Llandovery Team v Nottingham

Posted on Jan 18, 2013

The Llandovery team for this Saturday’s away British and Irish Cup game against Nottingham.

15. Lee Rees
14. Chris Knight
13. Matthew Jacobs
12. Jack Roberts
11. Aaron Warren
10. James Garland
9. Rhodri Williams
8. Richard Brooks
7. Shaun Miles
6. Luke Kendall
5. Bryn Griffiths
4. Phil Day (Captain)
3. Peter Edwards
2. Luke Lewis
1. Dorian Williams
SUBS:
16. Dean Howells
17. Wyn Jones
18. Llewelyn Jones
19. Nio Aiono
20. Tom Ball
21. Sam Soul
22. Cerith Rees

British & Irish Cup Round 6 preview

Posted on Jan 15, 2013

RFU Championship sides Bedford Blues, Cornish Pirates and Newcastle Falcons have all secured their place in the quarter-finals of the British & Irish Cup with one round of pool games to go.

A fifth straight bonus-point victory against Stirling means the Blues are certain of being one of the top four seeded teams in the last eight draw, guaranteeing them a home tie. The Pirates and Falcons only have to avoid defeat away to Carmarthen and Cross Keys respectively to enjoy the same advantage.

Like Bedford, who scraped home 24-21, Newcastle made heavy weather of beating Connacht at Kingston Park. The Falcons won 16-6 to maintain their winning run going into next weekend’s clash at Pandy Park. Meanwhile, a man-of-the-match display from Wes Davies helped the Pirates see off Dundee, 34-14.

One point from their match against Cardiff on Sunday will be enough to see Bristol join their Championship rivals as a seeded team in the quarter-final draw. Liam Middleton’s men are four points clear of Ulster, who they beat 12-8 in Belfast in Round 5, and they have a far better points tally (22) than the likely pool winners of Pools 5-8 inclusive.

Leinster A went a long way to securing top spot in Pool 5 with a 21-9 win over Pontypridd, their nearest rivals in the table. Leinster need to take a point from their final pool game against Leeds, which has been switched to the John Charles Sports Stadium, to maintain their interest in the competition.

Moseley’s stranglehold on Pool 6 continued after a win by the narrowest of margins at home to London Scottish. Again, one point will be enough for the Midlands side to go through at the expense of Llanelli, who they play in West Wales in their final pool game.

Pool 7 is Munster A’s to lose as they are currently four points clear of second-placed Rotherham Titans. Munster entertain Plymouth in the final fixture, while the Titans are at home to Aberavon.

Dave Jackson’s 100th try for Nottingham in Saturday’s 16-14 win away to Doncaster kept the Green & Whites’ slim hopes of a last eight place alive. Llandovery are the firm favourites to top the pool, though, after they beat Melrose 34-12 to stay five points clear. The two sides face each other at Meadow Lane on Saturday evening.

Friday January 18

Pool 7
Munster A v Plymouth Albion

Saturday January 19

Pool 1
Bridgend v Ulster Ravens, KO 14:00

Pool 2
Neath v Stirling, KO 14:00
Bedford Blues v Bedwas, KO 15:00

Pool 3
Carmarthen v Cornish Pirates, KO 14:00
Dundee v Swansea

Pool 4
Connacht Eagles v Newport
Cross Keys v Newcastle Falcons

Pool 5
Leeds Carnegie v Leinster A, KO 14:00
Pontypridd v Jersey, KO 14:00

Pool 6
Llanelli v Moseley, KO 14:30
London Scottish v Gala, KO 15:00

Pool 7
Rotherham Titans v Aberavon, KO 14:00

Pool 8
Melrose v Doncaster, KO 14:00
Nottingham v Llandovery, KO 20:00

Sunday January 20

Pool 1
Bristol v Cardiff, KO 15:00

British & Irish Cup Round 4 preview

Posted on Dec 11, 2012

This weekend sees a reversal of the Round 3 fixtures as the race for top spot – and the ultimate prize of qualification for the quarter-final stages – intensifies in the respective British & Irish Cup pools.

2011 B&I finalists Bedford Blues defend the only perfect record left in the competition when they take on Neath at Goldington Road on Saturday in the second part of their double-header against the Welsh side. The Blues have never lost a home tie in this competition, with eight wins – including the prized scalp of Worcester in the 2011 semi-final – and one draw from nine outings. The manner of their 62-12 destruction of the Welsh All Blacks at the Gnoll last weekend suggests that record should be safe on Saturday. Another five points would all but mathematically guarantee Bedford safe passage through to the knockout stages as winners of Pool 2.

Pool 1 leaders Bristol also came back over the Severn Bridge with a priceless win in the bag. The West Countrymen are involved in what appears to be a two-horse with Ulster Ravens to win the pool. While Bristol beat Bridgend 32-8 at Brewery Field, Ulster’s second string easily accounted for Cardiff at Ravenhill. The Irish province now trail Bristol, the 2011 winners, by just one point.

Having beaten Swansea for the first time in their history, Cornish Pirates will be looking to achieve back-to-back wins against the ‘All Whites’ and further cement their position at the top of Pool 3. The Pirates are four points ahead of Carmarthen who narrowly beat Dundee at home in Round 3.

Pool 4 is Newcastle’s to lose after a third straight victory put them six points clear of Newport who they meet again at Kingston Park on Sunday.  Newcastle took the points from the first encounter after a 26-10 victory but the Black & Ambers ‘won’ the second half seven-nil to give them plenty of heart going into the return fixture.

Leinster A and Pontypridd are inseparable in Pool 5 following victories on the road in Round 3. The Irish province came away from Jersey with a hard-fought 16-12 win, while Pontypridd delighted their hardy band of travelling supporters with a 30-24 success against Leeds Carnegie at West Park.  Leeds travel to Pontypridd this weekend twelve months on from their 18-7 loss at Sardis Road in last season’s competition while Jersey head over to Ireland.

Moseley suffered a setback to their chances of winning Pool 6 after going down to an 18-11 defeat to Gala in the Scottish Borders. But the Birmingham side is still two points ahead of Gala and no doubt intent on revenge at Billesley Common this weekend.

Munster A’s defence of the crown they won so impressively last year is in good shape following a third straight Pool 7 win. The 36-21 success over Rotherham at Clifton Lane puts them four points ahead of the Titans who they meet again on home soil this weekend.

Doncaster continue to enjoy contrasting fortunes in the league and cup. While the Knights have spent the majority of the Championship season languishing at wrong end of the table their B&I Cup form has been much better with two wins from three. The latest victory came away to Llandovery who sit level on 10 points at the top of Pool 8. Saturday’s clash between the two sides at Castle Park could prove pivotal to the outcome of the pool.

Fixtures on the next page…

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McIntosh rallies the troops for Leinster clash

Posted on Oct 19, 2012

Pontypridd coach Dale McIntosh sends out a rallying cry to his troops as they prepare to take on Irish giants Leinster at Sardis Road on Saturday 20th October. A mighty battle is at hand, but one that can be won.

Having drawn their first British & Irish Cup pool tie away at Jersey on Saturday, McIntosh knows that an improvement in performance is needed to compete against one of the tournament favourites. Leinster A in turn recorded a comprehensive home win over Leeds Carnegie in their first pool outing.

“We were unable to express ourselves or play to our full potential in Jersey” said McIntosh “but we will take that on the chin and move on. We are still very much alive in this competition.

“Taking on Leinster A who have a strong squad and a call on players with European and international experience will be a real test of character for us. We are confident in our own ability and have faith in each other as a squad. If we play our A game on Saturday then we will be hard to beat.”

McIntosh’s call to arms extends beyond the playing squad to the massed ranks of Ponty supporters.

“Once more we had a phenomenal following out in Jersey, our supporters were there in droves. We hope that there will be a big turn out to watch a top class fixture at Sardis Road on Saturday.

“The atmosphere at our stadium can give us that lift, that extra five percent on our performance that could make all the difference in going for the win.”

Pontypridd v Leinster A

Saturday 20th October 2012 – 2pm ko

Horgan stays with Neath

Posted on Oct 12, 2012

Neath RFC have confirmed that despite speculation, Patrick Horgan will be staying at The Gnoll as head coach.

A clear way forward has been established to progress matters which are crucial to the future of the club, and Horgan will be in charge of preparations and accompany the team to Scotland for Saturday’s British and Irish Cup tie at Stirling County.

Neither club nor coach will be making further comment on this matter.

Saturday’s match is the first of six for the Blacks in this four-team group where the winners qualify for the quarter finals later in the season.

Welsh rivals Bedwas are in the same group and the two sides clash at The Gnoll on Saturday 20th October, while English Championship side Bedford Blues complete the numbers.

Horgan said: “This is the chance for us to kick-start our season. We want to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible.

“The British and Irish Cup is a special competition for us. It’s the biggest competition that some of these boys have ever played in. We don’t take any games lightly and it’ll be a tough challenge up there. We’re all looking forward to it.”

Neath RFC assistant coach Leigh Davies adds: “It’s a fresh challenge and it will give us a different environment from the Welsh leagues – different style of play, different referees, different interpretations. It’ll be a good exercise for us as a group to go away and be in each other’s company. We didn’t have a great pre-season together so this will be a bit of a bonding exercise where we go away, play a team we don’t know and enjoy each other’s company.

“I’m pleased to hear that a number of fans are flying up to Scotland with us. Born in Neath, I know how faithful the Neath crowd is. They’ve all travelled well this season supporting the boys. Hopefully we can give them something to cheer about up there.”