THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 20 2017


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69 Sport Forwards pave the way


WRU Championship Newbridge


Newcastle Emlyn AFTER the 5 27 huge


disappointment of last week’s defeat, Emlyn bounced back in the best possible fashion with a bonus point win up at Newbridge on Saturday (Jan 14). Wintry conditions from the


past week had ensured that ground conditions were ‘heavy’ underfoot and the mud made running and handling the ball a lottery. It was the home side that started off positively, looking to make light


AFTER hosting big Welsh championships and SIAB International Cross Country events over the past three years, the grounds of Parc Dinefwr will be the venue for the 2017 Dyfed Secondary Schools Cross Country championships. This year’s event will be held at the


magnificent Parc Dinefwr in Llandeilo on Tuesday, February 7. Each district, weather permitting,


is due to hold their area events over the next fortnight, and the first 10 in each race will go forward to represent their area on February 7. Many of the best cross country athletes in the district are expected to feature. There will be eight races on the


programme with the age groups being: Year Seven, Year Eight/Nine, Year 10/11, and Year 12/13 (both boys and girls). The timetable for the day begins at 11am with the Year Seven Girls. Medals will be awarded to the first


three in each of the eight races. There will be first aid available, as well


of the heavy conditions and running the ball from all parts of the field. With two quality centres in Scott Williams and Jordan Howells, they posed the Emlyn defence a few problems in the opening few minutes. Fortunately for the red and


whites, centres Tomi Jones and Rhys Williams were rock solid in defence and quick to pounce on any mistake made by the home side. Indeed, such was the willingness


of the home side to run the ball that their own pitch quite often proved to be their downfall as they tried to play almost seven-a-side rugby. It took Emlyn until almost half


Dyfed Schools Cross Country Championships


as refreshments on sale, along with other facilities and plenty of excellent spectating views. After the championships, 12 in


each age group will be selected that day to compete for Dyfed schools in the Welsh Schools Cross Country Championships in Brecon on Saturday, March 18. Dyfed schools have an outstanding


record in the Welsh Schools Cross Country Championships, winning the overall team title every year, except once, since 1991. The schools district is indebted to


the kind support to all volunteers and helpers who give their time to make the event possible, especially West Wales Freemasons Provincial Council and members of Carmarthen Harriers athletics club. Athletes can find full information


of the event, which includes a thorough course map, on www. carmarthenharriers.co.uk, where full results will also appear.


CAPTAIN’S FANTASTIC WINNER CEREDIGION SNOOKER


LEAGUE held the annual Captain’s tournament at Aberaeron Snooker Hall on Sunday (Jan 15), kindly sponsored by Forge Garage.


way through the first half before they gained even a foothold in Newbridge’s half when a dropped pass was hacked on by Emlyn winger Gavin Thomas and he combined with scrum half Mike Jones to take the ball up to the try line, only for the scoring pass to be dropped by centre Tomi Jones. With their powerful front row of


props, Jack Parry and Gethin Davies, along with skipper Alex Williams, giving their opposite numbers a torrid time at the scrum, Emlyn maintained pressure and Newbridge conceded a penalty which winger Dan Davies converted to open the scoring. The home side continued to defy


the conditions and run whatever ball they could get at Emlyn. The Emlyn back row of Tom Powell, Brynmor Jones and Joel James continually harassed Newbridge and combined well with their centres to nullify a number of attacks. Eventually, the home side managed to cross the Emlyn line and it came quite unexpectedly. A series of drives from a line-


out by the Newbridge eight was eventually halted by Emlyn who stole the ball. Unfortunately, the Emlyn clearance kick was partially charged down and the ball fell into the hands of right wing James Beighton, who crossed in the corner for a try. As the end of the half approached,


Emlyn put together a series of attacks with Williams and James leading the way. Newbridge’s defence was solid and eventually Emlyn were awarded a penalty kick just inside the home half.


Shaun Leonard’s attempt


just went wide of the posts but Newbridge made a complete hash of


Bedwyr Davies of Llandysul


(right) played some excellent snooker and was the deserved winner, beating Steve Edmonds of Penparcau in the final.


CEREDIGION SNOOKER LEAGUE Division One


P W L


Penparcau B 9 9 0 Penparcau A 10 6 4 Felindre


10 8 2


Llandysul A 9 5 4 Aberaeron A 9 6 3 Aberaeron B 10 5 5 Llandysul B 9 4 5 New Quay 10 2 8 Rhydlewis A 10 2 8 Aberaeron D 10 1 9


Pts 65 54 53 52 50 47 32 31 28 20


Division Two Llanarth


Aberporth Beulah


P W L 8 6 2 8 5 3 8 3 5


Rhydlewis B 8 4 4 Llandysul C 7 4 3 Aberaeron C 8 3 5 Llanon


Tregaron


6 2 4 7 3 4


Pts 46 44 34 33 32 29 26 26


the clearance kick and some quick accurate handling by the Emlyn side saw the ball passed out to the left wing. Loitering on the wing was Emlyn


number eight Brynmor Jones and he ran powerfully for the corner before passing inside to the supporting Tom Powell, who crossed for an excellent try, converted by Dan Davies to bring the half to the end. Mindful of the deteriorating


conditions and the power and control they had up front, it was important that Emlyn played a lot tighter game in the second half. The half time talk by the coaches


was quite simple in that to win the game, the forwards had to carry the ball to the opposition on all occasions. Emlyn had to put their normal free flowing game on the back burner and keep the ball tight to the pack. The forwards responded in the


best possible fashion and time and again the ball was taken deep into the Newbridge half and the home side were forced to defend desperately. Psychologically, it was important that Emlyn score first, and their second try came in the sixth minute of the half. From a series of rucks it was


second row Gareth Bennet who forced his way over for Emlyn’s second try. The veteran second row, on permit from Whitland, had a really good match and was a powerful influence in the close quarter forward work. The second half followed a rather


predictable pattern, with Newbridge finding themselves under a great deal of pressure every time they had the ball, which by now was coated in a thick layer of mud.


Due to the conditions, scoring


opportunities were few and far between in this half as both sides struggled with their footing and the state of the ball. The Emlyn pack held sway but crossing the Newbridge line became a problem. Eventually, they added a third


try when, from a line-out in the home 22, a great two handed catch by Dan Havard saw the red and whites go through a series of rucks. Some 10 metres from the line, the ball was transferred to outside half Mitchell Jones, who cleverly put a kick in behind the advancing Newbridge defenders and full back Shaun Leonard won the race for the touchdown for Emlyn’s third try. To their credit, Newbridge were


not downhearted and came back at Emlyn from the restart with a series of attacks, resulting in them being awarded a penalty. They kicked to the corner and went for a catch and drive, only to be held up short by Emlyn. From the resulting scrum, Emlyn


opted to run it out and number eight Jones fed winger Thomas who made some 50 metres before being bundled into touch. Emlyn won the resulting line-out and moved deep into the home 22. Newbridge were awarded a


scrum near their own line, and Emlyn with a new front row of Dai Jones, Tom Curry, and Neil Elworthy managed a take one against the head. Number eight Jones linked nicely with his scrum half and Mike Jones forced his way over for a try, which Shaun Leonard converted to bring Emlyn the all-important bonus point. Despite having 16 players


unavailable, this was an excellent win for the red and whites.


www.ceredigionsnooker.org.uk


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