Sport

James Williams glorious at Goodwood

Published

7 months ago

July 19, 2024

ORANGE AMPS rally driver James Williams topped the time sheets at the prestigious 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed Forest Rally stage last weekend (11-14 July).

The 26-year-old Welshman in only his second visit to the Festival rubbed shoulders with the stars and cars from rallying’s illustrious history – including factory drivers and teams from Hyundai, Toyota and Ford going against the Orange Amps-backed Hyundai i20 Rally2 driver from Newcastle Emlyn.

Across the four day festival, James took several passengers around the chalk-surfaced rally stage in the grounds of Lord March’s Goodwood Estate. Willing passengers included sponsors, media and guests – all leaving the experience with broad smiles following trepidation just minutes before the start line.

Around the displays and showboating, daily shootout sessions were the highlight of the day, with the short 2.5km stage packed with festival goers and millions more watching around the world via the event LIVE stream on YouTube and other social media platforms.

For the serious task of fastest time of the weekend, Williams was joined in the turbo-charged, four-wheel-drive Hyundai by regular co-driver from the British Rally Championship Ross Whittock – who helped set the tone for the bobsleigh style run.

The Goodwood Forest Rally Stage – may be short, but is quick in places, with trees just centremetres from the racing line, yet technical and tight and twisty in other sections.

To win the shootout, times were added together from the four days of the event with the combined time the winner. James had been fighting for the quickest time all weekend, with three outright fastest times from four shootouts, but it was to be on Sunday afternoon when the times tumbled in the Sussex downs. The fastest time of the weekend came on the final run with a blistering 2:28.1 and a combined total of 10:01.00. Williams would go on to receive the award for fastest time of the weekend in front of Goodwood House – with large crowds in attendance.

“I just love Goodwood,” grinned Williams. “The atmosphere and celebration of motorsport is like nothing else. I was lining up behind Group B icons of the sport with World Rally Championship cars going into the stage behind me, it’s pretty surreal!

“We had a ball this year – we really wanted to try and get the fastest time, and that was the target I set myself at the start of the year when I got invited back. I am really chuffed to have done that as it’s a massive honour for me and the team. I was also delighted to take out some of my personal backers and supporters to give them a taste of what rallying is all about. It was fantastic to put a smile on so many faces.

“I would like to thank the entire team at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, all the marshals and all the team who put the event together. It was an incredible weekend and I hope I can get invited back in 2025, so I can try and defend the title!”

James and Ross will return to British Rally Championship action next month with the Grampian Forest Rally on the 9/10 August – where James will look to return to the podium on the Scottish gravel stages.

James would like to thank his team of loyal partners: Orange Amps, Fast Forward Logistics, Hyundai Power Products, Rally Cover, Pirelli, Performance 1st Coaching, Composites Cymru, West Wales Lubricants, Palletline, Craftric Technology, Speedline Corse, Castle Designs, Charlies Stores, ND Civils, Progressive Safety Equipment, Huw Morris Plant Hire , Hide Away Wales, West Coast Finance, Ceir Castle Motors and Vital Equipment. If you would like to become a partner, get in touch with the team today –[email protected].

Sport

Wales team announced for Six Nations opener against France

Published

2 days ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Adams, Williams, and Jenkins return

WALES head coach Warren Gatland has named his team for the opening match of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations against France at the Stade de France, Paris, on Friday (Jan 31). The game kicks off at 8:15pm GMT and will be broadcast live on ITV and S4C.

Josh Adams, Liam Williams, and Dafydd Jenkins return to the starting XV, with Adams on the wing, Williams at fullback, and Jenkins in the second row.

Jac Morgan leads the side

Captain Jac Morgan starts at openside flanker, joining James Botham at blindside and Aaron Wainwright at No. 8 in the back row. Will Rowlands partners Jenkins in the second row.

In the front row, Evan Lloyd earns his first Test start at hooker, while Henry Thomas is named at tighthead prop for his first start and his first Wales appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Gareth Thomas starts at loosehead.

Ben Thomas makes Six Nations debut

Tomos Williams starts at scrum-half, with Ben Thomas making his Six Nations debut at fly-half. Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins form the midfield pairing, while Tom Rogers is named on the wing alongside Adams.

Among the replacements, Nicky Smith is set to win his 50th cap, while fly-half Dan Edwards could make his senior Wales debut. Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray are in line for their first Six Nations appearances, having made their senior international debuts in the Autumn Nations Series.

The front-row replacements include Elliot Dee, Keiron Assiratti, and Smith. Tommy Reffell covers the back row, and Rhodri Williams provides scrum-half cover.

Gatland said: “We’re excited for the challenge on Friday. The Six Nations is the best rugby competition in the world. Every game is a big occasion. We want to go out there, embrace that, and start our championship well.”

Wales team to face France

Starting XV:
15. Liam Williams (Saracens) – 92 caps
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets) – 5 caps
13. Nick Tompkins (Saracens) – 38 caps
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) – 42 caps
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby) – 59 caps
10. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby) – 7 caps
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby) – 59 caps
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys) – 35 caps
2. Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby) – 5 caps
3. Henry Thomas (Scarlets) – 4 caps
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92) – 36 caps
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs) – 19 caps
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby) – 16 caps
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys) – 18 caps (captain)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) – 52 caps

Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) – 51 caps
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers) – 49 caps
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby) – 10 caps
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby) – 1 cap
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers) – 23 caps
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons) – 5 caps
22. Dan Edwards (Ospreys) – uncapped
23. Blair Murray (Scarlets) – 3 caps

This version is more structured, concise, and in line with a professional sports news style. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!

News

Fun free sport sessions for kids in Fishguard

Published

2 days ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

YOUNGSTERS can discover new sports to love at a free multi-sports session starting next week.

The sessions for children aged 5-8 will be held every Monday in term time between 4.15pm-5pm at Fishguard Leisure Centre.

The first session is this Monday, February 3rd.

Delivered by Sport Pembrokeshire Active Young People officers and assisted by

Young Ambassadors from Ysgol Bro Gwaun, the event is an opportunity to try fun activities, new sports and develop fundamental movement skills.

All are welcome to come along.

Contact [email protected] for more information or to register your child.

Sport

South Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association: Week 14 Results

Published

4 days ago

January 27, 2025

Herald Sport

THE SOUTH Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association, also known as “The Friendly League,” has released the results for Week 14 of the competition.

Match Results

Hundleton 8 v Badgers 2
Llanteg 2 v St Johns 8
Reynalton 8 v St Twynnells 2
East Williamston 8 v Carew 2

The match between Cosheston and Kilgetty was postponed, while Lamphey had the bye.

League Table (Week 14)

Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	S/D	Points
East Williamston	12	11	0	1	167	92
Carew	12	8	1	3	111	79
Reynalton	12	8	0	4	48	70
Hundleton	13	7	0	6	61	68
St Johns	11	8	0	3	76	66
Cosheston	11	6	0	5	33	54
Llanteg	11	3	1	7	-29	51
St Twynnells	13	3	1	9	-125	48
Badgers	11	3	1	7	6	45
Kilgetty	11	3	0	8	-129	40
Lamphey	11	2	0	9	-142	29