation for future success at Haverfordwest. Under Tony Pennock, they qualified for Europe in 2023 for the first time in 19 years.
“It’s fantastic for the club to be linked with someone like him,” Edwards said. “And this is just the beginning. If he keeps going, he will be managing at the highest level soon enough.”
With the biggest clubs in Europe watching, Nicky Hayen’s journey from Bridge Meadow to the Champions League knockout stages may only be the start of an even greater story.
Sport
South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls: Friendly League catch-up results – Week 2

THE LATEST round of catch-up fixtures in the South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association has seen St Twynnells secure a dominant win over Hundleton, while Llanteg and Lamphey battled it out in a close contest.
Results:
- St Twynnells 10 – Hundleton 0
- Llanteg 7 – Lamphey 3
- St Twynnells 8 – Kilgetty 2
Following these matches, the updated league standings are as follows:
Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | S/D | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
East Williamston | 17 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 267 | 135 |
Carew | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 91 | 90 |
St Johns | 15 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 71 | 88 |
Cosheston | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 42 | 84 |
Hundleton | 17 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 57 | 83 |
Reynalton | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 24 | 83 |
Llanteg | 17 | 6 | 1 | 10 | -48 | 81 |
Badgers | 17 | 6 | 1 | 10 | -2 | 73 |
St Twynnells | 16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | -125 | 66 |
Lamphey | 16 | 5 | 0 | 11 | -119 | 56 |
Kilgetty | 15 | 4 | 0 | 11 | -181 | 51 |
The competition remains tight as teams continue their push towards the top of the table. More fixtures are scheduled in the coming weeks as the league heads towards its final stages.
Sport
The magic of ‘night golf’ lights up Tenby Golf Club

TENBY GOLF CLUB hosted an electrifying Night Golf event on Friday evening in aid of the Paul Sartori Foundation, delivering an evening of excitement, camaraderie, and glowing golf balls lighting up the night sky.
Club Captain Heather Morgan invited Club Night Golf (CNG) to run the event, with George Lever traveling from Surrey to ensure everything went smoothly. Thanks to unseasonably mild and dry weather, the course was transformed into a magical spectacle, with illuminated fairways, greens, and bunkers creating a truly unique playing experience.

The event followed a Texas Scramble format, adding to the fun and challenge as players navigated the course in complete darkness, some with head torches, others lighting up their trolleys, and a few relying on traditional flashlights.
One of the standout performances came from Jemma Nand-Lal, who clinched the Nearest the Pin prize, outshining even the pros. The night’s champions, Bev and Adrian Palmer, Lynne Campbell, and Mandy Jones claimed victory with an impressive five-shot finish.

With no lost players, no injuries, and a clubhouse buzzing with excitement afterward, one question dominated the conversation: “When’s the next one?” Given the overwhelming enthusiasm, a follow-up event seems inevitable.
All proceeds on the night were donated to the Paul Sartori Foundation.
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