Welsh-based rivals reunite for Powerade challenge

Joe Ferguson believes he and Cennydd Mills will turn back the clock to their amateur days at next week’s Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship. Celtic Manor's Joe Ferguson Ferguson, based at the Celtic Manor Resort, has tipped Welshman Mills, of Tredegar Park Golf Club, to be among the pacesetters at the £32,500 final which is supported by FootJoy and will be staged at Coventry Golf Club from August 7-9. Former England amateur player...

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Versatile King unconcerned by number on his back

After joining the lengthy list of Welsh internationals to roll off the production line at the Ospreys’ Llandarcy HQ when he was capped on this summer’s visit to Japan, James King has described the experience as ‘a dream come true’.The Australian born forward arrived in Ospreylia via North Wales, where he cut his rugby teeth with Mold RFC, and Ellesmere College in Shropshire. Five years and 61 regional appearances after first reporting for duty at Llandarcy, he won his first two senior international caps last month, playing the full 80 minutes in...

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Neath go through tough pre-season training

Neath RFC stalwart Dai Langdon has said that pre-season training this year has been the toughest he’s ever experienced. The Blacks have been back in training since June and last Saturday saw a full day up in Dare Valley Country Park where the side were put through the wringer by a Royal Marines PTI instructor with two hours on intense fitness training as well as problem solving and other team building exercises. Popular 24-year old fly-half Langdon is about to start his fourth season with Neath and will look to add to his 200 plus goal tally...

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A Look Ahead-Principality Premiership 2013/14

Pontypridd will begin the defence of their Principality Premiership crown at home to Bedwas on September 14, as they look to build on their amazing Cup and League double success of last year. The Valley Commandos, who only lost once in the domestic league and cup competitions, are relishing the prospect of being the side everyone wants to beat and believes the Premiership will be even more competitive this season. “I think there are going to be even more teams in contention for the title this year. The WRU, the clubs and the players have all...

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The battle for the Victory Shield reaches its climax

Only four teams remain in the battle to be crowned 2013 Victory Shield Foursomes champions with the semifinals and final set for Monday July 29 at Asburnham. Newport are the only team left in the competition that have taken home the trophy before, last winning back in 1995. The three remaining clubs have never claimed the honours, although Haverfordwest came close five years ago when they lost out in the final to Celtic Manor. The Gwent side saw off Holywell in the quarter-finals at Wrexham and will now face Mountain Ash, with Newport likely...

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Scorpions skipper pleased that World Cup trophy is in Neath this Sunday

South Wales Scorpions skipper Joe Burke is delighted that sales for the World Cup match at Neath are going so well. The 23-year old prop, who has won three caps for Wales so far, will be hoping to make the side again for Wales v Cook Islands on Sunday 10 November in front of his home crowd, but for now will be content to pose with the World Cup trophy this Sunday when South Wales Scorpions take on Gateshead Thunder at The Gnoll (kick-off 1pm). “I was really pleased to hear that virtually all of the tickets in the Family Stand for Wales v...

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Bargoed finalise pre-season plans

Bargoed RFC have now finalised their pre-season games with friendlies scheduled against Newport, Cardiff and Bedwas, together with an internal trial match involving the 1st XV and development sides taking place on August 17. The Blues will also be taking part in the inaugural National Fosters 7s to be held on the 25th August at the Cardiff Arms Park along with other Premiership Clubs, and will continue to appear in the Aberaeron 7s in West Wales on the same day, hoping to replicate the club's recent success. Club Chairman...

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The Man who changed the face of Rugby

Biography of John Dawes and the legendary 1971 British Lions This latest addition to the rugby-lover’s library was mainly written immediately after the victorious British Lions’ return from their tour of New Zealand, where they accomplished something achieved neither before nor since, a series victory. Coinciding with the latest series win by the Lions, this time in Australia, author Ross Rayburn has brought it up to date with a postscript detailing the Dawes legacy. The claim made in the title is justified. Variously described as “a cutting-edge...

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Neath sign Scarlets back

Neath RFC have pulled off a coup for the 2013-14 season by signing Dale Ford from the Scarlets. The 21-year old, who can play at wing, centre or full-back, has made a number of Pro-12 and Cup appearances for the West Wales region after making his full debut for them two years ago. He has also turned out for their Academy side as well as the Scarlets’ primary feeder team in Llanelli RFC. His is also a Wales international at under 18 and 20 levels. Neath coach Neil Edwards said: “We’re delighted to have secured Dale’s services for...

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Newport and Airbus claim pre -season wins

Newport County extended their unbeaten run of pre-season friendlies as they powered to a convincing 3-0 win at Conference South outfit Havant and Waterlooville. Justin Edinburgh’s men were well on top from the start, but it was the Hawks that managed to work the first clear cut chance with Serge Makofo squandering a golden chance, missing an open goal when it was seemingly easier to score. Newport’s pressure eventually told just after the half hour mark, with Lee Minshull heading home from ten yards out, after a delicious David Pipe cross...

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South Wales Cricket Association Round Up

Pacemakers Neath maintained their formidable assault at the summit of Division One of the Thomas Carroll South Wales Cricket Association with a five wicket victory over relegation threatened Dafen.  Dafen won the toss and elected to bat but were skittled for just 135, as spinner Joe Parkhouse weaved his magic to claim 5-21, while Nathan Aubrey took 3-34. Matthew Evans was the pick with the willow for the hosts knocking a half century (54), with Chris Rowlands contributing a solid 31. Neath looked to be in trouble at one stage in reply...

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King claims South Wales crown

Newport’s Daniel King was crowned South Wales Boys Matchplay Champion, as he saw off fellow Gwent rising star Joshua Davies on the final green in the final.   The top 16 boys from the strokeplay event went through to the matchplay contest at Newport Links, which was contested over two days. King made light-work of the opposition in the early rounds, dispatching Cardiff’s Alex Matthews 4&2, Royal Porthcawl’s Daniel Pickering 3&2 and Wrexham’s Thomas Williams 4&3 before edging past Celtic Manor’s Davies by 1 hole. Davies, who...

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Neath aiming to be fittest side in the Premiership

Robin Sowden-Taylor, Neath RFC’s new strength and conditioning coach, believes that he can turn the Blacks into the fittest side in the Welsh Premiership before the season kicks off next month. The former Wales international has been hired by the Gnoll club to do just that and he believes that the programmes he’s put the Neath players through in pre-season will turn them into a force to be reckoned with and will give them a big boost when they eventually take to the field. “At the start we had a big squad – 40 odd players – and they varied...

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Andy Powell due to play for Scorpions on Sunday as they face Oldham challenge

South Wales Scorpions have confirmed that they have today signed the paperwork to bring Andy Powell to the Neath-based rugby league club on a dual registration basis. The agreement, signed in time for this Sunday’s match at Oldham Roughyeds (kick-off 3pm) enables him to turn out for the Scorpions for the remainder of the season, subject to availability from his club Wigan Warriors. Powell has played twice for Wigan this season, both times coming off the substitutes bench, but their coach Shaun Wane has said that he wants the 31-year old...

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Incredible six months still to sink in says Howells

After enjoying a meteoric rise from age-grade rugby with the Eyasses to senior international rugby in Japan in just six months, 18-year old winger Dafydd Howells has revealed that he is still pinching himself to ensure that it’s really happened.The Abercrave flier stepped up from the Ospreys U18s on Boxing Day to make his Principality Premiership bow for Neath in the derby clash with Aberavon while still only 17, following that up with his first taste of regional rugby in two LV= Cup clashes, against the Dragons and Harlequins just weeks later.Within...

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Welsh Rowers head to Lucerne

Welsh Rowers Chris Bartley and Victoria Thornley have been named as part of the GB Rowing Team for the third and final World Rowing Cup of the year in Lucerne but Wrexham’s Graeme Thomas has missed out because of injury. The regatta from July 12-14 will provide the squad with one of their final chances to test themselves against world-class opposition ahead of next month’s World Championships in South Korea. Wrexham-born Bartley will continue in the lightweight men’s four – the boat in which he won Olympic silver in London last year. The 29-year-old,...

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