Ebbw Vale successfully defend title with thrashing of Tredegar

Before regionalism, I went to most Ebbw Vale home games and a fair few away fixtures.

Indeed, some of my best sporting memories are of the Steelmen pulling off shock wins, most famously on November 7, 1998, when Ebbw beat the mighty Toulouse 19-11 in a filthy day in the valleys.

It was Ebbw’s only win in that season’s European Cup, and to come against the 1995-96 European champions was made even more remarkable by the fact Ebbw had been defeated 108-16 in France by the same opponents just seven weeks earlier.

Cardiff City close in on Championship play-offs

The Bluebirds’ 2-0 win over Derby County at Cardiff City Stadium moves them, effectively, to within two points of a play-off spot.

Malky Mackay’s men were grateful for a goal in each half, with Joe Mason’s first half strike doubled in the second period by a audacious lob by Mark Hudson from inside his own half.

Middlesbrough, realistically the only side who can deny Cardiff a play-off finish, were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw at the Riverside Stadium to already-relegated Doncaster Rovers.

Brave Ebbw Vale and Newbridge make Swalec Cup semi-final exit

 

Rodney Parade, Newport: Cross Keys 19-19 Ebbw Vale (Cross Keys advance by virtue of tries scored)

Arms Park, Cardiff: Pontypridd 28-24 Newbridge

 

Premiership sides Cross Keys and Pontypridd will contest the final of this year’s Swalec Cup after yesterday seeing off Division One East sides Ebbw Vale and Newbridge respectively.

But both top-level teams were forced to work hard for their wins, with Ebbw Vale holding Keys to a draw and Newbridge coming within four points of Ponty.

In a nail-biting encounter at Rodney Parade, a second-half fightback from the Steelmen was not enough to defeat Cross Keys after a late Dean Gunter penalty tied the scores and sent the Premiership side through by virtue of having scored two tries to Ebbw’s one.

A good crowd watches Pontypridd edge Division One East side Newbridge at the Cardiff Arms Park yesterday. Newbridge earned plaudits from both sets of fans as they pushed their Premiership opponents, who were hanging on by the end, all the way in what proved to be a classic cup tie

Disappointment for David Roberts as 11-time champion misses Paralympics

David Roberts, one of Britain’s most successful Paralympic athletes, has been ommitted from Team GB for this summer’s Games.

Since 2009 Roberts has suffered injuries and illnesses and has failed to make S7 qualifying times, missing out once again during last weekend’s British International Disability Swimming Championships.

Welshman Dave Roberts will not get the chance to add to his 11-strong Paralympic gold medal haul in the London pool this summer after being left out of the British squad by selectors. Picture: Flickr, Sum_of_Marc

And Roberts, 31, from Rhondda Cynon Taf, failed to earn the sympathy of the British selectors.

Devils fall just short for third successive season

The Cardiff Devils suffered Elite League play-off heartbreak for the third consecutive season as they lost 2-0 to the Nottingham Panthers yesterday.

The Devils had the opportunity to end what has been a tumultuous season – which included the departure of Cardiff’s forward and former captain, Canadian Brad Voth – on a high after beating the league-winning Belfast Giants on Saturday.

Nottingham Panthers' opening scorer, Canadian David-Alexandre Beauregard, in his days at the Tulsa Oilers in the Central Hockey League in the US. Picture: Flickr, Les Stockton

But the Panthers, who beat the Devils in a high-scoring play-off final last season, ended two periods of stalemate at the National Ice Centre yesterday afternoon by hitting a third-period double to clinch the title.

Great Britain finish bottom but gain valuable handball experience

Great Britain’s men’s handball side have finished last in the Pinsent Masons’ London Cup after losing to South Korea yesterday.
But GB produced a valiant performance before succumbing 29-25.
The team had already lost to the other two competitors in the event, Tunisia and Argentina, in the three-day event held at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.
All four sides will take part in the Olympic Games this summer, and for Britain the results were less important than the experience they have gained from taking on highly rated opponents.
And there were further positives, with Britain’s Steven Larsson finishing at the top of the tournament’s goalscoring charts with 19. Vice-captain Larsson, 30, who plays for Norwegian club side Drammen HK, is regarded as one of the top talents in the British game.
Tunisia, who crushed GB on Good Friday 41-15, won the competition. Korea finished second, ahead of Argentina, who had beaten Britain 32-15 on Thursday.
The British men now have two months to prepare for a qualifying tournament as they seek to earn a place at the European Championships in 2014.