National rugby sevens preview

The National Sevens once again takes centre stage at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday, WRITES CARL FIELD.

Sixteen sides will contest eight first round matches, with holders Pontypridd kicking off the defence of their crown with a clash against local rivals Cross Keys at 10.20am.

Last year’s losing finalists Llandovery will also be hoping to go one better this year, and they kick off their campaign against hosts Cardiff at 12.40pm.

The eight losers in round one will then contest the Plate competition, with the final at 6.10pm, before the Cup final showpiece, which is scheduled for 6.40pm.

The squads are set to be announced tomorrow (Thursday).

A host of Wales internationals will take to the field during the lunchtime interval, in aid of Velindre Cancer Centre.

Matthew Watkins, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer at the centre, has organised a game of touch rugby to raise funds and awareness and many players have pledged their support.

Watkins and Dafydd James will captain the sides, while Tom Shanklin, Nathan Brew, Nathan Thomas, Gavin Thomas and Rhodri Gomer-Davies are among those who will feature.

Many others, including Matthew Rees who recently overcame testicular cancer, will be supporting from the stand.

Also doubling up as a family fun day, there is a beach-themed fancy dress competition, with the best dressed invited to take part in a kicking contest to win tickets for Wales v Australia on November 8.

Tickets for the day are just £10 for adults, £5 for Under 16s and £20 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) and are available now via www.wru.co.uk/national7s, with a print at home option and by calling 0844 847 1881 (Ticketmaster) or 02920 230130 (Ticketline). 

On event day (Sunday), tickets are available from the Cardiff Arms Park ticket office.

Full first round draw:

10.20 Pontypridd v Cross Keys

10.40 Cardiff Met v Ebbw Vale

11.00 Bridgend v Swansea

11.20 Llanelli v RGC 1404

11.40 Aberavon v Newport

12.00 Welsh Students v Bedwas

12.20 Neath v Carmarthen

12.40 Cardiff v Llandovery

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Cardiff Blues sign prop Adam Jones

BY CARL FIELD

Pro12 side Cardiff Blues have announced the signing of Wales and British & Irish Lions prop Adam Jones.

Front row Jones, who has made 95 appearances for Wales and toured twice with the Lions, has put pen to paper on a deal to play his rugby at Cardiff Arms Park this season.

“This is about a new challenge for me.” said Jones.

“At this stage in my career I want a new environment and to really push myself.

“I've been really impressed by the set-up at Blues and the desire to achieve in the coming years under the leadership of Mark Hammett.

“It is that ambition and potential for the future that excites me about this move.”

Destructive prop Jones has been a cornerstone of the Welsh pack for the last decade, making his debut against England in 2003 and scoring on his first Six Nations appearance against Scotland the following year.

The Abercrave–born ace won the Grand Slam with Wales in 2005, 2008 and 2012 and has featured in the last three Rugby World Cups, making a total of 12 appearances.

The 33-year-old was also an integral member of the triumphant British & Irish Lions side that beat the Wallabies in 2013, adding three more caps to the two he won in South Africa in 2009.

Jones began his career with Neath in 1998 before switching to the Ospreys in 2003.

He made more than 150 appearances and won the Celtic League with Ospreys on four occasions in 2004/05, 2006/07, 2009/10 and 2011/12.

On leaving the Ospreys, Jones said: “Obviously I would like to thank everyone at the Ospreys – from the players and coaches to the wonderful supporters – who have been absolutely fantastic with me.

“I wish the region every success for the future.”

Mark Hammett, director of rugby at Cardiff Blues, said: “Adam has joined the Blues determined to achieve something special with us.

“He is as hungry as ever for success and a very driven man. Adam wants to make a difference and that is exactly why we want him here.

“He will be great for the younger players to learn off and is a world class tight-head prop who will add considerably to the squad we are assembling.

“He will improve what we are doing and I'm thrilled he is now a Blue for this season.”

Chairman Peter Thomas also spoke of his delight, saying: “We are delighted to recruit Adam and reunite the British & Irish Lions front row, alongside Matthew Rees and Gethin Jenkins.

“He is one of the very best props in Europe and, when it became clear he was available, we acted quickly, in conjunction with our director of rugby, to secure his services over the last 48 hours.

"We hope this signing excites our fans and they see this as fantastic news.”

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Welsh rugby friendly round up

Rugby clubs across the country continue to gear up for the new campaign and there was no shortage of friendly action over the weekend, WRITES CARL FIELD.

There were impressive wins in particular for Principality Premiership sides Llandovery, Averavon, Bridgend and Cardiff.

Llandovery recorded a fine 34-15 win at Church Bank over Pontypridd – Premiership and Swalec Cup double winners for the past two seasons.

Tries from Shaun Mills, Rhys Williams, Sam Saul – plus a second half brace from Richard Williams – secured the win for Llandovery, who themselves narrowly missed out on the Premiership play-offs at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, there was a memorable Aberavon debut for teenage outside half Josh Williams, who scored 20 points – two tries and five conversions - in his side’s 45-5 defeat of Tata Steel at the Talbot Athletic Ground.

Bridgend were 25-5 winners at English National League One outfit Cinderford, where Adam Williams bagged a brace, while Cardiff ran home four tries as they beat another NL1 side Coventry 30-25 at Cardiff Arms Park.

James Loxton, Joe Griffin, Shaun Powell and Matt Marley all went over the whitewash.

Meanwhile it wasn’t such a good day for Swansea – relegated from the Premiership last year – as they were on the wrong end of a 76-5 hammering at English Championship side Doncaster.

Elsewhere, Neath went down to a 34-7 defeat against Plymouth Albion in the late game at the Knoll, while Llangennech scored six tries in their 36-10 friendly win at Bonymaen.

Chris Moore (2), Dan Roberts, Josh Sheldon, Rhys Davies and Tom Barnes were their try scorers.

Follow Carl Field on Twitter: @mrcarlfield

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Wales and Lions legend Quinnell to visit Machen RFC

Wales and Lions legend Scott Quinnell will be a special guest at Machen Rugby Club later this month.

The club has been named the overall winner of the NatWest RugbyForce Win a Pitch Makeover competition, after receiving more than 35 per cent of the public vote.

As a reward, they will receive a brand new pitch kit, a set of Under Armour training tops – as well as a visit from Quinnell, on Sunday, August 31.

The NatWest RugbyForce weekend is designed to encourage club players, coaches, supporters and volunteers to get together to help make valuable improvements to their club.

Of the 91 Welsh rugby clubs that registered for the programme, 30 were successful in earning £500 to help them complete projects and give their clubhouse and grounds a facelift on the last weekend of August.

Five of the 30 clubs – Cardigan RFC, Machynlleth RFC, Baglan RFC, Pontyclun RFC and Machen RFC were then shortlisted to go into a public vote to receive the overall NatWest Win a Pitch Makeover prize.

Each club filmed a video explaining why they believed they were the most worthy winners, with the public voting for their favourite.

After two weeks of intense competition, Machen RFC came out as worthy winners with a total of 2,929 votes, over 800 more than their nearest rivals.

Machen chairman Paul Crowley said: “We are grateful to all those who voted for Machen RFC.

“We are very much looking forward to the NatWest RugbyForce weekend and all getting together to help turn our dream into a reality. 

“The generous grant from NatWest means we will be able to create a safe area behind the club for our large junior section to play and be part of the club.

“It will also mean we can improve our disabled access as we want to be truly inclusive and welcome all members of the community to our rugby club, for a variety of uses.

“We are asking everyone involved with the club to come down and be part of the NatWest RugbyForce weekend on Sunday, August 31 from 11am.

“It will be a case of all hands on deck with the improvements but there will also be a barbecue taking place during the day and with Scott Quinnell coming down there is sure to be a lot of fun and a party atmosphere too.”  

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Welsh Football League preview

Reigning Welsh League champions Monmouth Town begin the defence of their Division One title with a home clash against newly promoted Cardiff Met University tomorrow, WRITES CARL FIELD.

It is also the start of a new era for Town, who are now based at Pen-y-Pound Stadium in Abergavenny, with manager Andrew Smith beginning his second spell in charge of the Kingfishers.

He took over following Steve Jenkins’ departure to Merthyr Town, while Adam Davies, Corey Jenkins and prolific marksman Dan MacDonald have all followed Jenkins to Penydarren Park.

One team who will be looking to wrestle the title away from Monmouth this season are Goytre United who, despite finishing ninth last season, have set out their intention to challenge at the top end of the table this term.

United open their campaign at home against last season’s seventh-place finishers Caerau (Ely).

Goytre, meanwhile, will hope to put the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the top three last season behind them when they kick off their season at AFC Porth.

All eyes will also be on Afan Lido – relegated from the Welsh Premier League – as they begin life in Division One of the Welsh League with a home fixture against Ton Pentre.

However director of football Mark Robinson has stated this week that the club’s aim is to consolidate - rather than going all out for an immediate return to the Welsh Premier.

Other Promoted sides Garden Village and Briton Ferry Llansawel both begin their campaigns on the road at Aberdare Town and Taffs Well respectively, while Penybont start at home against Haverfordwest County.

The first Division One fixture of the season is this evening, with Cambrian & Clydach hosting last season’s League Cup finalists Pontardawe Town.

In Division Two tomorrow, all three of the clubs relegated from Division One last season are all on the road.

Tata Steel visit Chepstow Town, West End are at Ely Rangers while Aberbargoed Buds make the trip to Undy Athletic.

Division Three champions Barry Town United open their Division Two campaign against Dinas Powys.

Follow Carl Field on Twitter: @mrcarlfield

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Edwards to make senior bow

Aberdare born Paul Edwards will become the latest South Wales Rugby League Academy player to make his senior debut when he walks out for the South Wales Scorpions first team against Gateshead Thunder on Sunday.

The 18-year old is being given his chance following excellent performances for both the South Wales under 19 Academy side and the Wales under 19 side who won bronze in the recent Rugby League Commonwealth Championships held in Glasgow as a nine a side exhibition sport before the Commonwealth Games.

The centre is new to the 13 man game, having played just four full games of Rugby League, all for South Wales 19s but three of them were wins, including the 38-32 win over Gloucestershire All Golds last Saturday where he scored a hat-trick of tries.

Brought up in rugby union, Edwards came though Rhigos’ youth teams and made appearances in the first team for Glynneath in the Welsh League Division Three last season as well as playing a full season for Neath Port Talbot College in the WRU College league.

Edwards said: “I am very honoured to be given the chance to play for the Scorpions first team in my first year of playing Rugby League. I am looking forward for the test on Sunday against Gateshead Thunder and to the experience it will bring.”

Scorpions coach Mike Grady said: “I’m really pleased to be giving Paul his first team debut on Sunday.

“Every time I’ve seen him play he’s impressed and he scored an excellent hat-trick of tries against a tough side last Saturday.

“He’s one of a number of the under 19s we have in our system here in South Wales who I know are worthy of a first team debut and I know he’ll grab this opportunity with both hands.”

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St Mellons golfer wins West Region PGA Assistants title

Toby Hunt (St Mellons) has become the West Region PGA Assistants’ Champion after winning a play-off against Joe Ferguson (Celtic Manor) in the Marston’s West Region PGA Championship at The Players Club, near Bristol.

The 21-year-old Cardiff player made a par three on the first extra hole while Ferguson’s tee-shot ended in the trees and he could only make four.

Both players carded one-under-par 143 after identical rounds of 73 and 70. This left Cennydd Mills (Pyle and Kenfig) one shot behind as he took par 72s both days.

Hunt, who won the Junior Wales Open at Celtic Manor during his final year as an amateur to claim the prize of a year’s free membership of the 2010 course, has just completed his first year of PGA training under Barry Thomas at St Mellons.

He said: “I have had a couple of top tens this year but this was a really good result for me. I was solid over the two days.”

Kelvin Aitken (Chippenham Golf Centre) followed 79 with a perfect 70 to beat Newport’s Welsh legend Paul Mayo by two shots and take the Seniors’ title. Mayo followed 77 with 74.

In the main event, won by former European Tour winner David Dixon (Enmore Park) by one shot over Order of Merit winner Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre, Weymouth).

The pair will be joined in Turkey by Richard Dinsdale (Parc Golf Academy) who claimed third spot despite finishing a disappointing 27th.

James Lee (Caerphilly, 73 68), Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle, 73 68), Matt Dearden (Llantrisant & Pontyclun, 73 68) were the leading Welsh players on 141, sharing eighth place.

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Former Wales international Hayward joins Scarlets coaching team

The Scarlets have announced that Byron Hayward will join the new-look coaching team as Defence Coach.

The former Llanelli and Wales international will take up his new role, working with new Head Coach Wayne Pivac and the coaching team at Parc y Scarlets in time for the start of the season.

Hayward, 45, has a wealth of coaching experience having coached Ebbw Vale, Sale Sharks, Dragons regional age grade sides and most recently Wales Under 20 as he took over the reins from Scarlets Scrum Coach Danny Wilson. He has joined the Scarlets from the Welsh Rugby Union where his role was National Academy Skills Coach, developing players both technically and tactically.

An accomplished player at fly half, Hayward represented Wales on two occasions and won the league with Llanelli in 1999. On retiring he had scored a then joint record 2535 league points.

Blaina boy Hayward said: "It's nice to be back at the top end of rugby and back into week to week intense high level rugby. When you come into the professional game it's relentless and quite challenging at times as I found out in the Premiership with Sale but that's what I'm looking forward to.

"It's also great to be back here with the Scarlets. I was fortunate enough to play under Gareth (Jenkins) and played alongside Simon (Easterby) and Mark (Jones). I enjoyed every minute I had when I was here as a player and I'm sure it'll be the same when I'm coaching.

"I've been really encouraged from what I've seen from the players already, they are hard-working and it's evident they play for each other. I'll be looking to build on the good work that Simon has done to strengthen the mind set on our game without the ball and be a top quality defensive side.

"Llanelli and Scarlets rugby is known throughout the world. When I played here people here treated me really well and were very receptive. Those things and those memories are still fresh in my mind and they had a massive impact on my decision to come here and be a part of the coaching team.

"People here are so passionate about rugby and Scarlets rugby and I'm excited to be a part of a determined and passionate coaching group. We (Llanelli) managed to win the league in 1999; those things, as a player, stick in your mind forever and I want to do the same thing and win things as a coach here.”

Hayward added; "As a new coaching team we're not expecting success overnight, we have to put building blocks in place but we'll work hard over time to make an impact and we want to play against the best and beat the best.”

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Mountain Ash RFC Delighted to Help Wales Rugby League

Wales Rugby League and Mountain Ash RFC are delighted to announce that they will be sponsoring and hosting the “Mountain Ash Festival of Rugby League” over eight days in late August and early September at Duffryn Pennar Park, the home of the Old Firm, Mountain Ash RFC.

The festival will comprise of two main matches over two weekends, additional community games, along with proposed coaching in local schools.

On Saturday August 30, Wales will take on England at under 16 level, kick-off 2:00pm, while just over a week later, on Sunday September 7, Kingstone Press Championship 1 Rugby League comes to the town when the South Wales Scorpions take on Hunslet Hawks, kick-off 3:00pm.

Mountain Ash RFC has produced a number of Rugby League internationals during its long and proud history, including former Wigan star Bert Jenkins who played in Wales’ first ever Rugby League international, a 9-8 win over New Zealand just up the road in Aberdare on New Years’ Day 1908, Charles Sage who played for September 7^th visitors Hunslet Hawks in the 1920s, John Thorley who was a Rugby League World Cup winner with Great Britain in the first ever competition in 1954, Dickie Williams, who was another former Hunslet player and who was Great Britain Lions tour captain to Australia in 1954, and current chairman of Wales Rugby League, Brian Juliff.

Juliff, the instigator of the Festival due to the links he has with his former club, is delighted that Rugby League will be played in his home town at last. “I’m delighted that Mountain Ash RFC has agreed to host two important fixtures for us,” he said. “Both Wales v England on Saturday August 30 and South Wales Scorpions v Hunslet Hawks on Sunday September 7 will be exciting events. “It is a very exciting moment for Wales Rugby League as we ‘go back to the future’ by playing an International Rugby League game in the Cynon Valley.

“Wales Under 16 will play England at Mountain Ash and will follow in the footsteps of the earliest of the 13-man game as the first professional rugby international anywhere in the world was played on the Ynys Fields just up the road in Aberdare. That game produced an historic victory for Wales against the first ever professional All Blacks. Nicknamed in the media as the ‘All Golds’, some of those players were part of the almost invincible amateur New Zealand All Blacks that had toured the UK in 1905, and were encouraged to play professionally and to take on the likes of the miners in the valleys of South Wales and the north of England, who were protecting their families by accepting ‘broken time’ payments, for money lost due to playing on Saturdays and missing a shift at the coalface. Wales, of course, won the game in 1905 as well. The 1908 game was played under ’Northern Union Rules’ which of course matured into today’s fast and exciting rugby form known as Rugby League. England are formidable opponents and remain excellent supporters of the game in Wales, so I am anticipating a warm welcome to the young stars of the future from both teams, as they display their rugby skills in what will be a very competitive game on 30 August.

We’re also delighted to welcome Hunslet Hawks to Mountain Ash on 7 September, another big historic date for the Welsh valleys, as it will be 107 years to the very day that Merthyr Tydfil took on Oldham in the first ever professional game of rugby to take place in Wales.”

Martyn Ham, Mountain Ash RFC’s Press Officer, said: “We are delighted to be able to host these two games for the Wales Rugby League. We feel that Duffryn Pennar Park, the home of Old Firm rugby, is an excellent match venue with its 425 seat grandstand and dressing rooms underneath, floodlights, parking facilities and excellent road links. A number of us attended the recent South Wales Scorpions v London Skolars match at Cardiff Arms Park and we were impressed with what we saw. We all very much want to make a success of these two matches here in Mountain Ash and welcome all supporters from near and far to come along, enjoy the day and support this new venture.” Tickets for both events will be available from www.scorpionsrl.com from next week.

Match Details

Saturday, 30 August 2014, Duffryn Pennar Park, Mountain Ash RFC,

Wales Under 16 v England Under 16 Rugby League International, Kick Off 2:00pm

Admission : Adults £3, Senior Citizens £2, Under 19s £1, Under 16s Free.

Sunday, 7 September 2014, Duffryn Pennar Park, Mountain Ash RFC

South Wales Scorpions v Hunslet Hawks, Kick Off 3:00pm

Admission : Adults £5, Senior Citizens £3, Under 19s £2, Under 16s £1.

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Welsh Football Pre-Season Round Up

Welsh Premier outfit Carmarthen Town cruised to a 3-0 home success over neighbours Haverfordwest County.

Liam Thomas bagged a brace for Town in an entertaining encounter at Richmond Park.

Sasha Walters put the home side in front early on before Thomas fired home on 26 and 57 minutes as they eased to victory.

Meanwhile, Ian Sheridan bagged a first half brace as Bala Town continued their preparations for the new season with a 3-0 home success over Denbigh Town who will be playing in the Huws Gray Alliance this season after being Welsh Alliance champions.

Sheridan found the net twice either side of the half hour mark after Mike Hayes had put the hosts in front after 20 minutes.

There was a nine-goal thriller at Old Road as Port Talbot ran out 6-3 winners against Briton Ferry.

The visitors were three up inside 20 minutes with Luke Bowen, Keyon Reffell and Keiron Lewis all getting on the scoresheet, although a brace from Gavin Jones pulled the hosts back to within one goal at the break.

Reffell put the visitors 4-2 up just before the hour mark and, although Darren Mills netted again for the home side, a goal from Martin Rose and another from Bowen dashed any hopes of a home comeback.

Elsewhere, Ryan Wade’s 36^th minute strike handed Airbus UK a narrow 1-0 win at Llandudno in what was a stereotypical pre-season game as both sides continue to build up for the new campaign.

In other action, Newtown AFC ran out convincing 3-0 winners at home against Penycae FC thanks to goals from Luke Boundford, Jason Oswell and Jamie Price.

Gap Connah’s Quay, meanwhile, drew 2-2 at Ashton United in a topsy-turvy encounter that saw them take the lead and then come from 2-1 down to grab a share of the honours.

Finally, Rhyl were no match for a strong Stoke City development side as they went down to a comprehensive 3-0 home defeat at the Corbett Sports Stadium.

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WAUNARLWYDD 7 ABERAVON 59

After 22 hard minutes in which Waunarlwydd were on top and lead 7-0, Aberavon raced away to score nine tries at Roseland Road.

 

Full backs Howard Thomas (first half) and Jon Phillips (second half) both scored a brace of tries with Aberavon introducing many new young players.

 

Centre Dan Fox scored a goodd try that Lee Evans (though now an Aberavon player) converted but the Wizards led 21-7 at the break.

 

Powerful centre Darren Ryan had a fine game and in the pack, flanker Nathan Brown had a splendid afternoon, while young wing Aaron Grabham made a good impression and Steve Cullen was sharp at centre.

 

Waunarlwydd - Try: D Fox. Con: L Evans.

 

Aberavon - Tries: H Thomas 2, J Phillips 2, D Ryan, J Bija, J Crealock, C Corbisiero, S Cullen.

Cons: N Damjanovic 4, C Thomas 3.

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Neath 15-15 Doncaster Knights

Welsh Premiership outfit Neath held on to clinch a dramatic draw against the English Championship’s newest addition Doncaster Knights in a thrilling encounter at a wet and wild Gnoll.

 But this pre season friendly turned ugly towards the end with Neath's Lee Evans dismissed for fighting late on, after several brawls erupted in the final ten minutes.

Doncaster outscored their Welsh hosts two tries to nil but Neath played the conditions better than their English rivals and deserved to get something out of the contest.

 It was the hosts that started the brighter in the opening ten minutes and the boot of James Thomas gave them an early advantage.

 But the professional side slowly moved up the gears and they were soon in the lead. After several phases, fly half Jamie Lennard spotted space behind the Neath defence and his cute dink outfoxed the hosts' cover into Knights winger Tyson Lewis' safe arms. Dougie Flockhart added the extras.

 Whereas Doncaster's first try was full of skill and guile, their second shortly after was one for the forwards. From a driving line out Neath were powerless to stop the visitors marching over, with flanker Will Foden emerging with the ball.

 If the first half belonged to the visitors, the second definitely belonged to their Welsh hosts.

The Knights' discipline began to falter and with the Welsh weather producing its worst, it was Neath that began to dominate proceedings. 

 Three well struck penalties from the boot of Thomas drew the hosts level.

 Flockhart and Thomas then traded kicks as the game went into the final ten locked at 15-15.

 With Neath down to 14 players Clive Griffiths' side looked like they had stolen it at the death with winger Flockhart crossing, but he was adjudged to have put his foot in touch on the way to touching down. 

Ultimately there were positives for both teams as they kicked off their 2014/15 pre-season campaign –Neath’s Director of Rugby Rowland Phillips would have been impressed by his side's work ethic and scramble defence, while new signing Rhodri Cole at scrum half looked lively and posed a constant threat around the fringes.

For Clive Griffiths’ Knights, meanwhile, their sizeable backline caused a number of problems in the first half while their scrum was well on top throughout, and perhaps Doncaster would have felt they had done enough to claim the win. But it wasn’t all good news for the professional outfit as scrum half Brad Field, making his first start since last November, looked distraught as he limped from the pitch just before the interval.

On Saturday, Neath play host to another English Championship side, with Plymouth Albion the visitors at the Gnoll, while Doncaster have more Welsh opposition when Swansea visit Castle Park.

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