Page 14 - Ninnau Jan-Feb 2021

Sportscene Wales By David Barry

Ireland 18-7 and Georgia 40-0. Regions still struggle for suc-
SOCCER The team will play one further cess
Wales’ run of success contin- fixture against a team yet to be The four Welsh regions still OBITUARIES
ues confirmed at the end of the struggle for success in the Pro Former high scoring wing for
Despite the shock of having Autumn series. 14 competition and now even Wales and the British Lions JJ
manager Ryan Giggs step down WALES 13 ENGLAND 24. the Italian sides appear to be Williams has passed away aged
on a temporary basis as he faces In a marginally improved per- more difficult to defeat. Many 72 years. He scored 12 tries for
investigation over allegations of formance Wales went down to pundits ask what has gone wales in his 30 caps in the
domestic assault the Wales team defeat against a powerful wrong as we appear to be fol- 1970s. he played over 300
under Assistant Manager Robert England team at Parc Y Scarlets lowing way behind the Irish and games for Bridgend and Llanelli
Page have continued their run of in Llanelli. Post-match criti- Scottish regions. and was a star performer for the
success. cisms were aired due to the undefeated 1974 British Lions
After losing 3-0 to England in excessive amount of kicking The Dragons faced a two in South Africa. His older
a friendly at Wembley the rela- during the game and the perfor- week shut down as a number of brother Peter Williams a first
tively young side have mance of the French referee the region’s staff fell ill to the class player with Maesteg and
embarked on a successful run to who, according to the Wales Covid 19 Pandemic. Bridgend who later became a
finish top of their Nations management, made a number of very successful coach prede-
League group. The team has mistakes to the disadvantage of Personalities in the news ceased him by 10 days.
shown a resolute defence allied the home team. Cyclist Geraint Thomas suf-
to an attractive possession based Wales finish the Autumn Series fered a crash which resulted in
attacking intent that augurs well with a game against Italy which pelvic fractures and led to his Ray Prosser who played 22
for the future. will determine which of the two early departure from the Giro times for Wales in the late
A battling scoreless draw Jones has become the most sides finish in fifth or sixth Italia race. 1950s and toured with the 1959
away to Republic of Ireland capped player in the history position in the competition. Lions to New Zealand has died
was followed by a deserved 0-1 of the game, and long may he Elfyn Evans holds a 14 point aged 93 years. “Pros” famous-
away win in Bulgaria with a continue! lead as he heads in to the final ly coached his hometown club
late goal from Johnny Off field changes at the race in December in the FIA Pontypool for 18 very success-
Williams. A drab drawn game WRU World Car Rally champi- ful seasons and helped develop
0-0 with USA was followed by RUGBY Following his defeat to Ieuan onships. the famous “Pontypool from
key deserved wins 1-0 over the Evans in a ballot for a seat on row”.
Republic of Ireland and a com- Run of Autumn defeats for the WRU Council Gareth Very successful darts player
prehensive 3-1 win over Wales Davies has left the WRU after Gerwyn Price was joined by
Finland. In the latter game the Coach Wayne Pivac has not six years as Chairman. Johnny Clayton as Wales won
young team were inspired by a found it easy as he ends a year In a further ballot long serving the World Cup of Darts with a
creative display by star man in charge of the Wales team. A Robert Butcher of Blackwood 3-0 final victory over England.
Gareth Bale and goals from run of six successive defeats RFC defeated Ieuan Evans for
Wilson, Dan James and shows just how difficult it has the post of Chairman of the
Keiffer Moore. been to follow the success WRU Board. A retired teacher
The team has had to play achieved under Warren Gatland. it will be interesting to see how
without key, experienced per- Fans and press pundits have Butcher performs in his new
sonnel such as Aaron Ramsey, been disappointed not only by business role despite his back-
Joe Allen and Wayne Hennesey the defeats but the nature of the ing form grass roots clubs.
but his has enabled a group of team’s performances. Whilst it Other departures form the
younger highly promising play- was expected that the tactical WRU include former captain
ers to be blooded, and gain vital changes needed to play a more Ryan Jones and Sam
experience. fluid game plan would not be Warburton from their respec-
The Wales Women team suf- easy, the run of defeats and their tive positions as Performance
fered a disappointing 0-1 home nature have prompted dismay in Director and Breakdown Coach
defeat to pool leaders Norway the Principality. The team have for the Wales team.
and now face a very difficult fallen from a top three position
challenge to qualify for the Euro to ninth in the World rankings. The Wales Women’s team
Finals. Weakness in their set pieces will have new coached with the
Mixed fortune for League have resulted in a lack of pos- appointment of South African
Clubs session and their famed defence born Warren Abrahams and
Swansea City have shown con- under now departed Shaun former captain Rachel Taylor
sistent form in their opening 12 Edwards is no longer water- on three year contracts. Speedster Williams sadly passed away after long term illness
games with only two defeats tight.
and are in fourth spot in the In a friendly fixture in Paris
Championship table. Wales went down 38-21 to a SMILE, You’re Welsh
Local rivals Cardiff City young and exciting French
have shown disappointing form team.
at home and lie in mid table. The opening game of the new By Billy Williams move. Just think about the poor ---LONDON COUPLE
Pressure will mount on manager Autumn Series against guy who fell into a glass grind- SLAIN; POLICE SUSPECT
Neil Harris as the club’s own- Scotland saw Captain Alun Well, a new year is finally here. ing machine and made a specta- HOMICIDE -- (“They may be
ers have stated that they expect Wyn Jones become the most We’ve had too many bad times cle of himself. on to something!”)

and, of course, some good time.
the club to be pushing for a capped player in the World. And what an election strug- ***** ---RED TAPE HOLDS UP
NEW BRIDGES -- (“You mean
play-off spot in the New Year But a very disappointing display gle it’s been through the years. MY question is WHY! Here there’s something stronger than
after their investment in new by Wales saw the visitors gain But remember that in a democ- are a few examples: duct tape?”)
players. their first victory on Welsh soil racy your vote counts. In feu- ---Why do banks charge a ---HOSPITALS ARE SUED
Under new manager Mike for 18 years. The 14-10 score dalism just your Count votes. fee due to insufficient funds BY 7 FOOT DOCTORS -- (“I
Flynn who won the Manager of line does not fully reflect the Strange things can happen when they already know you’re didn’t know those docs were
the Month award for October superiority of the visitors in all and some wild things are creat- broke? that tall!”)
Newport County have enjoyed aspects of play. After the game ed. Just yesterday, a man fell ---If people evolved from
success in both league and cup defence coach Byron into an upholstery machine, but apes, why are there still apes? *****
he’s fully recovered now. I
---Is there ever a day that
Well, it’s all about your life
competitions. The team head Haywards left the coaching know a gal who had a boyfriend mattresses are not on sale? and my life. At your school
the Division Two table with a staff by “mutual decision”. He with a wooden leg, but she ---Why is it that whenever reunions do you feel younger
game in hand over their nearest has been replaced by former broke it off. And just two days you attempt to catch something than your classmates? If so,
challengers. prop forward Gethin Jenkins. ago, my neighbor came home that’s falling off the table you always be your self because
Hollywood stars takeover Away to Ireland the team again from a singing event and could always knock something else people that matter don’t mind
Wrexham F.C. exhibited major weaknesses in not open his door because he off? and the ones that mind don’t
matter.

Hollywood stars Ryan scrum and lineout and were did not have the right key. Oh,
*****
Reynolds and Rob comprehensively defeated 32-9. what a week! Centuries ago, I was a jour- My problem is that I am
If you received money for
supposed to respect my elders,
McElhenney have had their bid Christmas, now is the time to nalist. (At least it seems that far but it’s getting harder for me to
to buy the Robins accepted by Coach Pivac made 13 selec- buy. Of course, some money back.) We always wrote head- find one.
the Supporters Trust who cur- tion changes for the next game might be tainted; it ‘taint’ yours lines which made sense. Seems
rently own the club. It is antici- against tier two nation Georgia. and it ‘taint’ mine. And that’s the current crop at the news *****
pated that the new owners will He included a number of new the case if you’ve seen one desks writes headlines which It’s time for me to go but
invest their own funds so as to caps in his largely inexperi- shopping center, you’ve seen a don’t make sense. Here are a it’s been great seeing you again
help the club gain promotion to enced team. In poor windy and mall. few modern headlines in capital and talking with you. (My wife
the Football League. Currently wet conditions at Parc y Scarlets People do react to change. I letters and the reader’s reaction said that’s a lie because I nei-
the team hold down a mid table Llanelli, the scrum went well at read about an actress who saw in small letters. ther saw you nor spoke to you.)
---IF STRIKE ISN’T SET-
her first strands of unwanted
I told her that at my age I can
position. McElhenney has last and the team gained a 18-0 gray hair and thought she’d dye. TLED QUICKLY, IT MAY dream. So she gave me permis-
already attracted headlines by victory. Up next for Wales is a Other folks easily manage what LAST AWHILE -- (“Ya’ sion to say ‘HAPPY NEW
donating c. $8000 to a disabled game against a very powerful they have to do. Take bakers: think?”) YEAR” or, if you prefer,
Wrexham fan to enable adap- and inform England side who they trade bread recipes on a ---COLD WAVE LINKED BLWYDDYN NEWYDD
tions to his bathroom at home. comprehensively defeated knead-to-know basis. TO TEMPERATURES -- DDA!
Other folks make the wrong (“Who would have thought”?)
Page 14 NINNAU - The North American Welsh Newspaper January-February 2021
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