As the Welsh regions rake through the ashes of another European campaign where all four got burned, envious glances are again aimed over the Irish Sea. Geraint Powell isn’t the only one turning green as he considers how Irish rugby has left the Welsh domestic game so far behind. Older readers will recall the 1991 Five Nations Championship, and a 21-21 draw in Cardiff between Wales and Ireland. It was the era when the annual fixture had become the “Wooden Spoon” decider, and a draw in 1991 saved both countries from the ignominy of a “whitewash” that season.

Cardiff Met’s Cup hero Adam Roscrow has paid tribute to former Swansea City defender Christian Edwards and the impact he has made on the striker. Roscrow’s two goals helped the students beat Cambrian and Clydach 2-0 to lift the Nathaniel MG Cup on Saturday. The victory ended the Met’s run of three defeats in showpiece finals and according to Roscrow highlighted the work done by Edwards as director of football.

Daniel James has been urged to reject any move to Leeds United and remain with Swansea City to lead their promotion challenge. Swans striker Oli McBurnie believes James can be a focal point around which a successful team can be built at the Liberty Stadium, having moved back up to ninth in the Championship table – six points off the play-offs – at the weekend. Leeds are keen to recruit James and any offer above £5m is likely to tempt Swansea’s owners to sell as they plead penury following their relegation from the Premier League.

Tesni Evans produced a dominant display to win her first match at squash’s JP Morgan Tournament of Champions in New York. The Welsh world No.10 beat England’s Millie Tomlinson in three games to make it through to the last 16 of the prestigious event and its iconic location at Grand Central Station. Evans had recently played Tomlinson at the Monte Carlo Classic in December and had been taken to five sets by the world No.25.

Rising Welsh marathon star Natasha Cockram has celebrated being named among the elite field at this year’s Virgin London Marathon by setting a new personal best in America. The Micky Morris Racing Team athlete sliced a minute-and-a-half off her lifetime best for the 26.2 mile distance at the Houston Marathon on Sunday. Cockram, who only ran her first marathon last April, has now lowered her best mark by over 10 minutes since winning the Newport Marathon on her debut.

Cardiff Devils 5, Belfast Giants 2 Cardiff Devils have taken a stranglehold grip at the top of Elite League. Captain Jake Morissette and his team followed their 4-2 win against Belfast Giants on Saturday with a crushing 5-2 success against the same opposition on Sunday. Leaders Devils are now nine points ahead of second-placed Giants, […]

Jamaican striker Jamille Matt’s 15th goal of the season earned Newport County their first League Two victory of 2019. County’s Matt finish earned them a 1-0 win against Exeter City at Rodney Parade and manager Michael Flynn said: “Jamille has never scored that many in a season. “I told him I’d get him going again […]

Tom Meechan fired the winner for Merthyr Town in their EvoStik Southern League home match against Basingstoke Town. The Martyrs won 1-0 at the MetCoaches Stadium and are sixth in the EvoStik Southern League, just outside the play-off places. Meechan struck after 76 minutes when he netted from an Ian Traylor cross. New signings Jay […]

Belfast Giants admit they ‘dare not lose’ tonight’s Elite League clash with leaders Cardiff Devils at the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay (4pm). Reigning champions Devils, who are going for a third successive title, extended their lead ahead of second-placed Giants to seven points thanks to a 4-2 home win last night. “It’s a big […]

It was a trip to deepest Pembrokeshire for the Deadballline Guy this week – and why not? Not the fastest wifi in the world admittedly, but he did see Pembroke beat Penclawdd 25-8 in WRU National League Division Two West.

British sportscar racer Matt Parry will tick another circuit off his bucket list later this month, after teaming up with R-Motorsport to contest the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hours. The 25-year old from Cardiff has already raced at many of the world’s iconic venues in his career – including Monza, Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps – but this latest opportunity will take him ‘down under’ to Australia’s premier circuit to compete in one of international motorsport’s now-traditional season-opening endurance events.

Christian Edwards described yesterday’s Nathaniel MG Cup victory as a ‘fairy tale win’ after delivering Cardiff Met their first major piece of silverware. Since being promoted into the Welsh Premier League under Edwards, the Archers have lost out in three finals including last season’s Nathaniel MG Cup final. Adam Roscrow struck late in both halves […]

Shaun Edwards is still upset at the way Wales lost on their last visit to France, but his anger is not centred on the extra time played or the 100th minute winner secured by the home side in extraordinary circumstances. The Wales defence coach’s biggest concern is about the start Wales got off to in the French capital and he will have some strong words about that false star when the 2019 Six Nations squad comes together this week to prepare for the opening assignment at Stade de France. “I watched the first 20 minutes of the 2017 game the other day and France were very dominant. They had quick ball after quick ball and it’s something I want the players to have a look at,” said Edwards.

Two goals from Adam Roscrow helped Cardiff Met win their first maiden Nathaniel MG Cup, 2-0, over Cambrian and Clydach in front of a record crowd at Jenner Park.  The striker had opened the scoring minutes before half time with a fine solo goal after good work from Chris Baker before sealing the victory in injury time with a well taken finish after opposing goalkeeper Dan Bradley was caught out after coming up for a free-kick.  The Met won at the fourth time of asking in major finals after twice losing their European play-off games against Bangor City and Cefn Druids as well as defeat in last year’s final against TNS. 

The Welsh contribution in European rugby is already over and no-one has yet broken sweat in a quarter-final tie in either competition. Worse than that, the figures for the four regions this season are damning. Collectively, they played 24 pool matches and won just seven, losing the other 17. Strength in depth in Welsh rugby? Do Harri Morgan a favour. You know the Six Nations drinking game? The one that punishes all things cliche, like Eddie Butler pronouncing the name of a French player, with the type of va va voom that would suggest the former Wales captain spent his formative years pedalling the Rue d’Pontypool in a black and white hopped sweater, onions dangling from his neck, selling croissant. Well, had there been a similar game during the autumn series, perhaps the phrase punishable by a swift glug of beer, would have been any reference to the growing depth of talent within the Welsh ranks.

Cardiff Devils 4, Belfast Giants 2 Leaders Cardiff Devils earned a magnificent eighth successive Elite League win, beating closest rivals Belfast Giants at the Viola Arena. The best two teams in British ice hockey went toe-to-toe in a match full of power, speed, skill and drama. A sell-out attendance of more than 3,000 spectators watched […]

Graham Potter has admitted he will tell Swansea City to do all they can to hang onto rising star Daniel James. The 21-year-old came off the bench at half-time to help inspire the Swans to a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Sheffield United at the Liberty Stadium. Oli McBurnie’s 65th minute goal proved decisive, but so […]

Almost 1,700 Bluebirds fans travelled to Newcastle United and were devastated by a 3-0 defeat, but they at least had good news on the way back to Wales. Cardiff City confirmed the £18m record signing Emiliano Sala from FC Nantes. The 28-year old has signed a three-and-a-half year deal at Cardiff City Stadium through to […]

Former NHL forward Jonathan Ferland says Belfast Giants are bursting with belief going into their clashes with title rivals Devils, saying: “We can beat Cardiff and close in on them.” Leaders Devils are at home against second-placed Giants this evening and tomorrow afternoon at the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay. This is the biggest weekend […]

Bluebirds captain Sean Morrison could be out for up six weeks after having his appendix removed this week. Cardiff City confirmed before kick-off at Newcastle United that their skipper had an appendix operation. He may miss another six Premier League fixtures or more, including Arsenal away at the end of this month and Bournemouth at Cardiff […]