THE CAPTAINS from Haverfordwest Golf Club joined forces with Werndale Hospital, part of Circle Health Group, throughout the year to support a lifesaving all Wales charity.

Men’s Captain Alex Jones, Ladies Captain Jacky Jones and Seniors Captain Lynn Davies banded together with their club to raise an incredible £3,322.29 for the Wales Air Ambulance. All donations raised at the club were then match funded by their sponsor partner, Werndale Hospital, part of Circle Health Group which supported bringing the fundraising total to a staggering £6,644.58.

Throughout the year, the local private hospital based in Bancyfelin, Carmarthenshire joined the captains at the club to hold numerous fundraising competitions that helped raise the substantial amount.

Captain Alex Jones held a variety of different events including a whisky trot, Captains Day and a chipping competition. The Ladies section captained by Jacky Jones raised money through fines, donations, tips, raffles, charity competitions and a Christmas Card Tree. The seniors, led by Lynn Davies, also fundraised through their competitions throughout the year. All proceeds raised at these lighthearted fundraising activities were sponsored by and match funded by Werndale Hospital, part of Circle Health Group.

Alongside match funding Haverfordwest Golf Club fundraising efforts, Werndale Hospital once again nominated Wales Air Ambulance as their Charity of the Year, and their final fundraising totals for the year will be confirmed in the spring.

Jacky Jones, Ladies Captain for Haverfordwest Golf Club and Executive Director of Werndale Hospital said “Supporting Wales Air Ambulance has been an incredibly rewarding experience for both the golf club and the hospital. Their work is vital for communities across Wales, and we are proud to have supported them to raise these much needed funds. Knowing that our fundraising efforts have raised enough to fund at least one lifesaving flight for Wales Air Ambulance is incredibly rewarding and it is a testament to what can be achieved when communities and organisations work together for a great cause.”

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery. 

This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident. 

As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care. 

Mike May, the Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for west Wales was recently invited to the club to receive the substantial amount, he said: “Thank you to the Captains and their fellow golfers at Haverfordwest Golf Club for raising an incredible amount for our Charity. They dedicated the year to fundraising and have raised an incredible amount for us, with the support of the Circle Health Group. We are extremely grateful for their support and all the hard work and effort that went into their fundraising events throughout the year.

“The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road, and without support from clubs like Haverfordwest Golf Club, we wouldn’t be able to help saves lives across Wales. Thank you to everyone who supported the captains in their fundraising.”

PEMBROKESHIRE’S annual Long Course Weekend triathlon event could be run on a different route in future, in an attempt to alleviate what is said to be some south county communities “at breaking point” from road closures.

Billed as ‘Europe’s largest multi-sport festival’, the event features swim, bike and run over a variety of distances, with the elite athletes completing all three disciplines at maximum distance to earn the coveted Long Course Weekend medal.

The Tenby-based multi-day triathlon events have been held in the summer since 2010 in the county, but concerns have been raised about loss of trade and inconvenience due to road closures associated with it, particularly the cycling events.

Local members Cllr Chris Williams and Cllr Alec Cormack had asked, at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council, that the council withdraw support for the annual Long Course Weekend.

That support takes the form of ‘in-kind’ support such as road closures and car parking rather than a direct financial input.

Their Notice of Motion says: “This multi-day triathlon event, typically taking place in June, has been a significant success in terms of showcasing our county and promoting physical activity. However, as the event has grown in scale, it has increasingly led to disruption for residents and businesses along the course, many of whom report inconvenience or loss of trade due to road closures spanning up to three days.”

It ended, proposing that “PCC withdraw all support for the Long Course Weekend moving forward, ensuring that council resources are directed towards services and initiatives that directly benefit the wider community”.

In a supporting statement, the two councillors said: “Our community is at breaking point; residents and businesses in Saundersfoot, Amroth, Wisemans Bridge and Coppet Hall are effectively cut-off for the majority of a Saturday each June/July by the Long Course Weekend two-lap bike race. Many other areas of South Pembs are similarly affected, some on both Saturday and Sunday if they are also on the run course too.”

Since their notice of motion was publicised, an alternative arrangement was mooted by the Long Course organisers on the eve of the council meeting.

Members at the December meeting were told the alternate routes could see the cycling element take place in a single loop, reaching further into the northern part of the county.

Cllr Williams asked, in light of the late proposals for alternative routes to alleviate the issue, his joint notice not be proceeded with, calling for the latest changes to be considered by council scrutiny committee ahead of any decision by Cabinet.

“The most important consideration is the Long Course route, matters in this notice of motion can therefore then be considered.”

Chief Executive Will Bramble said the alternate proposals which may minimise disruption and may not lead to road closures may alleviate much of the “negative feedback,” with the potential new route taking the cycling event out towards Angle and up towards Fishguard.

Members supported an officer report detailling the organisers’ proposals be sent to scrutiny committee in early 2025, ahead of any Cabinet decision early in the new year.

• FRENCH rugby star Antoine Dupont has been named as the number one player in the world right now, following the release of a new ranking, the world’s ‘Top 100 Men’s Rugby Players 2024’, compiled by leading global rugby site, RugbyPass.

Dupont, the talismanic scrum half, with 55 international caps, has been at the heart of recent successes for France and his club team, Toulouse. Dupont also recently helped his nation win Gold in the Rugby Sevens at this year’s Paris Olympic Games.

In second place is Cheslin Kolbe, who played a crucial role in the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup 2023 win, with his compatriots, Pieter-Steph du Toit, (3rd) and Eben Etzebeth (4th), and with New Zealand star, Ardie Savea, making up the top five.

South Africa has the highest share of players (18), followed by New Zealand (17), Ireland (14). France see 11 players represented. Elsewhere, other nations represented include England (8), Argentina (7), Australia (7), Scotland (7), Italy (4), Fiji (4), Wales (3) and Georgia (1).

The three players from Wales who made the cut are Tomos Williams, who just sneaks onto the list in 99^th place, Dewi Lake in 83^rd position and Jac Morgan with a respectable finish in 57^th. Speaking about Morgan’s inclusion, Welsh journalist Owain Jones said: “In 2024, his growing influence was dimmed due to a knee injury and Wales’ fortunes plummeted. He returned for the Autumn Nations Series where he was one of Wales’ shining lights in a tortuous campaign.”

Commenting on Dupont claiming top spot, former Scotland international Johnnie Beattie, said: “I think that was the only choice. He’s absolutely outrageous every single week and he’s a great boy as well which makes it even better. He’s inspired an entire rugby nation.

“Everyone knows who Antoine Dupont is from his success with Sevens at the Olympics and his success with Toulouse domestically – doing a double again last year, he has been a phenomenon and he still is. I think we’re lucky to get to watch him play every single weekend here in France in the Top 14, but also when he graces the international scene. He’s a pure joy to watch and he’s everything positive that you want in a rugby player.

“The way he gets you out of the seat and his personality off field and the way he leads, all of it, and that’s without even getting into how he actually plays the game. The explosive power that he has for a man of his size, his vision, his ability to see things other people can’t, his rugby IQ, his decision making, his ability to kick off each foot as well as the other, which is unseen. His ability to offload, to jackal, to create turnovers like a back rower, he is the most complete rugby player I think that we have ever seen.”

Despite the heavy Springbok representation, there was also praise from South African legend Jean De Villiers, who said: “If you take Antoine Dupont in isolation and see what he’s done in the past, maybe not the Autumn Nation Series – it wasn’t quite the impact he had previously – and obviously moving over to the Sevens for a stage as well makes it difficult. But, isolating him as a player and having seen what he’s done before, having seen his skillset, his defensive abilities, his rucking ability, his attacking ability, his kicking, his decision making, he really does have everything when it comes to being a number nine. So, let’s just say I’m ‘comfortable’ with him being number one!”

Former French star, Benjamin Kayser who made 47 appearances for this country, said: “Antoine Dupont, for me, he’s a Michael Jordan type of athlete. I’m totally biased of course, but I reckon in 50 years’ time people will talk about how they were a part of the Antoine Dupont era and how they got to see him play live.

“I think it’s the way that he plays. He’s a small man but he’s a silent assassin, he never yells, he never screams, and I think people really respect his attitude. He’s so calm and collected, never mouthy or arrogant, you never see him celebrate, chant, push, or be annoying. He’s just an absolute machine.

“Tell me one other time in the history of rugby where it’s absolutely unanimous from the players, in the northern and southern hemisphere, where everyone will say that he’s the best player in the world – it just doesn’t exist.

“The other week I was surrounded by footballers who knew nothing about rugby but every single one of them knew Antoine Dupont. They know where he plays, his position, what he looks like, it’s just mad.”

Kayser also believes that some French players were a little bit lucky to be ranked in their respective positions. He said: “Grégory Alldritt. I love the bloke, but I think you’re actually being quite generous putting him at 33. He didn’t have his best international season. He’s tired. I love the bloke but maybe in 2023, he would’ve been top 10 in the world, he was outstanding back then.

“I think Charles Ollivon at 43, is way too generous. It’s really nice of the writers but he hasn’t played. He’s been dropped too, so to put him in with the best players of 2024 is questionable.”

Looking ahead, both Beattie and Kayser gave their views on their ones to watch for next year’s list. Beattie, said: “There’s one lad who maybe caught a few eyes during the Autumn Nations Series and I’ve been watching him play for Bordeaux because I work closely on Top 14 rugby – Louis Bielle-Biarrey at 58. He already for me is in the top 30, maybe even the top 20 players in the world…He is a balanced runner and he’s sort of wise in rugby terms way beyond his years as well.”

Kayser says “Wallace Sititi is going to be a phenomenal player for the next ten years. He is an absolute freak of nature and I can’t wait to see him play again. Number 14, for me, is a bit high at this point though. He barely rocked up four months ago, people were only just discovering him last summer.”