KEV KICKS OFF
I SEE the saga on Leigh Halfpenny looks to be finally sorted and he is poised to join the Scarlets in a deal partly funded by the WRU.
He was thinking about joining the Cardiff Blues who he played for before he left for France in 2014, If the dual contract goes ahead, 60% of his salary will be paid by the WRU. A lot of people are saying Halfpenny is not the player he was a few years ago with his speed fading, but his defence is strong and he can still kick his goals and will be a good signing for the Scarlets.
It was great to see good crowds in Royal Porthcawl for the Rolex Senior Open in wet and windy conditions, with Bernhard Langer winning by three shots. That’s his third major of the season and second win at Royal Porthcawl. Welshman Phil Price played well but Ian Woosnam struggled with the conditions.
This Saturday I will join Nathan Strong, Allan Bateman and a lot of ex-Aberavon players in a past v present charity game with proceeds going to prostate cancer. The past team will be coached by Simon King and Kevin Hopkins and we will be celebrating Andrew Vaughan John’s (Aberavon chairman and owner) 60th birthday so it should be a good day!
I hope the Tondu Ev’s 7s has another successful day. It’s been going a number of years and it’s great to see lots of local talent on show.
Last Saturday we all had a fantastic day at the Hilary Floyd Ellis netball tournament. We raised over £3k on the day and over £10k over the last few years for Velindre cancer charity.
My niece Victoria Floyd Ellis is the driving force behind the tournament and has massive support from all the staff at Bridgend Tennis Club which deserves credit. There were 20 teams this year and the day went well. Unfortunately my team Kev Kings just missed out on a semi-final spot and I couldn’t blame the refereeing this year as they were a little bit better... ha ha.
Congratulations to Hillary’s old team Ogmore Vale Ladies on winning in a shoot out. Well deserved! Kev Kings have started recruiting and training already for 2018.
Swansea City look like they are going to lose attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson after Everton are offering a £50m part exchange deal that would see youngster Callum Connolly join the Swans.
Not sure how good Connolly is but I think they should accept the offer and concentrate on the season ahead and buy a few more players.
Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock says he’s happy with his new squad and might have room for one or two more players if some of the older players move on. The Bluebirds have had a good pre-season, only losing once,
There seems to be a good vibe in the squad and there’s talk about challenging the top teams, I’m sure Craig Bellamy’s influence has been a massive bonus to Warnock and the club. I really hope Cardiff City can get promoted this year.
Question: What do you think of Lee Byrne helping out with coaching the Athletic?
I think it’s fantastic news that Byrney is helping out his old club, I’m sure he’s working the boys hard with fitness and skills and bringing new ideas into the rugby sessions, Let’s hope they can challenge for promotion this season. Good luck boys!