SCARLETS LOOK FOR EXPERIENCE
SCARLETS boss Jon Daniels has confirmed that former Wales star Dwayne Peel will head up the coaching team next year, backed by “an experienced assistant”, following the sudden and dramatic departure of Glenn Delaney.
Head coach Delaney left the Welsh region with immediate effect in the aftermath of the Rainbow Cup victory over the Ospreys.
That announcement came as something of a surprise, not only due to the fact the West Walians had just beaten their fierce rivals, but because Delaney had been promoted to the role of director of rugby less than three weeks before to accommodate the arrival of former Wales scrumhalf Peel.
When asked about the timing of Delaney’s departure, which happened at roughly 10.15pm on the Saturday, Daniels said: “Simply, the timing was agreed between Glenn and the club before the game. That in short is why it was at that time.”
When asked if Delaney was pushed from his role, as Scarlets board member Sean Fitzpatrick alluded to in an interview with WalesOnline, Daniels wouldn’t confirm or deny that claim.
“Listen, you’ll understand I can’t comment on that,” he said.
“Those discussions pre-Saturday and everything leading up to that point is now subject to a contractual agreement so I’m not at liberty to divulge any more information.
“I can’t comment on behalf of Sean, all I can say is I can’t comment on the events which led up to Saturday night’s announcement.”
Daniels was also asked if recent results were the reasons behind Delaney’s departure, but again he would not comment.
However, he was able to confirm that new head coach Peel would be now be the main man, which previously hadn’t been the original plan, with Delaney still set to be in charge.
The search for an experienced assistant to help Peel, rather than a like-for-like director of rugby, is already in motion.
“We will be looking for an experienced assistant to work in Dwayne’s team but Dwayne will be heading the programme next season,” explained Daniels.
“It’s a step up for Dwayne but it’s one we are convinced he’s ready for.
“It is a big chance. Our number one priority is to appoint the best head coach we can and I’m delighted in this case not only is he Welsh but he’s also a former Scarlet, a Welsh international and British Lion.”
Of the search for an assistant, he said: “Looking at the group that we’ve got and Dwayne’s skillset, probably the ideal candidate would have some runs on the board but also have a defence specialism.
“Obviously the search is in its infancy, but it has begun.
“We are at the stage where we are receiving and taking potential candidates, but we haven’t got any further than that yet.”
The Scarlets defence has come under fire this season, with consecutive defeats against Sale and Dragons that saw them concede more than 50 points in each game the nadir.
Delaney had been the defence coach under previous boss Brad Mooar, but his role wasn’t replaced when he took on the main job at the start of this season.
Was that a recognition by the board that having a specialist defence coach was something that hadn’t been addressed since Delaney stepped up?
“Glenn was still actively coaching defence,” answered Daniels. “It is recognition that it’s a gap that has been left now with Glenn’s departure.”
Peel was contracted to take over Cardiff Blues next season and it has yet to be confirmed if any form of compensation to either Delaney or the Arms Park outfit will be paid.
Daniels was asked for any more detail on how the move for Peel came about, but again declined to comment.
But when asked about how any compensation would affect the Scarlets’ finances in these tricky times, Daniels said: “It’s financially uncertain times for all rugby clubs, not just Scarlets and not just Wales.
“We are still working through the process of agreeing budgets and funding from PRB as well.
“Whatever funds we have, we have
to make the best we can of them.
“What we are still committed to do is to be successful here at Scarlets next season and going forward.”
As for the message he would pass on to the fans, with many having been vocal in their disappointment in how the season has played out, he said: “I suppose all I can say is time will tell. Give us time.
“It will take time to settle a new group but we are confident that Dwayne coming and heading the programme and other initiatives we are looking at will drive us forward next year and onwards.
“We are certainly not embarking on this next chapter expecting to ship 50 points.
“There is graft to be done and there are systems and structures to put in place.
“I’m confident that balance will be right moving forward.”
LLANDYSUL have moved to the top of division one of the South Wales Cricket Association.
They made the long journey to Skewen worthwhile with an 88-run win.
The Ceredigion side made 183-4 in a reduced 40 overs and then shot out the hosts for 95 in 37.4 overs.
Opener Carwyn Morgan (46) gave the visitors a solid start, continued by Gary Williams (70no) and Rhidian Harris (22).
Skewen opener Dean Kriescher top-scored with 20 for the hosts as the Jones boys, Arfon (3-10) and Steffan (2-25) and Rhidian Harris (2-17) saw the Neath side dismissed for 95.
Llanelli managed to get their home clash with Maesteg Celtic on but were well beaten by 111 runs.
Llanelli won the toss and opted to field, but the Llynfi Valley side reached 195-4 in a reduced 44 overs.
Llanelli were never in with a shout of overhauling that total and slumped to 84 all out in 26 overs.
Most games in the South Wales Association were cancelled because of the wet weather; Bronwydd v Tata Steel, Dafen v Gowerton and Maesteg v Llangennech all fell by the wayside.
Only one fixture in division two beat the rain and that saw Baglan hit 202 and then bowl out Swansea Civil Service for 152 for a 50-run victory.
Yakoob Ali (41), skipper Jonathan Lewis (47) and Rhodri GaskinsDavies (34), plus a whopping 42 extras that included 38 wides, led the home scoring despite the efforts of Bryn Goss (4-35), Dan Hardman (227) and Scott Barrow (2-41).
The Civil Service reply got off to a disastrous start as they slumped to 2-3 and then 9-4 and 17-5. But No. 3 Steve Porter made a terrific 73 and later batsmen Dafydd John (34) and Barrow (16no) helped them reach a respectable 152 all out in 41.5 overs.
Philip Godwin (4-27), John O’Leary (3-7) and Taylor Rees (2-33) did the damage.
Newly-promoted Gowerton Seconds have made an impressive start to their campaign in division three and sit top of the table after beating Porthcawl.
Porthcawl won the toss and captain Nicholas Morgan had no hesitation in asking the hosts to bat first.
Gowerton lost captain Adam Bond in the first over, but David Roberts (38) and Rhodri Owens (18) put on 52 for the second wicket. However, the dismissal of Roberts triggered the loss of four wickets for 22 runs and the hosts were left struggling on 76-5 with captain Morgan (5-15) proving a challenge.
The experienced Richard Harris (43) and Rhys Williams (13) set about re-establishing the innings and their partnership of 45 put the hosts back on top.
The dismissal of Williams saw the tail fall away, with Ethan Harris (14no) the only other batsman able to reach double figures.
Gowerton’s last wicket fell in the final over with 152 on the board.
The visitors set about the chase positively, with Morgan (15) and Mark Lewis (50) putting on 37 for the first wicket.
However, the dismissal of Morgan saw two further wickets follow quickly before a 64-run partnership between Lewis and Stephen Richmond (20) left the visitors in a commanding position requiring 48 from the final 14 overs.
The introduction of Tom Parkin (326) proved to be the turning point and his dismissal of Lewis to an excellent tumbling catch by 14-year-old Jack Hobbs led to a regular loss of wickets.
The visitors were unable to keep up with the run rate, with Hobbs (1-12) holding his nerve impressively and the Porthcawl innings closed eight runs short on 144-7.
Tata Steel Seconds crushed Dafen Seconds in Port Talbot.
Opener Phillip Taylor hit 47 and No. 9 Raj Tilak 33 not out as Tata were all out for 149, helped by 27 extras, in 36.5 overs. Andrew Randell took 4-21 and Jonathon Wastell, Chris Hudson and Henry Lloyd two wickets apiece.
But the Dafen reply was in trouble from the off and skipper Chris Randell top-scored with six as the Llanelli side were skittled out for 30 in 14.1 overs. Damien Williams took 5-14 and Adam Jardine 5-11.
And also in division three, Pontyberem enjoyed a 143-run win at Neath village side Dyffryn.
Opener Rhodri Evans was left agonisingly on 97 not out (12 fours and three sixes) when the Pontyberem innings came to a close on 221-5 after 34 overs.
Skipper Craig Evans gave valuable support with 42 as only Lewis Day (325) enjoyed any success for the home side.
Opener Paul Amplett then hit 19 for Dyffryn, aided by Scott Thomas (22) and Darren Wood (16no), but their reply petered out to 78 all out in 24.2 overs.
Daniel Griffiths took 4-11 and Dafydd Davies cleaned up the tail with 5-20.
The only game that survived in division four saw Kidwelly (185-7) comfortably beat visitors Great Western Railway by 105 runs in a 30-over contest.
Alistair Chambers (31), Liam Lilly (68) and Joe Dean (42) shone with the bat for Kidwelly, whose bowlers then dominated the GWR batsmen, who limped to 80-3.