Latest news with #Llandovery
BBC News
01-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Llandovery recognised as joint birthplace of Welsh rugby
Almost 160 years since two teams contested a rugby match, a town has finally been recognised as a birthplace of what would become Wales' national sport. Lampeter has long been known as the home of rugby in Wales in recognition of its role in the match in the village of Caio in 1866 against Llandovery following extensive research by historians, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has awarded equal status to both Lampeter and Llandovery in recognition of their role in pioneering the more than a century and a half later, the town has a new set of entrance signs marking the historical link between Llandovery, its college and the formation of Welsh rugby. The Reverend John Williams, the first warden of Llandovery College in 1848, is credited with having brought rugby to the town. He moved to Carmarthenshire from Edinburgh where he had been first rector of the city's academy. Iestyn Thomas, former rugby coach at Llandovery College, said: "There were a group of schools playing rugby football in Edinburgh at that time and Williams was therefore aware of the game and also of playing against other institutions and brought that with him to Llandovery."This led to Llandovery College squaring up against Lampeter College in 1866 on the fields of Glanrannell Farm in the village of Caio, halfway between the two towns." Though there is little evidence today of that first derby, Caio can lay claim to being the venue for the first ever match in Wales played by two Welsh clubs or Thomas added that it was "quite a game". "It was held during the spring fair where local farm labourers turned up looking for work with local farmers," he said."They saw the game being played and they all apparently jumped in and got involved and the referee had to stop the game and kick them off the pitch." Llandovery went on to excel in the world of rugby and sport. The college produced two players for the first Welsh international rugby fixture as well as being present when the WRU was created in rugby roll of honour continues today. Dominic Findlay, the warden of Llandovery College, said: "Our director of rugby is Nathan Thomas, former Welsh back row. "We are connected with old boys like Alun Wyn Jones and George North."He added the college had "just brought three boys into the professional game with the Scarlets"."Our current number 10 is Carwyn Leggett Jones, who has just played in the under-20s. So the future is hugely exciting," he said. He added that many of the greats in Welsh rugby had nurtured their skills and magic at Llandovery College, with more than 50 students earning more than 550 caps for rugby coach Carwyn James also taught at the college from 1956 to 1969, where he made a lasting impact. Llandovery being officially recognised as the co-founder of rugby in Wales alongside Lampeter University was "a huge honour," councillor Handel Davies said. "It came as a shock to a lot of people," he said."Nobody knew much about it. Everybody says they saw the sign in Lampeter and they thought that was where rugby was born, but I said 'it takes two to tango'."Now the attention is turning to Caio, with one villager saying a plaque was needed on Glanrannell field to mark its contribution to sporting history as home of the first ever competitive rugby match played in Wales.
South Wales Argus
05-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
SRC: Joe Franchi to captain Ebbw Vale in bid for silverware
Ebbw had a strong campaign in which they lost the Super Rygbi Cymru final to Newport and the SRC Cup final to Llandovery. They will hope to use those experiences to win silverware in the coming campaign and if they do then hooker Franchi will lift it aloft. Head coach Jason Strange has confirmed that the stalwart will continue as club captain. 'It goes without saying it's a huge honour to captain my hometown club for another year," said Franchi. "The boys were a pleasure to captain last year, and our togetherness showed with us reaching two finals and keeping the SRC Shield for practically the whole season. "We've managed to retain a lot of the players from last season and I know 'Chippy' [Strange] has already started to strengthen us in key positions, which is very exciting for the coming season. I'm looking forward to getting back to work with the boys.' Franchi, whose twin Dom plays in midfield for the club, passed 200 Ebbw appearances last season. The hooker went over for a remarkable 25 tries and his exploits around the park led to him being named as the Clive Burgess Man of Steel and the Ebbw Addicts player of the year. Ebbw will defend the SRC Challenger Shield in the coming campaign after claiming it at Llandovery last October and then holding onto it throughout the regular season. The Steelmen host Aberavon on the first weekend of the season on September 14 and then head to Cardiff for an early cracker. That is followed by back-to-back games with Llandovery in a testing first month of the campaign.
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Franchi and Roach eye SRC final glory with Ebbw and Newport
Ebbw Vale and Newport battle for the title at Eugene Cross Park tomorrow (kick-off 2.30pm) and it's fair to assume the skippers will have a big say in which Gwent club will be celebrating long into the night. Hooker Franchi has already won the big prize once after being a member of the 2016 Premiership-winning squad and has been a major figure in the Steelmen's successful campaign. The front rower will finish as the league's top try scorer after crossing 20 times in the league (plus five more times in the SRC Cup). The 31-year-old made his first Ebbw outing as an 18-year-old and hit 200 appearances for the club in March. His experience was important when the Steelmen went 21-5 down on the stroke of half-time in their home semi-final against Llandovery. KEEPING COOL: Ebbw's Joe Franchi during the win against Llandovery (Image: Ian WIlliams/Huw Evans Agency) 'We were behind the posts and I said to the boys that we were comfy in phase play,' said Franchi, a key figure along with his twin, centre Dom. 'We weren't concerned because it wasn't like we were leaking badly. We knew that we could stick in there, get our set piece going and cause them problems, which happened.' Ebbw, who ran out 29-28 winners, have built that confidence thanks to a perfect season so far on home soil. That 13-game record helped them to finish second in the league with the prospect of a home final if top seeds Cardiff were beaten by Newport. A few of the Ebbw squad went to the Arms Park to watch and provide updates for their teammates, ultimately delivering the news that they would be playing for the title at Eugene Cross Park. 'The big games come down to small margins,' said Franchi. 'Playing at home can make a massive difference because the one per centers add up. 'We really pushed to finish in the top two from the start of the season and we achieved that, which has earned us this chance. 'The excitement has been building as the week has progressed but we can't afford to play the occasion. 'We want to stick to our regular game plan and keep to the same processes, because that has worked all season with us being unbeaten at home. 'We know that this will be an 80-minute game because Newport are a good side who can play tight, 10-man rugby or spin it wide. I am sure they will have some trick plays and we need to be ready for anything.' One thing is for certain, Roach will be in the thick of it for the Black and Ambers after a second season on the spin as an ever-present. The number eight has played in 25 games – all starts apart from one outing off the bench at Swansea in the SRC Cup – and also featured in friendly fixtures to celebrate the club's 150th anniversary season. The Wales Sevens international is crucial to Newport's adaptability, able to mix it physically but also thrive out wide, and hopes to avoid a repeat of last year's narrow defeat at Llandovery when the last Premiership title was on the line. WINNER: Ben Roach after Newport's semi-final win against Ebbw Vale last season (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency) 'To get to back-to-back finals is quite special but obviously we want to go one step further and win it,' said Roach. 'The experience from big games helps with the pressure but Ebbw Vale also been there with the cup final this season. 'We've prepped well and are on the back of a few good weeks, so we head there with momentum for one last big game. 'This is what you play the game for, you want to be fighting at the top and now we want to get over the line. 'It's the 150th anniversary and it would be nice to top that off with another bit of history by winning the first SRC while we also had the loss of 'BJ' [the legendary 'Mr Newport' Brian Jones], so there is a lot of emotion.' Whichever inspirational captain gets to lift the trophy will deserve the honour.
South Wales Argus
11-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Ebbw Vale to host Newport in Super Rygbi Cymru final
The Steelmen produced a simply stunning second half comeback against Llandovery, overturning a 16-point half time deficit to run out eventual 29-28 victors. Their reward is a home final against the Black and Ambers – who also came from behind in their semi at the Arms Park where they triumphed 35-20 over Cardiff. Ebbw head coach Jason Strange said: 'It's going to be a real tough challenge but one that everyone is really excited about. 'It's at home and we'll have a massive crowd and it'll be a great occasion.' Having lost out in Premiership league and cup semi-finals last year, including one at the hands of Llandovery, Ebbw were staring down the barrel of another as they trailed the Drovers 21-5 at the break. SENSATIONAL: Ethan Phillips chips over the top on his way to a superb try to put Ebbw Vale into a lead they didn't let slip (Image: Ian WIlliams/Huw Evans Agency) Already up against it, Ebbw also played for half of the first period with 14 men with right wing Ieuan Evans and then back-rower Jack Pope both spending 10 minutes in the sin bin. Llandovery were 14-0 up after 12 minutes with centre Rhodri Jones and skipper Lee Rees scoring and converted by Ioan Hughes. Full-back Jac Davies brilliantly set up Rees' try and then scored one himself before the break as the visitors asserted their dominance. But, in what was the proverbial game of two halves, the second half was all Ebbw. Full-back Morgan Richards and centre Ethan Phillips both scored, adding to left wing Ryan Gardner's first half try, and were converted by Evan Lloyd, who also kicked a penalty, as Ebbw hit the front. Phillips try' was the standout and came from a bit of individual brilliance. He kicked ahead, then got there before two Llandovery players, chipped the ball beyond them and took the ball on the bounce to go over. Replacement hooker Ieuan Morris' try on 73 minutes, again converted by Lloyd, sealed the deal despite a yellow card for Gardner and a late Harri Doel try for Llandovery. DELIGHT: Jason Strange's Ebbw Vale beat Llandovery in a cracker (Image: Ian WIlliams/Huw Evans Agency) 'It was a great day for everyone involved with the club,' said head coach Strange. 'To be 21-5 down at half time, with the circumstances we conceded, three yellow cards and to still beat a very good Llandovery team – we're delighted. 'At half time, we just spoke around all the problems which we conceded tries off were fixable. They were through our own errors, individual errors really, so we just had to go back to defending well and build a bit of pressure through our set piece and field position. 'What was pleasing from our point of view was even when we didn't have momentum, we didn't go away from our plan and we still tried to be disciplined and stick to what's worked for us all season – and it paid off in the end.' This was Ebbw's 13th win from as many home games this season and their third win over Llandovery of the campaign, although the Drovers had won comfortably 39-7 when the sides had last met in the SRC Cup final at Church Bank in March. Having overseen a transformation at Ebbw, both on and off the field, since returning to his hometown club in December 2021, Strange says it will be mission complete if they take the final step and win the Super Rygbi Cymru crown. Under Strange's guidance, Ebbw have gone from strength to strength over the past three seasons; two semi-finals, a first cup final appearance since 1998 in this season's SRC Cup and are now just 80 minutes away from a first title triumph since their Premiership win nine years ago. But standing in their way are Newport who, also celebrating their 150th anniversary season, will bid to mark it by going one better than last season when they suffered Premiership final heartache at Llandovery. They had trailed Cardiff 17-11 at half time yesterday but roared back with three second half tries, including two within the space of three minutes just after the hour mark. It was Newport's second win over their rivals in their own backyard of the season and their third win on the bounce at the Arms Park. First half tries from Ethan Lloyd and Elijah Evans, along with two conversions and a penalty from Lloyd Lucas, gave the hosts a six-point advantage at the break. Wing Iestyn Galton scored for Newport in the first half, with Jac Lloyd sending over two penalties. Flanker Kyle Taylor scored again for Newport five minutes after the re-start, with Lloyd converting, to put Newport in front for the first time. Lucas then kicked Cardiff ahead again briefly but by now it was Newport looking the more likely and pressure on the home defence was rewarded on 62 minutes when prop Tom Devine powered his way over. Lloyd converted. Then two minutes later and after a Cardiff mix up from a line out, Newport stole back possession and, after the ball went through the hands, it was sent out to centre Jon Morris to score and all but secure Newport's spot in the final. Lloyd converted. Cardiff were unable to find an answer in the closing stages and Lloyd sent over another penalty three minutes from time to put the cap on another memorable day in the capital.
South Wales Argus
10-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Cricket-rugby spat over Ebbw Vale's Eugene Cross Park
The Steelmen will play in the final of the inaugural SRC after fighting back to beat the Drovers 29-28. It comes after they were granted use of Eugene Cross Park for the last-four encounter at the expense of Ebbw Vale CC's second XI. One end of the rugby pitch overlaps with the cricket outfield, with a previous fixture clash meaning that the Steelmen had played their quarter-final game late on a Saturday night seven days earlier. With the semi-final being shown live on S4C and kicking off at 12.15pm, a chalkboard was placed outside the pavilion stating: 'Good luck Llandovery from everyone at EV Cricket Club'. The Ebbw PA and tannoy now playing cricketing themed songs; first up 'I don't like cricket' couldn't make this up, trying to remember there's a game at 1215pm with all this going on @evrfc v @llandoveryrfc @SuperRygbiCymru semi final — Ioan Dyer (@Ioan_Dyer) May 10, 2025 'Ebbw Vale Cricket Club wishes to address recent events that transpired regarding the decision made about play on our home ground today,' read a statement. 'Whilst we remain disappointed with the ruling, which has impacted our club and its members, we would like to clarify that the sign placed outside our establishment was done so without our knowledge or consent. 'This sign does not reflect the views or opinions of Ebbw Vale Cricket Club. Upon learning of its presence, we took immediate action to have it removed. 'We appreciate the understanding and support of our community during this time and remain committed to promoting the spirit of cricket and sportsmanship at our club.' The Steelmen will play in the final of SRC either against Cardiff in the capital or Newport at Eugene Cross Park. Thankfully, the match date of Sunday, May 17 will avoid a clash with senior cricket if it's a Gwent derby in Ebbw Vale.
