Quest begins for trophies
Donaldson among Open prizewinners
PONTYPRIDD golfer Jamie Donaldson tied for 16th place in the Porsche European Open in Hamburg last weekend.
The 41-year-old former Ryder Cup player shot rounds of 69, 71, 71 and 70 to finish on a sevenunder-par total of 281 – six shots adrift of the winner, England’s Jordan Smith.
Donaldson, once ranked inside the world’s top 30 and now 258th, won €27,000.
Aberdare’s Stuart Manley was let down by a poor finish.
After shooting belowpar rounds of 67, 71 and 71, he finished with a disappointing 77 to finish on a two-under-par total of 286.
That earned him a share of 47th place and a cheque for €9,800.
Manley, aged 38 and ranked 373rd in the world, recently competed in his first major – the British Open at Royal Birkdale – where for a time on the opening day he was the clubhouse leader with a first round 68.
Tredegar’s Dredge tied Bradley for 60th place in Hamburg following rounds of 70, 73, 75 and 71.
His one-over-par total of 289 earned him €5,700.
Dredge, aged 44, is ranked 281st in the world, having been inside the top 100 earlier in the summer.
WRU National Cup 1st Round
Both Merthyr and Pontypridd will be looking to go a step further in this season’s tournament after tough losses at the semifinal stage last term.
Pontypridd have been given a tough first hurdle to get over, though, as they were drawn to travel to Cross Keys’ Pandy Park on Saturday, January 6, 2017.
The Ironmen too are on the road and will face a tricky trip down West Wales to face Championship outfit Newcastle Emlyn.
Bargoed will be hoping that home advantage will help them as they welcome Trebanos to Bargoed Park. The Swansea Valley Club were crowned Division One West Champions last season and were promoted to the Championship for the first time.
Rhydyfelin will play in the Cup competition for the first time in some time and will be hoping that some of the magic they created in the Plate competition will be on show when they entertain fellow Championship Club Newbridge at the Hawthorn Recreation ground.
Both Beddau and Bedlinog were given byes. capable of making it a treble of Plate victories this season.
Last season’s Division One East Central Champions Treorchy are also given a tough home fixture against St Peters, while there are stand-out all Mid District Club affairs as Cambrian Welfare host Abercynon, Cilfynydd travel to Llantwit Fardre and Senghenydd welcome Dowlais to the Welfare ground. Draw (involving Mid District Clubs) Aberdare v Llanharan, Abertillery BG v Ynysybwl, Caerphilly v Croesyceiliog, Cambrian Welfare v Abercynon, Builth Wells v Bonymaen, Cardiff Quins v Mountain Ash, Garndiffaith v Brecon, Gilfach Goch v Rumney, Llantrisant v Penarth, Llantwit Fardre v Cilfynydd, Nelson v Talywain, Porth Harlequins v Dinas Powys, Senghenydd v Dowlais, Treorchy v St Peters, Ystrad Rhondda v Llanishen (games to be played on Saturday, October 7).
WRU National Bowl 1st Round
The draw for the first round of this season’s competition has created a big Rhondda derby as Tylorstown have been drawn away to local rivals Penygraig.
Re-established Glyncoch will be looking for another finals day out after their victorious season in 2012, but they face a very difficult first-round tie at Oakdale.
For the first time 2nd teams have been allowed to enter the competition. Teams who compete in the new WRU Conference for reserve teams will have the chance to make it to the Principality Stadium.
Penallta’s 2nd XV will make the trip to Ynysowen, while Bargoed’s second team will also face an away afternoon at Pill Harries 2 nd XV.
2013 Bowl winners Wattstown have received a bye. Draw (involving Mid District Clubs) Canton v Ferndale, Deri v Old Tylerian, Fleur-delys v Abercwmboi, Llandridnod Wells v Hirwaun, Oakdale v Glyncoch, Pentyrch v Treherbert, Penygraig v Tylorstown, Pill Harries II v Bargoed II, Tonygwynlais v Cefn Coed, Tonyrefail v Rhiwbina II, Whitchurch v Treharris, Ynysowen v Penallta II, Wattstown – bye.