Sport

Scarlets lose unbeaten record

Published

10 years ago

January 7, 2016

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Scarlets Ladies Under 18s 10
Blues ladies Under 18s 12

Megan Davies: Whitland winger runs in the opening try (Pic. Riley Sports)

THE SCARLETS Under 18’s girls lost their unbeaten record this season in a tough and uncompromising encounter against a physical Blues outfit last Sunday (13 Dec) at Llanelli Wanderers RFC. Both regions scored two tries a piece, with the only difference being an excellently taken conversion by Blues outside half Millie Williams.

The game opened with both defences to the fore, the physicality in the tackle from the both teams was immense and any scoring opportunities were limited. Indeed, it took until the final two minutes of the first half for the first score to be registered. After a spell of pressure from the Blues, the Scarlets girls managed to play away from their own 22, some slick handling along the back line, saw speedy Scarlets winger Megan Davies sprint clear of the cover Blues cover defence to score wide out.

Scrum half Lucy Packer narrowly missing the conversion sending the hosts in with a slender 5-0 lead. The Scarlets started the second half well, but gradually the power of the Blues pack began to take its toll. Powerful Blues No8 Georgia Fricker made some telling carries into the hitherto solid red defensive line, and gradually the Blues moved up the pitch. The Scarlets, not for the first time, were guilty of poor discipline at the contact area, and from one such infringement outside half Williams’s pinpoint accuracy gave the Blues a line out on the Scarlets 5-meter line.

To their credit the Scarlets halted the initial drive, but the ball was quickly recycled and Blues lock Mel Palmer powered over for the score. Williams added the vital extras to give the visitors a 5-7 lead. Once again the Scarlets came back into the game, with the forwards and backs finally managing to get their offloading game going. The inter-play between the Scarlets forwards and back was outstanding finally releasing replacement outside half Megan Beech to score the try; once again Packer pulled her kick just wide of the upright.

Unfortunately for the Scarlets this was as good as it got as the Blues forward pack took control. The Blues began to dominate territory and their powerful scrum continually took possession away from the home team. The Scarlets continued to defend valiantly, but finally the Blues spun the ball wide for winger Bethan Picton to score the decisive try with 10 minutes to go. Unfortunately, in the build up to the score, Scarlets back rower, Nia Walter sustained an injury to her neck and play was suspended while she received medical treatment and as the light worsened the game was brought to a premature end.

Thankfully Walters’s injury was not severe and was allowed home after an in-depth medical assessment. The Scarlets, failed to live up to their previous performances in the Championship and indeed for most of the game were lethargic in their play, but that is to take nothing away from the Blues girls who were outstanding throughout and thoroughly deserved the win. The Scarlets remain at the top of the Championship table going into the Christmas break thanks to their results in the previous rounds, but will have to improve on this performance when the take on the revitalized Ospreys when the two teams meet in the new year..

Sport

British Truck Racing Championship roars into Pembrey for Convoy Cymru festival

Published

1 hour ago

June 4, 2026

Herald Sport

FIVE-TONNE racing trucks capable of reaching 100mph will thunder into Pembrey Circuit later this month for the Convoy Cymru Truck Racing Festival.

The British Truck Racing Championship will visit the ‘Home of Welsh Motorsport’ on Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21, with five races scheduled across the weekend and a capacity grid of 20 trucks expected.

The championship battle is finely poised after the opening rounds at Brands Hatch and Thruxton, where four different drivers shared victories.

Every point at Pembrey could prove crucial as the drivers make their only visit of the season to Wales.

2011 champion David Jenkins, driving the Jenkins Motorsport Development MAN TGS, arrives at Pembrey leading the premier Division 1 class.

Ryan Smith, in the Worldwide Truck Racing Daimler Freightliner, is just six points behind as he aims to become the first driver to win 11 titles in the premier class.

Ten-time champion Stuart Oliver, driving the Team Oliver Racing Volvo VNL, is only one point further back in third.

Another driver to watch is Terry Gibbon, who will replace series veteran Richard Collett in the Team Collett Truck Racing MAN TGX. Collett, who claimed a popular victory at Brands Hatch in April, is recovering from major surgery.

In Division 2, reigning champion Jake Evans leads the class for highly modified production-based trucks in his Jake Evans Trucksport MAN TGX.

John Powell, the 2024 Division 2 champion, is second in class in his JP Truck Racing DAF XD, with Bradley Harvey third in only his second season of truck racing.

Away from the truck racing, the weekend will also feature the Pickup Truck Racing Championship, Audi Cup, Civic Cup, Mini Challenge Trophy and Junior Saloon Car Championship.

There will also be tractor pulling demonstrations on Pembrey’s purpose-built track, as well as funfair rides, monster truck rides, live music, a food village and the circuit’s Formula 1 bar and restaurant.

Phil Davies, Pembrey Circuit Manager, said: “Few forms of motorsport put on a show quite like truck racing and the British Truck Racing Championship never disappoints when it visits Pembrey.

“With the championship battle so finely poised, five spectacular races on the schedule and a capacity grid of trucks expected, all the ingredients are in place for a memorable Convoy Cymru Truck Racing Festival weekend.

“Combined with our packed off-track entertainment programme, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re a dedicated motorsport fan or looking for a great family day out.”

Advance tickets cost £22, while children aged 12 and under go free.

More information and tickets are available at pembreycircuit.co.uk.

Sport

Fishguard gears up for first Festival of Sports weekend

Published

5 days ago

May 30, 2026

Herald Sport

Harbourside town to host new triathlon and family-friendly sporting events with live music and celebrations

FISHGUARD is preparing to welcome athletes, families and spectators next weekend as a brand-new Festival of Sports comes to town, bringing races, live entertainment and a post-event celebration to the historic harbour.

Organised by Activity Wales Events, the inaugural Fishguard Festival of Sports will see competitors take part in a series of endurance events set against the backdrop of Pembrokeshire’s dramatic coastline.

The festival promises scenic race routes, historic surroundings and what organisers describe as “incredible spectator support,” with participants encouraged to make a weekend of the occasion.

Among the attractions are commemorative finisher medals, family-focused participation opportunities and live music taking place across the town throughout the weekend.

One of the more unusual features of the event allows runners to cross the finish line with their children or loved ones, giving families the chance to celebrate together.

Camping will also be available for visitors travelling to the area, while race registration and number collection will take place from 2:00pm on Friday, June 5, at the Phoenix Centre in Fishguard.

Organisers say entries for the sporting events close on Monday, meaning anyone hoping to take part is being urged to sign up quickly.

The festival is expected to provide a welcome boost for local businesses, with competitors and supporters likely to visit pubs, restaurants and shops across Fishguard and Goodwick during the weekend.

A post-race celebration is planned at The Farmers Arms in Fishguard, where participants and supporters will be able to enjoy live entertainment after the events.

Further details and event registration are available through Activity Wales Events.

News

Bowen trainers fined after racehorse drug test failures

Published

6 days ago

May 29, 2026

Herald Sport

Letterston racing family at centre of BHA ruling as two winners are disqualified

TWO Pembrokeshire horse trainers from Letterston have been fined £5,000 after two racehorses failed post-race drug tests, leading to both animals being stripped of race victories.

Peter and Mickey Bowen, father and brother of champion jockey Sean Bowen, appeared before a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel on Thursday (May 28).

The father-and-son training partnership was operating under the same licence at the time of the positive tests, although Mickey Bowen has been the sole licence holder since May 2025.

The pair were fined £4,000 for breaching Rule (K)2.2, which states that no category B substance may be present in a horse’s system on the day it is engaged to run.

They were also fined a further £1,000 for breaching Rule (D)24, which requires trainers to keep clear and accurate records of medication given to horses in their care within 48 hours of treatment.

Two horses disqualified

The disciplinary action relates to Flying Fortune and Olivers Travels, both of which have now been disqualified from wins in 2024.

Flying Fortune has been stripped of victory in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow on Friday (Oct 11, 2024).

The race is regarded as one of the key early contests of the National Hunt season, and the win had been a major success for the Bowen yard.

Racing reports at the time described it as a family affair, with Flying Fortune trained by Peter and Mickey Bowen and ridden by James Bowen. The mare was sent off 2/1 favourite and won by seven-and-a-half lengths.

However, a post-race urine sample later revealed the presence of procaine, a local anaesthetic.

The race has now been awarded to Intense Approach, trained by John McConnell.

Second winner loses race

Olivers Travels has also been disqualified from a 2m7f handicap chase at Worcester on Wednesday (Aug 21, 2024).

A post-race urine sample revealed the presence of dexamethasone, a corticosteroid commonly used to treat inflammation or allergic reactions.

That race has now been awarded to Galloping Pride, trained by Emma Lavelle.

The BHA said the case was dealt with by way of a plea agreement approved by the independent disciplinary panel.

A BHA statement said: “Following this morning’s hearing before the independent Disciplinary Panel, the Panel has approved a Plea Agreement.

“The penalty for breaching Rule (K)2.2 is a £4,000 fine and (D)24 a £1,000 fine.

“The two horses involved, Olivers Travels (IRE) and Flying Fortune (IRE), will be disqualified from their respective races at Worcester on 21 August 2024 and Chepstow on 11 October 2024.”

The ruling does not suggest any wrongdoing by the jockeys involved. The disciplinary action was directed at the trainers over the presence of prohibited substances on race day and failures in medication record keeping.