Welsh Football Stars Take Center Stage: Premier League Survival, Playoffs, And Personal Milestones
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Welsh footballers and managers find themselves in pivotal positions as the weekend approaches, with a mix of high-stakes battles and personal milestones.
In the Premier League, Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson and manager Steve Cooper will be sweating on their clash against Arsenal, desperately seeking to inch closer to securing their Premier League survival.
Holding a slender three-point lead over the relegation zone, Forest knows that every moment counts in their quest to retain their top-flight status.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth, with their impressive tally of 39 points, have practically secured their survival. Wales internationals Kieffer Moore and Chris Mepham will be eager to showcase their skills as the Cherries take on Manchester United.
The duo has been integral to Bournemouth’s commendable season, and they will be determined to cap it off with another strong performance and push their claims for international selection ahead of June’s fixtures against Armenia and Turkey.
For Dan James and Harry Wilson, it’s a matter of securing Fulham’s place in the top half of the Premier League. Having gained promotion from the Championship last year, this has been a significant achievement for Marco Silva’s side.
The dynamic Welsh duo will look to contribute their attacking prowess and help Fulham finish the season on a high note.
In League Two, former Wales manager Mark Hughes is relishing the challenge as his Bradford City side prepares for the Sky Bet League Two play-off semi-final second leg against Carlisle.
Holding a crucial 1-0 lead from the first leg, Bradford is oozing with confidence and feeling little pressure. Hughes, with his wealth of experience, knows that this playoff campaign presents an opportunity to help Bradford take a step towards League One.
As the Welsh football fraternity gears up for an eventful weekend, each individual will be driven by their unique motivations. Whether it’s battling for survival, striving for personal milestones, or making a mark in the playoffs.
Wales Under 17’s
Wales’ debut in the Under-17s European Championship didn’t go as planned as they suffered a tough defeat against hosts Hungary. Despite entering the tournament as the only unbeaten team in qualification, it was a chastening opening fixture to the tournament, losing 3-0 against an impressive Hungary side.
Early on, Wales created several scoring opportunities. However, their failure to convert these chances came back to haunt them. Just before halftime, against the run of play, Benedek Simon found the net, giving Hungary the lead. As the game reached its closing stages, Szilard Szabo and Adam Umathum added to Wales’ misery, resulting in a harsh scoreline.
This tournament marks Wales’ return to a UEFA men’s intermediate competition after 42 years, with their last appearance dating back to 1981.
Their upcoming matches present further challenges, as they face the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, May 20, followed by a clash against Poland on Tuesday, May 23.
It’s a crucial moment for the Welsh side, as they seek to bounce back and make their mark in this highly competitive championship.
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Ashes-Like Battle Brewing: Glamorgan Face Sussex In LV Championship
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
In a captivating clash that could rival the intensity of an Ashes encounter, all eyes are fixed on the LV Championship showdown between Sussex and Glamorgan at the picturesque Hove. This enticing battle is set to showcase an array of cricketing talents from across the globe.
The Glamorgan camp boasts the formidable presence of Australian internationals Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser, providing a strong backbone to their line-up.
On the other side, Sussex’s international contingent is led by the enigmatic Steve Smith, the crafty Englishman Ollie Robinson, and the experienced Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara. The stage is perfectly set for a high-profile clash of titans.
Glamorgan faced a challenging start to the game and now face an uphill task in overturning a first-innings deficit as the match progresses into the weekend.
In the first innings the Welsh county lost the early wickets of Eddie Byrom, Labuschagne, and Sam Northeast, leaving them reeling at 31-3.
As the wickets continued to tumble, they found themselves in dire straits at 69-7 after Michael Neser fell victim to Robinson’s impressive bowling display.
Nevertheless, James Harris displayed a fighting spirit with his top-scoring knock of 28, providing a glimmer of hope in an otherwise arduous batting performance.
Sussex’s batting response began with a flourish as Tom Haynes showcased his skills with elegant strokes through the off-side.
Michael Neser did provide Glamorgan with some impetus when he returned to dismiss Tom Alsop and Cheteshwar Pujara. Steve Smith, the former Australian captain, entered the fray and immediately made his presence felt.
Having reached Glamorgan’s first innings total, Smith and the Sussex batting order will now look to pile on the runs to take a convincing lead into the second innings of the match.
With the weekend on the horizon, Glamorgan find themselves on the back foot, aiming to bridge the gap and overturn Sussex’s first-innings lead. The team’s resolve will be tested as they seek to steal something from the game.
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Geraint Thomas Takes Control Of Giro d'Italia As Evenepoel Withdraws
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Geraint Thomas has taken control of the Giro d’Italia following Remco Evenepoel’s unfortunate withdrawal from the race after testing positive for Covid-19.
Evenepoel, the 23-year-old world champion, had put in a sensational performance in the Stage 9 individual time trial on Sunday, beating Thomas by just one second to reclaim the pink jersey and build a commanding 45-second lead in the general classification.
However, his hopes of winning the race came crashing down when he tested positive for Covid-19, forcing him to withdraw from the Giro.
Evenepoel’s absence now blows the general classification wide open, with Thomas taking over the race lead and holding a narrow two-second advantage over Primoz Roglic. Thomas’ Ineos Grenadiers teammate Tao Geoghegan Hart is only three seconds further back in third.
Roglic is arguably the favourite for the overall win, given Evenepoel’s withdrawal and his strong performance in the race so far. The Slovenian was expected to go head-to-head with Evenepoel for the win, but his hopes were dashed in the 2022 Vuelta a Espana when a crash ended his chances of victory.
With 12 stages remaining, including five-star mountain stages and a gruelling Stage 20 time trial, this race has taken a major twist, and there could be more surprises in store in the coming days.
Thomas, who won the Tour de France in 2018, has a wealth of experience in these high-pressure situations, and his experience could prove vital as the race heads into its final stages.
Ineos Grenadiers, the team of Thomas and Geoghegan Hart, have looked strong in the race so far, and they will be hoping to continue their form as the race enters its toughest stages.
The team’s strength in depth means that they have a number of options when it comes to tactics and race strategy, and this could prove crucial in the final stages of the race.
Thomas holds a narrow two-second lead over Primoz Roglic. Thomas’ teammate Tao Geoghegan Hart is just a further three seconds back.
With Thomas, Roglic, and Geoghegan Hart all in contention for the win, there is still plenty of excitement to come in the remaining stages of the race.
The race will resume after a rest day on Monday, with the riders facing a challenging mountain stage on Tuesday. With the race in the balance, this could be a crucial day in determining the outcome of this year’s Giro d’Italia.
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Glamorgan's Comprehensive 10-Wicket Victory Sees Them Climb To Fourth In Table
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Glamorgan secured their first victory of their County Championship season in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 10-wicket win over Worcestershire at Sophia Gardens, in Division 2.
Glamorgan led by 149 after both teams’ first innings totals and after dismissing the hosts for just 227 in their second innings, the Welsh County required just 79 runs to win the match. It took them less than an hour on the third day to chase down the target and wrap up a comprehensive victory.
Glamorgan’s dominant victory over Worcestershire was set up by a strong first innings display, which saw them post a total of 258. Australian Marnus Labuschagne, who was playing his final game at Sophia Gardens this year, made a useful contribution of 42, while David Lloyd added 48.
One of the standout performers in Glamorgan’s first innings was Michael Neser, who produced a stunning knock of 86 to help his side to a significant first innings lead of 149.
Glamorgan’s bowlers then took control, with Tim van der Gugten leading the way with figures of 5-48 in Worcestershire’s second innings. This was van der Gugten’s third five-wicket haul of the season, highlighting his excellent form in the early stages of the campaign.
Opener Eddie Byrom led the way with a superb knock of 51, ably supported by David Lloyd, as the duo put on an unbroken partnership of 82 to seal the win.
Glamorgan’s success has earned them 20 valuable points, which sees them sitting in fourth place in the table and firmly in contention for a promotion spot.
It was a performance full of heart and character from the Welsh outfit, who bounced back from a slow start to the season with a clinical display of cricket that will give them great confidence looking forward to their crucial clash at Hove against Sussex.
Marnus Labuschagne will face his Australian teammate Steve Smith before they join up for Australia’s preparations for the Test Championship final at Lords and the Ashes series against England which starts June 16th.
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Haverfordwest County Triumph In Nail-Biting Europa Conference League Qualifier
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Haverfordwest County has booked a place in the first qualifying round of the 2023-2024 UEFA Europa Conference League after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out victory over Newtown.
The drama unfolded at Latham Park on Saturday, with a crowd of 1,862 – the largest attendance of the JD Cymru Premier season.
The victory marks Haverfordwest’s first foray into European competition since 2004 and adds to what has been an impressive season for the club.
The match went all the way to penalties with the sides being unable to be sepearted at 1-1 after extra time. It was Haverfordwest’s goalkeeper Zac Jones who emerged as the hero once again after saving Aaron Williams’ spot-kick.
This set the stage for Corey Shephard to score the decisive penalty, making it 4-3 to the Bluebirds at the end of a thrilling encounter at Latham Park.
Jones had been instrumental in getting his side to the final, producing a string of saves in the semi-final shoot-out against Cardiff Met to take Haverfordwest through.
Despite the heroics of Jones, it was Aaron Williams who levelled the scores in normal time after Jack Wilson had put Haverfordwest ahead early on.
The two sides could not be separated in extra time, setting the stage for a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out at Latham Park.
Corey Shephard held his nerve to score the decisive penalty and send the Bluebirds into raptures.
Manager Tony Pennock will be thrilled with his side’s never-say-die attitude, as they secured a memorable victory and book their place in the Europa Conference League.
Haverfordwest will now join fellow Welsh sides The New Saints, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Penybont in the European competition next season, as they look to make their mark on the continental stage.
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Dewi Cross Scores 20th Try Of The Season As Cardiff Cruise Into Final
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Cardiff and Llandovery will battle it out in next week’s Indigo Premiership final after both teams secured wins in their respective semi-finals over Newport and Merthyr respectively. The two sides took full advantage of their home ground to seal their places in the grand finale.
The Cardiff vs Newport game was an even contest up until the 36th minute, with both teams struggling to assert their dominance. However, two quick tries from Cameron Winnett put Cardiff in a commanding position.
Newport had their chances, but missed two penalties, while Cardiff continued to dominate, taking a comfortable 14-0 lead at half-time.
Newport came out fighting in the early stages of the second half, and Elliot Frewen scored their first try, converted by replacement outside-half Carwyn Penny.
Newport continued to push for another try but were held up by Cardiff’s defense. Dewi Cross then ran over for his 20th try of the season, extending Cardiff’s lead. They eventually won 21-7, with Harrison James adding another conversions.
Llandovery dominated the opening exchanges of their semi final clash against Merthyr in front of the S4C camera’s at the Church Bank , taking a 13-3 lead into half-time.
Merthyr, however, fought back and closed the gap to just three points with 15 minutes left on the clock. But the Drovers held their nerve to secure a 16-13 victory and book their spot in the final.
It promises to be a thrilling encounter next week when Cardiff and Llandovery go head-to-head for the Indigo Premiership title at Cardiff Arms Park.
Both teams will be looking to end the season on a high note and lift the trophy in what is sure to be an exciting and closely contested final.
Pontypool were crowned the WRU Championship champions this weekend, securing the league and cup double with a commanding 66-24 victory over Cardiff Met at Cyncoed.
The team had already secured promotion but were in need of a bonus point win to cement their title triumph, and they duly delivered with an emphatic ten-try display.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Bargoed temporarily moved into second place with a 54-21 win over Glamorgan Wanderers.
However, Neath are lurking just four points behind and have three games in hand on the Bulls as they look to secure the second promotion spot to the Indigo Premiership.
There were also wins for Ystrad Rhondda, who secured a 48-29 victory over Bedwas, and Maesteg Quins, who picked up a significant result with a 34-24 win over Cross Keys. Despite playing their fifth game in 15 days, Keys showed tremendous fighting spirit in defeat.
Finally, Narberth enjoyed a comfortable 38-3 win over bottom side Tata Steel, rounding off a successful weekend of action in the WRU Championship.
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Geraint Thomas Shows Champion's Spirit In Challenging Giro d'Italia Stages
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
Cycling
Geraint Thomas faces a gruelling weekend at the Giro d’Italia with stages 7, 8, and 9 taking place. The former Tour de France winner, hoping to win the Giro for the first time, currently sits 6th in the overall standings, just 1 minute and 26 seconds behind the current leader.
However, Thomas knows all too well the pain and misfortune that can befall a cyclist, particularly at the Giro d’Italia.
He has unfinished business in this particular Grand Tour after freak accidents in 2017 and 2020. But despite these setbacks, Thomas has remained focused and determined, showing the resilience that has made him a champion.
Stage 6 was a reminder that anything can happen in a Grand Tour. The experienced duo of Simon Clarke and Alessandro De Marchi looked to have the stage win in the bag, but they slowed dramatically after the flamme rouge, allowing the sprinters past in the final 200m.
Meanwhile, Thomas and GC rival Primoz Roglic suffered separate mechanicals, forcing them to fight back through the car convoy.
This weekend will test Thomas’s mettle, with the mountainous stages 8 and 9 likely to be decisive in the battle for the pink jersey. But the Welshman will be ready for the challenge, knowing that every second counts in a Grand Tour.
Can Thomas overcome his misfortune and finally win the Giro? It remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure – he won’t give up without a fight.
Cricket
Glamorgan Cricket got off to a great start on the first day of the Championship Division Two match against Worcestershire at Cardiff, putting the Welsh county in a great position ahead of this weekend’s action.
After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Glamorgan’s bowling attack quickly got to work, bowling out Worcestershire for just 109 runs.
James Harris and Michael Neser were the stars of the show, taking 4 wickets each. Despite the loss of Eddie Byrom early on Glamorgan started off their reply steadily with openers Marnus Labuschagne David Lloyd putting on a partnership of 81 runs.
Lloyd went on to score a well-made 48 while Labuschagne scored 42 to take the team to a respectable score of 177-6 at the end of the day’s play.
With a lead of 68 runs going into day 2, Glamorgan will look to consolidate their position and build a big total to put the pressure on Worcestershire.
Swimming
As the Citi Para Swimming World Series in Berlin kicks off, all eyes will be on the Welsh squad, who are set to make a splash in the competition. With a talented team comprising of Dylan Broom, Rhys Darbey, Ela Letton-Jones, Becky Lewis, Lily Rice, Saskia Webb, and Meghan Willis, Welsh hopes will be high going into this event.
One of the standout names in the Welsh team is Lily Rice, who will be hoping to build on her impressive performances in recent years.
The 23-year-old Paralympian has been a trailblazer in her sport, breaking numerous records along the way. She will undoubtedly be one to watch in Berlin, with her fierce determination and skill in the pool.
Joining Rice is a talented squad, from the experience of Becky Lewis to the rising stars of Saskia Webb and Meghan Willis, the Welsh squad is well-rounded and capable of taking on any challenge.
The Citi Para Swimming World Series is a major event on the international sporting calendar, and the Welsh squad will be looking to leave their mark on the competition.
They will be facing tough competition from some of the world’s top Para swimmers, but with their dedication and talent, they have every chance of success.
As the Welsh squad takes to the pool in Berlin over the next few days, they will be representing their country with pride and determination. With the world watching, all eyes will be on this talented team as they look to make their mark on the international stage.
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Race To The Finals: Indigo Premiership Semi-Finals Begin This Weekend
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
The Indigo Premiership play-off semi-finals are set to kick off this weekend, with four of the best teams from the Premiership in Wales vying for a spot in the final.
The curtain came down on the regular season last week, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the four teams set to battle it out in the Play-Offs.
This year’s top team, Cardiff, finished the regular season on a high with an emphatic 39-7 win against Merthyr, who finished in third place. Cardiff’s performance in that match was nothing short of dominant, and they’ll be looking to carry that momentum into their semi-final clash against fourth-place Newport.
Newport, on the other hand, pulled off a stunning upset, beating second-placed Llandovery 52-33 in a thrilling match.
Their confidence will no doubt be high going into this weekend’s fixture, and they’ll be hoping to replicate their performance against Cardiff to secure a spot in the final.
In the other semi-final, Llandovery will be hosting Merthyr, who are sure to be eager to make amends for their defeat to Cardiff in the final match of the regular season.
While they finished third, Merthyr will be no pushover for Llandovery, who finished the season in second place. This match promises to be a closely contested battle, with both teams knowing that a spot in the final is within reach.
Cardiff will undoubtedly go into their match as favourites, but Newport have already proven that they’re a team capable of causing an upset. The key for them will be to keep the pressure on Cardiff from the start and not let them settle into their rhythm.
On the other side of the draw, Llandovery will be hoping that their home advantage will give them the edge over Merthyr. They’ll be relying on their passionate home support to spur them on to victory.
This year’s Indigo Premiership play-off semi-finals are sure to be a feast of rugby action, with four of the best teams in Wales going head-to-head for a spot in the final.
Will Cardiff and Llandovery live up to their top-two billing and secure their spots in the final? Or will Newport and Merthyr pull off a shock and upset the odds? The only way to find out is to tune in and witness the action unfold.
As if this weekend’s Indigo Premiership play-off semi-finals weren’t enough excitement for rugby fans, there are several other fixtures to keep an eye on.
In the Championship, already promoted Pontypool will take on Cardiff Met RFC. Meanwhile, Bargoed will be looking to put pressure on Neath, who have a one-point lead over them with two games in hand, as they face Glamorgan Wanderers after slipping up last week against Ystrad Rhondda.
Additionally, Beddau will take on Trebanos, Bedwas host fourth placed Ystrad Rhondda, Maesteg Quins will battle Cross Keys, and Tata Steel face Narberth. With so much on the line in these crucial games, rugby fans across Wales will be eagerly anticipating another thrilling weekend of rugby action.
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Haverfordwest County And Newtown Go Head-To-Head For Europa Conference League Qualification
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
This weekend sees Newtown and Haverfordwest County battle it out in the JD Cymru Premier European play-off final.
The stakes are high, with the winner securing a place in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round. It’s an exciting prospect for both clubs, who have worked hard all season to earn this opportunity.
The match is set to kick off at 5:15 pm on Saturday, May 13th, and with free entry for all supporters, it’s sure to be a packed stadium. In fact, the clubs have already received over 1,500 ticket requests, which is a testament to the excitement surrounding this event.
Haverfordwest County comes into the final on the back of a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory over Cardiff Met in the semi-finals.
Goalkeeper Zac Jones was the hero of the hour, saving a penalty in the first 90 minutes before producing a fine save in extra time. He then went on to save two penalties in the shoot-out to see his team through to the final.
This performance will undoubtedly give his team a boost of confidence, knowing they have a reliable keeper to fall back on.
Newtown, on the other hand, reached the final with a comfortable 4-2 victory over Bala. They will be hoping to carry this momentum into the final and secure their spot in the Europa Conference League. With both teams evenly matched, it promises to be an exciting encounter.
For the neutral, it’s always difficult to predict which team will come out on top in a one-off match like this. However, both teams will be motivated by the chance to secure European football for next season, which should make for an entertaining spectacle.
As the countdown to kick-off begins, the excitement is palpable. Fans from both sides will be eagerly anticipating the match and hoping their team can come out on top. With so much at stake, we’re in for a thrilling match.
Will it be Haverfordwest County’s hero Zac Jones who shines once again, or will Newtown’s attacking prowess prove too much to handle? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – this is a match not to be missed.
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Alex Powell's Dreams Come True At The Dragons While France Seal Back-To-Back European Championships
Harry Corish - Sportin Journalist
France piled on the pressure in the final two quarters of the 2023 Wheelchair Rugby European Championship on Sunday to seal back-to-back European titles, beating Great Britain 55-49 in an exciting final showdown at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
By reaching the final of the eight-team tournament, Great Britain did manage to secure qualification for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games where they will defend their title from Tokyo 2020.
France qualified for Paris 2024 as the host nation, so the bronze medal match between Germany and Denmark held huge significance in determining who would get the final spot. It was Denmark who sealed Olympic qualification as they edged a 53-50 win in what was a tight encounter.
The Wheelchair Rugby Judgement Day also took centre stage on the weekend, with newly formed Cardiff Rugby taking on a Barbarians side before the Ospreys took on the Dragons in the Welsh capital.
It was the Dragons who prevailed in a topsy-turvy game of Wheelchair rugby against the Ospreys, winning 13-10 in a traditionally tight Welsh derby.
Judgement Day saw Chris Powell represent his region, the Dragons, for the first time at the Principality stadium, despite having only heard of Wheelchair Rugby a few short months ago.
Not only was Powell making his debut, but the 28-year-old gave a match-winning performance, scoring four tries and two assists to make it a dream day at the home of Welsh rugby.
Powell said, “It has been an incredible opportunity to play at the Principality Stadium.
“Just to be able to soak in the atmosphere, the stadium, the light, and everything has been incredible, a day that I will remember for a very long time.
“It’s hard to sum up the emotions really. It’s a privilege to be here and to lift the cup on such a momentous day.
“This is the stuff of dreams! To represent the badge, to represent the boys and to represent the region is a huge honour.”
Having been made disabled four years ago, Powell admits he was stuck at home looking for things to do at the time.
Powell, who had been involved in rugby for a number of years for Nelson and Dragons RFC academy alongside current Dragons’ centre Jack Dixon, had the opportunity to train with Dragons Wheelchair rugby and needless to say, he jumped at the chance.
Unbelievably, this was Powell’s first game for the Dragons Wheelchair rugby side, and he hopes this week’s European Championship and Judgement Day will serve to help more people come into the sport.
“To put it all out on the pitch and produce a performance like we did was so special. It was incredibly enjoyable out there. It will always be something that I will take with me.
“To say that I’ve scored a try at the Principality stadium is so special, it’s an absolute honour.
“It just goes to show that we need to be getting the sport out there for everyone to see and getting more people in chairs.
“I’m certain there are hundreds, if not thousands of people that could be pushing themselves, looking for a team, or playing sports but they don’t know where to start.
“You can watch sport on TV, but it’s not the same as being involved.
“I knew Julian Osborne, and he told me I should come and have a go, and that was it. They chucked me in a wheelchair, and I’ve not looked back.”
And as Powell’s weekend comes to a close and he gears up for the next match, it’s clear there are more blue skies ahead.