Ponty and Llanelli primed for round three in title clash saga

This Saturday will see Pontypridd and Llanelli clash horns for the third time in as many years in a tantalising fight for the Premiership crown.

Sardis Road plays host to the Principality Premiership Championship Play-off final after the Valley Commandos finished the regular season 23 points ahead of second-placed Llandovery. Yet this match will be no easy task, with both sides having won one of the last two clashes apiece.

The hosts go in to the crunch encounter on the verge of history as they are looking to secure a first league and Cup double having shown great work ethic and spirit to stage a comeback and beat Neath 34-13 in the WRU ‘Finals Day’ at the Millennium Stadium on May 4.

Their coach Dale McIntosh has called on his players not to overcomplicate things as they chase a historic moment. He said: “We need to concentrate on getting the little things right during the course of the game: to be tight in defence; to give ourselves a solid set piece platform; to work through the phases and carry the ball hard; to put players into space.

“We can put a strong 23-man squad into action on Saturday night and we are capable of playing expansive rugby to win the game. It will be one hell of a battle as Llanelli themselves are hitting form and have some dangerous strike players with an abundance of pace and creativity.”

They will agree. They came through a tough semi-final at Llandovery on the weekend 29-20, with Jordan Williams starring throughout with a try, three conversions and a penalty. They also ran in four touchdowns through as many scorers, so they will believe they have the firepower throughout to trouble Ponty.

Head coach Kevin George believes getting this far has matched their objectives over the season. He said: “Our objectives for the year were to get through in the British and Irish Cup, which we did, and then return to the league.

“We’ve had our limitations. We had a lot of boys in the Wales U20s, and with so many Scarlets players called up to the Wales squad they soaked a lot of our players up. So we had a mid-season dip, which we understand, and then came back strong.

“We’re building up nicely after the last couple of performances, but we’ve got to be clinical and a lot sharper then we were against Llandovery. We’ve got to match their passion and physicality, stay with them and then try and get ahead in the second half.

“We’ve got to equal the crowd, the Sardis Road effect and everything else. We have to be good at the basics and see what develops, but we’ve done it before.”

Ponty will start as favourites having won the three clashes between the sides – both in the league and also in the Swalec Cup on route to the final – with an aggregate score of 72-48. But this is a one-off affair, and Llanelli’s 24-18 triumph in 2011 shows that over 80 minutes nothing is certain.

Saturday’s game, live on S4C, sees the West Wales side going for their fifth title. Ponty will be hoping to capture their third, having beaten Llanelli 15-13 last year to gain revenge for the 2011 reverse.

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TNS all but secure WPL title in weather-hit weekend

The New Saints put themselves just three points away from a seventh Welsh Premier League title with a 3-0 victory at Port Talbot Town on Sunday (March 24).

Inclement weather meant that it was one of only two fixtures to take place over the weekend, and if TNS now defeat Carmarthen at Park Hall on Saturday (March 30) the league title will be theirs. They can afford to lose, for if Airbus UK fail to win their encounter with Prestatyn on Friday (March 29), then the title will already be on its way to Oswestry before they kick off.

Mike Wilde, Aeron Edwards and Jamie Mullan were the Saints’ scorers at the Gen Quip Stadium, as the Steelmen ended the match with 10 men following Lee Surman’s red card.

The home side started the brighter and Martin Rose and Surman both tested visiting ‘keeper Craig Harrison.

Yet Surman’s miserable afternoon began when he, along with Martin Rose, hesitated to allow Alex Darlington’s pass to reach Wilde, who headed home.

Harrison then spilt a David Brookes effort for a corner, from which Carl Payne hit the woodwork.

But Port Talbot’s resurgence was thwarted when Edwards doubled the lead on 28 minutes.

Scott Young’s side again started the second half in the ascendency, and they had a strong penalty shout turned down for handball.

But Talbot again self-destructed and Ashley Evans’ weak back-pass allowed Mullan to kill the game off before Surman’s match ended early with a straight red card.

On Saturday, Llanelli ignored their returning off-field problems to win a crucial relegation six-pointer at Afan Lido 3-1, despite playing more than an hour with 10 men.

The West Walians must again appear before a High Court Judge today (March 25) after having their fourth winding up order of the season served against them last week.

The local council also repossessed their Stebonheath Park ground’s social club, but the players produced one of their best performances of the season amid the turmoil.

Goals from Craig Moses, Jordan Smith and Jack McKenna all but sealed the hosts’ relegation from the Welsh Premier League, but they fought their own corner well in an entertaining encounter.

A quiet opening period was played out on a boggy pitch, but the game came to life on the quarter hour. A Craig Williams corner for the visitors was flicked on and Moses ran in at the back post ahead of a defender to stab home.

Moses then nodded tamely wide from an Adam Davies cross as Llanelli began to take control.

But towards the half-hour mark the home side enjoyed a period of pressure. First, Simon Prangley fired wide from eight yards when a corner was nodded down in to his path, Luke Borrelli then fired right across goal from a deep Chris Hartland cross, and Hartland saw a shot deflected wide.

Morris was very harshly given his marching orders on 28 minutes after catching Borrelli, and Lido missed further first-half chances through Anthony Rawlings and then Chris Phillips, who clipped the ball the wrong side of the post after the ball ran kindly for him off a defender’s legs.

Llanelli started well in the second period and, after 53 minutes McKenna sent Smith through on the left. He swung the ball in to the six yard box where Alex Evans stooped unmarked and somehow nodded it wide with a poor connection – an outstanding contender for miss of the season.

Llanelli never looked like ruing that miss, continually throwing themselves in the way of shots, passes and crosses in a dogged determination to protect their lead.

They doubled it on 66 minutes, Smith curling a free-kick over the wall and down in to the bottom right corner. Lido ‘keeper Kristian Rogers was very slow in getting down to it and will undoubtedly be disappointed not to have kept it out.

With the visitors looking like they might hold out they conceded in to injury time. The defence failed to deal with a long ball and a poor backwards header was pounced upon by Hartland, who cut in to the box and fired home.

But instead of piling on the pressure looking for an equaliser, Lido conceded again. Man of the match McKenna countered down the left and, unhindered, cut inside just as Hartland had moments earlier and fired home to seal a magnificent, and possibly last ever, victory for the Reds.

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Llanelli AFC strengthen further

Welsh Premier League side Llanelli AFC have strengthened their squad with a further three signings, taking the total number of inbound transfers to eight for the current window.

Port Talbot Town midfielder Dylan Blain and striker Jeff White, as well as former Cardiff and Swansea youth product Jordan Smith, have signed on the dotted line to continue what has been a busy month for Llanelli manager Bob Jeffrey.

White will help to fill the void left by the departed Martin Rose, who moved in the other direction this month, and Luke Bowen, who moved to Port Melbourne Sharks.

The former Bridgend Street and Rhoose FC front man has made 20 appearances in his debut Welsh Premier League season for Port Talbot, netting seven times in the process.

Blain is far more experienced at this level, having played more than 330 games for Port Talbot, Haverfordwest and Newtown during his career. His experience will be invaluable as Jeffrey builds a largely new team at Stebonheath Park.

Speaking of Blain’s move, Port Talbot FC said: “Dylan told the club that Port Talbot were by far the best club he has played for, and that he was sad to be leaving, although he desperately wanted to play regularly.

“He added that his favourite memory at the club was beating Swansea City in the FAW Premier Cup.”

Port Talbot also signed three players from Llanelli, with Lee Surman, Martin Rose and Ashley Evans moving to the GenQuip Stadium; Surman and Rose starting their second spells with the club.

Port Talbot winger Nicky Holland also recently made the switch to Llanelli as the players continue to trade personnel.

Smith is a talented midfield player who impressed with Swansea’s reserve side while at the Liberty Stadium. He signs for the Reds from Haverfordwest County and operates in the centre of midfield.

Additionally to all this, Llanelli have announced that winger Geoff Kellaway is leaving the club, having only joined last summer, for local rivals Carmarthen Town.

Kellaway has made 22 appearances this term, scoring twice, as injuries hampered his settling in. Despite this, he was becoming a favourite with Reds fans, who will be sorry to see him go.

A club statement said: “The club would like to wish Geoff the very best of success in the future and thank him for his efforts this season.”

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Holley lands at the Scarlets

Former Ospreys boss Sean Holley has landed a coaching role with the Llanelli Scarlets while attack coach Mark Jones works with the Welsh side during the forthcoming defence of their Grand Slam crown.

Having left the Ospreys almost a year ago, Holley has been working for the media and as a coaching consultant, and he recently revealed he’d turned down a job offer from Connacht.

Holley told the Scarlets website of the move: “It’s a close-knit group at Parc Y Scarlets. As a team, the Scarlets are destined to achieve success with the number of exciting players they have with real talent and passion for the shirt they wear.

“It will be a great environment to experience with an excellent stadium and rugby facilities, and I hope to add real value to the drive and ambition at Parc y Scarlets for the time I am here.”

Holley had been with the Ospreys in various roles since their inception in 2003, making the 42-year-old the longest-serving Welsh regional coach ever. He oversaw a total of four Magners league titles and four heartbreaking Heineken Cup quarter-final losses.

Scarlets boss Simon Easterby believes this experience will be a great boost for Llanelli over the coming months.

He said: “To have a coach of Sean’s experience, expertise and technical ability at a key time for us is vital as Mark goes away on Wales duty.

“We are fortunate... to have secured the services of someone of Sean’s capability. He will also bring a fresh new perspective to our team environment, which will be healthy for our coaching group and our squad of players.

“We look forward to his input; he will challenge and support our players, which will add to the energy in our group, and I know he will put his all into this role with us. With the level of experience and professionalism Sean has, he will hit the ground running with the knowledge he has of our region, players and the game in Wales.”

Holley will link up with his new employers next week as a backs and skills coach, with the initial response from Scarlets fans a positive one.

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Llanelli AFC face third winding up petition

Following on from announcing a new chairman earlier today, it has emerged that Llanelli AFC are to face a third winding-up petition later this month over overdue taxes.

The court date is set for January 28, with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs chasing up money owed to them for the third time this season after former chairman Nitin Parekh settled previous petitions in August and November 2012.

At present, Llanelli are unwilling to make an official statement on the current petition, but said that they will do so in due course.

The club’s turmoil this season has also seen them struggle to pay rent on their Stebonheath Park ground and the social club, as well as players and staff going without pay.

Players Corey Jenkins and Chris Thomas have already left for pastures new this month, with manager Bob Jeffrey expecting further departures to relieve the financial burden on the club.

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Llanelli AFC appoint new chairman

Troubled Welsh Premier League outfit Llanelli AFC have announced that local businessman Ken Francis is taking over as chairman.

In a statement on the club’s website, it is said Nitin Parekh, who has been at the helm since 2005, is stepping aside due to work and family commitments.

Mr Francis believes his business experience can help the club, saying: “I feel privileged to be in a position to take this opportunity of becoming chairman of Llanelli Football Club.

“I have had an interest in the Reds in some capacity for over 30 years, including a spell as president of the club when the late John James was chairman.

“I have been in the licensed trade for over 40 years and will be looking at incorporating my knowledge and experience to the benefit of the football club. My sincere gratitude goes to Nitin for making his tenure as chairman the most successful period in the clubs long and distinguished history.”

Mr Parekh believes that despite the current financial problems, the club will be in good hands. He said: “It has always been the club’s policy to put the club back into the community, and Ken is very closely associated with both the club and the town.

“I have had a terrific time with the club and am extremely proud of what the club has achieved. We are now laying the foundations for the next stage of the club’s progress.”

First team manager Bob Jeffrey believes that the club’s on-the-field success will be Mr Parekh’s legacy, saying: “The Welsh Premier League title, the League Cup, the Welsh Cup and seven European campaigns speak for themselves.

“What Nitin has achieved in his seven-and-a-half years as chairman is a remarkable story. I am looking forward to working under Ken as we look to move the club forward and onto further success.”

Llanelli survived being wound up last November after a High Court Judge dismissed the case brought against them at the request of lawyers for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Former Cardiff and Swansea star Andy Legg quit as manager the same month, stating he felt “let down” by Mr Parekh, as the club’s money struggles rumbled on.

The club have announced that a press conference to officially unveil Mr Francis will be held before their next home game, which will be determined after the mid-season split once the Reds have played away at Afan Lido this Saturday.

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