Duncan Jones signs for two more years at the Ospreys

Posted on Mar 19, 2013

The Ospreys have announced that Duncan Jones has signed a new two-year contract.

An Ospreys ‘original’ who has been with his home region since its inception in the summer of 2003, Jones was out of contract at the end of this season. However, he has now committed himself to the Ospreys until the end of the 2014/15 campaign.

Having made his regional debut midway through the Ospreys inaugural season, featuring in a Heineken Cup defeat to Toulouse at Stade Ernest Wallon, he has been a mainstay of the region for a decade. He currently stands third in the all-time Ospreys appearance list on 182, just six behind Andrew Bishop at the top of the pile.

“I’m delighted to have sorted out the next couple of years”said Jones after signing his new deal.

“This is my home region and I’ve always enjoyed playing here. Since the very first day of the Ospreys we’ve always been faced with challenges, and it’s the sign of a progressive organisation that we’ve always responded in the right way and used those challenges to evolve.

“I think we are at the start of another new challenge here, right now. A lot of the faces have changed and I think it is an exciting time. We’ve got a lot of youngsters starting to make their mark and I’m pleased to be around to help in whatever way I can to help keep the Ospreys at the top.

“I haven’t signed for two years just to make up the numbers though. I realise that Ryan Bevington is playing very well but I intend fighting him all the way for the shirt over the next two years.”

Andy Lloyd, Ospreys Rugby Operations Manager, commented:

“Duncan has been outstanding for the Ospreys since day one. He has a huge desire to represent the Ospreys and he still considers it an honour to do so, even after 10 years, which is an example to any young players coming through the ranks,

“It’s great to have people like Duncan in the environment, sharing his knowledge and setting the highest standards for both himself and the wider group. He does a great job in the scrum and around the field, while off the field he is fantastic working with younger boys coming through, passing on his considerable knowledge. His work ethic remains second to none, he is the ultimate professional who gives everything to the cause.

“It’s important for the future of the region that we can call on the services of individuals who live by the right values. As a business, thanks to the work being done behind the scenes we are in a stronger position to make strategic decisions for the long-term good of the region, including retaining the services of people like Duncan.”

The news of Duncan signing a new deal comes two weeks after Joe Bearman and Rhys Webb committed their futures to the Ospreys, along with the announcement of the addition to the squad of Italian international Tito Tebaldi for next season. Young forwards James King and Lloyd Peers have also committed their futures to the region.

Ross poised to bring up century for London Welsh

Posted on Jan 29, 2013

A cricketer of some repute in his day, Gordon Ross will bring up a century of a different kind when he runs out for London Welsh against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday in the LV= Cup.

The fly half, 34, has been enjoying an Indian summer of a season in the Aviva Premiership, racking up 124 points in 12 appearances and using all his experience and cunning to help the Exiles carve out four wins and occupy tenth in the table.

Saturday will be appearance number 100 for Ross in a London Welsh jersey in all competitions, with his previous 99 yielding 525 points.

“I knew I was coming up to 100 but I didn’t actually realise I was on 99 until this week,” said Ross. “I’m looking forward to Saturday now; I’ve really enjoyed my three and a half seasons here.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes at the club, both on and off the field, and the reward of getting promoted last season was outstanding.

“I’ve no plans to retire yet – the body’s feeling good. I’ve been lucky enough this season to be given the odd weekend off by Lyn [Jones – head coach] and the conditioning staff realise my age and they look after me a little bit.

“I’ve managed to keep relatively fit and healthy during my time at London Welsh and if that can continue, and I feel I can contribute on the pitch, then hopefully I can carry on for as long as both parties are happy.

“I’m not going to target 150 games – I’ll get to 100 first and then we’ll just take each game as it comes after that!”

Ross won 25 caps for Scotland, the last in 2006, and his playing career spanned Heriots FP, Edinburgh Reivers, Leeds Tykes, Castres and Saracens before arriving at Old Deer Park in 2009.

Ross has witnessed some remarkable changes in his time at the club, including the introduction of professionalism, administration and two losing Championship semi-final campaigns, before culminating in last season’s success and subsequent promotion.

“There have been massive changes over the last three and a half years that I’ve been here,” he said.

“There’s never a dull moment but in a way it brings the lads closer together, and it’s certainly worked in our favour in difficult circumstances both on and off the pitch. We’ve worked very hard as a group and we got our just rewards last season.”

Ross sat out London Welsh’s remaining two Amlin Challenge Cup games after picking up a knock on his calf against Harlequins in their Premiership meeting at the Kassam.

With the English champions having qualified for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals as top seeds and still on course for a possible treble, Ross is aware of the size of the challenge that awaits the Exiles at the Stoop on Saturday, especially as Welsh’s last visit to Quins saw them on the receiving end of a 40-3 defeat.

“It’s going to be a tough day for us but when we played them a couple of weeks ago at the Kassam we played some very good rugby in the second half. Our challenge this weekend is to do it from the word go and not after they’ve already scored 20-odd points,” he said.

“We’ve got to start well otherwise it’s going to be a long day at the office, as we’ve found out twice this season.

“We’ve not really competed in the first 20 minutes against them. The start is going to be massive for us and if we can compete it will hopefully make the afternoon a little bit easier than it was been the last two times.

“I’ve seen Harlequins play twice in the LV= Cup this season and they’ve got the same mentality no matter who they play. If it’s a dry ball and a nice firm pitch, which I imagine it will be at the Stoop, then they’ll try and keep the ball moving.”

Defeats to Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester in the LV= Cup have left the Exiles bottom of Pool 4, but the next two weekends of action are vital says Ross if the club are to hit the ground running for their trip to Welford Road on February 3, as the Premiership run in begins.

“The Amlin Cup gave an opportunity to guys coming back from injury and who’d joined the club recently. Hopefully over the next two weekends we’ll be nice and competitive and we’ll play some good rugby that will lead us back into the Premiership at Leicester.

“Every day in training we’re working on things to try and make sure we’re getting better. We’ve a huge month ahead of us in February and we’ve got to make sure we’re as competitive as possible, get a few wins together and try and pick off one or two of the teams above us.”

Scarlets celebrate unique heritage on 40th anniversary of All Blacks win

Posted on Oct 26, 2012

A date which will remain at the heart of Scarlets culture and heritage, 31st October 1972, a moment in sporting history that stands out as one of the iconic rugby wins of all time, when the Scarlets beat the All Blacks 9-3 at Stradey Park.

The fact that the time and score for this iconic game takes pride of place in Parc y Scarlets’ retail store and museum tells it’s own story – and on Wednesday evening, the Scarlets will celebrate their great rugby heritage at one of the largest rugby dinners Wales has ever seen.

Among the special guests arriving in Llanelli next week will be the New Zealand Rugby Union, Bryan Williams who played in the historic game 40 years ago, as well as all of the victorious 1972 Llanelli team including current Scarlets President Phil Bennett.

Parc y Scarlets will host a showcase dinner for 1,200 guests inside its indoor arena named the captain of the 1972 side Delme Thomas – with a centre-piece recreation of Stradey Park’s pitch as a focal point for the dinner.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the historic game, the Scarlets have brought together all the members of the team and guests, with a host of British and Irish Lions legends from across the span of Scarlets history for an evening that will celebrate the values and culture of one of Wales’ greatest rugby clubs. The WRU will be represented by their President Dennis Gethin and First Minister Carwyn Jones will also be in attendance.

The evening is sponsored by Carmarthenshire’s Owens Transport, which is also celebrating its 40th anniversary in business this year.
Guests will be hosted by Rupert Moon and Alun Wyn Bevan and entertained by the Welshman whose words have immortalised the game – Max Boyce.

The Scarlets will host a silent auction on the evening with some sensational one-off items to bought to raise funds for local charities chosen by the 1972 Llanelli Team via the Ray Gravell and Friends Charitable Trust. Among the unique auction items are two of the original Llanelli jerseys from the 1972 game recently signed by all the players in the team.

It promises to be an emotional and memorable rugby night in West Wales for all involved including the captain of the side in 1972 Delme Thomas. Known affectionately as the ‘King of Stradey Park’, few will not have seen the iconic black and white picture of Delme Thomas being held aloft by the celebrating crowds on that afternoon.

Now in his sixties, Delme can still go back to that famous day in 1972 and as he admits if he wants a pick-me-up – he just sits back and remembers what he says was one of the most amazing days of his life that will stay with him forever.

Delme Thomas joined Llanelli in 1961 and played 15 seasons with the club –and enjoyed most of his career in the red jersey. He was captain when Llanelli won the league in the 1972/73 season and completed three tours with the Lions.

Delme said he was looking forward to a great night to celebrate the Scarlets rich history and heritage: “I have never experienced anything in my life like the day we beat the All Blacks in 1972. It was a wonderful occasion and the place was absolutely electric.”

The Scarlets Head of Regional Development and Recruitment, Gareth Jenkins who was just 20 when he played at flanker that day, says it is a match he will always remember. He said: "It was the most physical game I’ve ever played in – we’d never experienced anything like it at the time as younger players.

"The All Blacks have always been formidable and they were quite formidable that day. The result was ours but it was an experience and a half to have played in such a brutal game and come away with a result. The whole town closed for a half-day. It was a great time to remember, it was a great time to be around and a great time to play rugby," he added.

Gareth Jenkins embodies the values and spirit of the Scarlets today and the region’s links with its great past and said the anniversary event was important and relevant to the Scarlets’ modern-day supporters as well.

“We’ll recognise the power of that thinking and leadership of an inspirational captain and coach in Carwyn James and the essence of ‘team’ – where it’s not about individuals but everyone together as a unit that reflect the same set of values, passion and spirit that our Scarlets team has today.

“That was West Wales talent beating the best in the World with the astonishing power of an intensely vocal crowd in inspiring the players on the field and the connection between our rugby and our community.

“It’s a direction we have rediscovered and are building once again in the modern era at our new home at Parc y Scarlets where we have increased crowds significantly this season and last.”

Scarlets Managing Director Mark Davies: "The pride in the Scarlets history, heritage and culture is very strong in this region and the spirit of who we are today is defined by some great moments in our history.

“We are delighted to have the facilities here to create an event worthy of these players and to thank them and all those who have dedicated their time and served our region and club so passionately over decades.

“We want to have a night fitting of that win, to show our spirit and camaraderie as a region and respect our great heritage. I’m sure it will be night to remember for everyone at Parc y Scarlets.”

Aberavon vs Rotherham in the B&I cup

Posted on Oct 12, 2012

Aberavon take a break from the Principality Premiership for the next fortnight as they enter the British & Irish Cup. The Wizards open their campaign by welcoming RFU Championship side Rotherham Titans to the Talbot Athletic Ground this coming Saturday, kick off 2:30pm.

Rotherham are currently sixth in the RFU Championship having won three, losing two, and drawing one of their games this season.

The Titans opened their Championship campaign with a 20 – 26 loss at London Scottish. Wing Peter Homan and replacement hooker Ted Stagg scored tries, while outside half James McKinney converted both and kicked a couple of penalties. The hosts scored one try and seven penalties.

The opening day defeat was followed by a 38 – 38 draw at home to Bedford Blues. The home side scored four tries through full back Mike Whitehead, number 8 Alex Rieder, centre Lee Blackett, as well as a penalty try. McKinney converted three of the tries and also kicked four penalties for a personal tally of 18 points. The Blues also scored four tries.

Rotherham’s first win of the season came with a 27 – 16 win at Nottingham. Outside half McKinney scored 17 points this time with five penalties and one conversion. Wing Eamonn Sheridan scored a try and the Titans were also awarded a penalty try. Nottingham scored one try in reply.

The Titan’s followed up their win at Nottingham with a high scoring 54 – 31 home win over Jersey. The South Yorkshire outfit scored six tries as wing Sheridan, replacement flanker Carl Kirwan, centre Pale Nonu – brother of New Zealand All Black Ma’a Nonu, flanker Rieder, replacement wing Mike Doneghan, and centre Garry Law all touched down. Law converted all six tries and added four penalties for a 29 point haul. The Channel Islands side scored four tries.

At the end of September Rotherham went down 3 – 15 away to Plymouth Albion – one of the other sides the Wizards will be facing in this season’s British & Irish Cup. Outside half Law kicked a sole penalty for the Titans, whilst the home side scored two tries, a penalty and a conversion.

Last weekend, at home to Bristol, the Titans ran out 23 – 16 winners. Flanker Rieder scored a try for Rotherham, who also had a penalty try. Law, playing full-back, converted both and also kicked three penalties.

Looking back in time at previous Wizards games played this weekend:

Ten years ago this weekend Aberavon won 38 – 21 at Narberth in a Division One league game. The Wizards dominated the first half as they put three scores between the sides and entered the interval 23 – 8 up. However, the Otters hit back in the second half to come back to within five points of the visitors before Aberavon sealed the game with two tries in the last six minutes of play. The Wizards try scorers that day were David Hawkins, Matthew Back, Dafydd Owen & Gareth Newman. Jamie Davies kicked three conversions and four penalties.

Five years ago this weekend Aberavon beat Pontypridd 23 – 12 at the Talbot Athletic Ground in the Premiership. Trailing Ponty 12 – 3 at the interval, a stunning second-half display saw the Wizards outscore their visitors 20 – 0 in the second half. A 17 year old Ospreys Academy centre by the name of Ashley Beck made his debut for the Wizards that day when he came on for John Leyshon in the 53rd minute, and made a big impact. Aberavon’s points came via tries by Marc Bennett and Richard Carter, with Beck having a big hand in Carter’s try. Jamie Davies converted both and added three penalties.

The referee for Saturday’s game is Charles Samson (SRU), aided by touch judges Hugh Watkins (WRU) and Terry Thomas (WRU).

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Welsh performance delights Jones

Posted on Sep 23, 2012

It was all about the performance for London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones, as the Exiles made it back-to-back Aviva Premiership victories.

First half tries from captain Jonathan Mills and Ed Jackson laid the foundations for Welsh’s 29-19 win at the Salford City Stadium – the club’s first over Sale since 1983 – with Gordon Ross adding 19 points.

The Exiles had to batten down the hatches in the second half, as the Sharks laid siege to the Welsh try line, and Tom Brady crossed to give the home side hope. Welsh held on, though, to follow up their win over the Exeter Chiefs, and Ross’ penalty with the last kick of the game denied Sale the consolation of a losing bonus point.

“You can coach lots of things but you can’t coach guts, attitude and determination and that’s what this group has got,” said Jones.

“Sale are a good side, they came hard at us and I’m just really proud of the performance our players put in.

“Sale had a lot of possession in the second half and we tackled our guts out and kept them down to under 20 points. We’re very, very pleased.

“We were caught with our pants well down against Leicester and Quins but we’ve learnt and we’ve come back.

“If you asked me two weeks ago if we’d have been happy to get a losing bonus point at Sale we’d have bitten your hand off, but things grow and move on. We’re moving in the right direction so we’re very pleased.

“Today was a good day, as last week was, but you know and I know that next week could be a bad day.”

Having conceded a two try head start in each of the club’s opening three Premiership matches, it was Welsh’s turn on Friday night to burst into a 13-0 lead after ten minutes.

“We spoke long and hard in the week about our start – we’ve been gifting 14 points and playing a little bit of buffet rugby, where teams have been able to help themselves in the opening ten minutes.

“Today we started well, we looked confident and in good shape. We took 13 points in ten minutes and that was the difference at the end of the game.”

Jones also paid special tribute to the contribution of technical adviser Kingsley Jones, who on Friday night made a winning return to the club he once coached.

“Kingsley has been a great help this week in shaping the forward pack and he’s been a huge influence on London Welsh since his arrival,” added Jones.