The hockey gods were certainly watching over Penarth Hockey Club at the weekend, with the 1st XI enjoying a sense of deja vu in a ten-goal thriller with Plymouth University and the feisty Fourths securing a fabulous point at De Cymru 3 league leaders Swansea City. The greatest escape, however, possibly came in a game that didn’t go the distance… PENARTH 5-5 Plymouth University

Michael Flynn went from proudest manager in the country to feeling ashamed in 90 minutes at the One Call Stadium, Mansfield. Manager Flynn watched in disbelief as his Newport County team was dismantled and humiliated by Mansfield Town. County suffered a third successive league defeat, crashing 5-0, and Flynn said: “Let’s not dress it up, […]

Wales and medals at the Winter Olympics do not make a lengthy list, but they do have a disputed history. Rob Cole salutes Brigadier Charles Granville Bruce and Captain Geoff Bruce, who were honoured for reaching the highest climb of all. Wales may still be waiting for its first gold medal at the Winter Olympics, but 94 years ago the founding father of the Modern Games, Pierre de Coubertin, did honour a British team that contained two high-profile Welshmen. The jury is still out on whether or not the award given to the British team that led the 1922 Mount Everest expedition at the closing ceremony of the inaugural winter Games in Chamonix in 1924 qualifies as an official Olympic gold.

Former Wales U20 captain Will Jones has signed his first professional contract with the Ospreys. The 19-year old openside – who has played 10 games for the region this season – has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign featuring in both the Guinness PRO14 and European Champions Cup. He is the second youngster to secure a professional deal in recent weeks, following on from scrum half, and fellow-Wales U20 representative, Reuben Morgan-Williams. Jones, who came through at Penclawdd RFC and Gowerton Comprehensive, said: “I’m very happy, obviously. I’ve been here since the U16s and this is the next step. I’m really proud to have been involved with the senior team this season but now I’ve got an opportunity to really establish myself with my home region.

Neil Warnock believes Cardiff City’s promotion bid is being built on the sturdiest of defensive foundations. While the team’s attacking threats have taken most of headlines this season, the Bluebirds manager is full of praise for his defence after they kept another clean sheet in the 2-0 victory over Bolton on Tuesday night. Cardiff have conceded 27 goals in 31 games this season. Only leaders Wolves and Derby County have let in fewer – a rapid improvement for Warnock’s team who allowed 61 goals to be put past them last season.

Andrew Lord admits he has mixed feelings about calling a halt to his playing days, but he loves watching his Cardiff Devils team. Head coach Lord is spending his time on the team bench during matches these days, although he is staying fit and available should his gritty skills be needed. “I miss playing, but […]

Gary Madine, Cardiff City’s battling striker, looks certain to miss their Championship home clash with his former club Bolton Wanderers this evening. Madine gave everything during a bruising, physical clash with Millwall defenders during a 1-1 draw at the New Den and suffered a broken nose. Kenneth Zohore stands by to take over at centre-forward […]

Welshman David Pipe is ready and willing to fire up Newport County’s League Two play-offs challenge, starting at Mansfield Town this evening. Caerphilly-born Pipe’s one-year contract with the Exiles ends next summer and he is playing for a new deal, but his focus is firmly on the team and not his personal situation. The 34-year-old […]

Rob Howley has backed Gareth Anscombe’s view that Wales’ disputed try at Twickenham – now officially declared a TMO error by World Rugby – did not decide the outcome. Howley spoke at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon where he was anxious to underline that Warren Gatland had made a correct judgement last Saturday when he described New Zealander Glenn Newman’s video call as a “terrible mistake”. But the assistant coach was equally as keen to stress he agreed with Anscombe’s view that the decision robbed Wales of momentum, but not victory.

Both Cardiff City and Swansea City face opponents from Flintshire in the Welsh Youth Cup semi-finals. Coach Craig Bellamy’s young Bluebirds play Airbus Broughton, while the Swans have been drawn against Connah’s Quay Nomads. Both ties will be played on Sunday, March 18 at neutral venues to be chosen. Cardiff powered to a 7-0 win […]

Merthyr Town entertain relegation battlers Dunstable Town to the Loadlok Community Stadium this evening (7.45pm). Dunstable are second from bottom in the EvoStik Southern League Premier Division, just above Gosport Borough, and are intent on avoiding the drop. The Martyrs have avoided being dragged into the battle and a home win against Dunstable would be […]

Player of the match Nia Jones thanked Green Army fans after Celtic Dragons suffered a 61-49 Vitality Netball Superleague home defeat against benecosMavericks in their opening match of the season. “It was sweet to be back at Sport Wales National Centre with my fellow Greenies,” tweeted Jones. “Our second quarter performance let us down tonight, […]

Former England coach Stuart Lancaster believes Wales have been under-estimated and has warned Ireland could be “carved up” in Dublin next week. Lancaster, now a coaching advisor with Leinster, believes the Six Nations championship is still wide open, despite only Ireland and England remaining unbeaten after two rounds. Wales visit Ireland next Saturday, while England go to Murrayfield to face a Scotland team buoyed by their victory over France.

Cardiff-based PredictorBet are backing the Elite League play-offs. Their three-year sponsorship of the play-offs weekend is a massive boost for British ice hockey. Welshman Jonathan Phillips was Sheffield Steelers captain when they won the championship in Nottingham last season, beating Cardiff Devils during sudden death overtime. Former Devils forward Phillips says: “The Steelers v Devils […]

Swansea City and Cardiff City have players in the Wales Under-15 squad to play Ajax and the Aspire Academy in Qatar at the end of this month. Defender Tivonge Rushesha, winger Luke Motruk and striker Bradley Gibbings are the Swans including in a 16-player Welsh group, while Eli King and Cavan Williams represent the Bluebirds. […]

Sion Spence took his Cardiff City goals tally for the 2017-18 season to 20 by netting four times against Aberystwyth Town in the Welsh Youth Cup. The young Bluebirds powered to a 7-1 win in their quarter-final, joining holders Swansea City, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Airbus Broughton in the last four. Central midfield player Spence, […]

It can take more than just talent to represent your country. Just ask athlete Caryl Granville, who tells Owen Morgan of an eight-year battle to finally reach her target of the Commonwealth Games. Hurdler Caryl Granville has spoken of her delight at having finally been selected to represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games. Having missed out on Delhi in 2010, Glasgow in 2014 and initially been told she wasn’t going to Australia, the hurdler is still in shock after being named in the team of 21 to take part in the athletics programme at the multi-sport event.

Justin Faryna led Cardiff Devils to a seven goal Elite League spree against Nottingham Panthers in Cardiff Bay. A 3,000-plus sell-out attendance overwhelm Nottingham Panthers at Ice Arena Wales. Calgary-born Faryna scored four goals and Devils extended their leaf at the top to seven points. Second-placed Belfast Giants lost 6-3 at home against coach Ryan […]

There is nothing fishy about Swansea City’s incredible revival according to Ki Sung-Yueng, the Korean who reeled in the winner in the 1-0 victory over Burnley at the weekend. Manager Carlos Carvalhal continues with his sea-based images of lobsters, sardines, beachside barbeques and swimming against the tide, but his Korean midfielder reckons the Portuguese boss is more salt of the earth than salt water. After hammering home an 81st minute goal to make it 14 priceless Premier League points in just seven games under Carvalhal, Ki revealed the Swans surge is based on their manager’s good tactics and good humour.

Gareth Anscombe believes the denial of his disputed try at Twickenham was not the crucial factor in Wales’ defeat to England. The Cardiff Blues outside-half is convinced his effort should have stood and that he grounded the ball in the first-half of the Six Nations clash. But Anscombe also insists the incident was less significant than the fact that Wales did not seize further opportunities before going down 12-6.