'I've got to take my opportunities': Gerwyn Price on Premier League Darts play-offs
Rhodri Evans
Gerwyn Price says that he is confident that he can add the Premier League Darts title to his trophy cabinet on Thursday night.
Having placed fourth in the regular season of the Premier Darts, Price will face the runaway leader Luke Littler in the semi-final, with one of Luke Humphries or Nathan Aspinall awaiting the winner in the grand final.
Despite some inconsistent form, the 40-year-old Welshman has won three nights on the way to the final – the joint-second most in the competition this year.
Price, in typical fashion, is confident that he can add the Premier League trophy to his collection having missed out by losing the final in 2023.
“I was a bit gutted when I lost the final in 2023,” Price said, speaking exclusively to Sportin Wales.
“I played pretty decently for the whole 16 weeks of that tournament only to slip up in the final. But I have another opportunity now to go one step further.
“It would mean the world to me to get another big major in the trophy cabinet.”
If Price is to win a first Premier League title, he will have to get past the dominant force in this year’s competition and the reigning champion: Luke Littler.
The 18-year-old won six of the 18 nights and was the only player to average over 100 across the tournament.
“To be honest, I’m not too worried about what he’s going to do and what he’s going to bring,” Price admitted.
“I know that Luke is going to play really well in most areas. He scores well and takes his chances, but I just need to concentrate on my own game.
“I’ve got a good record against Luke, and I think he knows that. I don’t fear him, I’ll just go out and play the board.”
Price’s tournament has been marked by consistency. After two night wins in night three and six, he went five weeks with only two individual match wins, both coming in night nine as he lost the final to a struggling Stephen Bunting in Berlin.
For Price, though, he is pleased that he has been able to bounce back from the lows to achieve yet more highs.
“Obviously I’ve had good nights and then slipped up for a couple of weeks after, but being able to get back on the horse and playing well again has been good,” Price said.
“When I’ve lost, my head hasn’t dropped and I just kept myself focused and keeping my confidence going and rolling on to the next week.
“I’ve got through to the play-offs by the skin of my teeth but I want to show my best game.”
With darts’ relentless schedule, Price almost immediately goes from the Premier League to the World Cup of Darts where he is expected to reunite with Jonny Clayton – with whom he has won two World Cups representing Wales.
Clayton – his long time teammate and friend – has backed the man from Markham to take the trophy on Thursday night. But what would Price have said if his good friend had not tipped him for glory?
“I probably wouldn’t have said anything, I just would have backed myself and won and then said, ‘have a bit of that!'” Price joked.
“Jonny’s a great friend and when he was in the Premier League final [in 2021] and I was supporting him all the way.
“He went on and done it, and now he’s returning the favour. Hopefully I can go on and win as well.”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
QUICK LINKS
Inexperienced Wales U21 squad picked for Malaga trip
Rhodri Evans
Wales U21 head coach Matty Jones has picked an inexperienced squad for their trip to Malaga to play Norway U21, with 12 of the 21-strong group uncapped at U21 level.
Wales are due to play Norway in the afternoon of Friday 6th June, which will be the team’s final match before they kick off their 2027 UEFA U21 EURO
qualifying campaign later this year.
They begin that campaign at home to Denmark – the group’s top seeds – on September 8th.
With a new cycle set to begin, Jones has selected a number of inexperienced players.
Lewys Benjamin, Joel Cotterill, Cian Ashford, Kai Andrews, Sam Parker, Dylan Lawlor, Rhys Thomas and Luey Giles were all called up to Craig Bellamy’s senior training camp earlier this month and are selected by Jones.
Wales U21 squad:
Evan Watts (Swansea City), Lewys Benjamin (Wolves), Luke Armstrong (Cardiff City), Archie Harris (AFC Bournemouth), Luey Giles (Cardiff City), Zac Williams (Crewe Alexandra), Ben Hammond (Nottingham Forest), Thierry Katsukunya (Aston Villa), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City), Sam Parker (Swansea City), Alex Williams (West Bromwich Albion), Rhys Thomes (Manchester City), Joel Cotterill (Swansea City), Kai Andrews (Coventry City), Jonathan Bland (Barnsley), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Troy Perrett (Cardiff City), Cian Ashford (Cardiff City), Tanatswa Nyakuhwa (Cardiff City), Cameron Congreve (Swansea City), Chris Popov (Leicester City)
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
QUICK LINKS
Who will be the next Cardiff City manager?
Rhodri Evans
It is the question on the lips of all Cardiff fans: who will be their manager for their first League One campaign in over 20 years?
With reports out of the Cardiff City Stadium suggesting that the interview process for the next permanent Cardiff City manager has now concluded, it is expected that the club will announce who will be in the dugout next season imminently.
Who are in contention for the job? Let’s assess the runners and riders:
Des Buckingham
Buckingham is name that not a whole lot of Cardiff fans will immediately recognise, due to his lack of playing career and time spent coaching in English football, but a closer look at his CV reveals a modern coach with excellent experience.
The 40-year-old starting his coaching journey at the age of just 18 at hometown club Oxford United, before landing his first senior first team coaching role at Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand.
Buckingham then took roles in the youth international teams at New Zealand, before becoming a part of the highly regarded City Group coaching stable, initially as an assistant coach at Melbourne City and then head coach of Mumbai City.
In 2023, he returned to Oxford United as head coach, leading the club to promotion to the Championship in his first season. To the surprise of many, he was sacked in December 2024 after a middling start to this season.
Buckingham is a progressive coach and used to working with younger players, something that would fit in will with the current Cardiff squad.
Nathan Jones
Jones has had two high-profile managerial ‘failures’ that seem to have dented his reputation far more than his successes. His spells at Stoke City and Southampton were poor, but the work that he has done at Luton Town and more recently with Charlton Athletic have been excellent.
During a three year spell at Luton, Jones laid the foundations for the club’s remarkable raise from League Two to the Premier League, earning promotion from the former in 2018. He also earnt the EFL Championship manager of the season award for the 2021/22 season during his second spell at Kenilworth Road.
More recently, Jones took Charlton back into the Championship via the play-offs.
A Cardiff City fan and former academy player, Jones would be a popular appointment and his emotional reactions in the dugout will endear him to the fans. Whether the club can afford to buy him out of his contract at Charlton is a different matter.
Brian Barry-Murphy
The current bookies favourite, Barry-Murphy is another on this list who has been a part of the City Group, having been manager of the Manchester City development squad from 2021 to 2024.
For the last season, Barry-Murphy has been a part of Leicester City’s first team coaching staff and has League One managerial experience with Rochdale from 2019-2021.
He is another candidate with plenty of coaching experience with young players, as well as lower-league EFL players.
Ian Evatt
Evatt is perhaps the most gettable option on the list. The 43-year-old former Blackpool defender is currently without a club after leaving Bolton Wanderers in January by mutual consent.
Evatt’s five-year tenure at the Toughsheet Community Stadium was undoubtedly a successful one. Lifting the club out of the depths of League Two in his first season, he also lead the club to EFL Trophy glory in 2023.
Evatt’s teams play attractive, proactive football but his failure to lift Bolton into the Championship despite significant financial backing does leave a question mark next to his name.
Ruben Selles
A man who was not on the radar for Cardiff until his sacking at Hull City last month, Selles has earned the most praise for his work with Reading during their crisis period.
Selles coached Reading admirably in League One and is a flexible coaching with experience in the English pyramid. However, he may not want to step down to League One again, and instead wait for a Championship level job.
Aaron Ramsey
The last and perhaps least likely name on this list is current Wales captain Aaron Ramsey.
Despite maintaining that his full focus is on reaching the 2026 World Cup with is country, the 34-year-old hinted at a u-turn after Cardiff’s relegation was confirmed.
It would be a highly risky move to appoint a complete managerial novice to lead Cardiff out of League One, but Ramsey’s connection to the club far out strips anyone on this list, even Nathan Jones.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
QUICK LINKS
MPs meet with WRU to urge a 'return to the discussion table'
Rhodri Evans
Nine MPs have met the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and urged them to “return to the discussion table” amidst the rows over the Professional Rugby Agreement and a potential two-tier funding system.
The WRU admitted last week that the Union would be exploring an unequal funding system for the four regions, in response to Scarlets and Ospreys refusal to sign the new Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA).
In a joint statement from the two clubs, Scarlets and Ospreys maintain that they are seeking clarity from the WRU over the ownership of Cardiff Rugby – who the Union took over last month after it had gone into administration.
The group of MPs met WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and CEO Abi Tierney on Friday, urging them to reconsider their plans to introduce a two-tier funding system, and to return to the neogtiation table with Scarlets and Ospreys.
The statement, issued by Labour MPs Stephen Kinnock, Tonia Antoniazzi, Torsten Bell, Nia Griffith, Henry Tufnell, Carolyn Harris and Chris Elmore as well as Plaid Cymru MPs Ann Davies and Ben Lake, says it is “imperative that the WRU treats each of Wales’ professional clubs with respect and fairness and that no club is handed an advantage at the expense of others”.
“Both Ospreys and Scarlets had committed to signing the new PRA before the collapse of Cardiff Rugby and its subsequent rescue by the WRU,” the statement reads.
“Following that event the clubs requested assurances of fairness and equality for all clubs. The requests from clubs was not with a mind to gaining an advantage for themselves, but to help ensure a positive future for the whole of Welsh rugby.
“Rugby is central to our communities, not just at professional level, but in schools, local clubs and grassroots settings across the country.
“Wales’ professional clubs understand that they play a critical role in supporting the rugby ecosystem as well as the social and economic fabric of Welsh communities.”
“Rugby is a game that is built on respect,” the statement continued.
“It is imperative that the WRU treats each of Wales’ professional clubs with respect and fairness and that no club is handed an advantage at the expense of others. Without our professional clubs everyone – schools, local rugby clubs and the wider community – suffers.
“The uncertainty that the WRU’s actions and announcements have caused is leading to further destabilisation of Welsh rugby and everything which relies upon it.
“Both clubs have both assured us they remain committed to working collaboratively with the WRU to reach an agreement that gives fair treatment to all.
“We urge the WRU to return to the discussion table to provide the assurances of fairness and equality for all clubs that Ospreys and Scarlets have requested in the best interests of Welsh rugby.”
Read more
- Professional Rugby Agreement row: what we know so far
- No Judgement Day as URC 2025/26 fixtures released
After Scarlets and Ospreys failed to sign the PRA before the deadline set by the WRU, the Union gave the two sides a two-year notice before the current deal ends in 2027.
Failure from either party to reach an agreement would now see the WRU take away the regions’ professional licences to play in the United Rugby Championship and European competitions.
The most recent statement on the matter came from the Union came on May 18th, with Abi Tierney stressing that the WRU are “continuing to talk to all four clubs about what the future will hold.”
“We acknowledge the continued commitment of each club to Welsh rugby and will formulate a new plan with the best interests of the whole game in Wales at the forefront of our thinking.”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
QUICK LINKS
Teenage fullback Kpakio earns first call-up to Wales squad
Rhodri Evans
Ronan Kpakio has earnt a first international call-up to the Wales squad as Craig Bellamy picks a 27-player group for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches.
Cymru face Liechtenstein at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday 6th June, before travelling to Brussels on Monday 9th for arguably their toughest test of the group: Belgium away.
Regulars Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson return after missing previous international breaks through injury, while 18-year-old Cardiff City fullback Kpakio is the only uncapped member of the squad.
Kpakio has his first taste of the senior international environment last week when Bellamy took a group of players, excluding those still playing in the Premier League, for a warm weather training camp in Spain.
Kpakio, who is capped for Wales at U16, U17, U18, and U19 level, clearly impressed Bellamy on this trip and is in line for a debut in the next week.
Wales have several players coming into camp off of excellent club seasons. Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, and Dan James all won promotion to the Premier League with Leeds United, with Ampadu captaining the side and James selected in the Championship Team of the Season.
Connor Roberts also secured promotion with Burnley, with the Lancashire side conceding a remarkable 16 goals in 46 games – a defensive record.
Chris Mepham joins the squad directly from celebrations of his own as he helped Sunderland win the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United, coming on as a first-half substitute.
In the Premier League, Wilson has been excellent for Fulham, while Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson recently won the Europa League with Tottenham.
The FAW are confident that the Liechtenstein match will be a sell-out at the Cardiff City Stadium, while Cymru’s allocation of 4,500 away fans for the Belgium trip is already sold out.
Wales are second in their qualifying group behind North Macedonia – with whom they drew 1-1 in March – with only the top side in the table earning direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Wales Squad
Karl Darlow, Danny Ward, Adam Davies, Neco Williams, Jay Dasilva, Connor Roberts, Ronan Kpakio*, Ben Davies, Chris Mepham, Ben Cabango, Joe Rodon, Josh Sheehan, Charlie Crew, Ethan Ampadu, Jordan James, Ollie Cooper, Harry Wilson, David Brooks, Sorba Thomas, Liam Cullen, Nathan Broadhead, Lewis Koumas, Rabbi Matondo, Kieffer Moore, Mark Harris, Brennan Johnson, Dan James.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
QUICK LINKS
Merthyr beat rivals Pontypridd in Worthington's final to win double
Rhodri Evans
Premiership champions Merthyr put the cap on a successful season by defeating rivals Pontypridd 26-14 at Sardis Road to lift the inaugural Worthington’s Mid District Premiership Cup.
Hooker Ellis Shipp’s second minute try off a rolling maul for Merthyr, converted by Ben Jones, was cancelled out moments later by a score by centre Stuart Floyd-Ellis for Ponty, converted by Jacob Symes.
Scrum-half Dafydd Land scored again for the Ironmen on the half-hour, finding a gap at the base of a ruck to run in unopposed. Jones again converted to make it 14-7.
That was a lead Merthyr took into half time, although they had to defend well – with Ponty unable to take their opportunities.
A further two Merthyr tries followed within eight minutes of the re-start; first through wing Dafydd Thomas, converted by Jones, and then centre Cole Swannack against his former club. Just over three years ago Swannack memorably scored a dramatic late try to help Ponty beat Merthyr on this ground.
A second Ponty try scored by replacement Ethan Evans, converted by Symes, gave them hope of pulling off a comeback and adding another trophy to their WRU Premiership Cup triumph.
With the House of Pain bathed in sunshine, temperatures also rose on the field with Merthyr No 8 Sam Cross and Ponty second row Mitch Barnard both shown yellow cards as tempers flared following a heated scuffle.
But in the end it was Merthyr celebrating a third victory over Ponty of the season and headed back up the A470 ending it as double winners.
The win was also a fitting tribute to Tony Soanes, who recently passed away and was remembered with an impeccably observed minute of silence before kick-off. Tony represented Merthyr as a player, committee and executive member and is the father of Merthyr scrum-half James Soanes.
Speaking afterwards, Merthyr outside half Ben Jones said: “To be fair the first 20 minutes was tough; credit Ponty they started well, they took it to us really, but the boys shone through.
“It was nice to see our backs having a go one v one and taking on boys and scoring some good tries.
“It’s what the boys deserve this season. I’m proud of the boys and we’ll look back and we’ll cherish these memories.
“We came in last June so it’s been an 11-month season and we wanted to finish the last game on a high. We’ve got boys leaving and coaches leaving and unfortunately the father of one of our players passed away – so we wanted to do it for them today.”
This cup final win over Ponty at Sardis Road would have been all the more sweeter for Merthyr – who had the home dressing room for the final, having finished top of the Mid District Premiership standings.
Those were decided across a total of eight regular home and away Premiership matches between the five Mid District clubs in that league, also including Ponty, Bargoed, Brecon and Ystrad Rhondda.
Bargoed were originally set to line-up against Merthyr in the final after beating Ponty 28-19 in the final regular Premiership match on 10 May, which effectively doubled up as a Mid District semi-final, to edge out Ponty for second place.
However, last Monday, there was an unexpected turn of events when Bargoed informed the Mid District Rugby Union that they would be unable to take their place in the final due to player unavailability in certain key positions. That meant Ponty, as the third highest ranked side in the Mid District standings, were handed a reprieve.
Having seemingly been left stuck on 99 caps, Ponty’s final reprieve also meant hooker Rob Jones won his 100th cap in his last match for the Valley Commandos as bids farewell to Sardis Road, where he has spent the past seven years, to return to his local club Treorchy.
“I’m thrilled to bits to get the opportunity to have 100 caps for this proud club,” he said.
“It was another tough battle and we knew we had to bring that physical edge against a big Merthyr pack, and I think we did that. I think we won it up front in all honesty; we won that physical battle.
“They scored some long-range tries which we weren’t pleased about; just a lack of communication and through individual errors.
“But it’s been a successful season overall, we’ve had a few losses, don’t get me wrong, but to win in the stadium, to finish second in the league against a club and team like Merthyr and to reach another final is something to be proud of.”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
QUICK LINKS
Australian Matt Kuhnemann stars as Glammy win three in a row
Rhodri Evans
Australian overseas Matt Kuhnemann made the most of his one match at Sophia Gardens, bowling Glamorgan to a 10 wicket victory over Middlesex.
Kuhnemann, who is in the UK ahead of Australia’s World Test Championship final against South Africa in June, signed on a one match deal, and took seven wickets in the match, including 6-53 in the second innings.
Middlesex won the toss at Sophia Gardens and put Glamorgan into bat, with the decision initially proving to be the correct one, as Toby Roland-Jones and Ryan Higgins dispatched the home side’s top order, leaving them 52-3.
Another Australian international, Marnus Labuschagne – playing his second and final match for Glamorgan – scored 23, meaning that he leaves the county with three low scores on his return.
Sam Northeast and Kiran Carlson were brought together before lunch on the first morning, and the two dressing room leaders put on a partnership of 228 runs, batting for most of the rest of the day.
Carlson – Glammy’s white-ball captain – ended on 109, while Northeast – the red-ball skipper – continued on in tandem with Chris Cooke, who scored 47.
Glamorgan ended on 383 early on day two, with Roland-Jones taking 4-95 and Higgins 5-59.
All-rounder Andy Gorvin starred with the ball as Middlesex attempted to recover their position in the match. The 28-year-old medium pacer took 4-39, including the key wickets of Max Holden and Higgins for a first ball duck.
Kuhnemann was also excellent, albeit only rewarded with one wicket for his efforts.
For the visitor’s no one scored more than fifty, with seven double-figure scores telling the story of a batting unit who were consistently getting in and getting out again.
With Middlesex only able to muster 155, Northeast enforced the follow-on and Kuhnemann took centre stage.
The nine-time Australian international is a cunning operator and showed all his quality on the third day. After openers Holden and Sam Robson put up some resistance with a stand of 98 for the first wicket, Kuhnemann removed them both, the former caught by Asa Tribe, and latter LBW.
From there, Glamorgan and Kuhnemann – with the help of veteran seamers James Harris and Timm van der Gugten – dominated proceedings.
Only Roland-Jones’ spirited 57 from 42 balls, including four sixes, provided any opposition to the Glammy victory march, forcing the home side to bat again.
However, with a target of just 8 to win, the Glamorgan openers of Zain-ul-Hassan and Tribe knocked the run off with ease.
A third win in three weeks for the Welsh county sees them climb yet further up the County Championship Division Two table and, sitting in third, they now have serious promotion aspirations.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
QUICK LINKS
Manchester United youth coach David Hughes named as Newport County boss
Rhodri Evans
Newport County have announced that Manchester United youth coach David Hughes will be their new manager ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Hughes, who was under-21s coach and assistant manager at Old Trafford, has signed a two-year deal at Rodney Parade.
The 47-year-old Welshman replaces Nelson Jardim at Rodney Parade, who left the Exiles two weeks before the end of the season.
He will be joined by the experienced Wayne Hatswell as assistant manager and Lee Kendall as head of goalkeeping.
“Leaving a great club like Manchester United is never easy, but I’m excited about what lies ahead here,” Hughes said.
“You build relationships with people and that makes decisions like this challenging.
“But after speaking to the chairman [Huw Jenkins] on a few occasions, it became a straightforward decision in terms of the challenge ahead and the shared vision for the club.”
As a player, Hughes came through the Aston Villa academy, before having spells at Carlisle United, Shrewsbury Town, Cardiff City, and Port Talbot Town.
He was appeared at international level for Wales U21s and Wales B during the 1990s.
Hughes’ only previous senior first team management experience came 20 years ago at Barry Town United, but he has had leading academy roles at Southampton and Cardiff City prior to his role as a ‘Professional Development Phase’ coach at Manchester United.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
QUICK LINKS
Jonny Clayton wins first European Tour title in two years
Rhodri Evans
Jonny Clayton claimed his third European Tour title with a superb 8-6 win over Niko Springer in Sunday’s Dutch Darts Championship final.
Clayton – the runner-up to Josh Rock in last year’s showpiece – fought back from 3-0, 4-1 and 5-2 down to deny Springer a first senior ranking title in a captivating clash.
The Welshman also continued his love-affair with Rosmalen, extending his winning run at the Autotron to 12 matches following his Players Championship success at this venue back in April.
“This is a great feeling,” reflected Clayton, who becomes the new world number five after lifting his first big stage title since June 2023.
“I missed out to Josh Rock last year and I’ve gone one better this year. I’ve also had a ProTour win in Rosmalen, so this may be my new lucky home!
“What a player Niko is. He’s got such a big future. He’s a great lad with a great attitude, and he shows it on that dartboard.
“I came back somehow, and then I managed to get ahead and stay ahead. I’m so pleased to get over the line; it’s brilliant.”
Clayton began the day in dramatic style, overturning a 4-1 deficit to deny former European Champion Ross Smith, before averaging north of 106 and crashing in seven 180s to topple home favourite Danny Noppert.
The 50-year-old maintained his march to the title with a thrilling semi-final victory over top seed Luke Humphries, missing double 12 for a nine-darter in the latter stages of the contest.
Springer seized the early initiative in Sunday’s showpiece with legs of 12, 13 and 15 darts, but Clayton was unfazed, levelling at five apiece with a three-leg blitz of his own.
Clayton then followed up a 13-dart break with a clutch 91 checkout to move to the cusp of victory at 7-5, before defying a brief rally from the young German to wrap up proceedings via double two.
2025 Dutch Darts Championship
Third Round
Luke Humphries 6-0 Michael Smith
William O’Connor 6-3 Ritchie Edhouse
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Ross Smith
Danny Noppert 6-5 Damon Heta
Ryan Searle 6-0 Mickey Mansell
Wessel Nijman 6-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Niko Springer 6-2 Martin Schindler
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-5 Daryl Gurney
Quarter-Finals
Luke Humphries 6-3 William O’Connor
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Danny Noppert
Wessel Nijman 6-1 Ryan Searle
Niko Springer 6-2 Ricardo Pietreczko
Semi-Finals
Jonny Clayton 7-5 Luke Humphries
Niko Springer 7-3 Wessel Nijman
Final
Jonny Clayton 8-6 Niko Springer
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
QUICK LINKS
Beddau RFC secure Worthington's glory to complete the treble
Rhodri Evans
Beddau wrapped up their stunning season by completing the treble after defeating Aberdare 40-13 at Sardis Road to lift the Worthington’s Mid District Championship Cup.
Having already secured the Championship East title as well as bagging the Glamorgan County Silver Ball, the Green and Golds had another trophy to celebrate to cap a tremendous 2024/25 season.
“It’s a big achievement; testament to the boys, they’ve worked really hard from minute one of pre-season,” said proud Beddau skipper Lloyd Evans.
“At the beginning of the season the target was just to survive in the league and anything else was a bonus – so to lift three trophies is fantastic.”
Victory on the night over Aberdare was secured thanks to a first half try brace from full-back Cody Baker, one for inside centre Sam Edwards and two off the bench in the second half for replacement hooker Ethan Coombes.
Outside half Ollie Wilde kicked four conversions for Beddau, who also awarded a penalty try.
Beddau had already beaten Aberdare home and away in the league this season but the Snakes, who finished seventh in Championship East, more than played their part in a competitive final.
Centre Garyn Payne had kicked them into an early lead and they were then 13-7 up when Payne kicked his second penalty having also converted outside half Thomas Hopkins’ try.
Beddau skipper and second row Evans admitted his side had been in a battle, saying: “Aberdare are a really good outfit to be fair.
“We had two tough games in the league this year, they’re well drilled, and we knew it would be tough again tonight.
“We just had a little bit too much in the second half but it was a fantastic final. All the best to Aberdare for next year.”
Hooker Ben Staton made his 100th appearance for Aberdare, while Pontypridd RFC stalwart Rhys Shellard received a good ovation when he left the field at Sardis Road for the last time as a player for his hometown club – at the ground where he has so many fond memories.
Meanwhile, for Beddau, the focus now turns towards the Premiership, which is where they will be playing their rugby next season and their title triumph and promotion.
The side won 23 of their 24 games in Championship East, losing once – at Bedwas four days before Christmas. However the Green and Golds’ 32-20 victory over Wass in the return meeting at Mount Pleasant Park on 26 April all but secured them the title.
They would go on to make sure with victories in their final two league games to finish on 112 points ahead of Bedwas on 108.
Last Saturday, Beddau then defeated Penarth 50-14 at the Brewery Field in Bridgend to lift the Glamorgan County Silver Ball.
The team’s only other defeat this season was a heartbreaking 30-28 semi-final loss against eventual winners Llanelli Wanderers in the WRU Championship Cup.
They had led that semi 25-6 before slipping to an agonising loss to miss out on a trip to the Principality Stadium.
However to focus on that would be splitting hairs. It has been an incredible season for Beddau.
Captain Evans added: “Coming off after the Bedwas game and just said I can’t really put it into words really; the group is fantastic and everyone at the club at the moment are as one.
“We know next season and stepping up again is going to be a tough challenge.
“But we’ve got nothing to lose and a lot to gain next year and we’ll give it our best shot.”
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.