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UWIC Men’s Rugby 7’s Strike Gold Again
The UWIC Rugby 7’s Team must now be regarded as The UWIC Super Team, and Undisputed Champions of European Student Rugby 7's. Having retained the BUSA Championship in Norwich yesterday., the UWIC 7-a-side team have won 5 out of the last 9 BUSA competitions and as BUSA Champions last year, they went to Grenoble in September where they won the inaugural European Universities Championship. As the result of their victory in BUSA this season, they will be going back to defend the European title in Rome in July of this year.
In a competition that saw strong entries from Hartpury, Loughborough, Leeds Met and Northumbria, to name a few, UWIC had to battle hard against strong opposition from Exeter, whom UWIC beat in the pool stages 22-19 and in the Final 26-19.
Throughout the competition, UWIC amassed a staggering 219 points, whilst conceding only 73 in their 6 matches. Captain Matt McLean led by example, scoring 62 points, Johnny Wehbe 23, Guy Thompson 30, Matt Trowbridge and Joe Bellinger 25points, Alan Awcock 20points, Jason Harries and Sean Hawkey 10 points and 5 points by David Gill.
This years UWIC team contained 4 3rd year students, 3 2nd year students and 5 Freshers, so the future looks good.
The Squad was: Matt McLean (Captain), Alan Awcock, Mike Morris, Johnny Wehbe, Matt Trowbridge, Jason Harries, Josh Leach, Kyle Barrett, Sean Hawkey, David Gill, Guy Thompson and Joe Bellinger. Management Team: Chris Davey (Director of Rugby), Danny Milton (Assistant Coach), Ian I Campbell (Team Manager), Mike Wall (UWIC RFC CEO & BUSA SMG).
It was unfortunate that Rhys Crane damaged his ankle in the Kenny Logan 7’s team on the Saturday preceding the Championships at Norwich, but his place was taken by Fresher Mike Morris as Chris Davey the Director of Rugby, maintained his belief in ‘blooding’ younger players. Thanks also go to Mr David Rees of the Newport Gwent Dragons and past Coach of the Welsh National 7’s who has for the last 2 years given the squad a number of tactical sessions.
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UWIC RFC 2nds -v- CIACs Wednesday 30th April 2008 Cardiff Arms Park 7.15pm KO Mallett Cup Final |
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Meet K1 5.00pm |
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Cardiff & District RFC Mallett Cup
UWIC 2nds through to Final
UWIC 2nds progressed to the Final of the Cardiff and District Rugby Union Mallett Cup by beating Llandaff 2nds 67 - 0 at Tremorfa park last night (Wed 16/4/2008). UWIC outplayed and outscored their opponents in scoring 10 tries.
The final will be played at Cardiff Arms Park on Wednesday 30th April 2008 where their opponents will be the CIACS RFC. The CIACS beat Rumney 2nds to reach the final.
UWIC SCORERS: TRIES: Josh Kelly (2), James Harries (2), Paolo Alonzi (2), Simon Tattersall, Dean Howells, Tom Cheeseman and Joe Bellinger all 1 each. CONVERSIONS: Tom Hancock 7 PENALTIES: Tom Hancock 1
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UWIC RFC – WRU LINKS
Links between UWIC RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union have been further strengthened this season with UWIC RFC’s strength and conditioning coach Dai Watts being invited to help prepare the Wales Senior Squad for the 2008 Six-Nation’s tournament.
Dai, who has already been involved with the Wales U21 Squad and is currently working with Wales U18’s, is now recognised as one of the country’s leading strength and conditioning coaches. This has resulted from his on-going work with the Senior Rugby Squad at UWIC, but in particular his work with the ‘UWIC Rugby Excellence’ group where he has produced some quite outstanding results.
It speaks volumes for what we are trying to develop in terms of a ‘Centre of Rugby Excellence’ at UWIC and it is pleasing to see that Dai’s hard work and expertise is being recognised. Dai has already returned full of new ideas and cannot wait to get stuck into pre-season next year. UWIC rugby will certainly benefit from this link as will the Welsh players from having someone of Dai’s calibre on-board.
Chris Davey
Director of Rugby
UWIC
WELSH
UNIVERSITIES UNDO COMBINED SERVICES UNDER 23
A Welsh Universities RFC team led by Captain Alex Jones (UWIC) defeated the Combined Services Under 23’s by 27 points to nil at Cross Keys RFC today, Sunday 24th February 2008. The Universities team was disrupted by the late withdrawal through injury by back row players Justin Pakes and Guy Thompson (both UWIC) so a back row shuffle was needed with Mike Barber (UWIC) coming in on the open-side, Luke Allen (UWIC) moving up from the bench to the blindside and Luke Foot (UWIC) moving to number 8. From the kick-off the Welsh Uni’s put pressure on the Combined Services defence who, with only 1 minute on the clock, conceded a penalty which Tom Hancock (UWIC) converted (3-0) . Combined Services started to build their attack but the Universities defence turned into attack and on 11 minutes left wing Matthew Nolan (Aberystwyth) went over for an unconverted try (8-0). The game then flowed from end to end with both sides wanting to play some open rugby, but on 27 minutes the Universities put a fast flowing back move together with Johnny Wehbe (UWIC) racing down the left to give the final scoring pass to Matt McLean (UWIC) to go over in the corner. Tom Hancock converted (15-0). Play continued at a fast and furious pace, and at the stroke of half-time, some concerted pressure in the Combined Services 22 saw live-wire scrum half Steffan Phillips (Trinity Carmarthen) dart over near the posts for a well deserved try. Again, Tom Hancock converted (22-0). The second half saw some enterprise from both sides, with opportunities missed at either end. After 15 minutes the Universities then drove over the Services line with Mike Barber (UWIC) claiming the touchdown (27-0). This proved to be the only score of the second period. The game ended with a 27-0 to the Welsh Universities, with both teams contributing to very enjoyable spectacle that was played in good spirit, which made the job of referee Phil Fear (WRU) an easy one. Thanks go to Cross Keys RFC for hosting the match and to NuCom who sponsored the event. Record of Scores:
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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES |
-v- Combined Services Under 23 Sunday 24th February 2008 Cross Keys RFC 2.30pm Kick-off |
UWAU
TEAM|
Wednesday 27th February 2008
4th XV -v- Southampton 1 (Home) Rugby 1, Cyncoed 2.00pm
Saturday 1st March 2008
1st XV -v- Llanharan (Away) Kick-Off 12.00pm
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UWIC PLAYER LEADS WALES AGAIN !! UWIC RFC's tradition of captaining or coaching Wales continues with the announcement of Ryan Jones as Captain for the forthcoming 6 Nations Tournament. Ryan studied at UWIC from 1999 - 2002- where he played in both the BUSA , European Students and National League sides before going on to play professional rugby. His coach at that time being no other than Mr Kevin Bowring. Ryan adds the Captains armband to an impressive collection of honours. Since leaving UWIC he has been at the Newport RFC, Celtic Warriors and latterly The Ospreys from where he has gone on to represent not only Wales, but who can forget the impact he made on when arriving late on the Lions Tour of New Zealand 2005. Ryan has battled back to fitness having suffered a series of shoulder injuries. Ryan now joins a list of ex-UWIC students to lead Wales, a list that includes, Clive Rowlands (Pontypool), Gareth Edwards (Cardiff), John Lloyd (Bridgend), Brian rice (Newport), Jonathan Humphreys (Cardiff) and Paul John (Pontypridd). We are sure he is proud to be announced as Captain, and the Club, committee, players and members wish him all the very best.
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Visits since 29/10/2003