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.

NARBERTH’S Joe Allen left his role on Swansea City’s coaching staff after Saturday’s final game of the season against Charlton Athletic.

The Pembrokeshire-born former Wales midfielder, 36, returned to the Swans’ backroom team in November alongside fellow club favourite Leon Britton to support head coach Vitor Matos.

The move was always expected to be short-term, with Allen stepping in after Matos was initially unable to bring in some of his staff from previous club Maritimo due to work permit issues.

Allen, who came through Swansea’s academy, retired as a player last May after his second spell with the club.

He first made his name at Swansea, helping the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2011 before moving to Liverpool. He later spent six years with Stoke City before returning to the Swans in 2022.

Allen also won 77 caps for Wales and was a key figure in the national side’s most successful modern era, including the run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

His departure from Swansea’s coaching set-up will come alongside that of head of goalkeeping Martyn Margetson, who is also leaving this summer.

For Pembrokeshire football fans, Allen remains one of the county’s most successful sporting exports, having gone from Narberth to the Premier League, Anfield, and the Wales midfield.

Scottish reports of late and short wages add a new and more immediate concern for Bluebirds supporters already watching problems elsewhere in the same football network

REPORTS in Scotland that Hamilton Academical players were paid late, with some allegedly underpaid ahead of the club’s final game of the season, have added to scrutiny around the football network linked to Haverfordwest County AFC chairman Rob Edwards.

The latest claims were reported by Lanarkshire Live Sport and the Daily Record.

The relevance for Pembrokeshire lies in the links between Hamilton and Haverfordwest through Rob Edwards and Morley Sports Management.

Hamilton has previously stated that Morley Sports Management owns 100 per cent of 1874 Holdings Limited, and that 1874 Holdings in turn owns 97.5 per cent of Hamilton Academical FC.

Haverfordwest County has previously said Morley Sports Management has been the business vehicle behind Edwards’ takeover and funding of the Bluebirds since 2020.

Earlier this month, Haverfordwest County A.F.C. Ltd faced an HM Revenue & Customs winding-up petition at the High Court in London. The case was dismissed on April 15, but only after reaching a live hearing at the Rolls Building, with costs ordered against the company.

Separately, 1874 Holdings has faced a winding-up petition in Scotland. Hamilton later issued a statement acknowledging that petition, while saying the claim is disputed and that the company is seeking dismissal.

The latest Scottish wage claims come against a background of previous disciplinary action involving Hamilton. Earlier this year, the club was punished over failures to pay players on time and in full, resulting in a points deduction following an independent disciplinary process. Hamilton acknowledged that outcome in a club statement.

Companies House has also shown 1874 Holdings with overdue accounts and a strike-off notice. Those are separate processes from a winding-up petition, but they add to the list of recent off-field issues involving companies in the same football network.

There are also operational links between the two clubs. Haverfordwest publicly credited chief executive Beccy Nuttall with key work during the club’s licensing process earlier this month, while Hamilton has also announced Rebecca Nuttall in a senior role there.

The timing of the Haverfordwest case also drew attention because the club announced on April 8 that it had secured both its UEFA licence and FAW Tier 1 licence for the 2026-27 season, even though the HMRC petition remained live at that stage and was not disposed of until April 15.

The Herald contacted the Football Association of Wales for comment on the licensing position last week, but had received no response at the time of publication.

The Hamilton wage claims remain reports from Scotland, and there is no suggestion that Haverfordwest County AFC is facing the same issue. However, the developments are likely to be of interest to Bluebirds supporters because they concern companies and senior figures linked to the same wider football operation.