UNDER-18 SIDE LIFTS WRU PLATE AFTER HARD-FOUGHT FINAL AT RODNEY PARADE

YSGOL BRO TEIFI’S under-18 rugby team are celebrating national success after winning the WRU Schools and Colleges Plate Final at Rodney Parade.

The Ceredigion side travelled to Newport to face Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth in a fast, physical and closely contested final.

Bro Teifi made a strong start, with tries from Elis Evans, Llew Thomas and Jack Brown giving them an early advantage. Dafydd Nichols-Evans added the extras from the kicking tee as the team went into half-time 19-14 ahead.

The second half proved even tighter, with Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth applying sustained pressure and forcing Bro Teifi to defend with discipline and determination.

A late try gave Bro Teifi breathing space before Nichols-Evans held his nerve in the closing stages, landing a crucial penalty to seal a 27-19 victory.

The school said the win reflected the hard work, commitment and talent of the players, as well as the support of staff, parents and fans throughout the season.

Headteacher Gareth Evans said: “This game is the culmination of a tough season for the boys as they beat much bigger schools on the way to the final.

“It also builds on the school’s reputation in sport, with numerous successes this year across a range of sports and age groups.

“I would like to thank all the school staff for their tireless work in ensuring these experiences for our pupils, and the parents for their support.”

Photo caption: Plate winners: Ysgol Bro Teifi’s under-18 rugby team celebrate their national success at Rodney Parade.

LABOUR has insisted the Senedd election remains “wide open” despite polling suggesting Plaid Cymru could emerge as the largest party after Thursday’s vote.

Deputy First Minister and Welsh Labour deputy leader Huw Irranca-Davies said the latest figures were “disappointing” for Labour, but argued that the result could still be decided by narrow margins in several constituencies.

Speaking on ITV Wales’ Sharp End programme, Mr Irranca-Davies rejected suggestions that the campaign had become a straight contest between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK.

He said: “The polling that we’ve had tonight would be disappointing for Labour, you can’t take away from it.

“But what it also shows is there are really narrow margins, particularly for that fifth and sixth seat, and that is where a lot of parties can make a difference, so it’s not a two-horse race.”

The comments came after a new ITV Cymru Wales poll placed Plaid Cymru on 33% of the vote, ahead of Reform UK on 29%.

Under MRP modelling for the new 96-seat Senedd system, Plaid Cymru was projected to win 43 seats, with Reform UK on 34.

Labour was forecast to fall to 12 seats, with the Conservatives on four, the Greens on two, and the Liberal Democrats on one.

The figures would leave Plaid Cymru short of an overall majority, but potentially in the strongest position to form a government.

Analysts have warned, however, that small shifts in vote share could have a major effect on the final seat totals, particularly under the new six-member constituency system.

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan said the polling showed that the race was between Plaid and Reform in many parts of Wales.

She warned that Reform could still emerge as the largest party if anti-Reform voters did not back Plaid Cymru.

Reform UK’s James Evans questioned whether the poll reflected what the party was hearing from voters during the campaign.

He said Reform was seeing strong support on the doorstep from people opposed to Labour, Plaid Cymru and potential coalition arrangements after the election.

The Welsh Conservatives also argued that they could still play an important role in a divided Senedd.

Tom Giffard said: “If you vote Conservative and you are a Conservative, you’ll get Conservative representation.

“No party’s going to win a majority.”

The Green Party, polling at 8%, could win two seats under the projection.

Green representative Philip Davies said small increases in support could make the difference in closely contested areas, particularly for the final seats in each constituency.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats, polling at 6%, are projected to return leader Jane Dodds, although party representative Tim Sly said the campaign had been focused on target seats where the party believed it could outperform polling expectations.

Voters across Wales go to the polls on Thursday (May 7).

INDEPENDENT Senedd candidate Paul Haywood-Dowson has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police alleging that his election campaign was deliberately disrupted less than 24 hours before polling day.

In an email sent on Wednesday afternoon (May 6) to the force’s Electoral Fraud and Malpractice Single Point of Contact (SPOC), Mr Haywood-Dowson claimed a marketing contractor had taken possession of 4,000 election leaflets and then stopped responding to communications.

Mr Haywood-Dowson, who is standing in the Ceredigion Penfro constituency, alleged the actions amounted to “criminal sabotage of election material” under Section 115 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

He wrote: “I am formally reporting a criminal interference in the election occurring right now.”

The candidate claimed a Liverpool-based contractor had collected the leaflets and accepted £252 in payment before allegedly failing to deliver or return them.

Mr Haywood-Dowson stated: “By taking physical possession of my flyers and refusing to deliver or return them 24 hours before the poll, he has used a ‘fraudulent device or contrivance’ to prevent the free exercise of the franchise by my potential voters.”

He further alleged: “This is not a delivery delay. It is Theft by Deception.”

The email requested a crime reference number and asked police to contact the contractor “immediately” to secure the return of the campaign material.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police and the contractor, who we are not naming at this stage, for comment.