Sport news in brief
WRU chief executive resigns after ‘toxic culture’ claims
Steve Phillips has resigned as chief executive officer of the Welsh Rugby Union after allegations of a “toxic culture” at the organisation. Phillips had resisted calls for his resignation, which came after a documentary aired allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia at the game’s governing body in Wales.
Former Olympic hurdler and Wales wing Nigel Walker moves up from the union’s performance director to take the acting CEO position with immediate effect. A number of former Welsh
Rugby Union employees took part in an investigation by BBC Wales – which was screened last Monday night – with accusations about their time at the organisation, detailing claims of a “toxic culture”.
Charlotte Wathan, general manager of women’s rugby until her resignation last February, spoke of how a male colleague said in front of others in an office that he wanted to “rape” her, while another unnamed contributor says she was left contemplating suicide by her experiences of bullying and sexism at work.
WRU chair Ieuan Evans had said that an external taskforce will be established to help tackle the allegations that have been made. Phillips attended the meeting about the new taskforce but had since decided it was “time for someone else to lead the way”. PA
Wrexham denied famous win in FA Cup thriller
National League leaders Wrexham were denied another FA Cup giant-killing as 10-man Championship high-flyers Sheffield United snatched a stoppage-time equaliser in an absorbing 3-3 draw.
Watched by one half of their Hollywood ownership duo in Ryan Reynolds, Paul Mullin’s 27th goal of the season four minutes from time looked like giving them a victory which was no more than they deserved after going behind after just 64 seconds.
Blades striker Daniel Jebbison’s senseless sending-off with 20 minutes to go undoubtedly helped their cause, although they were already in the ascendency before then, and they duly capitalised. But just as they were contemplating a place in the fifth round, John Egan popped up with an equaliser to take the tie back to Bramall Lane.
Meanwhile, Steve Evans criticised referee David Webb’s performance as Stevenage’s FA Cup run came to an end with a 3-1 defeat at Stoke. The League Two promotion hopefuls were denied a penalty for handball by Josh Laurent with Stoke holding a slender 2-1 lead, with the Potters awarded a controversial spot
kick of their own soon after following Jonathan Tomkinson’s challenge on Jacob Brown.
Webb then admitted his mistake on the pitch, according to Evans. “We don’t get a penalty for a handball and the referee’s excuse is that the hand’s by his side,” the Stevenage boss said. “I’ve seen a rerun of it and it’s a penalty. And then he gives Stoke City a penalty and that’s never a penalty; it’s a great challenge.
“He then watches the replay as we kick off again and he’s then told my players that he got it wrong. How does that motivate my players to come back in a cup tie? Somebody needs to explain that. The referee effectively kills the cup tie. It’s a shocking decision and my players were really hurting with the referee running around saying, ‘I got it wrong’.” PA
England fail to defend hefty total as South Africa clinch series
Temba Bavuma’s hundred and David Miller’s unbeaten 58 off 37 balls underpinned South Africa’s successful pursuit of a mammoth 343 at Bloemfontein which guaranteed a one-day international series win against England. Jos Buttler anchored England’s 342 for seven with 94 not out off 82 balls after Harry Brook had registered his maiden ODI fifty with 80 off 75 deliveries, while there were cameos from Moeen Ali (51 off 45) and Sam Curran (28 off 17).
South Africa never let the run-rate spiral and Bavuma was authoritative up top with 109 from 102 deliveries before Miller’s expertise at the death helped the Proteas home with five wickets to spare. Miller, who put on an unbroken 65 in 47 balls with Marco Jansen (32 off 29), secured a 2-0 lead for the hosts with one more match to play on Wednesday with a huge six from the first delivery of the final over off Chris Woakes.
This is another setback for England, who have won just two of their last 12 ODIs, but there were positives in a high-scoring encounter containing a couple of flashpoints on a sunny, hot day. Brook, who made a duck on his ODI debut in Friday’s 27-run
defeat, led England’s recovery from 33 for two with a fine innings containing seven fours and four sixes, while Olly Stone was threatening throughout and took two for 48. PA
London Irish see off 14-man Harlequins
Harlequins’ miserable league run continued with their fourth straight Premiership defeat after a red card for captain Stephan Lewies ruined any chance of them ending that sequence against London Irish.
Lewies was sent off for a dangerous challenge to the head of opposition No 8 Chandler Cunningham-South, and Irish took full advantage with a bonus-point victory to leave them just one point behind Quins in the Premiership table.
Michael Dykes scored a hat-trick of tries, Cunningham-South, Tom Pearson and James Stokes the others with Paddy Jackson converting all six in a 42-24 victory. Quins’ response was a penalty try award and tries from Tommy Allan, Dino Lamb and Josh Bassett. Allan also added a conversion. PA
Want your views to be included in The Independent Daily Edition letters page? Email us by tapping here letters@independent.co.uk. Please include your address
BACK TO TOP*