Borderer Boars calling for community to get behind them

New Rugby League outfit the Borderer Boars are calling on all rugby fans in South East Wales to get behind their inaugural season in the Welsh Conference.

Having already played two games, losing both, this weekend sees their first Saturday afternoon home game take place at Chepstow’s Upton Memorial Ground (kick-off 2pm), against closest local rivals the Newport Titans. They are hoping their local community can roar them on to their first victory.

They play on the Seconds’ pitch at Chepstow RFC, which is kindly being lent to them by the club in a bid to get rugby played all year round.

Comprised of players mainly from the Chepstow and Caldicot areas, many of whom turn out for the local Union sides, they also include players from Cardiff and Newport and as far afield as Bath and Lydney.

Captain John Rogers hopes that a win this weekend will further ignite local interest, saying: “Rugby League is a game people often don’t try but when they do they love it. It’s fast-paced and aggressive and more of a man versus man sport.

“Many of our players haven’t played League before and the first match was a baptism of fire because they were learning the game.”

That ended in defeat to the Torfaen Tigers, followed by a second against the Cardiff Demons.

Rogers added: “The second game was much different; we looked a Rugby League team. Now we are looking for our first scalp this weekend.

“Everyone is getting to know each other all the time. Many had never met each other before so we are creating a new group of friends and a new community.

“The more we can do the better it is for Rugby League in South East Wales, so thank you to Chepstow RFC and our coaching and management team for making this possible.”

Chepstow’s first team captain Shane Reece, who is set to join up with the Boars once he has recovered from a gruelling season, believes the team will be a huge success.

He said: “Welsh Rugby League contacted Chepstow RFC stating we had a huge catchment area as the closest club was Newport, and setting a club up would be of benefit.”

They may have lost their first two fixtures, but as the team has only been training together for six weeks Reece believes they are doing tremendously well and things can only get better.

“There first game was a real step in to the unknown as there had never been Rugby League played in Chepstow.

“We are looking to get local people in and bitten by the bug. The game is completely different and we have a phenomenal player base.”

Despite the close ties to both Chepstow and Caldicot, he was keen to point out the Boars were a separate club in their own right, adding: “We just want people to know there is rugby going on all year round in the area, run by people from that area.”

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Monmouth Town continue spate of Welsh League managerial appointments

Welsh League side Monmouth Town have named former Wales international Steve Jenkins as their new manager, with chairman Lee Robson stating the club have to match his ambitions.

He said: “I could do the usual flannel about being sure Steve will take us up a notch, but I think that’s self-evident. The challenge for us is to match his ambitions. We’ve got great people around the club who can and will step up to the plate.

“We stated in 2003 we’d be a Welsh League club in five years, and in 2005 said we’d be a Welsh Premier League side in 15 years. We know he can deliver his part, now it’s up to us to match that.”

He added that over the next couple of years the club aim to do a lot of work to make them eligible for a domestic licence to take their place in the WPL.

“It’s a question of whether we can pull it off and we are in discussions with a number of parties over new facilities. The short term aim is to win the Welsh League next year and have a good old crack at the Welsh Cup. South East Wales is crying out for a WPL side and we’d like to think we’d be it.”

Jenkins (40) has more than 500 Football League appearances to his name, starting his career at Swansea City and playing more than 150 games for the club. He then moved to Huddersfield where he played more than 250 games in seven seasons, becoming their captain and a fans’ favourite.

A short spell at Cardiff City followed, before taking in varied stints at English league clubs and then three years at Newport County. His playing career finished as player/assistant manager to former Cardiff team-mate Andy Legg at Llanelli, where he helped them to the Welsh Cup in 2011.

He also earned 16 caps for Wales between 1995 and 2001, where he featured alongside current Wales boss Chris Coleman.

Jenkins will replace the management duo of Barry Burns and Robin Pick who resigned recently, with assistant manager Gareth Blackburn still currently with the club.

The appointment continues a flurry of new managers in the Welsh League. Former Neath striker Andy Hill has taken the reins at fellow first division club Goytre United following Robert Cooke’s dismissal, while at Tata Steel, former players Francis Doyle and Rogan Matthews have taken over the reins.

Treowen Stars in Division Three have appointed Mark Giffard, Alan Naylor and Kirk Ansell to manage the first team with Carl and Simon Evans and Ritchie Molyneux staying at the club in other capacities, with Steve Price taking over at Garden Village, also in Division Two.

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Three Welshmen flying the flag at Southerness

Alastair Jones, Matthew Moseley and Richard James have all headed to Scotland to compete in the Scottish Open Strokeplay Championship, starting today.

Radyr's former Welsh Amateur champion and Welsh Open Youths champion Jones will spearhead their challenge as he competes in his first major amateur event of the year at Southerness.

Moseley of Carmarthen, who posted Top 10 finishes at the Welsh Open Youths both last year and in 2011, will join him there. He will be playing his first event outside America this year, and will be looking to finish high up the leaderboard..

Aberystwyth golfer James completes Welsh interest. He is also competing in his first European event of the year, and will be looking to build on his showing in last year's Welsh Amateur at Harlech.

The last Scottish title was captured by Frenchman Paul Barjon, who isn't defending this weekend. This time, 10 nations see their stars battle for the prize at the Solway Firth links, including the Welsh.

They will be looking to add their names to a star-studded winners’ list, which includes former Ryder Cup captains Bernard Gallacher and Colin Montgomerie, while European Tour pros Dean Robertson, Stephen Gallacher and Andrew Coltart, among others, have also walked away with the trophy.

The winner being crowned on Sunday.

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Hughes replaces Pulis at Stoke

Stoke City have appointed their second successive Welsh manager with the announcement Mark Hughes is to replace Tony Pulis.

The former Wales national boss has been out of work since being sacked by QPR back in November, and has welcomed the chance to get back in to football management. His appointment hasn’t been universally welcomed by supporters at the Britannia Stadium, but he spoke about proving the doubters wrong in his opening press conference and thanked the Coates family, who own the club, for his chance.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be here at Stoke. The Coates family have given me this opportunity and I am really grateful. They have looked at my career as a whole, and I am delighted to have the opportunity of working with great people.

“I don't regret moving to QPR. A lot of managers have gone in there and found it difficult. It was tough, and mistakes were made. I made mistakes and other people made mistakes too. I was given the task of keeping them in the Premier League and thankfully I did that. Twelve games later though I lost my job, because we didn't get the results we wanted at that time.”

“I’ve had something like 270 games as a Premier League manager, but people do tend to look at the last year or so. If anything it gives me greater determination to go out there and prove people wrong.”

He also paid tribute to his predecessor, adding: “Tony enjoyed huge success here, and because of that I have a better chance of succeeding here. He has left a very good club behind him. He has done a wonderful job.”

Since leaving the Welsh job to take over at Blackburn Rovers, the North Walian also spent time at Manchester City and Fulham before taking the reins at QPR.

He of course had a stellar playing career which took in stints at Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, among others.

Newport-born Pulis had been at Stoke since 2006 for his second spell managing the club, taking over while Hughes was at Blackburn.

He guided the club back in to the top flight for the first time in 23 years and helped them establish themselves at the top table. They reached their first FA Cup final in 2011, going down 1-0 to Manchester City, before embarking on their first ever European adventure in the Europa League, eventually falling to Spanish giants Valencia.

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Barry Town United await FAW meeting ‘D-Day’

The Barry Town Supporters Committee must sweat on FAW and Welsh League meetings over the next month to decide their fate.

The Welsh football governing body meets on June 13 to discuss whether to accept BTSC’s Barry Town United as a member club, before the league meets on June 29 to mull over whether to accept them in to their ranks.

BTSC member David Cole admits it’s a nervous time, saying; “We can’t join the Welsh League until the FAW recognise the club. What happens is in the lap of the FAW.”

They can decide whether to instruct the Welsh League to welcome Barry Town United in, or they could leave the decision up to the league and its clubs, so it is unclear at this stage what the future holds for one of Welsh football’s most famous names.

“We have to leave them to decide,” added Cole. “We don’t want to be too forceful, so we have to get a fine balance of campaigning.”

Barry Town owner and self-appointed secretary Stuart Lovering controversially withdrew the club from the league just four days before the end of the season, leading to their record being expunged. This was the final straw for the beleaguered BTSC, who formed the new club in a bid to continue football in the town.

Their campaign had been backed by Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier who, speaking at the club’s recent annual awards dinner, called on the authorities to welcome the new club in.

He said: “It’s a contradiction when you see Cardiff, Swansea and Newport doing so well and then find that Barry are fighting for their lives. But the fans won’t give in and are doing everything possible to keep the club going.

“Barry have won so much over the years and were regulars in European football, I remember them winning a home tie against Porto. I hope they solve their problems because it’s sad to see a club of this structure struggling like this.

“Supporters saved Portsmouth, so why not Barry? After all, fans are the most important people at any club. I know how important smaller clubs can be.

“I just hope the governing body can help Barry get back in the Welsh League and that the passion of the fans wins through.”

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Wales set for major championships in Scotland

The Welsh netball squad for the forthcoming European Championships in Aberdeen has been selected.

Head coach Melissa Hyndman picked 12 players plus two non-playing training partners for the campaign. Nia Jones is the only uncapped player included in the squad.

The annual event kicks off on Friday and runs till Sunday, seeing Wales face England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in a bid to lift the main prize. There is also the chance to gain ranking points to ensure qualification for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Hyndman said: “I’m really excited coming off a very successful NSL season. I'm happy NSL has finished, and we can take that energy and everything we’ve learned forward into Netball Europe.

“This is more important than NSL because we need to get the points to qualify for [the] Commonwealth Games. I have never been this confident going into a European Championship.”

Wales squad in full:

Defenders:

Sara Hale (co-captain), Rosie Pretorius, Stephanie Williams, Nia Jones

Mid court:

Suzy Drane (co-captain), Nichola James, Kyra Jones, Sophie Morgan

Shooters:

Chelsea Lewis, Cara Lea Moseley, Rebecca James, Emma Thomas

Training partners:

Bethan Dyke, Kylie Painter

Head coach: Melissa Hyndman,

Assistant coach: Laura Williams

Technical coach: Sophie Baxter

Team manager: Wendy Pressdee

Video analyst: Liz Bealing

Physiotherapist: Chris Lewis

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Boulden misses Top 10 finish at Castle

Curtis Cup star Amy Boulden finished tied for 11^th at the Irish Women’s Open Amateur Strokeplay at Castle after a consistent weekend.

The Conwy girl hit rounds of 77, 76 and 77 to finish with a gross 230. She finished tied with Ireland’s Chloe Ryan and Sarah Jane Boyd of England, 12 strokes behind winner Meghan Maclaren.

Boulden wasn’t completely satisfied with her performance, saying on Twitter: “[I] left a lot out there, but I’m looking forward to having two weeks off to prepare for the British Amateur.

“[I] have to say the course at Castle Golf Club was in [an] unreal condition. A very well run tournament and everyone made us feel so welcome.”

McLaren suffered early final round jitters that saw her lose her tournament lead for the first time over the weekend to eventual runner up Paula Grant, but she posted an impressive finish to take the event by a single stroke from the Lisburn star.

McLaren and Boyd's scores were combined with Samantha Fuller's to give England the Nation's Cup prize with a gross 441, five ahead of second placed Ireland, and Scotland third on 464.

The Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship begins at Wales’ own Machynys Peninsula on June 11.

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Jenkins back at The Gnoll

Neath have re-signed winger Alec Jenkins after a season with Llanelli.

The Carmarthen-born 25-year-old came through the Scarlets’ youth system and made four senior appearances for the region, before playing in the English Championship with London Welsh. He also includes Pontyberem and Carmarthen Quins among his former clubs.

He previously spent three seasons at Neath between 2009 and 2012 with an outstanding record; helping the Blacks to 47 wins in 69 games in all competitions and scoring 19 tries.

A Welsh international at Under-18, 19, 20 and 7s levels, he was a member of the Under-19 Grand Slam-winning side of 2006 that included recent full senior internationals Jonathan and Bradley Davies. That same year, he also lifted the Hong Kong 7s Plate with Wales, scoring a try in the final against Argentina.

Coach Neil Edwards said of his new signing: “I played with Alec here at Neath and he’s an outstanding rugby player and outstanding bloke. He gives 100 per cent and was disappointed to have left the club last year.

“He’s really looking forward to coming back and proud to be a Neath man again. He’s a big winger and he’ll do his job all the time. I’m confident we’ll have good displays from him next season.”

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Touch rugby looking to grow in Wales ahead of European Championships

The Wales Touch Association is calling on everyone to take up a new sport ahead of the European Touch Rugby Championships in Swansea next year.

Wales is one of the most established European nations participating in what some consider to be an alternative form of our national sport – but how many readers knew they could play it?

Now, with the premier European competition coming to Welsh shores next summer, the sport’s organising body, in partnership with the WRU, want as many people as possible to take a ball in their hands and try what they have to offer, either at a competitive or purely social level.

Established in 1999, the WTA has been running touch rugby in Wales ever since and has currently grown participation levels to around 3,000. Their product brings touch to all four corners of the country without the contact element, which may put many off its rugged bigger brother, meaning that players of all ages and genders can participate.

As well as running the traditional sport of touch, the WTA have even invented their own sport – Atomic Touch – which has soared in popularity since its inception last year, with the WRU primarily delivering it to secondary school children.

The WTA's Development Officer – Matthew Enoch – explains: “Generally, touch currently has a low level of profile in Wales, although those who play it really enjoy it. Compare that to countries like Australia and New Zealand where participation numbers are bigger than rugby union and rugby league combined.

"We are hoping the range of incentives we are introducing will raise the reach and profile of the sport across the board.

"The mixed element of touch is attractive to many. Men and women play together on an equal basis and couples and even families can get involved. I would describe the sport as an underground success, but still a lot of people don;t know touch exists and what options are available to them."

Matthew describes the sport as having a number of similarities in structure and technique to the 7s game, which has also grown in popularity in recent years, and in which Wales has achieved much global success.

Matthew continued: “You can see the benefits when you play to a good standard. The player to space ratio is similar to 7s and you don’t get any impact injuries. There is a similar focus on the core skills in both games and if your skills are not up to scratch there is no place to hide.

“We pick up rugby players in their off-season who want to stay fit but what we also need are students of touch - players, coaches and referees who are keen to get a better understanding of the sport. For instance, touch players are more like footballers in physique.”

But he doesn’t want the fitness requirements to put people off, and is encouraging all ages and physiques to come forward and give the sport a try with their friends as that is essentially what it is all about.

“There are two distinct elements,” Matthew explains. “We are looking for the good players, but also the social players looking to get fitter, enjoy the social elements and have fun.

"The last couple of European Championships we have been first or second, and at the last World Cup we were fourth, so you can see we are already established.”

On a domestic level the game has been thriving too. There are domestic leagues and tournaments played around the country, the first National Championships were played last month and Elite Leagues have been set up to replicate international tournaments at domestic level.

The WRU has even backed their campaign as they want to expand the appeal of rugby to more people in Wales. They have entered into a partnership with the WTA to deliver touch to as many people as possible.

The coup of attracting the European Championships to Swansea is huge, and the facilities available at University Fields make the city ideal for such an event. It is also vital to push the sport out past the ‘hotbed’ of the Cardiff area to an already receptive West Walian audience.

Atomic Touch has also been a huge success these past 12 months, with its mix of touch, basketball and netball elements making it hugely popular with females in particular.

Matt adds: "Wales is also the only place it is played in the world! Because it is multi-directional, it changes players' views on how they see space on the pitch."

Those whose appetite may have been whetted reading this are told: “Get a group of mates together and find the nearest league. It’s good for work teams who want to mix socially, but also individuals can get involved.

“Attend a league night and see if a team is short, or contact organisers who can find you a team. We want everyone to get involved and grow our membership. The more people playing, refereeing and coaching the game, the more we can grow the sport."

Local leagues, the rules of the game and further information can be found on the WTA website: www.walestouch.co.uk, or by following the European news at: www.europeantouchnews.com.

Those looking for a new hard working hobby, or just wanting an excuse to get out and about with mates, could find touch rugby the social exercise they have been missing in their life.

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Pontyclun & District Friday Night Darts League results

Results: May 25

SECTION 1:

Ogmore A 4-3 O’Hara’s

Ely Valley Miners A 3-4 Ogmore Meerkats

Coedely Club 6-1 Pontyclun Athletic

Beddau RFC 4-3 Llanharan Con Club

Llanharan RFC 5-2 Pencoed Social

Thomastown Beerkats v BYE

Table:

Position	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Points
1	Beddau RFC	6	6	0	32
2	Coedely Club	5	3	2	23
3	Ogmore A	5	5	0	22
4	Ely Valley Miners A	6	2	4	21
5	Llanharan RFC	6	2	4	19
6	Ogmore Meerkats	5	3	2	18
7	Thomastown Beerkats	5	3	2	17
8	Llanharan Con Club	5	1	4	17
9	Pontyclun Athletic	6	2	4	14
10	O’Hara’s	6	1	5	14
11	Pencoed Social	5	2	3	13

Upcoming fixtures (May 31):

Llanharan Con Club v Ely Valley Miners A

Pontyclun Athletic v Ogmore A

Ogmore Meerkats v Llanharan RFC

O’Hara’s v Thomastown Beerkats

Pencoed Social v Coedely Club

Beddau RFC v BYE

SECTION 2:

Britannic Club B 1-6 Ely Valley Miners B

Pencoed RFC 5-2 Whitehills Aces

Gilfach Legion 3-4 Red Cow

Bryn Cae Monkeys 5-2 Britannic Club A

Carpenters Arms 3-4 Gilfach Social

Tonyrefail RFC v BYE

Table:

Position	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Points
1	Ely Valley Miners B	6	6	0	35
2	Red Cow	6	5	1	24
3	Gilfach Social	5	5	0	22
4	Carpenters Arms	6	3	3	22
5	Bryn Cae Monkeys	6	3	3	20
6	Pencoed RFC	5	2	3	17
7	Britannic Club A	5	1	4	14
8	Tonyrefail RFC	4	2	2	12
9	Whitehills Aces	5	1	4	13
10	Gilfach Legion	5	0	5	11
11	Britannic Club B	5	1	4	10

Upcoming fixtures (May 31):

Britannic Club A v Pencoed RFC

Red Cow v Britannic Club B

Whitehills Aces v Carpenters Arms

Ely Valley Miners B v Tonyrefail RFC

Gilfach Social v Gilfach Legion

Bryn Cae Monkeys v BYE

Player stats:

Most 180’s: 2 - John Coburn, Thomastown Beerkats; Phil Warren, Ogmore A; Mike Fitzgibbon, Llanharan Con Club; Richard Davies, Gilfach Social; Viv Williams, Beerkats; Chris McAndrew, Llanharan Con Club; Phil Matthews, Llanharan RFC; Lyndon Taylor, Pencoed RFC; Paul Moyle, Britannic Club B.

Highest out: 142 - Dean Gulliford, Red Cow.

Shortest game - Singles: 15 - Ian Phillips, Beddau RFC; Morgan Dobbs, EVM B; Bobby Bryan, Coedely Club.

Shortest game - Pairs: 17 - Jordan Dobbs & Hayden Dobbs, EVM B; Darren Jones & Chris Cahill, Ogmore A

Pontyclun & District Summer Darts League 2013 player statistics:

180’s:

2 - John Coburn, Beerkats

2 - Phil Warren, Ogmore A

2 - Mike Fitzgibbon, Llanharan Con Club

2 - Richie Davies, Gilfach Social

2 - Viv Williams, Beerkats

2 - Chris McAndrew, Llanharan Con Club

2 - Phil Matthews, Llanharan RFC

2 - Lyndon Taylor, Pencoed RFC

2 - Paul Moyle, Britannic Club B

1 - Cavan Philips, Beddau RFC

1 - Jonathan Robson, Beddau RFC

1 - Vince Dagg, O’Hara’s

1 - Roy Hill, Meerkats

1 - Eddie Thomas, Carpenters Arms

1 - Phil Honeyset, Llanharan RFC

1 - Roger Richards, Pencoed Social

1 - Darran Thomas, EVM A

1 - Mike Bater, O’Hara’s

1 - Wayne Belmont, Coedely Club

1 - Ian Phillips, Beddau RFC

1- Morgan Dobbs, EVM B

1 - Lee Dobbs, EVM B

1 - Bobby Bryan, Coedely Club

1 - Rob Webb, Llanharan RFC

1 - Matthew Pope, Beerkats

1 - John Green, Red Cow

1 - Chris Griffiths, Meerkats

1 - Jordan Dobbs, EVM B

Highest Outs:

142 - Dean Gulliford, Red Cow

114 - Gary Musgrove, Beddau RFC

113 - Paul Cook, Coedely Club

111 - Jonathan Robson, Beddau RFC

111 - Darren Jones, Ogmore A

110 - Rob Webb, Llanharan RFC

105 - Paul Silva, Meerkats

103 - Gary Musgrove, Beddau RFC

101 - Paul Thompson, EVM B

100 - Paul Silva, Meerkats

Least Darts (singles):

15 - Ian Phillips, Beddau RFC

15 - Morgan Dobbs, EVM B

15 - Bobby Bryan, Coedely Club

16 - Jonathan Robson, Beddau RFC

17 - Jonathan Robson, Beddau RFC

17 - Ian Phillips, Beddau RFC

17 - Jordan Dobbs, EVM B

17 - Ian Phillips, Beddau RFC

Least Darts (pairs):

17 - Jordan Dobbs & Hayden Dobbs, EVM B

17 - Darren Jones & Chris Cahill, Ogmore A

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