Ystrad Rhondda's Cup ambitions remain on course

Ystrad Rhondda’s Swalec Plate title ambitions remain on course as they edged into the quarter finals, defeating Crymych 12-10 at Parc Lloyd Thomas

The visitors ensured a successful trip West in dreadful conditions, crossing twice through centre Andrew Hutchings and David Gratton, with Alex Webber adding an all important conversion.

Crymych, who have struggled in their first season in Two West, could only manage an Elgan Little touchdown, while Dan Davies slotted a conversion and a penalty, although they did have a chance to win it at the death, only for Davies’ long range penalty fell well short.

Meanwhile, Nant Conwy survived a second half fight back from Dunvant to move into the last eight, thanks to a 30-24 win at Broadacre.

The One North title contenders, who travelled down to Swansea for the match two days ago, got off to a blistering start, racing to a 27-0 lead thanks to tries from Evan Jones, Elgan Davies and Owain Jones, while the consistent boot of Carwyn ap Myrddin was on target with all three conversions and three penalties

The Swansea outfit will undoubtedly rue their slow start, although they did rally through three tries of their own from Adam Williams, James Richards and Danny Davies, with Williams also slotting all three conversions and a penalty. However, it was a case of too little too late for the Three West side as the visitors held on for the win.

Bethesda were the most convincing winners of the day, powering past the visiting Nelson 40-3.

The hosts were on top from the off and helped themselves to six tries, including a brace for Dylan Williams, with Graham Davies, Ben Stalmzek, Llion Lloyd and Mathew Parry also going over. Parry rounded off a fine individual performance, adding five conversions to complete the rout.

Elsewhere, Builth Wells defeated Abertillery B G 23-13 at Abertillery Park.

The Bulls outscored their lower league rivals two tries to one with Richard Galea and Ben Beggan touching down but the hero of the day for the visitors was Rob Lloyd, who notched up 13 points with the boot through a drop goal, two penalties and two conversions.

 However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for higher league opposition as  Skewen went down at home, 26-22 to Three East’s Pontypool United.

In an open and entertaining encounter, both sides crossed for four tries apiece with United’s touchdowns coming through Rob Gray, Morgan West and a Richard Jones double, while West also slotted three crucial conversions.

The hosts meanwhile crossed through James Ball, Richard Davies, Rhys Jenkins and Scott Jackson, with Davies slotting a solitary conversion.

Unfortunately, there were also some disappointing postponements with the eagerly anticipated local derby clash between last year’s Swalec Bowl victors Senghneydd and Two East highfliers Penallta falling foul to the wet weather, and, more bizarrely, the all Two West clash between Cwmllynfell and Glynneath was postponed due to someone crashing into a pylon near Bryn Park, cutting power to the ground and the majority of the village.

Finally, the clash involving  Maesteg Quins and Kidwelly will also have to be rearranged with that too postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

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Welsh duo suffer torrid third day

WELSH duo James Frazer and Joe Vickery endured a torrid third day at the Portuguese Amateur Championship as three of four Welshmen missed the cut.

Richard Bentham was the only one to qualify for today's final round while David Boote made up the trio from Wales on their way home.

Frazer and Vickery finished their campaigns on +9 after scores of 80and 78 respectively at Montado left them struggling on 225 for their three rounds – the cut mark was 220.

The day got off to a bright start for Pennard’s Frazer with a birdie at the second followed by one at the sixth. But, after that, things turned sour and culminated with a disastrous triple bogey eight at the par-five 17th.

Prior to that, Frazer dropped five shots at three holes around the turn and although a birdie provided welcome relief at the 13th,a pair of sixes followed at holes 13 and 15 to take him to five-over before the eight on the penultimate green.

Vickery, whose slide down the leaderboard was an alarming one given he had a share of first place at the end of the first round.

And it wasn’t just Frazer who finished with a triple bogey on his card as Vickery took seven on the par-four fifth after four straight pars.

The rest of the round saw Vickery bag one birdie while dropping shots at the eighth and three of the last five holes to exit the event with something of a whimper when you look at how he started it.

As for Bentham, he hit a second 71 in succession and is eight shots off leader Moritz Lampert,the German who carded a sensational 65 for the lowest round of the tournament so far.

On -1, Bentham is in a tie for ninth after an up and down day which featured four bogeys, three birdies and an eagle three on the 477-yard 17th.

He’s going to have his work cut out today to catch Lampert but at the very least he should be pushing for a top five finish.

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Swalec Cup Predictions

Ammanford v UWIC

Last year’s Swalec Plate winners Ammanford will be desperate for another Cup run and will see this as a greaty opportunity to move into the quarter finals. This will undoubtedly be a a hard fought encounter with the win count at one all in match-ups between the two sides so far this season. The students convincingly won their last encounter with the One West newcomers at Cyncoed but Ammanford are a different problem at home, showing that with their victory in the last round over Tata Steel.

Laura's Verdict- Ammanford by 5 points.

 David's Verdict- Ammanford by 3 points

Beddau v Swansea

Beddau haven’t played since their narrow Cup victory over fellow One East side Mountain Ash but the players must surely be dreaming of producing a giant killing performance when they welcome Swansea to Mount Pleasant park. The Whites have not got their hands on the Cup since the 98/99 season and have not produced the kind of form this season to suggest that that silverware dry spell will end any time soon. Coach Jason Hyatt will no doubt demand a response from his side after they suffered a shock loss at struggling Tonmawr in the league last weekend.

Laura's Verdict- Swansea by 20 points

 Davids Verdict- Swansea by 7 points

Bridgend Athletic v Neath

Athletic welcome six time Cup winners Neath to Newbridge Fields tomorrow for their biggest match of the season. The Ewenny Road side have struggled so far in Division One West, and after finishing third last season, they now sit bottom of the heap but have rekindled some good form of late. However, I can’t see any chance of an upset and think Neath will be too strong on the day.

Laura's Verdict- Neath by 20 points

 David's Verdict-Neath by 15 points

Cardiff v Llanelli

In this all Premiership affair, 2010 Champions Llanelli travel to the Arms Park with the West Wales side on a six match winning streak in the league. The Scarlets, who go into the match as favourites, have already beaten the Blues at home this season but it was a tightly contested affair back in November, where they narrowly triumphed 20-18. Cardiff have seemingly regressed since then, slipping to ninth in the table and losing their last two matches in the league, and I think their Cup run will end tomorrow.

Laura's Verdict-Llanelli by 8 points

 David's Verdict-LLanelli by 8 points

Cross Keys v Rumney

The Keys, who remain in the hunt for silverware in the semi finals of the British and Irish Cup, will be keen for another Cup run and I don’t see One East side Rumney causing too many problems at Pandy Park.

Laura's Verdict-Cross Keys by 25 points

 David's Verdict-Cross Keys by 15 points

Ebbw Vale v Carmarthen Quins

Can Ebbw Vale pull off another giant killing performance? After comprehensively outplaying Newport in the last round, they welcome Premiership side Carmarthen Quins to Eugene Cross Park. The Steelmen, who are gunning for consecutive One East titles, have looked strong this season and with home advantage, they will be keen to cause another upset against Quins, who sit fourth in the Premiership. Quins must surely start as favourites but with the magic of the Cup, I am going to back the Steelmen to pull off another shock.

Laura's Verdict-Ebbw Vale by 3 points

David's Verdict- Ebbw Vale by 6 points

Newbridge v Bargoed

This all One East match will surely be a feisty affair with the hosts narrowly beating the One East leaders in the same fixture at the beginning of the season. Bargoed produced the upset of the round last time out in defeating Aberavon despite being reduced to 14 players, although some may argue that they’ve had their final in that victory. Newbridge have won the only match between the two sides this season and I think, with home advantage, they’ll pull it out of the bag.

Laura's Verdict-Newbridge by 3 points 

 David's Verdict- Bargoed by 3 points

Pontypridd v Tonmawr

Tonmawr finally bagged their first victory in the Premiership last weekend getting the monkey off their back and hopefully, this will release the Pitmen’s tension enabling them to provide a test for the defending Champions. However, Ponty have already defeated the Afan Valley side twice already this season and I can’t see it being third time lucky for Tonmawr.

Laura's Verdict- Pontypridd by 10 points 

David's Verdict- Pontypridd by 15 points

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Concerns raised over league format

A WELSH Premier League club chairman has called into question the competition’s current “Super 12” format which he feels is simply too repetitive.

Port Talbot Town chairman Andrew Edwards has been joined in his scepticism by Steelmen boss Mark Jones, who reckons the existing structure will just make fans bored.

Jones’s men booked a place in the last eight of the League Cup on Tuesday night after beating Carmarthen Town over two legs and will now face neighbours Afan Lido, who they also played in the third round of the Welsh Cup.

“Our double header against Lido will bring the number of games we will have played against each other this season to seven and it’s not good,” said Edwards, who is also a Premier League representative on the FAW panel.

“Something has to be done about it.”

Jones agreed, adding: “Seven games against Lido and six against Carmarthen is ridiculous and the fans will get bored with it.”

Aberystwyth Town and Lido will also have played each other six times come the end of the season as will Neath and Llanelli after being drawn together in the second round of the League Cup and also meeting four times in the league.

This weekend’s fixtures

Tonight

Aberystwyth Town v Port Talbot Town

Tomorrow

Carmarthen Town v Airbus UK

Llanelli v The New Saints

Neath v Prestatyn Town

Newtown v Afan Lido

Sunday

Bala Town v Bangor City

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Title chasers show no signs of cracking

THE top three in division one of Tredegar & Rhymney’s Cock of the North Winter League all won in the latest round of games.

The pairings of Gareth Owen and Sean Scannell and Mark Davies and Gwyn Board moved to 15 points with their wins but remain two behind the leaders.

That’s because John Davies and Leon Hillman beat mid-table Graham Doyle and John Collins to preserve their hold on first place.

There was good news for the bottom pair as Mike Russell and Sean Thomas recorded a rare victory over Mark McCarthy and Sean Philpotts.

In division two, Gail Davies and Dale Zdzieblo continue to climb the table. They saw off the challenge of John and Tom Jones to move onto eight points.

However, the division’s two frontrunners are still looking a class apart with both disposing of mid-table opposition last time out.

Mike Shepherd and Glenn Trigg beat Jack Francis and Greg Jenkins while David Dennehy and Will Price had too much in their armoury for Andrew Faulkner and Lee Harrison.

Meanwhile, Andrew Thomas and Alan Jones leapfrogged Nick Dufty and Nathan Goggin to go into fourth place.

More than 100 golfers took to the course at Pennard for the club’s team-of-four stableford competition.

With conditions having improved following the recent freezing weather, the players could fully focus on their scoring rather than trying to keep out the cold.

When all of the teams had returned to the clubhouse and the best two scores for each quartet had been taken into account, only four points separated the top six.

The winners turned out to be Paul Dunstan, Neil Smitham, Jonathon Diment and Andrew Richards, whose 82 points was one better than the next two teams.

Anthony Ward, Allan Williams, David Lewis and Richard Lewis were second ahead of Laurence Harvey, Adam Curtin, Stewart Verbruggen and Alastair Verbruggen on back-nine countback.

Just missing out on a top-three finish was the quartet of Tony Smith, Andrew Coates, Christopher Williams and Paul Veale who two best rounds totalled 79 points.

The Pennard Ladies’ section has also been in action with a couple of 15-hole stablefords. Leila Jones was the silver division winner in the first with 28 points, two clear of Angela Pritchard.

In the bronze division, Mandy Edmund came out on top with 30 points with Gill Hill only one behind in second.

In the second, Sally Crowley, with 31 points, was the overall champion while the trio of Andrea Allnatt, Sheila Harris and Marie Richard took first prize on countback in the Yellow Peril team event.

Four more qualifying rounds are now left in the Winter League at Lakeside before the top 12 golfers battle it out for the big prize next month.

David Dickinson claimed the latest competition with 39 points with Ceri Windos ousting Neil Channell for second on countback after both registered 35 points.

After the cold snap forced the cancellation of the last Leon Warne Order of Merit event at The Grove, Mark Gordon was the top dog when competition resumed last weekend.

Gordon’s 41 points saw him finish four in front of Stefan Hart and Ged Rave in second and third respectively, the former recording the better back nine.

Tenby hosts the next South Wales PGA event on Monday when the association will also hold its AGM at the West Wales club.

Newport’s Paul Mayo won last time out at Ashburnham although organisers are hoping for a much better turnout next week.

Members of Neath will get the opportunity to quiz new head greenkeeper Mark Tucker at the clubhouse next Thursday from 7.30pm.

Tucker has been in the position since early January having arrived from Saunton in his native Devon where he worked for 13 years, ending his time there as deputy head greenkeeper on the club’s Championship East Course.

He has also been involved in the preparation of courses for tournaments such as the Brabazon Trophy, British Boys’ Championship, British Senior Open and Carris Trophy.

Latest results

Lakeside

Winter League; 1. D. Dickinson 39pts, 2. C. Windos 35pts, 3. N. Channell 35pts

Pennard

Ladies’ 15-hole Stableford silver division; 1. L. Jones 28pts, 2. A. Pritchard 26pts

Bronze division; 1. M. Edmund 30pts, 2. G. Hill 29pts

15-hole Stableford; 1. S. Crowley 31pts

Yellow Peril team game; 1. A. Allnatt, S. Harris & M. Richard 66pts, 2. E. McCarry, B. Rowlands & J. Phillips 66pts

Team-of-four Stableford; 1. P. Dunstan, N. Smitham, J. Diment & A. Richards 82pts, 2. A. Ward, A. Williams, D. Lewis & R. Lewis 81pts, 3. L. Harvey, A. Curtin, S. Verbruggen & A. Verbruggen 81pts

The Grove

Leon Warne Order of Merit; 1. Mark Gordon 41pts, 2. Stefan Hart 37pts, 3. Ged Rave 37pts

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Poor round sees Vickery slide at Montado

JOE Vickery had a day to forget at the Portuguese Amateur Championship as the first-round co-leader from Newport followed up his opening 68 with an error-ridden 79 at Montado.

Vickery carded four double bogeys as he slipped from four-under to three-over-par and a share of 32^nd place at the halfway stage of the tournament near Lisbon.

He should still make the cut after today’s third round but anything like yesterday will see Vickery on the plane home.

His second round started woefully with a bogey at the first followed by two dropped shots at the par-five second. Two successive birdies at holes four and five repaired some of the damage but after that it was nearly all downhill.

A bogey at the sixth and double bogey at the eighth contributed to a score of 40 on the front nine and although one stroke was picked up at the short 12^th, four went by the wayside at 14 and 17.

Richard Bentham is now the top Welshman as he shot a one-under 71 to sit on level-par with Ireland’s Eoin Arthurs and Norway’s Kristoffer Ventura in 15^th place.

A consistent back nine, which included two birdies and no dropped shots, made up for a messy start and leaves Bentham four shots behind outright leader Eddie McCormack of Ireland.

Pennard’s James Frazer is also in with a shout after recording a one-over round of 73 to go with his 72 on day one. He could have been a lot further adrift of the leader though had it not been for a fight back after the turn.

The 2011 Duncan Putter champion was +4 after seven holes but used all his nous to turn his fortunes around and finish -3 for the back nine.

Reigning Welsh boys’ champion David Boote faces a tough task to make the cut though his one-over 73 was five shots better than his first round total. In a tie for 72^nd, making the top 40 for tomorrow’s final round doesn’t look likely for the youngster.

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David Williams’s Welsh Boxing Blog – No. 3

MERTHYR Tydfil middleweight Kerry Hope has landed a surprise title shot at unbeaten European champion Grzegorz Proksa in Sheffield on March 17.

Hope faces the Pole on the same bill as the all-British showdown between Matthew Hatton and Kell Brook at the city’s Motorpoint Arena.

In his last outing, Hope won a British title eliminator against Tony Hill and was due to fight Gary Cooper for the vacant Welsh middleweight crown in Cardiff on March 2, but that has had to be shelved.

The Merthyr man has been given the chance to topple the 27-year-old champion despite being ranked just inside the top 20 by the European Boxing Union.

And he will be a big underdog for the encounter with the Surrey-based champion, who has stopped 19 of his 26 opponents inside the distance, including the last 11 in a row.

Hope has won his last four on points and overall has three defeats from 19 since making his debut seven years ago. And he wants to prove the doubters wrong this time.

“It did come as a bit of a surprise when I heard I’d got this fight,” he said. “I know a lot of people will criticise me for being given it but the likes of Darren Barker, Matthew Macklin and Martin Murray didn’t want it.

“They probably think they can get bigger fights and go for world titles but I’m the one going into the lion’s den next month.

“I’m not going to read anything about me in the build-up to the fight because I know people won’t give me a chance but it’s an opportunity I’ve got to grab with both hands.

“Proksa’s a come-forward fighter and a bit of a bully. He just wants to blow people away and that’s what he’ll want to do to me so I’ve got to be ready.”

The clash will undoubtedly be the biggest of Hope’s career and even though others may feel Proksa should be defending his title against a higher-ranked opponent, it’s just reward for some lean times as far as the 30-year-old Welshman is concerned.

Hope split from trainer Enzo Calzaghe after losing out on the vacant Welsh light-middleweight belt to Taz Jones in February 2009 and has only fought six times in the three years since.

While at the Newbridge gym Hope suffered a number of setbacks, including the cancellation of a dream appearance at Madison Square Gardens on the undercard of Joe Calzaghe’s showdown with Roy Jones Jr.

But after a stint in the USA, Hope teamed up with new trainer Karl Ince in Bolton and the partnership now seems to be bearing fruit.

“Something like this fight against Proksa shows that good things can happen to good people and I’m hoping I can repay the faith my supporters have shown me over the years,” added Hope.

Tickets priced at £30 are still available for the Sheffield show on March 17, contact Kerry on 07872 480007 for details.

In other boxing news, Enzo Maccarinelli, who made his comeback at light-heavyweight in November, challenges Shane McPhilbin for the British cruiserweight title in Wolverhampton on March 23.

McPhilbin only won the crown last month in what was just his 10^th fight as a pro, clinching the strap with a last-round stoppage of Leon Williams, while Maccarinelli beat Hungarian Gyorgi Marosi in the autumn after more than a year out of the sport.

Meanwhile, Maesteg’s former European lightweight king Jason Cook is set to meet John Watson in an eight-rounder at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on May 14.

Since losing to British light-welterweight champion Ashley Theophane last summer, veteran Cook has beaten Hungarian Laszlo Szekeres and believes he has the advantage in power over Scouser Watson.

“John is a class operator who I think was weight-drained in his two British title losses,” he said. “I thought he looked great in his first fight in Prizefighter and showed some real power in there.

“As for his semi-final loss, Adil Anwar can make anyone look bad, especially over three rounds so I don’t look into that too much really.

“I think I’m the bigger puncher, my record speaks for itself. People think I’m just a puncher but I showed I can box when I fought (Lenny) Daws and Theophane.

“Having said that, I really believe one of us will get stopped in this fight, and I really don't think it will be me. Stoppage or not, I’m confident. He can box and fight, but I think he’s going to feel the pressure at home on a massive show.

“I want that last British title shot. I want it this year, and if the only way for me to get a crack is to beat good names and good fighters like John then line them up and I’ll take them out. Mark my words; I’m going to be British champion this year.”

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Pooler to visit Blaenavon for fundraiser

DIVISION Four East Blaenavon may be firmly in the hunt for promotion this season but two of their biggest forthcoming fixtures aren’t in league or cup competition.

On February 23 the Torfaen club hosts a special benefit match against Pontypool in aid of Owen Mayers who broke his neck playing for Blaenavon.

Local boy Owen sustained the shocking injury during his side’s 13-7 defeat at Abercarn last November.

The fundraiser will kick-off at 7pm and Blaenavon are eager for a big crowd to turnout and show their support.

Then, on March 6, Blaenavon welcome touring Argentinean team Club Champagnat from Buenos Aires for another 7pm kick-off.

The visiting club was founded on by the Colegio Champagnat school in 1956, though it had already participated junior tournaments organized by Argentina’s rugby union two years earlier.

Due to a restructure of the leagues, Champagnat started the 1971 season in the first division of the domestic Argentinean set-up, but the club was relegated in 1981. They were promoted again in 1983 before dropping back down the following year.

In 1993 the team won the second division again and since then have never left the top tier.

LLANHARAN back row Scott Malone will be out of action for a few weeks after sustaining a broken hand against Bridgend Athletic last Saturday.

And, due to a shortage of front and back row players, there is no first-team rugby for the Dairymen this weekend.

FORMER Treorchy and Glamorgan Wanderers forward Kieron Jenkins reached a milestone while playing for Bedwas against Pontypridd in the Premiership last Saturday.

The 24-year-old Rhondda-born prop, who represented Wales at under-19 and 20 levels, made his 100^th appearance for the Bridge Field club in his side’s 25-15 defeat.

“Kieron has given the club outstanding service on and off the field for the past four years,” said Bedwas chairman Mark Lewis. “He has a great attitude and always gives 100%.”

HAVERFORDWEST club members have been paying tribute to two former Blues stalwarts whose funerals took place recently.

Brian Stephens was a pillar of the club, serving as honorary life president with distinction, as well as being a first-class international referee.

Dan Collins was a valued Blues player in his time and also served his country in the Welsh Guards.

DUNVANT will hold a special general meeting involving full and life members at its clubhouse on March 21 (7.30pm).

The management committee has called members to the meeting to approve proposed changes to the club’s constitution to allow Dunvant to achieve Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) status.

The CASC scheme recognises the important role played by local sports clubs and distinguishes between them and businesses for rates and tax purposes, ensuring money is kept in sports clubs.

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Vickery shares early lead in Portugal

NEWPORT’S Joe Vickery made a superb start to his Portuguese Amateur Championship campaign and has a share of the lead after the first round.

His four-under-par 68 was matched by three other men, including England’s Curtis Griffiths, while Pennard’s James Frazer was the next best Welshman at Montado Golf Club with a level par 72.

St Pierre’s Richard Bentham was a shot further back with David Boote struggling on +6, a full 10 shots off the lead after the opening 18 holes.

It couldn’t have gone a lot better for Vickery although his tournament got off to an inauspicious start when he dropped a shot at the par-four 359-yard first.

However, that was quickly forgotten as Vickery birdied the second and third holes before picking up shots at the sixth, seventh and ninth for a superb 32 on the front nine.

The back nine didn’t prove as fruitful, with a bogey on the 14^th followed by a birdie on the par-five 15^th, but all in all it was a very satisfying day for Vickery.

Frazer blew hot and cold in his opening round with five birdies countered by the same number of dropped shots though he did consolidate with pars on the last five holes to give him a share of 20^th place.

As for Bentham, his was very much a round of two halves with 32 strokes going out followed by 41 coming home for a 73.

He raced to -3 after just two holes before birdieing the short eighth, but after that it was a question of damage limitation as Bentham dropped five shots on the final seven holes.

Current Welsh boys’ champion Boote, based at Walton Heath in Surrey, didn’t have the best of days.

The youngster’s wayward hitting cost him with four bogeys and two double bogeys blighting his round with only two birdies in return.

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Georgians set to make historic visit

THE WRU has shown its commitment to rugby below regional level by announcing two “landmark” fixtures against one of the emerging powerhouses in the European game.

On March 27 the Brewery Field in Bridgend will be the venue for a match between a Principality Premiership XV and a Georgia international team.

Four days later, the Georgians travel to North Wales to play RGC 1404 at Colwyn Bay’s Eirias Park.

The Bridgend clash will be the first major game for a representative team selected from the semi-professional division of rugby in Wales.

Aberavon’s Simon King has been named as the head coach of the Premiership XV with Lyndon Lewis from Llandovery and Greg Woods of Cross Keys taking charge of the backs and forwards respectively.

The RGC 1404 team will be coached by the former Wales tight-head prop Chris Horsman with assistant coaches to be appointed from within North Wales.

The Premiership is a WRU priority at present with plans in place to reform the league, reducing it from 14 to 12 clubs. The division has been heralded by the WRU as a key building block which supports the elite game in Wales.

Meanwhile, Georgian rugby has come of age in recent years with the national team making a big impact at last autumn’s World Cup where they impressed with their physical approach.

They recorded a pool win over Romania and pushed Scotland close with many of their top players now plying their trade in France.

“I am delighted we have been able to secure these landmark fixtures against such strong opposition,” said WRU Head of Rugby Joe Lydon. “The Principality Premiership is a vital part of the game in Wales and we want to celebrate its significance and success.

“We know the coaches will be able to select a talented and determined team capable of putting on a strong performance against excellent opposition.

“The coaches are all of proven ability so we are confident the team will be ready to give of their best on the night.

“This will be an opportunity for supporters from all the Premiership teams to come together with one voice to show just what this division means to them.

“The North Wales fixture is yet another example of how the WRU is determined to put rugby in that region on the map.

“This is a statement of our intent to recognise the support for the game in the north and engender even more enthusiasm and support for RGC 1404.”

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Holley, Johnson out at Ospreys, Tandy in

IT’S been a case of two out and one in at the Liberty Stadium on one of the most eventful days in the Ospreys’ short history.

The Welsh region confirmed today that head coach Sean Holley has left by “mutual agreement” and director of rugby Scott Johnson has brought forward his departure.

Moving the other way is former player and until now head coach at Bridgend, Steve Tandy, who takes over the reins from the outgoing Holley.

Tandy, 32, will be assisted by current forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys with their first game in charge together this Friday at home against Aironi in the RaboDirect Pro12.

The changes came around 24 hours after it was revealed Holley, who had been with the Ospreys for nine years, was on his way out.

New head coach Tandy has also been a part of the Ospreys set-up since the inception of regional rugby in 2003, making the first of his 102 appearances against Leinster at Donnybrook. His last was against Edinburgh in March 2010.

The former back-rower began his coaching career with the Ospreys age-grade teams and he led the under-16s to the WRU Regional Age Grade Championship before joining Bridgend, who he took back into the Premiership last season.

“This is an excellent opportunity for me and I’m really excited about the challenges ahead,” he said. “Clearly there’s an air of expectation on whoever is in charge at the Ospreys, but having been here since the very beginning I know what to expect.

“I enjoyed taking charge of the team during the LV= Cup and I’m confident in my ability to be able to make a success of this opportunity. It’s a tough job, but I share the Ospreys ambitions and want to be able to play my part in us achieving those ambitions.

“Initially, my focus will be on attempting to finish this season on a high. We are in a good position in the PRO12 with eight games to go, and the target is for us to achieve a home semi-final.

“We want to maintain both our position as the leading Welsh region and our proud record in the competition, which I was fortunate enough to win three times as a player. I know I’ve got the support of the players, staff and directors at the Ospreys and hope that the fans will also be behind me, starting on Friday night.”

The Ospreys praised Holley for his contribution to the region but managing director Mike Cuddy added it was time to “freshen things up”.

He said: “Sean is in agreement with us that in order to move forward professionally, he too is now in a position where he needs a new challenge.

“And by moving on with immediate effect, it allows both him and the Ospreys to draw a clear line under the past and move forward with a fresh impetus.”

The region’s failure to go beyond the last eight of the Heineken Cup has come under much scrutiny in recent years, as has the resulting departures of Welsh internationals James Hook, Mike Phillips and Lee Byrne.

Holley now wants to recharge his batteries before thinking about finding a new job. In a statement, the 41-year-old said: “It’s going to be a very different way of life and a difficult one at first. I guess I’ve become part of the furniture.

“However that has also become part of the issue and I’ve done a lot of on field coaching as well as off-field work during this job. I have a young family to consider so it’s time I took a bit of a break from it and recharge myself.”

As part of the Ospreys coaching set-up, Holley and Johnson led the club to the inaugural Magners League play-off final in 2010 where they beat Leinster in Dublin.

As for Johnson, he will prepare to join Scotland as Andy Robinson’s assistant, a role he was originally expected to take up at the end of the current season.

“After extensive discussions, Scott has offered to step down from his post now rather than at the end of the season, and we have agreed to release him from the remaining terms of his contract,” said Ospreys chief operating officer Andrew Hore.

“It was a gesture that he has made for the good of the Ospreys business and is typical of the way he has continuously put the region first during his three years as director of coaching.”

Following Tandy’s appointment, Bridgend flanker Ben Rose will step up as the club’s interim head coach until the end of the season, assisted by backs coach Craig Warlow and forwards coach Richard Lancaster.

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Welsh trio make provisional Trophy squad

REIGNING Welsh Amateur champion Jason Shufflebotham and Walker Cup sensation Rhys Pugh feature in Great Britain & Ireland’s preliminary 12-man squad for this year’s St Andrews Trophy.

Shufflebotham and Pugh are joined in the provisional squad, which will be cut to nine by the time the tournament starts, by Truro-based Welsh international Rhys Enoch.

GB & Ireland, led by Walker Cup-winning captain Nigel Edwards, take on Europe at Portmarnock in the Republic of Ireland over two days on August 31 and September 1.

Edwards and his fellow selectors have picked a largely new look squad for the match with Pugh and Irishman Alan Dunbar the only to have previous Walker Cup experience.

Shufflebotham’s inclusion is reward for his form on the US college scene where he plays while studying at the University of Alabama.

The GB & Ireland group features others that have enjoyed success across the globe, including Neil Raymond, winner of the recent New South Wales Medal, and Paul Shields, who shot a 61 at the Gauteng North Open in South Africa.

The dozen-strong squad will meet for the first time at Portmarnock from July 4-6 in a match play team environment consisting of two series of foursomes and singles matches.

However, just because a player hasn’t been selected in the initial squad it doesn’t mean they won’t feature at Portmarnock as selectors take into account performances throughout the year.

And Edwards, back to lead a St Andrews Trophy side for a second time, is delighted with the talent at his disposal.

“We have based our preliminary selection on performances throughout 2011 and will look to add to this squad following the Amateur Championship at Royal Troon in June,” said the Welshman, who played on winning teams in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

“A number of players have started the season well in Australia, South Africa and on the US college circuit.

“My message to the squad, and those players who narrowly missed out, is to keep playing well through the spring and summer and prove that you should be in the final nine.”

GB&I Squad

Alan Dunbar - Rathmore

Rhys Enoch - Truro

Ben Loughrey - Wrag Barn

Dermot McElroy - Ballymena

Kevin Phelan - Waterford Castle

Garrick Porteous - Bamburgh Castle

Rhys Pugh - Vale of Glamorgan

Neil Raymond - Corhampton

Paul Shields - Kirkhill

Jason Shufflebotham - Prestatyn

Ben Taylor - Walton Heath

James White - Lundin

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