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Richards and Hughes leading the way in Welsh Triathlon Super Series

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THE baby-faced assassin and the girl who beat asthma will bid to continue their dominance of Welsh domestic triathlon competition this weekend.

Luke Richards and Carys Mai Hughes lead the respective men’s and women’s standings in the Welsh Triathlon Super Series, which resumes in Pembrokeshire on Saturday.

Both will be looking to stay clear of the chasers when the series hits Broadhaven with the Bluestone Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon, highlights of which will be shown on S4C.

The leaders’ places at No.1 in the competition isn’t the only thing Richards and Hughes share, either, as both are relative newcomers to the sport.

Richards, 26, is a former Wales karate international who describes himself as a “baby-faced assassin” and only took up triathlon two years ago, while 32-year-old Hughes is even more of a recent convert to the sport and is just 12 months into competition.

Both, though, can firm up their positions as series leaders this weekend, after which there will be just two stages left of the series.

After a 1.5 kilometre swim in stunning St. Bride’s Bay, competitors will cycle 43k along Pembrokeshire roads, before a 10.6k run, the first 3k of which are along the beach and coastal path.

Richards, who competes for Rhondda Triathlon Club, admits: “I’m surprised I’m leading because I have only been involved in triathlon for two years.

“I started doing Ironman contests after watching one in Tenby and turning to my old man and saying, ‘I reckon I could beat these.’

“He told me I hadn’t got a clue how hard it is. So, I thought now I’ll have to show him.

“I did some Ironman events, did okay, and then only entered the Super Series to work on my transitions and see how I managed on short course.

“I came third in Llanelli, finished fourth in the Tata Steel event in Port Talbot, then came fourth in Fishguard. Now, I’m hoping for an even better result in Broadhaven this weekend.”

Richards, who works as a lifeguard at Bronwydd Swimming Pool in Porth, leads the men’s series from Guto Morgans of Carmarthen Triathlon Club, with Team Watt’s David Coates in third.

If Richards maintains his form then he is set to take control of the men’s competition with two final rounds to come in Bala and Llandudno.

“I haven’t done much short course triathlon before, but having had a bit of success, I’m tempted to strip it all back and do just short course stuff next year.

“Some people think this is an old man’s sport but I disagree. I think it’s a great sport for young people.

“I’m 26 but only look 21. I’m the baby-faced assassin! But this is all new to me. I’m just a Valleys boy, having fun.”

In the women’s competition, Hughes – who hails from Strumble Head near Fishguard – is even more of a newcomer but has managed to establish a lead over second place Maddison Shaddick, from Swansea Vale Triathlon club, and Cardiff Triathletes’ Eloise Crowley in third.

Heathwood Triathlon Club’s Hughes was once an asthma sufferer as a teenager, but overcame that to become a decent club runner with Les Croupiers in Cardiff.

It was a trip to Lanzarote – which turned into a six-month stay – that ignited her passion for triathlon.

That was followed by a stint travelling around Spain in a camper van, honing her fitness.

“I did my first triathlon in July of last year,” she says. “It wasn’t even a proper triathlon, it was a sportif.

“It was a last minute thing, but triathlon has now transformed my life.

“I am taking a career break to train full-time. That was also partly due to the pandemic and the changes in my job.

“I just thought I’d take a year out and do something for me, something I wanted to do. I got myself a coach, did all the textbook stuff and piled on the races.

“A big goal was to win the Welsh Super Series. I feel better at the long course stuff. I’m not much of a sprinter, but I can keep going and I’m learning more each time.

“The Welsh Super Series has been part of that development. I consider myself a Pembrokeshire girl and this weekend is a local race, which is quite a treat.”

Watch highlights of the Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon on S4C at 8.00pm on Friday 22 July. Watch the whole series so far on S4C Clic.

Luke Richards

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Fox’s Fantastic Clarby shock the county to win Senior Cup

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Strong favourites Goodwick United were expected by many to be lifting the senior cup again come Saturday afternoon. However Clarbeston Road had other ideas, we warned they were a dangerous opponent with pressure off, this proved to be the case.

A healthy crowd at the Bridge Meadow were treated to an excellent final, often cagey perhaps boring affairs this final was far from boring. It took just seven minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Clarby captain Rheinallt George put the underdogs ahead. However just before the twenty minute mark his opposite number in Scott Delaney squared things up with a trademark header.

Goodwick then took the lead when another set piece caused problems for Clarby who failed to deal with a free kick before Rhys Dalling latched onto the loose ball to volley his team into the lead. However the lead was short lived as the impressive Jake Booth found the net at the second time of asking to make it all square at the break.

Halfway through the second half another set piece led to the equaliser when Matthew Davies headed home a Laurie Haworth corner. Goodwick manager O’Sullivan rung the changes in search of a way to find an equaliser. Newly introduced striker Nathan Greene was fouled in the box and Rhys Jones had the chance to level the cup final, however Rhys Mansell had other ideas and he saved the penalty. The save gave his team a huge boast and belief that this could be their day, and indeed it was.

Most of the season we have hyped up the quality and character of this Clarby team and praised Matthew Fox and his players. Fox has done a excellent job and this is just rewards, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Clarby began this cup run by beating Hakin who have dominated this cup for so many years. An excellent achievement for all involved and an interesting plot going into next season, will Clarby be able to challange Goodwick in the league also.

For Goodwick it’ll be a bitterly disappointing defeat in a season of such dominance just the one trophy will be the least most expected from this quality side. Many thought Goodwick would win the treble and they were certainly capable, which will be the frustrating factor for the Goodwick management.

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South-West Wales Athletes Aiming to Shine at the Summer Olympics

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Two of the finest athletes in south-west Wales are dreaming about bringing home medals from the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Track cyclist Emma Finucane and sailing star Micky Beckett will head to France in a buoyant mood after enjoying a successful build-up to their respective events.

Welsh athletes collected a record-equalling 11 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games and hopes are high that the tally could be beaten this year.

The Carmarthen-born rider cemented her rapid rise up the sprint ranks by winning a gold medal at the 2023 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Glasgow.

She became Great Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 and is now on track to chase more medals at the Olympics across three events.

The 21-year-old has yearned to compete at the Summer Games since watching Team GB sparkle at London 2012 and she is eager to make her mark this summer.

“It’s a massive dream of mine and it’s pretty cool that I’m kind of living my dream,” Finucane said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the journey and hopefully I’ll get selected and compete for my country.

“And it’s exciting because as the Team GB women’s sprint. I feel like we’re in a really good place to do well at the Olympics, not just compete as Olympians.”

Pembrokeshire-born sailor Beckett will also head to Paris with his sights firmly set on winning gold in the hugely competitive ILCA 7 class.

He will renew rivalries with Australian Matt Wearn, who controversially claimed the World Championship title ahead of Hermann Tomasgaard and Beckett earlier this year.

Online bookmakers rate Wearn as the favourite to emerge victorious this summer, but Beckett’s recent form gives him every chance of turning the tables.

Several new sports betting sites in Australia cut the Welsh sailor’s Olympic odds after he completed a trio of World Cup successes at a recent event in Palma.

Beckett believes the hard work he has done over the past few months gives him every chance of toppling Wearn when the action gets underway this summer. 

“There is still plenty of work to do and managing form is probably the most important thing of any athlete’s job,” Beckett said. “There is no point being the best in the world unless you are the best in the world when it counts.

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Kilgetty and Carew Share Spoils in End-of-Season Showdown

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In the picturesque setting of Kilgetty, under the soft glow of the evening sun, local football fans were treated to an enticing clash between Kilgetty and Carew in the Pembrokeshire League Division 1. With the season winding down, both sides took to the pitch amidst numerous squad rotations, following a hectic week of multiple fixtures.

The match kicked off in a leisurely pace, resembling more of an end-of-season friendly than a fierce competition. Kilgetty seized the early initiative, with the trio of Josh Bevan, Richard Tebbut, and Richard Cope causing headaches for the Carew defense, skillfully led by Gareth Lewis. It was Jac Waters who broke the deadlock for the home side, putting Kilgetty ahead 1-0 as the first half came to a close.

However, Carew emerged revitalised after the break, with Jonty Bennett, James Hinchcliffe, and Zac Rowell putting in the hard yards to level the score. The introduction of Harvey Drummond for the ineffective Sam Christopher added further depth to Carew’s attacking prowess, culminating in an equaliser courtesy of the excellent Hinchcliffe.

As tensions rose, the game took on a newfound intensity, marked by needless bookings, after a clearly offside goal and a few heated moments on the field. Despite the fatigue evident from their recent fixture congestion, both teams showcased their competitive spirit, treating the fans to an entertaining second half.

In the end, neither side could break the deadlock, with Kilgetty and Carew having to settle for a well-fought 1-1 draw. While neither team was at their absolute best, the match provided a fitting conclusion to their respective seasons.

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