Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Do you have a keen interest in sport? Do you watch programmes such as Sgorio, Clwb Rygbi and Club on S4C? If so, S4C would like to hear your opinion. The channel is holding a special Sports Survey featuring a variety of questions on its most popular sports programmes. There are also questions on how you watch these programmes, for example, on the television, the web or your mobile device, as well as asking you about your favourite sports. The survey should take no more than a few minutes, and you can answer in Welsh or in English. Sue Butler, S4C Sports Content Commissioner, said, “Our sports programmes form an important part of S4C’s schedule. Hearing the opinions of our viewers will be very useful to us as we look to plan the future of our service.” To take part in the Survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/arolwgchwaraeon ------------------- Rhowch eich barn yn Arolwg Chwaraeon S4C A oes gennych ddiddordeb mawr mewn chwaraeon? A ydych chi’n gwylio rhaglenni fel Sgori...

Welsh Premiership rugby side Carmarthen Quins have said a big thank-you to one of their principal sponsors, Redkite Solicitors. The law firm was presented with a special signed Quins shirt, autographed by the first team. The shirt was handed over to David Williams, Solicitor and Partner at Redkite, and Catrina Thomas, legal advisor in the Redkite Commercial and Agricultural Property Team. Mr Williams said: “It was a lovely gesture by the Quins and we will now get the shirt framed and put in a place of honour in our Carmarthen office in Spilman Street. As a local firm we take a keen interest in our community and are delighted to be encouraging sporting activities in Carmarthen. It is great to be able to support a local team and help youngsters make strides on the field of play.” The Redkite name is featured on the Carmarthen Quins Under-10s side jerseys and on the arm of the first team shirts. The presentation took place at the Carmarthen Quins training and junior teams centre in Ab...

It was a case of rugby world cup fever when more than 100 children greeted rugby’s greatest prize, the Webb Ellis Cup, to The Dylan Thomas Boathouse . An entourage of three vehicles escorted the glass backed Landrover Defender carrying the cup on Sunday as part of the rugby world cup trophy tour. Children buzzed with excitement as it arrived at the Writing Shed for 2.30pm before being welcomed into the boathouse to a display of rugby themed activity. The air was electric as rugby loving youngsters got to touch the cup, posing for photographs at the same time. During the hour and a half celebrations the council’s sport and leisure team delivered a rugby themed Actif Storytime session to children from St Clears, Laugharne and Whitland rugby teams. Although limited access meant the event was private, those that did turn up had their pictures taken with the famous trophy. The council’s principal arts officer, Eleri Retallick said: “It was a truly momentous occasion to have the Webb Ellis...

Llanelli schools will come together in a themed touch rugby competition to honour Wales and the town's presence in the Touch World Cup . Pupils will dress up in the national colours of one of the Touch World Cup teams and battle it out against pupils from another school a series of three tournaments to be held at Ysgol y Strade. Rachel Wasserman, Mollie North, Sophie Rainton and Daniel Rees are due to travel to Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, to represent Wales in the minimal contact version of rugby. The tournament organised in conjunction with WRU School Rugby officers and the council’s sport and leisure officers is a chance for boys and girls in years 9 and 10 to play Sport and leisure officer Matt Adams said: “Each Llanelli secondary school has been invited to attend a series of three tournaments that take place throughout the summer term. Touch is a fantastic game for both male and female players – it’s fast, dynamic and great fun, which focuses on skill rather than physical...

Get well soon wishes go to Peter Rees, Scarlets and Wales rugby hero. The former Llanelli RFC Chairman and President went into hospital in November and had to have a second emergency operation on Saturday - but he came around from surgery in time to watch the Wales team beat South Africa! Peter is the last surviving player from the 1947 Five Nations Tournament, which was the first after World War Two and the first Five Nations tournament for 16 years. Wales were joint Champions with England. Peter, 89 (90 in February), is currently in Preseli Ward in Glangwili Hospital. Mark John, Secretary Llanelli Rugby Football Club, said everyone at Llanelli RFC and the Scarlets wished Peter a speedy recovery.

St Clears RFC has two new junior teams thanks to a Community Chest grant. An Under 13s and 14s have been developed with 21 new players since they were given a cash boost last year. £1350 was distributed by Carmarthenshire County Council’s sports and leisure team to help the club further develop age group rugby and invest in coaching staff and training facilities. Gwyndaf Williams said: “Thanks to the support from Carmarthenshire Council the club has improved two playing pitches and installed new training floodlights to support future development. The grant provides much needed support to develop and work within the community and local schools to enhance local sports participation.” The junior club was formed in 2007 and has 145 members. It is made up of eight teams – aged 7-14s and a 1st 15 team. In its history St Clears RFC has helped produce some sporting greats including Delme Thomas and Jonathan Davies, Mike Philips. Community Chest is funded by Sport Wales and distributed via ...

Scarlets draw with Bath 26 points a piece offering encouragement for new coach Wayne Pivac | Llanelli Star : The Scarlets began life under new head coach Wayne Pivac with an entertaining 26-26 draw with old rivals Bath  at The Rec. The West Walians fought back from 26-14 down in the final quarter to give the New Zealander plenty of reasons to be encouraged ahead of the new Pro12 campaign, which starts against Ulster in three weeks time.

Cwmgors RFC have lifted the SWALEC Division 4 South West trophy after a convincing (34 – 7) home win over Pyle RFC last week (Wednesday 14th May 2014). The win came as a relief for the boys, who unexpectedly lost against Cwmavon RFC the week before – going down by four points and keeping the title just out of reach for another week. Despite the hold-up at Cwmavon, Cwmgors have had a great season, winning all but two of the league games that they’ve played. Cwmgors RFC’s league victory has been aided by the impressive boot of fly-half Steff Rees - the club’s top points scorer - who broke a club record this season by scoring 338 points. Rees was also quick on his feet in crossing the gain line as he was also crowned the club’s top try scorer, alongside Lloyd Watson with 11 tries each. Steff Rees said the Cwmgors players were delighted with their second championship success in successive seasons, having taking the Division 5 title last year. He said: “It means everything. It’s a close ...

Flanker Ellis Lloyd crossed for a try hat-trick as Carmarthen Quins cruised effortlessly into the Swalec Cup quarter-finals. In all the Principality Welsh Premiership leaders Quins went in for nine tries with outside-half Craig Evans converting eight of them. Full report on the link in the headline.

Pictures of yesterday's rugby Gorseinon v Tumble from the South Wales Evening Post. See link - http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/pictures/Pictures-Pontardulais-v-Llanelli-Wanderers/pictures-20637820-detail/pictures.html?ito=email_newsletter_southwaleseveningpost

Picture slideshow of Pontarddulais v Llanelli Wanderers from South Wales Evening Post. See link -  http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/pictures/Pictures-Pontardulais-v-Llanelli-Wanderers/pictures-20637820-detail/pictures.html?ito=email_newsletter_southwaleseveningpost

Cor Meibion Llanelli is celebrating St David’s Day by releasing a new “battle hymn” for the British and Irish Lions’ summer tour of Australia. The song Lions To A Man, to the tune of Men of Harlech, has been written by former soldier Ollie Ward, of Swansea, and has been described as a stirring rendition of one of Wales’ iconic songs. The song is being officially launched at Parc y Scarlets during the Scarlets versus Edinburgh match on St David’s Day and will be available on YouTube on the internet and for downloads on the iTunes and Android platforms on computers and mobile phones. Men of Harlech is traditionally a popular military march often heard during military parades, especially by regiments historically associated with Wales. It has featured in numerous Hollywood films such as How Green Was My Valley, The Corn Is Green, and the Englishman Who Went Up a Hill And Came Down a Mountain. But Men of Harlech is best known for the stirring rendition by Ivor Emmanuel in the 1964...

Côr Meibion Llanelli members have been busy rehearsing a new ‘battle hymn’ for the British and Irish Lions rugby team. And the new version of ‘Men of Harlech’ has received the thumbs-up from two Lions legends, Delme Thomas and Phil Bennett. The rugby heroes were on hand to hear the unofficial ‘premiere’ of ‘Lions To A Man’, a poem set to the Men of Harlech tune. “I’m a big fan of Côr Meibion Llanelli and I love listening to them,” said the hero of Llanelli’s famous 9-3 win over New Zealand Delme Thomas. “This new song is very stirring and I am sure people will love it. The plan is to record ‘Lions To A Man’ and video the recording session. There will be a full edit of the film for You Tube on the internet and the tune will be available for downloads on the iTunes and Android platforms on computers and mobile devices. “It’s a very exciting project,” said Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas. “The ‘boys’ of the choir have had great fun rehearsing ‘Lions To A Man’ a...

A major new Scarlets heritage project has been given the go-ahead with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to inspire new generations in rugby and local history. The Scarlets have been awarded a £100,000 grant for a unique heritage trail that will celebrate Llanelli and its rugby club’s great history with the aim of inspiring young people to find out more about the rich culture and sporting legacy of the region. The Scarlets have been supported in their plans and bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in a joint collaboration with Llanelli RFC, the former players association and Crys16, the Scarlets’ Supporters Trust along with support from stadium partners, Carmarthenshire County Council. The focus of the new heritage trail project based at Parc Y Scarlets is to inspire, safeguard and promote the great heritage and history of Scarlets rugby and its intrinsic links with Llanelli and people across the county. The trail will promote awareness of the link between local history and L...

There's a fireworks night planned at Dunvant RFC in Swansea on Friday, November 2. Gates are open at 6pm and the display starts at 7.15pm. Tickets £3, four for £10. Hot food and drinks will be available. Dunvant's Martin Newbury said: "The display looks to build on last year’s spectacular event that gave an hour of entertainment that proved excellent value for money. This year, we have a larger and more spectacular event planned, all money raised going towards junior rugby." Tickets are available from the clubhouse - Monday – Friday after 7pm. Saturdays and Sundays after 12pm. Or on the gate or the various junior section team players and coaches. Weblink - http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dunvant/events/fireworks-display-92189.html

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Big Players is a community-focused project celebrating international rugby talent from the Carmarthenshire area. They have organised a photography exhibition to celebrate Llanelli Vs All Blacks 40th Anniversary. Over the last couple of months, the Big Players project has been working with local clubs to take portraits of 10 international and ex-international rugby players, including Ken Owens, Roy Bergiers, Stephen Jones, Ieuan Evans and Rhys Priestland among others. The images will be taken as assisted self-portraits with the help of professional photographers Ric Bower and Paul Avis. The photographs will be exhibited at four different locations within St Catherine’s Walk Shopping Centre from October 1-31. The celebrations will culminate in an interview session with a panel of the players at The Lyric Theatre at the end of October. Carmarthenshire County Council helps promote local businesses and attractions in the county. For more information visit www.discovercarmarthenshire....

The Scarlets marched on to their second success in the RaboDirect Pro12 league with a deserved win over Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun last night after showing fortitude in defence and mental alertness in turning their opponents mistakes into winning points. Glasgow had hoped to celebrate their first league game at Scotstoun but their attempts to play expansive rugby unravelled in the face of the Scarlets well organised defence.

A cool professional performance saw six-try Llanelli win this Premiership game with ease, running out 46-6 winners away to Newport. Report on link.

Cornish Pirates drawn against Camarthen, Dundee and Swansea (From Falmouth Packet) The draw for the British and Irish Cup has been made pitting the Cornish Pirates in a group with Carmarthen Quins, Dundee HSFP and Swansea. Some 32 teams will compete in an expanded British and Irish Cup in the fourth year of the cross-border competition.