Rugby STOP PRESS : 1st June to 19th July 2009
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4th July 2009 The superb three-try to nil victory saved the Lions from suffering a whitewash, and ended the tour on a positive winning note despite losing the series 2-1. Phillips, who played in every Test, led by example at scrum half, before moving to centre in the second half to replace the injured Riki Flutey. The Lions deservedly built-up a 15-6 interval advantage, as winger Shane Williams crossed for a brace of tries, one converted by Stephen Jones, who also added an early penalty. Morne Steyn kept the Springboks in the Test as he landed two penalties. Shortly after the break, right winger Ugo Monye intercepted and sprinted the full length of the field to score a sensational third try under the posts for the Lions. Morne Steyn kept the Boks in contention as he added a third penalty, but poor discipline by the world champions was punished fully as Jones added two further penalties to earn the Lions an emphatic Test victory. South Africa: Kirchner (Bulls); Ndungane (Sharks), Fourie (Lions), Olivier (Bulls), Nokwe (Cheetahs); M Steyn (Bulls), Du Preez (Bulls); Mtawarira (Sharks), Ralepelle (Bulls), Smit (Sharks), Muller (Sharks), Matfield (Bulls), Brussow (Cheetahs), Smith (Cheetahs), Kankowski (Sharks). British and Irish Lions: Kearney; Monye, Bowe, Flutey, S Williams; S Jones, Phillips; Sheridan, Rees, Vickery, Shaw, O'Connell, Worsley, M Williams, Heaslip. Referee:Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
27th June 2009
Team details:
South Africa:
F Steyn (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), A Jacobs (Sharks), J de Villiers (Stormers), B Habana (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), F du Preez (Bulls); T Mtawarira (Sharks), B du Plessis (Sharks), J Smit (Sharks), B Botha (Bulls), V Matfield (Bulls), S Burger (Stormers), J Smith (Cheetahs), P Spies (Bulls).
The Ospreys and Wales star is picked for the British & Irish Lions ahead of Mike Blair and Harry Ellis at scrum half for the first Test against the current world champions.
Phillips has come an extremely long way since he started out playing at junior level at Whitland, but he has never forgotten his roots.
After suffering cruciate knee surgery last season, Phillips has returned to the best form of his career, and is relishing the challenge of facing world rated number one scrum half
Fourie du Preez.
Team details
South Africa:
F Steyn (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), A Jacobs (Sharks), J de Villiers (Stormers), B Habana (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), F du Preez (Bulls); T Mtawarira (Sharks), B du Plessis (Sharks), J Smit (Sharks), B Botha (Bulls), V Matfield (Bulls), H Brussow (Cheetahs), J Smith (Cheetahs), P Spies (Bulls).
15th June 2009
Preseli Men celebrate success
Jonathan Davies grabbed a fantastic brace of tries in Wales’ 48-15 win over the United States at Toyota Park in Chicago, to round off a brilliant North American tour for the former Whitland ace.
Last week, Davies made his full debut in the centre in Wales’ 23-32 victory over Canada at York Stadium in Toronto.
Davies, 21, retained his place in Wales’ starting line-up and repaid tour coach Robin McBride’s faith fully, by crossing for two tries alongside others by Mark Jones, Tom James, Gareth Cooper and a penalty try. Outside half Nicky Robinson marked his return to international duty after a three-year absence by scoring 12 points with his boot.
“It’s been a great tour and a real privilege to play for Wales,” he said. “All of the boys have been great and today’s win makes it a pleasing way to finish the season. I’ve had a great season and now look forward to the future.”
Pembrokeshiresport.co.uk is excited by Jon’s progress and surely there are a lot more caps to be won in future appearances for his country. Well done Jon!
County Schools under 11s rugby win Howell Griffiths Cup
Pembrokeshire’s Under 11 Schools’ rugby team recently created a little bit of history on Dunvant RFC by winning the Howell Griffith Cup, after just losing out by one try in the group stages but winning five straight games thereafter to beat Rhondda School 4 – 1 in
the final.
During the tournament Pembs recorded the biggest win of the day as they beat Pontypool 6-0 and also recorded victories over Cynon Valley, Rhymney Schools and Dinefwr.
A jubilant WRU Development Officer, Kenny Davies, said afterwards
“This was a typical Pembs team effort as they started very slowly but got better all day. It was a great performance from this squad and a number of these boys have a very bright future in the game.
Superb all-round play
“Aron Ebsworth played very well in the semi final, scoring the only try of the game. Jay Johnston was simple outstanding in the knock out stages with Dieter Thomas a close second whilst Kyle Williams played every minute of rugby and young Sion Colella tackled his heart out.
“Jake Jenkins played very well at stand-off with Elgan Roberts and Ryan Conbeer and Geraint Jones also playing their roles when needed. But special mention must go to the skipper Nikita Neary, who was simple the best player on show all day because not only did he score several tries but in the semi final made a covering tackle right on the line just as his opponent was celebrating the score when Nikita just cut him down.
“I have seen a lot of players at this age with great promise but Nikita is the best by far - he has a sixth sense where the ball will be and uses his talent to the full”
Picture
Back Row: Malcolm Dawes (Coach), Geraint Jones, Elgan Roberts, David Thomas (Coach), Nikita Neary (Capt), Kyle Williams, Jake Jenkins. Kenny Davies
Front Row Jay Johnston, Sion Colalla, Aron Ebworth, Dieter Thomas, Ryan Conbeer |
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Four Pembrokeshire men helped Wales Under 20 to an impressive 51-5 victory over Tonga in the opening IRB Junior World Championship in Japan. Former Haverfordwest prop Simon Gardiner (Llanelli) crashed over for a try in the first minute at the Best Amenity Stadium in Fukuokoa, Japan.
Former Whitland full-back Daniel Newton, now with Llanelli, marked his Welsh debut with an impressive defensive and attacking display. Newton sparked off an attack that created a try for captain Justin Tipuric and in the second half he confidently kicked two conversions.
Another former Whitland player Scott Williams (Llanelli) came on as a replacement for Wales’ vice-captain Ashley Beck midway through the second half. On 66 minutes Owen Evans (Llandovery) replaced Pembrokeshire team-mate Gardiner in the front row to win his first cap. "A special mention must go to our new caps, all of whom produced exceptional performances tonight. We have a much needed rest day and then look forward to playing Canada on Tuesday,” said Wales coach Phil Davies. 
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