Sport

Joyce set for second Olympic Games

Published

4 months ago

June 23, 2021

JASMINE Joyce has been selected to go to her second Olympic Games, representing Team GB at rugby sevens.

She is one of three female players who finished fourth in Rio – Natasha Hunt and Abbie Brown were also part of the squad five years ago. Brown will co-captain the side along with former Glantaf pupil, England international Megan Jones.

WRU CEO Steve Phillips said, “Huge congratulations to Jasmine Joyce who will fly the flag for Welsh Rugby in Tokyo next month. It’s a huge achievement to be an Olympian once, let alone twice and Jasmine will no doubt do her family, friends and Welsh rugby proud on the world stage once again. She has our full support and we will be watching the Tokyo Stadium action very closely.”

For Jasmine, from St David’s in Pembrokeshire, it’s the culmination of five years of hard work.

“After the amazing experience of competing in Rio, returning to another games has been front and centre of everything I’ve done for the past five years and being named in the squad makes it all worthwhile. The Olympic Games is the ultimate achievement for any sportsperson and that dream became so much more achievable for me when rugby sevens became a Olympic sport.”

At 20, Jasmine was one of the youngest players in the Team GB squad in 2016 and hadn’t been capped for Wales at 15-a-side. Five years on and with 19 senior Wales caps, she is looking to draw on her experience to help the side to come back with some silverware.

“I was the new girl in Rio with little pressure on my shoulders. I’ve definitely got a different mindset this time around. People know my game more and there is more pressure on me to perform but I’m happy with that. We were disappointed not to medal last time around and are definitely going for gold next month.”

Jasmine paid tribute to fellow Wales international and GB Sevens training squad member Hannah Jones who missed out on selection.

“Hannah is my best friend so it was great to train together in GB camp. She has put so much hard work into everything she has done in recent years too, as have all the players in the training squad and the fact she’s missed out shows the level of competition throughout the squad is insane.

“I’ve had so much support from my family, friends and coaches throughout my career. The fact that they won’t be able to travel to Japan is disappointing but I know that we will feel everyone’s support via social media over the next few weeks and that makes a huge difference.”

The women’s rugby sevens tournament takes place from July 29-31.

Team GB women’s squad:

Holly Aitchison

Abbie Brown

Abi Burton

Deborah Fleming

Natasha Hunt

Megan Jones

Jazmine Joyce

Alex Matthews

Helena Rowland

Hannah Smith

Celia Quansah

Emma Uren

Women’s reserve: Lisa Thomson

Related Topics:Olympics Rugby Sevens Team GB Tokyo

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Blues battle to win over Aberaeron in KO Cup

Published

7 hours ago

October 21, 2021

James Hemingray

HAVERFORDWEST booked their place in the quarter finals of the Pembrokeshire KO Cup, where they will meet Pembroke Dock Harlequins, after beating Aberaeron on Wednesday night (Oct 20).

Despite the atrocious weather conditions, which saw rain batter the Pembroke Road playing surface for much of the game, both sides played an excellent game.

In the end it was the Blues who came out on top with a 44-6 win.

Outside Half Jake Morgan got the Blues rolling early on with a penalty and Rhys Baker then scored the game’s first try to make it 8-0.

Second Row Jack Clancy got his name on the score sheet but the conversion was missed.

Aberaeron then got themselves on the board with a penalty but the Blues were soon back on the attack with Will Blackburn next to go over.

That was converted by Morgan to give the home side a 20-3 lead.

Lewis Tingay and Rhys Baker added further tries for the Blues while Aber added a further penalty as the sides went in at half time with the score reading 30-6.

Early in the second half Tingay added his second try of the night and Morgan added the conversion.

That all but ended any hopes the away side had of getting themselves back in the game and the Blues continued to play despite the pouring rain.

Tingay then completed his hat trick with a try under the posts giving Morgan a simple conversion to make it 44-6.

There was no scoring in the final twenty minutes but the Blues had done the job and booked their place in the last eight.

Their quarter final with the Quins will be played on or before January 22.

Sport

Pembrokeshire Schools Under 10s get season up and running

Published

2 days ago

October 20, 2021

James Hemingray

PEMBROKESHIRE Schools Under 10s played their first game of the new season last Sunday (Oct 17) against a strong OT Academy Squad.

The Pembrokeshire boys played four small sided games, drawing one and losing three. The boys are next in action next month when they hope to play Carmarthenshire Schools.

Pembrokeshire Schools Under 10s: Spencer James (Cleddau Reach), Noah Bicknell (Prendergast), Harri Jones (Holy Name), Jamie Cook (Pembroke Dock), Toby Jones (Holy Name), Isaac Jenkins (Narberth), Iori Williams (Narberth), Cai Price (Ysgol Caer Elen), Celt Edwards (Frenni), Joe Davies (Ysgol Glannau Gwaun), Jaden Petrie (Prendergast), Logan Lewis (Pembroke Dock), Zach Loveridge (Waldo Williams), James Burns (Lamphey).