Free Word 714
gairrhydd Cardiff’s Student Weekly
Monday 25 February 2002
Inside: Your 12 page Varsity 2002 pullout Including: Cardiff and Swansea pen picks and a Cardiff supporters poster
BEST CAMPAIGNING NEWSPAPER IN THE GUARDIAN STUDENT MEDIA AWARDS
‘Students would be Funding cut for better off on benefits’
GRANTS NOT FEES: Cardiff students protest in Trafalgar Square
by Aimee Bryant and Abbie Jackson HUNDREDS OF students, including many from Cardiff, met in London last Wednesday
to protest against the thousands of students who are forced to live below the poverty line. Armed with banners and flags, the students marched past the Houses of Commons and
Downing Street in a demonstration against the introduction of tuition fees and the abolition of the grant. This follows a shocking revelation from the National Union of Students (NUS) that many students live below the poverty line. The new figures suggest that students would be financially better off living on benefits. The key findings show that students are expected to live on £29 a week after accommodation costs. Young people (aged 18-24) on state benefits receive £42 a week after housing benefit. In response to these new statistics, NUS president Owain James said, “NUS is appaled that a government who claims that its number one priority is education is forcing thousands of young people to live below the minimum threshold that it believes a single person can live on.” Recent UCAS polls indicate that applications from the poorest social backgrounds have declined
by 9.5 per cent in the last year. The average student debt has nearly doubled in the last two years, but the disparity between the amount owed by middle-class and working classes has also increased. As reported in Gair Rhydd last week, the Welsh National Assembly has opted to restore the student grant system, but this scheme will only benefit Welshdomiciled students whose familial income is less than £15,000 per annum. As a result of student debt, concern continues to mount within the education authority that grades may suffer as more and more students take on paid work to supplement loans. Today, more than 40 per cent of students have part-time jobs. NUS Wales President Steve Brooks concluded, “Central Government claims it wants to widen participation, yet it refuses to remove the financial barriers that stop students applying for Higher Education.”
Elvis was a Taffy by Lydia Kirby THE KING of rock and roll originated from Wales, as did Joan Collins, Burt Lancaster and Russell Crowe, a comical website has claimed. The site, www.famouswelsh.com, also claims that America was actually named after a Welshman, Richard Amerik, who worked as a British customs official in Bristol and that Wall Street is rightfully the property of a Welsh family, descendent’s of explorer Robert Edwards. Apparently the 3,000 descendent’s of Edwards living in Wales today would receive
an estimated $26 million each if the claim was ever proved. But by far the most outrageous claim is that Elvis Presley originated from Wales. Allegedly, the surname Presley actually comes from the word Preseli, a chain of mountains in mid-Wales. And, to make the story a little more believable, there is an ancient Celtic church in the area called St Elvis’s Church. Russell Crowe, who is currently starring in A Beautiful Mind, apparently has a grandfather from Wrexham and Hilary Clinton, Burt Lancaster and Joan Collins have unconfirmed connections with Wales.
THE KING: Born in Wales?
But the editor of the webpage, the aptly named Ed Welsh, urges browsers not to take the contents too seriously. He said, “People should take the information with a pinch of salt but some of the stuff is pretty fascinating nevertheless.”
FIRE AT THE FIRKIN: SEE PAGE 3
clubs? by Dominic O’Neill
THE UNION has upped the stakes in the battle for student participation by threatening societies and sports clubs with closure. In the run-up to their Annual General Meeting, the Students’ Union Council has decided that if the clubs and societies do not attend the meeting, they will be cut loose from the union’s patronage. Strong worded letters have already been sent out, stating that from every sports cub and society, 10 or 5 members respectively must attend if they wish to retain the privileges given to them by the Union. The officer responsible for the AGM, Societies and Union Secretary James Sommerville, explained that, “We are under increasing pressure to justify the money we receive from the University. “The AGM is supposed to be attended by five per cent of our members, that is the student population. That’s about 750 people. If, like most years, only 50 turn up, it will not make a very good impression to the Vice Chancellor who will be giving a speech. We need to show that students care about their Union, and this is the only way to do it.” The meeting, taking place in the Great Hall in two weeks time (Monday 11 March) at 8.30pm, will also include a vote on whether Nestlé products, banned from union shops on the basis of the company’s unethical practices, should once again by sold. Mr Sommerville commented, “At the moment the AGM is ignored and undervalued. We want to turn it into a useful reality.” Tristan Thomas, second year journalism thought that the tough treatment was quite justified. He said, “I think it’s about time clubs and societies started offering something back to the Union rather than just taking money.” But Jennifer Jones, a member of the badminton society and first year English Literature student complained. “It’s a bit much threatening us to go. It’s meant to be a voluntary event ”
2 ● News
Briefly... Randy Welsh buggers THE WELSH have more interesting and active sex lives than the English, according to a poll by internet matchmaking service nomorefrogs.co.uk. More Welsh adults crave daring sexual encounters, and are more willing to have sex outdoors, in lifts or on aeroplanes. 70 per cent fancy outdoor sex as opposed to the UK average of 61 per cent, and 32%pc want sex more than seven times a week compared to 26pc in England. However, the randy Scots beat us all, with 34pc of those north of the border wanting sex more than once a day.
On the ale for charity The Cardiff Rag Beer Festival, held in the Great Hall next week, is tipped to feature more beets than the world famous Munich Octoberfest. And, with over 50 beers from 20 breweries, the event, which will take place on the 27 and 28 February, is guaranteed to give students the best choice of real ale in the whole of Wales. This year’s strongest beer will be the delightfully named, Baz’ Bonce Blower, weighing in at a hefty 10 per cent ABV. The festival, is now in its fifth consecutive year and runs in conjunction with Cardiff Rag Week. The Beer festival will be held from 2pm to 11pm. For further information contact real_ale_society@hotmail.com.
Students switch on for jobs Students looking for work can now find their perfect job from the comfort of their armchairs thanks to a new interactive television channel. Prospects.TV, which has been set up by the higher education Careers Service Unit, allows viewers to use their remote controls to look for careers information and graduate career options. The new channel forms part of the already established cable station The Job Channel.
gairrhydd Address: Gair Rhydd University Union Park Place Cardiff CF10 3QN Telephone: Editorial – (029) 2078 1434/436 Advertising – (029) 2078 1416 E-mail: ssugr1@cf.ac.uk Visitors: Find us on the 4th floor of the Students’ Union
Monday 25 February 2002, gairrhydd
Blair urged to ‘pay up’ at fees demo
A Mars a Day is good for you
By Mark Cobley
GOOD NEWS for beer and chocolate-loving students came last week with claims that eating chocolate and drinking beer could actually be good for you. Research conducted by American scientists proved that chocolate can lower high blood pressure as cocoa contains a group of chemicals that can increase production of the essential nitric oxide. Norman Hollenburg, Professor of Medicine at Harvard University claimed, “Nitric oxide plays a very important role in the maintenance of healthy blood pressure and, in turn, cardiovascular health.” Nitric oxide, also called flavonols, can be found in both milk and dark chocolate. If that was not enough, in an attempt to minimise alcohol-related disease, drink firms have been looking into adding vitamins such as thiamin or as others may know it Vitamin B1 to alcohol. The Executive document named Plan for Action, states: “adding thiamin to the beer is an effective way to prevent some forms of alcohol-related brain damage.” Plans are also being made to include the units of alcohol contained in the products in order to combat the growing problem of alcoholism. Therefore, as long as this plan goes accordingly we can all sit down and relax knowing that the next time we crack open a pint or unwrap a chocolate we are doing our bodies some good.
PIC: Pete Goodman
THE STUDENTS behind an online petition against tuition fees have travelled to London to present their petition to the man himself, Tony Blair. Two weeks ago, Gair Rhydd reported on the efforts of two Manchester students, Craig Norris and Chris Brobin, to combat tuition fees. Their webpage, PayUpTony.com, set up in December 2001, aims to collect online signatures from students, lecturers and parents/guardians against tuition fees. As stated on the webpage itself, they aimed to present the Prime Minister with the “long list of unhappy names.” On Tuesday, with the help of the NUS, Craig and Chris travelled to London to meet Mr. Blair and present him with the petition. Although Mr. Blair did not personally meet the students, they presented the petition to officials at 10 Downing Street with NUS President Owain James. They then stayed to take part in the NUS demo against fees on Wednesday. Speaking to Gair Rhydd, website founder Chris Brobin commented, “Next time we’ll make sure we see him face-toface. We have over 70,000 signatures on the website now, and new people are signing up at
ON THE MARCH: The ‘PayUpTony’ team in Trafalgar square
the rate of 4,500 a day. We only presented 10,000 names this time, since we only had the time and resources to print out that many, but next time, we hope to have 100,000 to give to Mr. Blair in person.” Chris and Craig are at present learning a new programming language, in their own time, to make the site run faster and able to deal with more visitors. Chris urged students to visit the site and register their support. He also had a plea, “We’ve been
Tsunami could wipe out Wales by Lydia Kirby
getting a few fake names registered on the site, and it really is a massive pain to go through and weed them out one by one. So if students could resist the urge to take the mickey, that’d be great.” Reacting to the news that the Welsh Assembly is re-introducing grants in a limited fashion, Chris attacked the measures as “not good enough.” “We want to see tuition fees scrapped and grants re-introduced for everyone, across the United Kingdom,” he said.
by Angela Singh
CHOCOLATE HEAVEN: There’s now an excuse to eat more chocolate
Got a cold or the flu? Blocked nose, sore throat, headache, aches and pains.....
University, Rainer Zahn, said, although tsunamis were once a threat in South Wales, it is unlikely that we are in any immediate danger nowadays. He said, “You can get Tsunamis in the Pacific Ocean 45 metres high and everybody knows what devastation a wave even half that size would cause if it hit Wales. If the volcanic wall on the main island in the Canaries collapsed Wales would be in the danger zone but the question is how realistic is such a tsunami in the Atlantic?”
SOUTH WALES could be wiped out by a giant tidal wave, the National Assembly has been warned. Cardiff and surrounding areas was wiped out by a tsunami 400 years ago and shadow economic minister, Phil Williams, has warned that it could happen again. Speaking to the Assembly’s economic development committee, Mr Williams said, “We are most vulnerable to tsunami in the Atlantic. Cardiff was totally wiped out in 1606.” His comments came during talks by the Assembly to build a power station on the Severn Barrage. If given the green light the £8.2 billion scheme would supply a significant part of the UK’s electricity but would also provide extra coastal defences which, Mr Williams believes, could lead to a repetition of the disaster of 1606. He said, “Protection against surges might turn out to be potentially serious.” However, a professor of marine TSUNAMI: Could a wave like geology at Cardiff this flood Wales?
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Cardiff School of Biosciences, Off Park Place, near the Tower Block Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm
News ● 3
gairrhydd, Monday 25 February 2002
English Uni’s lose out Student gets to Wales three years for fatal car accident
by Emily Miller and Charlotte Lyon
THE ASSEMBLY’S decision to bring back grants may already be working in favour of Welsh universities. Last week, Higher Education minister, Margaret Hodge, announced that the numbers of students from working class backgrounds applying to English Universities was falling. Meanwhile, applications to UWIC, Cardiff and Swansea Universities from poorer students are remaining stable or increasing. Former polytechnics whose student population is made up mostly of students from state schools, such as Luton and De Montford, have seen a drastic decrease in applications for next September with applications for some courses at Luton falling by almost 40 per cent. The NUS have attributed this drop to the rising costs of
student life and the lack of financial support from the Government. Ms Hodge also admitted government fears that the proportion of poorer people in higher education will not increase in the next few years. She said, “We could get to our target date of 2010 without changing in any way the sort of people that go to university. If we do that I feel we will have failed”. In contrast UWIC is celebrating an increase of people wanting to join the university this September while Cardiff University, which has a higher number of state educated students than any other university of its calibre, has seen applications for the autumn remain stable. From September, students from poorer backgrounds in Wales and Scotland will be given grants to help them through university. Tony Blair has promised to reassess the Governments
by Mark Cobley
SKINT: Money problems are putting people off going to university in England
support of poorer students but maintains that there will be no
return to its funding of the cost of higher education.
Pub threatened by Firkin fire by David Lindsell
STUDENTS ON their way back from lectures were fearful for their drinking future when fire broke out in the Firedrake and Firkin pub on Salisbury Road last week. Two fire engines from Cardiff and Whitchurch fire brigade visited the pub, a popular haunt for students, on Tuesday afternoon after being alerted to the fire at 2.30pm. According to local shopkeepers the started earlier in the morning before the pub opened for the midday rush.
Smoke could be smelt across Cathays and onlookers noticed wisps escaping from the windows of the flats above the pub. The Firkin declined to provide details of the incident but it is understood that a small fire started in the corner of the bar area during the morning due to an electrical fault. The fire brigade had dealt with the fire by 3pm. Contractors for the pub worked all day and night to repair the electrics and replace equipment which had been damaged by the combination of fire and smoke. The pub was open and serving as usual by Wednesday. PIC: Simon Crockford
FIRKIN: An electrical fault threatened the student local, but only for 30 minutes
A POST-GRADUATE studying in Wales was jailed for three and a half years for causing the death of his friend in a car accident. The incident, which occurred on December 9 in Cardiff city centre, followed a marathon drinking session in which the student, Nicholas Delorme, 24, drank six double whiskies with cola. Delorme was driving from a pub into Cardiff city centre, when he mistakenly switched into the lane for oncoming traffic and his car collided with a BMW coming the opposite way. The passengers and driver in the BMW were injured, but Mr. Delorme’s passenger, fellow-student Lionel Pichon, was taken to hospital with chest injuries and pronounced dead upon arrival. Mr. Delorme, a French student living in Hilda Street, Treforest, had already set off a speed camera by travelling at 44mph in a 30 zone, as well as reversing down a sliproad in the hours before the accident took place. Prosecuting, Roger Griffiths told Cardiff Crown Court that it had been Mr. Delorme’s intention to “go out to drink and drive back.” Defence lawyer James Evans said the student was hampered by driving in a left-hand drive car, and by the fact that he was unused to British road signs. He had also never driven down the particular road before, where the direction of traffic in the middle lane changes depending on what time of day it is. Mr. Griffiths admitted the road was “confusing.” But Judge Nicholas Woodward concluded that “it wouldn’t be if you are sober.” Sentencing Mr. Delorme to three-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, the judge acknowledged that he was of “impeccable character” and would carry the burden for the rest of his life. The tough sentence, he added, reflected the abhorence of the public to drink driving.
Rainbow gang bungle into Cardiff By Lydia Kirby Bungle, Zippy and George, stars of the hit 70’s children’s’ programme, Rainbow, will be performing in Cardiff, but fans could be in for a shock. The trio will be in Zeus this Thursday night performing a repertoire of bawdy jokes and sexual innuendoes to clubbers, who most likely remember watching Rainbow as children. Geoffrey will also be playing a part in the fun by helping Bungle to keep George and Zippy in order. The man responsible for Rainbow’s saucy makeover, Phil Bird, said the show has been brought back as a result of the characters’ popularity. “There seems to be a resurgence in the popularity of Rainbow from the people who remember it from the first time round.” He added, “The new show is very music orientated and sees George and Zippy taking up DJ-ing with the help of Bungle and Geoffrey.” Zeus manager Neil Lucas is confident that the night will prove a success with clubbers. He said, “It’s a night for everyone who ever wondered why Bungle wandered
around the house with no clothes on but couldn’t wait to get into his pyjamas at night, or wanted to know exactly what sort of animal Zippy actually was.” Cardiff Student, Kate Spencer, who watched Rainbow as a child was intrigued by the announcement of the new show. She said, “Looking back I suppose the characters were a bit odd for a children’s programme, especially George, so I’m quite interested to see what the show will be like.” Actor John Leeson, who played Bungle in the first year of episodes is unsure of the effect the change in the Rainbow characters will have on a generation who grew up with the programme. Disputing the argument that Bungle was a ‘bit strange’ Leeson said, “Bungle was the child figure, learning through play and interacting with the presenter.” Leeson, who left the show in the 1973 admits he has not kept in contact with any of the members of the Rainbow Gang. “I made a clean break when I left Rainbow and would never go back to playing Bungle. The bear suit was too hot!”
4 ● News
Monday 25 February 2002, gairrhydd
Ali in Radio Rant
The Week In Print Brit brats square up at awards ceremony by James Bladon
TRUE TO tradition the 2002 Brit Awards provided the usual feast of stars with more than a generous helping of controversy. The annual event that sees the music industry let its hair down and invariably misbehave took place last week with many of the preceremony favourites taking the plaudits. Mr Brits himself Robbie Williams collected the 13th Brit Award of his career for ‘Best Male Solo Artist’. While the two belles of the ball were unquestionably Dido and Kylie Minogue, each collecting two awards. The ever-bashful Dido scooped the awards for ‘Best
KYLIE: Two awards
British Female Solo Artist’ and ‘Best Album’ for ‘No Angel’. Kylie was on hand to collect her awards for ‘Best International Female Solo Artist’ and ‘Best International Album.’ The true star of the show however was Westlife’s Brian McFadden. Bryan’s stock has gone through the roof after he threw a drink over So Solid Crew as Westlife made their way to collect the award for ‘Best Pop Act’. The Crew, who are rapidly becoming the biggest joke of the music scene, justified their hardcore image by retaliating to Bryan’s attack by calling him ‘fat’. The thirty strong crew had already raised a laugh earlier in the evening when they spent several minutes removing all the gold jewellery that had sent Earl’s Court metal detectors in to overdrive. Fortunately Dane Bowers was on hand to act as peacekeeper as the dispute between Westlife and the So Solid Crew threatened to get out of hand. Bowers, who is a friend of McFadden, raced to his aid and punched one of the Crew. Bowers said, “I punched
Diamonds aren’t a boys best friend by Mark Cobley FOUR MEN who attempted the biggest diamond heist in history at the Millennium Dome have been sentenced to between 15 and 18 years in jail. The criminals ram-raided their way into the Dome with a JCB earthmover in November 2000 only to be met by undercover police. More than 100 armed officers took part in the Flying Squad’s largest-ever operation to thwart the thieves in their efforts to steal diamonds worth £200 million from De Beers’ ‘Millennium
Star’ exhibition. After smashing the JCB through the wall of the exhibition, using nail guns and sledge hammers it took only seconds for the gang to break in to the display cases holding the diamonds. De Beers are now reviewing security as the display cases worth £52,000 each were supposed to have been ‘bomb proof’. If the robbery had gone as planned, the men would have escaped with diamonds to a speedboat waiting on the Thames. However the thieves were foiled by police who had had
ALI G: Naughty boy
by Abbie Jackson and Aimee Bryant
DIDO: No Angel?
one of them to break the fight up. Another of them went to hit me but when they saw it was me they stopped.” The ‘Bad Boy’ hierarchy remains intact. The show closed with Sting collecting the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award, going on to perform a medley of his most popular tracks. The ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award had initially been offered to Madonna but was turned down by the 43-year-old star. Madonna is understood to have rejected the award because she was worried it might make her look old and ready to retire. The fact that Sting chose to accept the award has been viewed a very positive sign. the gang under surveillance for months leading up to the raid. As soon as the gang had cracked the cases open armed police, some dressed as cleaners with weapons concealed in black bags, pounced. One of the robbers, Robert Adams, commented ruefully at the trial, “I was only 12 inches away from payday.” The ringleaders, Raymond Betson and William Cockran, were sentenced to 18 years in jail while the other two men, Robert Adams and Aldo Ciarrocchi 15 years for their part. Sentencing, Judge Michael Coombe said the gang had “played for very high stakes.” At the trial, even the criminals themselves admitted their attempt was somewhat absurd. Ciarrocchi told the court: “It seemed almost plausible at the time. Now it seems like an absolutely crazy, James Bond kind of thing to do.”
RADIO 1 listeners were shocked last Monday when Ali G let rip with a string of explicit comments live on the Breakfast Show. During the interview on Sara Cox’s show Ali was asked about the censoring of his forthcoming record Julie. Sacha Baron Cohen, who plays Ali G replied, “How comes people on this station is allowed to say the c- word and m-o-t-h-e-r blank blank blank f*cker, but me can’t say punani?” The comedian also made outrageous comments about Pop Idol winner Will Young. When asked about his thoughts on competing for the number one chart position with Will, he referred to him as a “batty boy”. Baron Cohen furthermore labelled the other Pop
Idol finalist, Gareth Gates, as “the spasticated one”. Further aggravating Radio 1 executives, he also joked about drug smuggling, telling of the “souvenirs” he had brought back from Jamaica, “about as much weed as I could squeeze up my bum.” Adding to his repertoire, he went on to call the station controller, Andy Parfitt, a “whitey” in reference to the allegations of drug-taking among staff at Radio 1. Appearing alongside Baron Cohen, Mr. Lover Lover himself, Shaggy, was even prompted, to say “I hope to God my mum isn’t listening”. Fortunately for Shaggy, it wasn’t him that had turned the air blue. As a result, Cox was forced to intervene, “I do apologise if you’ve got any children with you in the car with you because I know it’s half-term in some parts of the country.” In addition, Parfitt has ordered the production team, who are now likely to face a dressing down, to explain why the interview was not halted sooner. Not for the first time the BBC’s strict producer guidelines have been breached, but Radio 1 maintains that Baron Cohen will not be banned. Doubtless Ali G and Shaggy’s forthcoming single should top the charts with the help of this incident, unless the “batty boy” Will gets there first.
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filmclub
Warm apple pie Gross-out coming-of-age comedy American Pie is the Gair Rhydd Film Club movie this week. Join the Gair Rhydd Film Club for free by taking along the voucher below and get in for just £2 every week. Membership cards will soon be issued bringing you further benefits. So come along this Wednesday at 2pm at UGC Cardiff.
Weekly Film Competition
WIN 10 UGC CINEMA TICKETS That’s right kids, we have the usual five pairs of UGC cinema tickets to give away to five lucky readers who can answer the following question: What is the name of the actor who plays Jim in American Pie, showing this week as the GRFC film at UGC on Wednesday at 2pm? To win just e-mail grfilmdesk@hotmail.com with “Film Competition 714” in the subject box. GR713 Winners: Hannah Perry, Elle Hammond, David Shute, Michael Power and Christopher Sheehy. Congratulations – pick up your tickets from the GR office.
In association with Membership Application Name:................................................. E-mail:................................................ Mobile:................................................ COMING UP IN FUTURE WEEKS: Almost Famous, Traffic, Hannibal, The Thin Red Line, Schindler’s List, The Wild Bunch: Directors Cut.
Meal Deal McCoys Crisps Bottle of Coke Fanta or Lilt Sutherland Sandwiches triple pack
All £2.50
Tel: 029 20 781472 E-mail shops@cardiff.ac.uk
www.cardiffstudents.com
VARSITY 2002 Wednesday 27 February 2002: Swansea University v Cardiff University: Kick off 7:00
Gair Rhydd 714
Monday 25 February
12-PAGE SPECIAL
SKIPPERS PROFILES CHARITY CHARITY The Captains talk to GR We give you the lowdown on the two line-ups BIG MATCH CHARITY All the vital information for the big match day
Varsity Match Special
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Varsity Match Special
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2002 Varsity pullout Line-Up
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4
Charity & Booze
Meet Boydy
All the details of the Charitable trust who benefit from the game. Plus, Wathan’s guide to Swansea
The man who hopes to lead our boys to victory is a player with a fantastic Rugby pedigree
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6&7
Flashback
Cardiff team pic
Cue nostalgic Carpenters music and images of Ieuan Evans as we look at the Varsity games of yore
All the details on the Red and Blacks, with individual player profiles
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Come on Cardiff!
Meet the Jacks
GR Sport provides you with a poster to take to the game. Come on, support the boys!
Meet the Swansea team with individual player pictures and an interview with the Skipper
Make some Noyes say AU FOREWORD By Caz Noyes AU President
IT GIVES me great pleasure as Athletic Union President to invite each and every one of you to the most eagerly anticipated event in the University calendar, The Abbey National Varsity Challenge Day 2002. This Wednesday, February 27, sees a number of Cardiff teams travelling to Swansea to do battle for The Abbey National Welsh Varsity Shield, with points being awarded for victories in the daytime fixtures which count towards the shield competition. Following the day fixtures the whole University moves on to St Helen’s rugby ground for the main event: The Abbey National Welsh Varsity Challenge Cup. All the teams involved have worked hard to ensure their clubs involement and again the Rugby Club continued their hard work both on and off the pitch with their efforts in preparation for the the big night. Tickets can be bought through competing clubs so that you can go to Swansea to support the day fixtures, then sample the local ales before descending on St Helen’s. Once there you will not only experience the finest cheerleaders around and Tom Jones doing his stuff, but also fireworks to start with and then the occasional sponsored streaker. For more information pop into the AU office. Or if you’re not able to make a daytime departure tickets can be bought from the box office in the Student’s Union. Tickets are priced at £8, which includes your match ticket and transport to and from Swansea leaving at 5pm from the back of the Student’s Union. This a fantastic opportunity for the whole University community to get together for one of the best social and sporting occasions you’re ever likely to attend.
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And as if this wasn’t enough then its back to Cardiff for the Jive Hive Varsity Special, featuring sumo wrestling. So lets get behind all our teams and enjoy a great day out, which of course will be made all the sweeter by many Cardiff victories. So get your tickets today and I’ll see you in Swansea to toast the Cardiff victory.
FOREWORD By Alan Thomas
VARSITY MATCH SPECIAL 2002 EDITOR Michael Pearlman ASSISTANT EDITOR Chris Wathan
Managing Director of Abbey National, Varsity Sponsors I WOULD like to welcome everyone to the Abbey National Welsh Varsity Challenge 2002 and what promises to be a very exciting match - the clash of Wales greatest Universities, Swansea against Cardiff. Being a Welshman who has lived all of his life in South Wales, it is only natural that I have a great passion for my country’s first sport - Rugby. When I was approached about the possibility of sponsoring the largest Varsity match in Wales, I thought that it could be a great opportunity to support the game at a grass roots level. That was two years ago and we haven’t looked back since. It is imperative that everybody in South Wales, not just students, supports and encourages events like these because they represent the future of our great country and ensure the continuation of Wales as a leading international contender. It is for this reason that I am so keen to see the annual Varsity match succeed and continue to grow. Abbey National are sponsoring the event to help it grow into the largest Varsity event in the UK. However, regardless of sponsorship, the most important support comes from you. So enjoy the game and please continue to show your support for this charity fund-raising event.
CONTRIBUTORS Chris Wathan Pete Samsom Chris Jackson Ellie Jones SPECIAL THANKS Caz Noyes Jo Martin Sarah Hodson Mark Thorrington Fred Scott Jeff Stelling Andrew Boyd Chris Kamara Tristan Thomas
Varsity Special ● 4
gairrhydd, Monday 25 February 2002
Boyd to end winning void CARDIFF SKIPPER ANDREW BOYD TALKS TO GR SPORT ABOUT THE VARSITY CLASH
BOYD/ Chris Wathan discusses Varsity with Cardiff’s skipper Andrew Boyd, a man with plenty of big match pedigree
C
ardiff captain Andrew Boyd has issued a stern and simple warning to Swansea: We can beat you. And spurring his team on will be the knowledge that they missed the opportunity to capture a first Varsity title on home soil. Last year’s re-arranged game saw Swansea continue their clean sweep of the five-year old fixture, but only after Cardiff threw it away in the
“I think we’re bridging the divide that existed between us and Swansea. It’s come to a stage where we’re well capable of beating them on the day” dying embers of the tie. And the scrum-half skipper, one of the stars that match, knows Cardiff have it all to prove again this year. “I think we’re bridging the divide that existed between us and Swansea. It’s come to a stage where we’re well capable of beating them on the day.” “We had the opportunity to win it in front of our own fans, which we should have probably taken. But drawing ten-all has raised the expectation a little bit and gave us the confidence that we could beat them this year”. And a first Varsity win will be the perfect foil to critics who suggested that last year’s playing condition had more to do with Swansea’s failings than the Cardiff performance. “They have said to me that if it wasn’t for the pitch last year that they would have stuffed us. St Helens, so I’ve heard, is one of the best pitches in Wales and hopefully the weather will stay fine so there’ll be no excuses this year.” There can be no questioning Boyd’s captaincy credentials. The 23 year old has had playing experience at the highest levels in Ireland and New Zealand before a shoulder injury set him back somewhat. But his injury hasn’t taken much away from his game as his performance in the 2001 Varsity game saw him described as a new Matt Dawson. But the Dubliner didn’t always want to be a half-back. “I always wanted to play flanker as a kid so Michael Jones (legendary All Black flanker) was my
idol. But I was never quite big enough and so I settled into scrum half. I guess I got pigeon-holed quite early.” After speaking to Boyd it’s obvious that the game has played a major part of the Irishman’s life. In fact, the Planning postgraduate cites rugby as one the major reasons behind coming to Wales’ capital city to study. While unfortunate injuries have taken his focus away from the club game for the time being, the Blackrock boy is concentrating fully on university rugby, making him the ideal choice to lead out the red and blacks at St Helens. “I concentrated on rugby for about three years when I was at University back home. It was going really well for me playing Division One rugby and I played for Leinster all the way up to under 21. However I subsequently dislocated my shoulder and it cost me an opportunity to play in the U21 World Cup for Ireland so I’ve put it on the back foot a bit. All I’ve wanted to do is play university rugby over here, although I am playing for Cross Keys and its going well, but its time consuming trying to do a masters as well.” “I don’t really have time to focus on anything but university rugby and I’m loving it. I’m probably going to stay in Cardiff next year and perhaps I’ll concentrate on club rugby then and move on a bit.” But for the time being at least Cardiff University rugby lies at the forefront of Boyd’s attention in a season of mixed success. Cardiff have suffered inconsistency throughout their BUSA fixtures and as a result look likely to miss out on promotion from their BUSA Western Division One. And what makes it even harder to swallow for the Cardiff boys is to see their West Walian rivals plying their trade in the Division above them. “The re-organisation came at a bad time for us by all accounts. The teams were classified on one year’s results and we had a bad season leaving us hoping to get out of this league. We were hoping to do well but unfortunately we lost a couple of game we shouldn’t have very narrowly, that were games that have cost us
“I guess it’s nice to have a day when you’re the centre of attention” the chance of promotion. So it all really raises the focus of this game a wee bit more.” As if it needed any. In its fifth year, the Welsh
ANDREW BOYD: Relishing the prospect of leading out his side against Swansea in the Varsity clash on Wednesday
Varsity game is one of the only times that the whole University gets behind its side, drawing comparison to college games in the US. “I guess it’s nice to have a day when you’re the centre of attention,” says Boyd. “It is not that common in a normal university as it might be in a sports based college. Its great to be in that position where you have friends who might not have been able to see you play during the season because of games being at Llanrumney or whatever – it’s a bit of a showcase for all the boys. It makes it a bit more special perhaps than your average BUSA game.” Boyd is hoping that his Cardiff side will make a good account for themselves, stating that the side that takes to the Swansea turf will be prepared for the unique Varsity experience. “We’ve kind of adopted the University approach of getting out there and throwing it around a bit but I think the ways rugby’s gone, defences have tightened up a bit to extent that its filtered down to our level as well. We’ve got a good coach (Jason Lewis) who’s developing a more hard-nosed element to our game without constraining our natural tendencies to play rugby. We haven’t got the biggest team in the world but we’ve got three very good ball players in the back row so our game’s really based around trying to be quick around the park. We’re not going to take teams on up front but our skill level’s pretty good and we tend to work hard for each other.” But although Varsity duties have taken precedence, Boyd is keen to see that the future of Cardiff rugby is left in good hands. “There is plans a foot to develop the rugby club. We’ve talked to people in sports rec (Sports and Recreational Services) and other universities about links with bigger clubs. Frankly, Cardiff University should be a big rugby University, especially with Swansea having been big in recent times. Early indications are that they’re quite keen to help us out and try and develop these links and try and improve rugby, because there’s a lot of good rugby players at Cardiff University that don’t play for us. That’s the real shame about it, hopefully that will develop over the next few years”. But all eyes are now on St Helens where all talking stops and the real story unfolds.
Varsity Match Special
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Beers, cheers &
Varsity Match Special
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merryment. Our guide to Swansea Christopher Wathan WIND STREET (As in what you do to a clock, not the breezy type) - Swansea’s version of Leicester Square. A 500 yard stretch completely made up of pubs, useful for those who hate the long walk between drinking holes. Can often be found closed off to traffic, creating that continental café quarter feel. The number of bars (eleven in total) ensures that prices are competitively cheap, although some of the well-known chains tend to stick to nation-wide rates. The Wetherspoons’ Bank Statement is probably the pick of the bunch. Renovated from an old Barclays, the JD prices are as low as ever with the obligatory meal deals, but more of a feel-good factor than Cardiff’s Prince of Wales. THE KINGSWAY – More known for clubs than pubs but still worth a visit. Again, genius planning has ensured that all your needs are within a drunken stagger. Home to one of the sponsors (Envy nightclub) it also houses the stereotypical kebab, curry and chicken eateries. Café Mambo is a must-
visit. Expect to find every cocktail ever dreamt of and then some in this restaurant come bar. Food is fantastic but pricey so stick to the old favourites. Situated along a dual carriageway road, but its roundabouts at either end mean it’s a favourite jaunt for boy-racers participating in “Kingsway Cruising”. Sad isn’t it. THE BRYN Y MOR – Next stop along the way is the studenty Bryn Y Mor (translating as the sea hill or something). Recently refurbished and plenty of student deals. Three or four very good pool tables for those who prefer pub games to real sport and a fairly impressive sound system to get you in the mood for the evening’s entertainment. Very Popular.
Giant screens mean you can keep up with any sporting events whilst enjoying a swift one before rushing off to catch the kick-off. As with most pubs west of the capital, drinks are reasonably priced. Four-pint pitchers are available and pub grub to soak up the alcohol is served between six and nine. A good, friendly atmosphere conveniently placed for that post-match pint. WHY ARE THE JACKS CALLED THE JACKS?
Don’t be confused when, during the game, many people might refer to the Swansea team as ‘The Jacks’. It is not a reference to the city’s infamous car theft rate a la Twin Town.
Instead, it dates back to the 1930’s when a black retriever around the dock area of the city became a local hero. Having become used to the waters from playing in the dock Jack embarked on a Hasslehoff –esque career of lifesaving. It is claimed that Jack rescued up to 27 people from the murky waters of the North Dock until his death in 1937. His popularity and effect upon the town was enough for outsiders to christen the inhabitants the Jacks. Whether this is a derogative term or not is unknown. But just as much as Cardiff fans enjoy calling locals Jacks, the locals are just as proud to be called it.
THE FINE LEG & FIRKIN – Formerly known as The Cricketers. This building is probably most famed for seeing Gary Sobers’ sixth six sailing over its roof in 1968. A punt from the St Helens ground, the Fineleg is used to hoards of both cricket and rugby fans pouring through its doors before and after the action.
the Trustees are all current or former administrators. It also includes players who share a love of Welsh rugby football and are prepared to give freely of their time to help those who have been struck down in the course of playing the game. Since its inception, almost £1 million has been used to provide help for injured players and Trustees spend a lot of time in raising funds in order to acquire the
Sing your hearts out for the lads with this official song list. Don’t forget your posters!
Sweet Molly Malone Jet Plane Delilah
resources needed. Assistance is made available to injured players in many different forms and there is no set pattern. Over the years, injured players have been given motor cars, sometimes specially adapted so that they can drive themselves, electric wheelchairs, adaptations to their homes, computers, hoists and indeed anything which they need to make their lives more com-
fortable. Every year every severely injured player is given the opportunity to take a holiday, financed by the Trust. The cost of providing the equipment is increasing every year and much additional cash is needed. The Trust is indeed a most worthy cause and one that cannot fail to touch the heart of every Rugby enthusiast. Jo Martin
The Wild Rover AmericanPie Wonderwall
In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty, I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone, As she wheels her wheelbarrow thro' streets broad and narrow - Crying cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh.' Chorus: Alive, alive O; alive alive Crying cockles and mussels, alive, alive O;
REFEREE
Ex players to benefit from Varsity THE TRUST was set up in 1972, its main objective being to provide help and comfort for those players who have been seriously injured whilst playing rugby football in Wales. There are currently nine Trustees whose meetings are chaired by Sir Tasker Watkins President of the WRU. Although the Trust is wholly independent of the WRU, it has strong links with the governing body and
VARSITY SONG LIST
WITH THE Varsity action likely to be as competitive as ever, both teams are lucky to have one of the most experienced men in the middle holding the whistle next Wednesday. Clayton Thomas has agreed to take control of the sixth Welsh Varsity Challenge game becoming the latest in a line of top officials in Varsity history after World Cup final referee Derek Bevan officiated the 2000 meeting. Mr Thomas was recognised as one of the IRB’s best refs up until his retirement from international rugby last March. Hailing from the Neath borough of Bryn Coch, Mr Thomas made his international bow in the 1995 Scotland Vs Canada fixture. His pedigree as one of the world’s best was then proven when he was appointed on the referee’s list for both the 1995 and 1999 World Cups.
During the tournament two years ago Mr Thomas found himself in charge of the Ireland Vs Australia group stage fixture and ran the line in the nail-biting Wallabies Vs Springboks semi-final at Twickenham. But the Neath schoolteacher has not found himself out of controversy during his distinguished career. Renown for his ‘letter of the law’ attitude, Mr Thomas has often been accused of failing to let the game flow. Mr Thomas, who began refereeing in 1982, also suffered the rage of Neath fans last year when he disallowed two tries by the Welsh All Blacks with the help of the Millennium Stadium’s giant videoscreens during the Principality Cup final. But nevertheless, both teams will be satisfied that their biggest game of the season will be orchestrated by a man with no shortage of experience on the big stage.
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Varsity Match Special
Varsity Match Special
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CARDIFF UNIVERSITY VARSITY SQUAD DOMINIC STAVELEY
Age: 21 Height: 6’ 1” Weight: 14st 9lbs Position: O-S Flanker University Course: Politics, third year Playing History and Honours: Welsh Universities 2001, Cross Keys 2001-2, SE & London U21, Irish Exiles
MARC HEYWOOD
Age: 20 Height: 5’ 9” Weight: 11st Position: Full-back University Course: Politics, second year Playing History and Honours: Bath U18s, Dorset & Wilts, English Southern Counties
JAMES COLE Age: 18 Height: 5’ 10” Weight: 13st Position: Flanker University Course: English Lit, first year Playing History and Honours: Wasps U19s, Cardiff U19S Favourite Player: Neil Back
HENRY MORRIS Age: 21 Height: 6’ 2” Weight: 15st Position: Centre University Course: Geology, third year Playing History and Honours: South West England U18s Favourite Player: The Waterboy(!)
ADAM SEAGER Age: 20 Height: 6’ 1” Weight: 14st 5lbs Position: Centre University Course: Geography, first year Playing History and Honours: Gloucestershire U18 Favourite Player: Stephen Larkham
DAN BOWYER Age: 20 Height: 5’ 9” Weight: 15st Position: Prop University Course: Communication Studies, second year Playing History and Honours: RGS High Wycombe, Bucks U20s
GARETH CLEMENT Age: 22 Height: 5’ 10” Weight: 12st 5lbs Position: Centre University Course: H.Resources, first year Playing History and Honours: London & SE U20s, Kent U20s, Welsh Districts, Glam Wanderers
CHRIS DAPLIN Age: 20 Height: 5’ 6” Weight: 12st 5lbs Position: Right Wing University Course: English, second year Playing History and Honours: Worcs U16s/U18s, Welsh Exiles U19s Favourite Player: Jason Robinson
DOMINIC GAYNOR
DAMIAN WELCH
Age: 19 Height: 6’ 6” Weight: 15st 11lbs Position: Second row University Course: Law, second year Playing History and Honours: Reading RFC Favourite Player: Martin Johnson
ROB LAWSON Age: 20 Height: 5’ 11” Weight: 12st 5lbs Position: Scrum Half University Course: Biology, second year Playing History and Honours: Swansea U12s-U21s, West Glam U18s Favourite Player: Robert Jones
JAMES MACKAY Age: 22 Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 17st 7lbs Position: Prop University Course: Pharmacy, fourth year Playing History and Honours: Ebbw Vale U21s, Pencoed Favourite Player: Peter Clohessy
EDWARD BARRON
Age: 20 Height: 6’ 2” Weight: 15st Position: Second row University Course: Architecture, second year Playing History and Honours: Lancashire U18s
ANDREW BOYD Age: 23 Height: 5’ 8” Weight: 12st Nickname: Big Top Place of Birth: Dublin Position: Scrum half University Course: City and regional planning Playing History and Honours: Leinester Schoolboys, Leinester U20s, Otago U19s Favourite Player: Christian Cullen Favourite Food: Lamb Thoughts on Swansea: They were lucky last year and we owe them one, this is definately our year! Most Embarassing moment: I’m afraid I can’t say, my parents will read this!
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY VARSITY SQUAD 2002
Age: 20 Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 13st 8lbs Position: Wing University Course: Chemistry, second year Playing History and Honours: England Students U19s, Northampton
Favourite Player: Alex Luff
Colts
Age: 21 Height: 5’ 10” Weight: 13st 7lbs Position: Outside half University Course: Mechanical Engineering, first year Playing History and Honours: Dorset and Wilts U20s
CHRIS MEHARG Age: 21 Height: 6’ 2” Weight: 14st 11lbs Position: Second row University Course: Computing, first year Playing History and Honours: Favourite Player: Keith Wood Favourite Food: Chinese
JAMES STOKES Age: 21 Height: 6’ 5” Weight: 16st 2lbs Position: Second row University Course: Economics, third year Playing History and Honours: Gloucestershire Academy, Queensland rep Favourite Player: Ron Cribb
PETER SNOW Age: 19 Height: 5’ 11” Weight: 18st Position: Prop University Course: Agriculture, first year Playing History and Honours: Gloucester Colts Favourite Player: Phil Vickery
JOE GROVE
CONNER McCONCHIE
Age: 21 Height: 5’ 7” Weight: 11st 7lbs Position: Outside half University Course: Politics, third year Playing History and Honours: Camberley, Auckland Uni, Surrey
CHRIS BAXTER
VARSITY SQUAD 2001/2002: (left to right, back row) Marc Heywood, James Cole, Chris Baxter, Dan Bowyer, Neil Gad, John Lucas, Dom Gaynor, Chris Daplin (middle row), Adam Seager, Henry Morris, Damien Welch, Ed Barron, James Stokes, Sam Evans, Harry Price, Conner McConchie, Chris Meharg, Joe Grove (front row) Peter Snow, Rob Lawson, James McKay, Andrew Boyd (Capt), Vice Chancellor, Dominic Staveley, Mark Skilton, Rhidian Jones, Griff Jones. Absent, Gareth Clement
Age: 21 Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 13st Position: Flanker University Course: Physics, third year Playing History and Honours: Swansea U21s Favourite Players: Martin Williams
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RHIDIAN JONES
Age: 21 Height: 6’ 3” Weight: 15st Position: Flanker University Course: Medicine, second year Playing History and Honours: Eastern Counties U16s/18s, W.Exciles U18-21s, Cambridge First XV, Pencoed First XV
JOHN LUCAS Age: 22 Height: 5’7” Weight: 15st Position: Hooker University Course: Engineering, third year Playing History and Honours: SW, WISRA, University of Cape Town Favourite Player: Martin Madden
GRIFF JONES Age: 21 Height: 6’ 4” Weight: 14st 6lbs Position: Full-back University Course: Engineering, third year Playing History and Honours: Neath U21s, West Wales U21s Favourite Player: Jason Robinson
MARK SKILTON Age: 21 Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 15st Position: Flanker University Course: Economics, third year Playing History and Honours: Wales Schools U18s, Wales Colleges U19s, Swansea U21s
BEN JENKINS Age: 20 Height: 6’ 0” Weight: 14st 7lbs Position: Centre University Course: Maths, second year Playing History and Honours: London Broncos Academy, Welsh Students Rugby League
Varsity Match Special
Varsity Match Special
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11
MEET THE JACKS ALISTAIR HAMILTON
Position: Hooker
GARETH WILLIAMS
Position: Prop
KAI HORSTMANN
Position: Number 8
RICKY DAVIES
Position: Prop
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CHRIS LOWRIE
CHRIS SHELMARDINE
Position: Flanker
Position: Wing/Centre
HWYEL DAVIES
Position: Prop
MARC JONES
Position: Wing
SAM REES
Position: Scrum-Half
NICK JONES
Position: Full Back
MARC SWEENEY
Position: Centre
TOM PAIN
Position: Scrum-Half
Edwards expects
CHRIS WATHAN speaks to the Swansea captain
Only in the field of University sport can a 21-year-old be considered a veteran. But when Swansea skipper Steffan Edwards takes the field for his third consecutive Varsity game, that’s exactly what he will be. Swansea have lost a number of players since last year’s meeting and so Edwards’ experience will be vital to the new boys not knowing what to expect. “It’s always been a great occasion, perhaps more so because I’ve always been on the winning side.” Swansea’s dominance over the fixture’s six-year-old history is a chilling reminder of the task facing the Cardiff team. And although the Jacks were pushed all the way last year, Edwards was quick to brush off suggestions of a Cardiff resurgence.
“We’ve always won convincingly and so last year was very disappointing. We’ll be looking to put matters right this year.” Cardiff captain Andrew Boyd revealed that Swansea team members suggested that if last year’s game was played on a better surface, then the outcome would have been different. Was Boyd right in his allegations? “Yeah, definitely. And I told him so. The pitch was a bog, which obviously couldn’t have been helped, but if we had played on a better ground then I have no doubt we would have annihilated them; which we’ll do this year.” There shouldn’t be any complaints about the ground this time around. The famous St Helens pitch – home to the Swansea RFC All Whites and Glamorgan Cricket Club – has reputably one of the better playing surfaces in Wales, where rain is quickly soaked up should the Welsh weather take hold yet again. Edwards is certainly familiar with the
seaside stadium; he has shown off his talents there on a numerous occasions whilst representing Swansea under 21’s. Normally a number 8, Edwards has shuffled himself into a flanker position to complete an impressive back row. “I’m at number six now and I’m comfortable there. One of our better players is at No. 8 and is contracted to Harlequins so I’ve made way.” Like their Cardiff counterparts, Swansea have had an indifferent season by their own standards. “We’ve got a good pack but our backs have struggled at times this year.” “It’s a huge day. Everyone has been looking forward to it.” Lanky (Richard Lancaster, Swansea Athletic Union President) has put in a lot of hard work so hopefully it will all come to fruition.” “We’re hoping for a crowd of around five thousand so it should be loud. I’m looking forward to it”.
DARIN OATLEY
Position: Prop
JAMES TEMPLEMAN
Position: Flanker
PETE BURROWS
Position: Outside-Half
TOM RADBOURNE
Position: Lock Position: Back Row Height: 6’ 5” Weight: 15st 7lbs Playing Honours: Swansea RFC Youth, Swansea RFC U’21s Nickname: Mr Juicy Edwards on last year’s game: “If we had played on a better ground then I have no doubt we would have annihilated them; which we’ll do this year”
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EURIG DAVIES
Position: Centre
JON TENCONI
Position: Flanker
RICHARD AYLETT
Position: Lock
TOM REES
Position: Lock
STEFFAN EDWARDS
Programme until Thursday 28th February 2002. Please ring the information line for this weekend’s listings.
The Mothman Prophecies (12)
Advance Screening - Thursday Only 8.25
Bully (18)
Advance Screening - Wednesday Only 8.10
A Beautiful Mind (12) Advance Screening - Sunday Only 11.00 2.15 5.20 8.30
Oceans 11 (12)
Monsters Inc. (U)
10.15 Fri, Sat & Sun Only 11.00 11.55 12.45 1.30 3.15 5.00 8.15 - Daily 4.00 6.30 - Daily except Sunday 2.30 - Daily except Wed 5.45 - Daily except Tue Fri & Sat Late Show 10.30.
Training Day (18)
11.55 3.00 - Daily except Fri, Sat & Sun 5.50 9.10
Shallow Hal (12)
From Hell (18)
11.20 2.40 - Daily except Fri, Sat & Sun 5.40 8.30 - Daily Late night shows - Fri and Sat Only 11.30
Ali (PG)
11.50 4.00 7.45 Late night shows - Fri and Sat Only 11.10
Gosford Park (15)
(11.10 - Not Fri) 2.00 5.00 8.00 Late night shows - Fri and Sat Only 11.10
11.55 1.00 2.40 3.30 5.20 6.10 8.00 9.00 Late night show - Fri & Sat Only 10.40 11.40
11.30 2.30 5.30 8.40 - Daily except Sun 3.45 6.25 9.10 - Sunday Only Late night shows - Fri and Sat Only 11.30
Black Hawk Down (15)
Don’t Say a Word (15)
Harry Potter (PG)
11.30 2.45 5.50 8.45 Late Night Show - Fri & Sat Only 11.30
Vanilla Sky (15)
(11.05 Except Thu) 2.00 5.00 (8.10 except Wed) Late night shows - Fri and Sat only 11.10
Fri, Sat & Sun Only 11.30 2.50
Just Visiting (PG)
Charlotte Gray (15)
11.00 1.15 3.40 6.00 8.20 Late night shows - Fri and Sat Only 10.40
Senior Citizen Club Thursday Only Mrs Brown (PG)
Lord Of The Rings (PG)
8.25 - Daily except Thu
10.45 1.40 - Fri, Sat & Sun Only
Starts 11.00 Ends 12.45
Gair Rhydd Film Club Wednesday Only American Pie (15)
11.05 2.00 5.00 8.00 Late night show - Fri & Sat Only 10.50
11.40 3.50 7.20 Late night show - Fri & Sat Only 10.50
8.50 - Daily except Sun
Iris (15)
Amelie (15)
UGC Kids - Saturday Only Tigger: The Movie Starts 10.00 Ends 11.25
Starts 2.00 Ends 3.35
Any screening £2.95 for students with valid NUS Card.
musicsingles
05 THEA GILMORE Fever Beats (Flying Sparks)
THEA GILMORE: cynical
TETRA SPLENDOUR Pollen Fever (Wishakismo)
THE PORTHCAWL quartet are back, and they mean business with this slice of cool psychadelic-guitar pop. Hauntingly atmospheric, with strong, soaring vocals and soft guitars, the ‘Splendour take us on a swirling mind-trip through their world. Having already obtained a bit of a cult fanbase, Pollen Fever looks set to make the world take notice (of course it helps that they’re all pretty boys), and with a new album due out soon these boys are going to be big. Catch them while you can. Gemma Jones
ALIZÉE Moi...Lolita
(Requiem Publishing)
musicalbums
OH LÀ LÀ, those French. Britney and Christina may have traded on their youthful sexuality to shift units, but let’s face it: neither of them were ever likely to be virgins. Alizée, on the other hand, recorded a song with the title Moi...Lolita when she was fifteen – now seventeen, its release in the UK was presumably delayed until she’d at least reached the age of consent. Both her image and music subtly fuse innocence and eroticism in a way that neither brash American could ever understand; if anything, Moi...Lolita is a deliberate invocation of the original Nabokovian Lolita. It’s also the most fantastic pop song – and with the most scandalous video to boot – since the aforementioned Britney’s debut. “C’est pas ma
BOARDS OF CANADA Geogaddi (Warp)
IN 1998 Marcus Eoin and Michael Sandison, generally know as Boards Of Canada, turned the IDM electronica scene on it’s head with the seminal Music Has The Right To Children. A psychedelic flashback of childhood memories, lost films and summer’s evenings, the melody heavy album stunned everyone who heard it and has been cited as one of the major sources for Radiohead’s movement towards more experimental music. You can therefore get an idea of the hype that has surrounded the release of their second major album – the first full-length release in four years. Expectation is extremely high and already rumour is rife on the internet, with people trying to decipher the meanings behind the songs and discovering that reversed messages are placed into tracks such as A is to B as B is to C. The great news is that the wait has been well worth it. Following the Grolsch ideal of only releasing material when it’s fully ready, Geogaddi is bursting with ideas and layer upon layer of melody and sound. The level of attention to detail is amazing: on each listen I find something new, exciting and different. Right from the start as the analogue introduction of Ready Lets Go slides gracefully into the supreme Music Is Math you know the
THERE ARE very few artists out there whose prolificacy rivals Thea Gilmore’s. At 21, she already has three LPs in the bag, and barely five months from releasing the latest of them – the superb Rules For Jokers – a new single has appeared. Then again, there are very few artists out there whose talent rivals Gilmore’s. Her forte is barbed, cynical social commentary, and clearly she has much to write about; in this case, it’s a sophisticated deconstruction of the anticulture stance which – ironically – constitutes popular culture. As the lady herself sneers, “it’s tragic but it’s true, my friend.” Alex Macpherson faute”, pouts Alizée coquettishly over pervy, bouncy synths, before declaring that “Je suis un phénomène”. Quite. Alex Macpherson
ANGIE STONE FEAT. ALICIA KEYS + EVE Brotha (Arista)
BLACK WOMEN are undeniably in the ascendancy right now, as illustrated perfectly by the three virtuoso talents on display here. It’s somewhat fitting, then, that Stone and her fellow soul sisters should channel their passion into destroying a few stereotypes in a superbly executed vindication of their male counterparts. “For your information/ a lot of my brothas got education”, croons Stone in the languid, soulful original, before Keys and Eve arrive armed with sampled horns, joyous harmonies and a swinging beat for Brotha Part II. A classy affair. Alex Macpherson
Love With A Girl backs pithy wisdom (“My left brain knows all love is fleeting/ I must be fine cos my heart’s still beating”) with a flurry of exuberant guitars and remorseless melody, and is less than two minutes in length. And, taking the word ‘basic’ to new levels, b-sides Let’s Shake Hands and Lafayette Blues sound like country hoedowns on speed. Jack White squawks; Meg White plays, apparently, a cardboard box; the world thrills. Alex Macpherson
WILL YOUNG Evergreen (BMG)
SO NOW, not only do we have our Pop Idol, we also have his brand new single, and quite frankly, it’s a bit of a disappointment. The fact that one of the songs on the single is a cover of a Westlife song seems to imply that Simon Cowell and his BMG cronies truly thought Gareth Gates would win the competition, because no record executive who wants to make serious money would give this flimsy excuse for a song to the huge vocal master that is Will Young. Don’t get me wrong, I like Will, in fact, I love him, but I am not so blinded by adoration that I cannot see that Evergreen is too wishy washy and girly for him. But that is entirely irrelevant, for people will buy the single anyway, and dammit, I encourage you all to do so, if only because he looks so nice on the front cover. Go on, people, make this boy a star. Daniel Barnes (Will’s number one fan)
HEFNER The Hefner Brain (Too Pure)
THE NEW Smiths take us deep into their quirky psychosis with an electronised remix of Dead Media album track When The Angels Play Their Drum Machines leading us off into a kaleidoscopic magic carpet of loops, phasers, drawling drumbeats and synths on the Human League inspired Dark Hearted Discos, itself paradoxically coupled with the Dolly Parton-esque, guitar sliding, deadpan acoustic lament of Can’t Help Losing You. Whilst the sublime piano ballad of All I’ll Ever Need orchestrated by Darren Hayman’s Jarvisesque social parodies; “She is a light left on at home/ A ringing telephone”, complete the ‘Roxy Music would be proud’ romantic ironisation at work. Simian(ites) take note, Britain’s answer to the Eels are at it again. Lee Davies
NICKELBACK How You Remind Me (Roadrunner)
IT SURPRISED me that this hadn’t already been released seeing as it’s been on the MTV/ Kerrang circuit for what seems like forever. A former US number one, Canadian post-grungers Nickelback hit us with this emotive power ballad containing enough angst (“I’m mistaken for handing you a heart worth breaking”) to keep the average teen happy. If bands like Staind, Creed and Bush are your cup of tea, How You Remind Me won’t disappoint as this is of the same calibre. Gemma Jones
THE WHITE STRIPES Fell In Love With A Girl (XL)
THE OTHER night, watching the Winter Olympics in true insomniac stylee, Music discovered a new sport. It involved people skiing at top speed up a ramp, taking off vertically into the air and turning three or four somersaults of varying twists and turns, before landing upright again. Over in a few seconds, it was exhilarating and compelling; indeed, it was the perfect analogy for listening to the White Stripes. Fell In Scottish duo have come up with another certified classic. Each track takes time to worm it’s way under your skin and into your subconscious, so after five listens it becomes painfully apparent that You Could Feel The Sky is one of the most beautiful pieces of electronic music ever written and that the rest of the album isn’t far off with it’s gorgeous psychedelic loops, gentle melodies and chunky beats. Some of the ‘filler’ tracks are a little weak, but there’s always a fragment of melody or a background sound that makes them essential as part of the whole. I could spend days writing about how good this album is and how the band have once again raised the stakes for electronic music, but it’s certainly better to discover for yourself and get a copy of this tremendous album, close your eyes and be transported to another world. Album of the year already? Believe me – it won’t be far off. A truly magical breathtaking album. Andy Parsons
NINE INCH NAILS And All That Could Have Been (Nothing)
IF LIMP Bizkit and friends exist to show us that metal music can be fun through, the slightly suffocating genre we are calling nu-metal, then US rockers Nine Inch Nails represent All That Could Have Been had darker (and less cartoon-friendly) ‘old’ metal taken on Top of the Pops instead. NIN’ live album features over a decade’s worth of tracks, all recorded on the
WILL: “buy my record god dammit I’m a pop idol...”
band’s Fragile V2.0 tour, and produced by frontman Trent Reznor. Unfortunately the CD has been slightly over-produced and much of the band’s raw energy is lost. Over such a broad period of time, NIN have inevitably undergone stylistic changes, leaving tracks such as 1989’s Sin sounding out of place with its Frankie Goes To Hollywood bassline and 80s synthesizers. Standout tracks include Piggy, with its dark, plodding bassline and maudlin vocals, The Frail/ The Wretched which moves from a hauntingly gothic piano solo through to mesmerising chants and raw guitars only describable as pure evil in analogue form. More recent tracks such as The Great Below demonstrate the band’s musical maturity, building up rich layers of emotive vocals and sombre guitars, while 1992’s Wish shows us the truly dark side, placing crazy rantings over speeding guitars to create a raucous barrage of noise. While this album is certainly going to be a bit of a specialist affair, it does form a nice back catalogue of one of the nineties’ most important rock bands. If there’s one lesson to be learned here, it’s that Fred Durst is not the most evil man on the planet. Sorry kids it’s true. Don’t have nightmares. Maria Lane
90 DAY MEN To Everybody (Southern)
CHICAGO BASED 90 Day Men have a hard task ahead. While the truly encapsulating locking together of piano and guitar rebuffs
static musical boundaries, To Everybody will still regrettably be pushed aside whilst the music industry remains glued to Will Young’s pop idol arse. And that’s quite an obstacle to overcome. But with the current infatuation on these shores with American alternative guitar acts, maybe now is a more receptive period within the British industry to overseas charmers. Not that it’s possible to instinctively link 90 Day Men to top dogs The White Stripes or The Strokes though. In fact, the ingenuity of the six track mini album and its exploring of a positioning well devoid of arrogance or bravado, amidst a rolling, loose spontaneous sounding construction, means that they are not easily compared with others at all. Partly due to the compelling positioning of the piano within a sprawling musical backdrop on Last Night, A DJ Saved My Life, an unpolished but nevertheless hypnotic appeal results. On I’ve Got Designs on You, dark undertones and gruff lead vocals condescendingly spit out lines like “And I drink to forget what I’m about to do,” and it is less of a hollow threat of impending nastiness and more an inevitable outcome. This is no knees-up party album to be sure, but instead a celebration of an adventurous jaunt, between Nick Cave levels of melancholy and Pavement-esque degrees of structural flexibility. It may be undeniably awkward to pinpoint quite why, with their unconformable ways and decidedly testing formulation, but 90 Day Men are worthy of their 10 minutes of fame and much more besides. Gemma Curtis
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20 ● Sport
gairrhydd, Monday 25 February 2002
Pride, Passion, same old result WALES FRANCE
33 37
J. L. O’Sullivan FOR MORE than a decade and a half, Welsh rugby has been a litter of false dawns and shattered dreams. Seldom can the situation have seemed so relentlessly hopeless as it did in the aftermath of Wales’ Six Nations curtain raiser in Dublin. An antipodean caretaker barely off the plane at the helm and a battered, spiritless team facing championship contenders France, conquerors of both Australia and the’Boks. The Welsh team and all those connected with it found themselves looking upwards from the bottom of a very deep abyss. The visit of France was a potential watershed for the game in Wales. The WRU’s propensity for shooting itself in the foot was again to the fore. With the average ticket for the French encounter priced at £38, supporters anticipating a hefty defeat stayed away, prompting the Union to take the unprecedented step of distributing tickets free of charge on the morning of the clash. A further capitulation against a dilapidated yet dangerous France, and the century old love affair between the Welsh public and rugby union almost seemed set to end on an acrimonious note. In the days prior to the match there was much talk of the need to restore pride. But few of those sufficiently committed to part with their hard earned cash could have anticipated that Wales would be twice
denied a stupefying victory by the video referee as added time ebbed away at the end of the game. Stephen Jones opened the scoring after just a minute with the first of four penalty goals. The opening try came inside ten minutes when Rob Howley and Scott Quinnell conspired to craft an opening for lock Craig Quinnell, which Jones duly converted. The French stayed in the hunt courtesy of the place kicking of Gerard Merceron and Damien Traille. After 25 minutes, New Zealand-born Tony Marsh went over and he scored a second after 34 minutes following a Merceron dropped goal. As the first period came to a close Scott Quinnell’s collision with French full-back Nicolas Brusque earned the Welsh captain a yellow card. Merceron kicked the subsequent penalty and France had a 24-19 half-time lead. When Montferrand’s Aurelin Rougerie was deemed to have touched down despite the attention of Kevin Morgan immediately after the turn around, the game seemed to be slipping away. Merceron converted and kicked a further penalty goal just after Quinnell returned to the affray. But there was to be no tame surrender. After 57 minutes, Andy Marinos vaulted two French bodies inside their 22 and sent Nathan Budgett over. With 77 minutes gone Morgan chased a Jones grubber and, according to the Italian video referee, beat Xavier Garbajosa to the ball. The crowd rose and the men in red launched themselves into an enthralling, heart-stopping injury time assault on the French line. It was not to be. Quinnell and Dafydd James were both denied and the chance was gone.
FA CUP FIFTH ROUND ROUND UP by Daniel Evans The Premiership clubs escaped the FA cup fifth round without any upsets with only Everton failing to despatch of their lower league opposition. The Toffees disappointed their home crowd once again, as the crossbar saved them from a shock exit at the hands of Crewe. Despite the flair of new signing David Ginola, Everton's attack was impotent, an all too familiar problem for Walter Smith's side who have scored only 26 goals in the Premiership this season. The best game of the round came from Highbury. After two excellent equalisers from Gillingham's Marlon King and Ty Gooden, Arsene Wenger had the luxury of bringing on French World Cup stars Thierry Henry and Robert Pires after an hour. The injection of class saw Arsenal cruise to a 5-2 victory. Highbury legend Tony Adams delighted the crowd by scoring a trademark header on Blackburn manager Greame Souness was fuming with referee Graeme Barber who completely changed his team's tie with Middlesborough by showing Lucas Neill a straight red card for a dubious professional foul. Ugo Ehiogu ended Rovers hopes of a second visit to Cardiff with a header three minutes from time. Tottenham continued their quest for a domestic cup double as they made a mockery of their poor league form and thrashed Second
gair rhydd sport
RUGBY
Division Tranmere Rovers. A brace from Gustavo Poyet helped Spurs add another four goals without reply to their impressive cup tally. In Kevin Keegan's highly anticipated return to St.James Park, his prolific Manchester City met the Premiership's surprise package, Newcastle. After City defender Richard Dunne was sent off for a professional foul after 26 minutes, the 10 men in blue produced a spirited display in the second half. They created several decent chances before Nolberto Solano dashed their hopes by breaking free to score the winner past Nicky Weaver. The partnership of Hasselbaink and Gudjohnsen proved deadly once again as they bagged a goal each in Chelsea's 3-1 win over Preston. In the remaining matches, West Brom reached a rare quarter-final with a tense 1-0 win over in-form Cheltenham, and Fulham saw off Walsall 2-1 with a winner from Barry Hayles. The quarter-final draw produced two mouth-watering ties. Title challengers Newcastle and Arsenal will clash at St James Park whilst Spurs host Chelsea in a repeat of their dramatic Worthington Cup semi-final. West Brom play Fulham and Middlesborough face the victors of the replay between Everton and Crewe.
F A C U P
WELSH LEGEND RYAN GIGGS TALKS TO GR SPORT ABOUT THE FUTURE OF WELSH FOOTBALL GR SPORT INTERVIEW
R
YAN GIGGS believes that Wales’ young stars can help re-establish the side as a threat on the world stage. The Manchester United winger thinks that himself, Simon Davies, Craig Bellamy and John Hartson can eclipse the talented forward line of the early 1990’s and help Wales qualify for their first major championship since 1958. Ian Rush, Dean Saunders, Mark Hughes and a young Ryan Giggs nearly fired Wales to the 1992 European Championship and the 1994 World Cup finals. The 28-year-old told GR Sport why he believes Wales’ new attack will take the team all the way to the European Championships in Portugal. Speaking before the valiant friendly draw against Argentina, he said, "We’re not pushovers anymore.” "We’ve got a lot of firepower. "I look around our dressing room and realise that we are a good team. The quality is definitely there.” "During the World Cup qualifying campaign we got results in Poland and Ukraine and three or four years ago that wouldn’t have
with Pete Samson
happened." And Giggs, who’s Wales side will have to overcome Italy, Yugoslavia, Finland and Azerbaijan to get to Portugal, warned, "We’ve proved that the likes of Italy and Yugoslavia should be wary of us." The winger received his 35th cap in the draw against Argentina. Even before holding the World Cup favourites to that brave draw Giggs was already claiming a new dawn had commenced for Mark Hughes’ side. He attributed the teams improving performances to two of Wales’ younger players who are making a real impact in the Premiership for the first time this season. Simon Davies has established himself in an attractive Tottenham team and Craig Bellamy has been one of the stars of a high-flying Newcastle side. "Craig and Simon have grasped their chance this season and they’re flying, which is good for them and good for Wales," Giggs said. "Playing regularly in the Premiership against top class players can only help them. "One thing defenders are afraid of is pace and Craig has plenty of that. He seems to have gained an
extra yard since joining Newcastle. "He was brilliant when they beat us 4-3 at St James’ Park and he was the one we were worried about when they came to Old Trafford. That shows how much he’s come on. "He’s also playing alongside the best centre-forward of the last ten years, Alan Shearer. "And Simon has been a revelation at Tottenham and he’s got a knack of scoring goals from midfield.” "Now he needs to step up a gear at international level and do the same.”
"He must have worried about his place when Spurs signed Sheringham and Poyet but he’s commanding a first-team place there." Wales face Czech Republic (March 27) and Germany (May 14) in preparation for the European Championship qualifiers. "You always want to play against top opposition to see how far you’ve come," he said. Judging by the Argentina performance, you’ve come a long way. If the youngsters keep firing that elusive major championship may be in sight.
22
●
IMG Sport
WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY PREMIERSHIP Jomec
6-2 Accountancy
Momed AFC
4-0 Planathaniokos
Real Economics
4-3 Carbs A
Chemsoc
3-2 Law A
M Grififths, C Evans 1 S Evans 1 Lawton 1 Palmer 1, own goal n/a
Neuberger, Postlethwaite
Manson 3
PREMIERSHIP
Steve 3
Jomec Planathinaikos Real Economics Carbs A
n/a
DIVISION ONE History
0-0 Roath Park Rngers
Fire Engin
4-0 Plan City
Gym Gym
1-1
Economics
Carbs B
3-1
Law B
Pete Clarke
4-1 Chemsoc Too
Hellenic
3-1 Irish
Pharmacy
8-2 Torpedo Dynamo
Pyscho A
2-1 Wok United
Dirty Boy n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
DIVISION THREE Big Cheese
1-1 Engin Spares
Hackers
4-0 English
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Mathletico Madrid n/a Hindu Nomads n/a
n/a Spartak Sawsa n/a
VS. VS. VS. VS.
Chemsoc II Hellenic Wok Utd. Psycho A
Archaelogy
n/a
Momed AFC Chemsoc Law A Accountancy
Laura Welsh and Llinos Phillips The Law A v Carbs A game proved to be a closely fought match played in very windy conditions. Law A dominated the first half, although due to the blustery conditions only managed to secure 3 goals, with Carbs scoring 1. The Law A defence was superb with Camiela playing one of her best games of the season. Law A were also very strong in attack with Kath and Nicky playing some nice moves thanks to their pace. Carbs A had a stronger 2nd half and came back with 3 goals in the last 5 minutes to draw the game. Final score 4-4. Carbs A put in a great performance with their best game of the season;
credit goes to all the team but especially Helyne Dawes and Anna Searle in defence. Meanwhile, Psycho B played UWC B in a game full of competitive spirit. Psycho B peformed well with some particularly impressive shooting from Rachel. However it was a tough game for the Psychos and they could not quite hang on to their lead. Final result: UWC B 15, Psycho 6.
Gym Gym Carbs B R.Park Rangers Economics
DIVISION TWO
Bredin
DIVISION TWO Jim, Joel, Moody 2
VS. VS. VS. VS.
DIVISION ONE Law B History Fire Engin Plan City
n/a
n/a
2001 2002
FIXTURES 27.02.2002
n/a
Shute 2 Clatworthy Evans
n/a
IMG
gairrhydd, Monday 25 February 2001
VS. VS. VS. VS.
Irish Pharmacy Torpedo Dynamo Archaeology
DIVISION THREE Spartak Sawsa Nomads English Hackers
VS. VS. VS. VS.
Engin Spares Mathletico Madrid Hindu Big Cheese
Netball Results and Fixtures RESULTS Premiership Carbs A 4–4 Law A UWC A 19 – 12 Psycho A Economics 12 - 8 Pharmacy UWC B 15-6 Psycho B (friendly)
1st Division
Fixtures - 27th February
Gym Gym 5- 4 Comsoc English v Law B English forfeited
1:00 Psycho B v Law B (p) 1.30 UWC A v Law A (p) 2:00 English v Comsoc (1) 2.30 Pharmacy v Psycho A (p) 3.00 Malaysian v Phist (2) 3.30 UWC B v Economics(p) 4.00 Sawsa v Planning (2) 4.30 Carbs A v Chemistry (Friendly) 5.00 Gym Gym v Carbs B (1) 5.30 Stars v Socsi (2)
2nd Division Planning v Malaysian Planning forfeited Phist v Stars Game to be rescheduled
Do I not like that...
This week Zoe Hussain, 3rd Year Law student, offers her opinions on’Welsh Rugby’. You win 50 tickets for the Cardiff Devils. Seriously.
There’s still bounce in the old balls yet... What is it exactly about Welsh rugby that prompts the emotional display of fully grown men, old and young alike, tearfully belting out the Welsh national anthem in countless pubs on St Mary’s Street for every single match of the season? In the light of recent events regarding Wales’ somewhat embarrassing defeat to Ireland and the resignation of Graham Henry, I cannot imagine it is anything to do with the unrivalled and delightfully executed skills of the Welsh rugby team itself. Yet still, despite all the doom and gloom surrounding the team’s performance over the last few weeks, you can be t your bottom dollar every single Welsh-flag sporting supporter will be out in force for the next Wales match and the next, and the next. But why is this? Despite being an unofficial Wales supporter, (I come from Wales’ age old ally and comrade country- England),
and therefore someone who has not been reared with the Welsh patriotism which is essential for an automatic love of rugby, it took me no time at all to find my feet at what my friends and I like to call "all dayers". Those being the countless Saturdays when we actually get up early in order to queue in order to get into a pub on St Mary’s street and stay in town until 2.00 am the next day, (if we are still standing). If you’ve ever been into town for similar purposes, you’ll have noticed the face-painters, the stalls selling overpriced hats and horn-thingies, the odd stray man standing on street corners asking over and over again whether anyone has a spare ticket for the match. Hoards of pub goer’s stream towards the nearest queue whistling loudly and goodnaturedly at any large groups consisting of members of the opposite sex. Kilts are often lifted when the Scots are in town and cheeky
exchanges are usually made between Welsh supporters and those allied with the opposition. Once actually inside a pub (several hours later if Walkabout is your preferred choice), you are greeted by and join a sea of red as a multitude of people strip off their layers to reveal Welsh Rugby tops, or for us ladies, the customary ‘Welsh Girl’ tops (or in my case ‘Welsh girl for the day” top). The atmosphere is alive with anticipation and the die-hard hope that just this once Wales may win or even score a try for goodness sake! There is excited chatter amongst the supporters and the beer flows as smoothly as a well executed drop-kick by Neil Jenkins in years gone by. As the hour of the match draws near, a respectful silence is kept when the opposing team’s nation anthem is sang (this is not the case when said anthem is of English origin). The Welsh supporters visibly psyche them-
selves up for their own song of glory. It is at this precise moment that you realise exactly what Welsh rugby is all about. As an objective witness looking upon a jam-packed pub in the countries capital, you see the striking unity of red. Arms strewn warmly about friends, relatives and strangers, one hand on heart, the other around a pint. Even when it is all over, and the result is not what one hoped for, the pint glasses are refilled, the music turned up louder and a nights partying gets well underway. That is the essence of Welsh rugby, the loyalty of country standing together to support their heritage and to have a substantially sized piss-up into the bargain. You can’t fault the Welsh for their ability to bounce back, it really is the taking part and not the winning that counts here, and I’m sure we’ll all be out with bells on for the next match. See you there.
Got something on your chest? Riled by our report? Write to us at Gair Rhydd Sports, Students Union, Park Place, CF10 3QN, email grsport@hotmail.com or pop into our 4th floor office.
Sport ● 23
gairrhydd, Monday 25 January 2001
Magico bewitch Caldicot VOLLEYBALL Lewis McAll 'MAGICO CARDIFF', UWC’s volleyball team, competed in their first national weekend tournament at the Welsh Open 2002 in Aberystwyth. The men's team reached the finals of the second division tournament, while the women's team managed to get to the semi's in the Women's tournament. A poor start in the competition for the men's team meant that they had to play a nail-biting major game of catch-up with the other teams in their division; their place in the semi’s only guaranteed by the final point scored in their last timed game. Compared with the previous game, the pressure was not
so great in the semi-finals and the Men were able to beat off Caldicot Men's' with a clean victory. The final was played against the 'Barry Bullfrogs'. An awesome game of volleyball resulted, with both teams pulling out their best in a close, high quality game. Large numbers of people watched the match as the volleyball increased in quality, speed and, most notably from the Cardiff players, volume. It wasn't to be Cardiff's day however, and Barry were able to scrape victory in the two set match. The women's team also produced a series of impressive games, but unfortunately lost out to the eventual winners, The Lexus Tigers. An awesome weekend and some impressive team performances mean 'Magico' are itching to play the upcoming varsity game with Swansea, where they are expected to win.
Tennis in up ‘Hill’ struggle FENCING Alistair Brook At the Welsh Closed sabre tournament last week, a team of 3 Sabres: Captain Nick Charles, Armourer Alistair Brook and Sam Eden, took part, representing UWC. Charles and Brook took part in the individual event in the morning. both putting themselves in fairly good position after the 1st round of pools (14th and 16th), each claiming a victory in their pools. In the 2nd round, Charles was 10th position, going into the direct elimination rounds. Brook was less lucky as he was drawn against the number 1 and number 3 ranked fencers and as a result slipped to 18th place. An eventful pool followed as, in a clash of weapons, his opponent’s blade snapped off at the guard, hitting the ceiling before clattering back onto the floor. In his 1st elimination fight Brook pulled away to win the fight 15-11. However in his next fight he was beaten 15-2 by
the 3rd ranked fencer. Charles had a closer fight, but followed Brook out of the individual tournament. In the Teams event, all three fencers put in some notable performances. However aspirations of the Bronze where dashed when the opposition pulled into a strong lead and the match finished 45-34. Captain Charels said, ‘It’s nice to get away from just fencing in BUSA all the time and be able to take part in ordinary competitions. We shall certainly be back next year, hopefully to claim a medal."
TENNIS Naomi Simmons On February 13th, Cardiff’s Women’s tennis team beat Marjon’s for the second time this season. On the away encounter Cardiff had thrashed Marjons 6-0, however, with a stronger Marjon’s team, the home match was set to be a closer run affair. When Polly Hills and Clara Yeung, at positions two and three, each lost the
first set of their singles on a tiebreak, Cardiff looked in trouble. Yeung lost but Hills fought back, taking the match into a 3rd set which she went on to win – a tremendous result. Cardiff took a 3-1 lead into the doubles, needing just one win to clinch the result. Following the singles result this seemed a mere formality, but when both Cardiff pairs went behind the result looked far from certain. The 2nd pair, Yeung and Simmons, initially went 5-2 down, but pulled off something special, winning the next six games to prevail 8-5 and secure the win for Cardiff. After the match Hills said, "I’m really pleased with the win. Hopefully this will take us into the BUSA shield."
FRISBEE Robert Beaumont and Carole Egerton Last weekend saw the Ultimate Frisbee two day Indoor Student Nationals take place at Loughborough University. UWC women’s team, Cardiff Angels, excelled
themselves on Saturday, with four great wins taking them into the quarterfinals against the number two seeds from Sussex University. The quarterf inals on Sunday proved to be a hard fought game, with some great catches from Lewis; the Angels finally losing 5-4. Saturday was also a great success for the first team, with an 8 – 7 victory against Cambridge. However, against Bristol the Cardiff team failed to continue their winning streak. Excellent play saw the Cardiff opponents come out victors, the final score was 8 – 9. This loss was inconsequential however; Cardiff were still placed above Bristol, breezing into the quarter finals seeded first. Unfortunately, the following day Cardiff were unable to maximise their potential, a frustrating game against Loughborough ending with the final result of 7–6 in favour of the host team. Eventual victors were worthy winners Glasgow University who ruled the final 12 – 3.
Karate: the successful UWC team
UWC excel in Scottish bouts WADO KAI KARATE Katie Fewkes THIS WEEKEND’S BUSA Karate Championship saw UWC come away with an impressive three silver medals and one bronze, leaving the other Welsh universities far behind. The championship, held this year in Edinburgh, saw universities from across Britain fighting for the titles. The Women’s Kumite Team, consisting of Nici Gittens, Peli Foka and Rachel Wilyeo, fought hard, narrowly missing gold despite the setback of Wilyeo’s injury. Gittens, who took a bad fall in the third round, recovered and bounced back to win all her rounds in the competition. The Men’s Kumite Team, consisting of David Bush, Tom Gralton, Sheridan Morgan and Matt Smithen, was sadly knocked out early on in their fighting. Smithen made it through to the third round of his Senior Heavyweight category but was hit with an illegal kick, resulting in injury with the opponent disqualified. The Men’s Individual Kumite saw success in two out of the three weight
categories. Sheridan Morgan gave an impressive performance in the Men’s Individual Lightweight Kumite, beating all his opponents to give him silver in the final round. David Bush’s fighting in the Men’s Middleweight Kumite saw another silver for Cardiff in a large category. In the Women’s Individual Kumite, mention must go to Kate Humphreys, who, in her first competition for seven years, came away with the Bronze medal. The Women’s Individual Kumite also saw Peli Foka through to the third round, narrowly missing the semifinals of the novice heavyweights, and a good effort from BUSA first timer Deborah Knowles in the same category. The club had been training hard for the competition and this paid its dividends in Edinburgh, with much encouragement during the competition from coach Sean Davies and their sponsors Pinnacle Property. Despite injuries, the successes were tremendous for UWC’s Wado Kai Karate Club and they look forward to further success at the Welsh Universities Competition in a month’s time.
Cardiff spurred on to victory over UWIC HORSERIDING Donna Edmunds "We beat UWIC!" rejoiced Cardiff team captain after last week’s final competition, against stiff opposition teams from both UWIC and Bristol universities. It was a close run contest, with the weather holding out just long enough to see the UWIC team’s hopes dashed when their last rider, and the last ride of the day, fell at a
fence half way around the jumping course. The last of three league matches between the teams took place at the home of Cardiff’s team, Argae stables in Dinas Powys. The team had travelled to Bristol the week before, and to UWIC’s stables last term, where they had finished second and third respectively, finally being placed second overall. As Bristol had shown themselves to be strong leaders from the start,
the real rivalry was between Cardiff and UWIC. Claire reveals "I was initially worried, as we lost to UWIC at the first fixture. However, whilst it took place at their home stables, I was positive that we would be able to fight back." After then beating them at the fixture in Bristol, the team were quietly confident that they would triumph over UWIC when back on their home turf. The dressage yielded pleasantly high results all round, with a mark of 10 out of 10 even being awarded to one competitor (sadly from Bristol), for the final movement of the test – the walk down centre line and halt – an almost unheard of mark at this level. Bristol showed what they were made of, going into the lead at this stage, with Cardiff picking up 11 penalties and UWIC 16. The jumping, however, was
where the excitement lay. First to go was a competent rider for Bristol on Ben, a home bred horse by the famous Dutch Courage. She brought down one pole, picking up 2 faults. Next, Chloe, riding Con for Cardiff went clear, then Emma representing UWIC took one pole down on Memphis for another 2 penalties. The surprise horse of the day was Percy, who tends to like her jumping fast and furious. This must have made her riders a little more cautious, as, despite jumping the course at a breakneck speed, she was very nearly the only horse to go clear. Miranda Viewing, riding for Cardiff, certainly had a memorable ride on her, loosing a stirrup just before the penultimate jump. "I didn’t think I was going to make it, but as we came round the corner to the last two jumps I
figured I should just go for it, so I kicked on. Luckily, we went clear." Charlotte, riding Percy for UWIC, was not so lucky. After a refusal at the spread, she took a badly judged second attempt, coming in too close and at an angle. Percy started to attempt the jump, but changed her mind mid-air, coming down on top of the jump and unseating Charlotte. It was an unfortunate close to the day that cost UWIC the competition. Meanwhile Bristol will go through to the regionals.
Sport Gair Rhydd
GIGGS: GR SPORT interview the biggest sporting star in Wales PLUS: Why the Welsh love rugby Free Word 714
Monday 25 February 2002
Corky loses his bottle CARDIFF CITY
Pete Samson ALAN CORK has become the victim of Cardiff City’s ambition by being forced to resign as manager. Cork stood down following the Bluebird’s 4-0 defeat at struggling Wigan last weekend. He found himself forced out just 42 days after leading Cardiff to a historic victory over Leeds United in the FA Cup. Lennie Lawrence has taken over as manager with the objective of pushing the team into a play-off place and justifying the £10m spent on the club by owner Sam Hammam. Hammam explained, "Considering the amount of money spent on assembling the team and the 11 players bought under Alan Cork, the level of wages, and the level of expectation of everyone at the club and the fans being so high, this decision was inevitable." Cork took over as Cardiff boss in October 2000 following a brief spell as assistant to Bobby Gould. He won automatic promotion from the Third Division in his first season and has kept in touch with the Second Division play-off places this year. However, it was hoped that the £3m spent on players in the summer – including £1.7m on Peter Thorne, £1m on Graham Kavanagh and £700,000 on Spencer Prior – would guarantee a second successive promotion. And despite the famous cup victor and last season’s promotion the former Swansea boss has never won the hearts of Cardiff fans. Cork, 42, said of his departure: "I am disappointed I cannot continue the job I started 18 months ago, when we were 13th in the Third Division. "Life’s never comfortable in Cardiff because everyone wants to win every game, but you can’t blame them." Lennie Lawrence’s arrival as director of football in January added to Cork’s discomfort. Lawrence, the former Charlton, Middlesborough, Luton and Grimsby manager, admitted, "I really thought when I came here we would work together at least till the end of the season, but it just hasn’t worked.”
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
LEAGUE DIVISION 2
Pl.
G.D.
Pts.
Reading Brighton Bristol City Stoke City Brentford Huddersfield Town Oldham Athletic CARDIFF CITY QPR Wycombe Wanderers Tranmere Rovers Port Vale Wigan Athletic Colchester United Swindon Town Blackpool Chesterfield Peterborough United Bournemouth Bury Northampton Town Wrexham Notts County Cambridge Utd
34 33 33 34 33 33 34 34 34 33 32 34 34 34 34 33 32 33 33 34 33 34 34 33
22 13 19 18 22 13 14 9 9 6 13 0 8 -5 -9 -8 -3 0 -12 -22 -22 -29 -23 -33
66 64 58 58 56 55 53 53 52 52 51 49 44 44 43 42 39 38 33 33 31 31 27 24
VISIT THE BLUEBIRDS AT: WWW.Cardiffcityfc.co.uk
THE INDOOR TEAM: Jon Swell, Tanucht Sud, James Tomlinson, Steve Edmonds, George McCullough and Gareth Lamb
LEAPING TO LORDS CRICKET David Williams THE UNIVERSITY’S indoor cricket team are on their way to Lords after winning one of the regional sections of a national competition. Warwick, Brunel, Durham, St. Mary’s and Sheffield Hallam will now provide the opposition at the home of cricket on the 16th of March, with captain George McCullough looking forward to the test. "If we play to our ability then anything can happen. We are quietly confident." The tournament, which took place at Talybont and which also included a squad from UWIC, included teams from Exeter, Glamorgan, Bath and Plymouth. In this six-a-side version of the gentleman’s game, captain McCullough was quick to praise the efforts of his squad after defeating Exeter in the final. "Gareth Lamb and Steve Edmonds opened the batting and were brilliant all the way through. "All the bowlers bowled well and generally the fielding was second to none." With the competition taking a group format, with twelve overs per innings and batsmen forced
to retire when they reach 25 runs, the importance of a good start is vital. Cardiff, whose side include four Glamorgan academy players, were able to come through their first encounter despite fielding first and conceding 134 runs to Plymouth. However, the opening partnership of Lamb and Edmonds, who were consistent throughout, totalled over 50 between them and allowed James Tomlinson, primarily a bowler, to make 26. After McCullough and Morgan Parkin went cheaply, Jon Swell, with Lamb and Edmonds returning, was able to see the side home with an over to spare. The second match against Bath saw the opposition bat first
again, with a respectable total of 146 being posted. In the Cardiff innings Lamb and Edmunds both retired after making 25 runs, but a middle order collapse followed with captain McCullough, Parkin and Tanucht Sud dismissed without troubling the score board. With the team in trouble and needing 44 of four overs, the returning Lamb and last batsmen Tomlinson showed their class, responding to the Bath bowling effectively. Tomlinson’s 41 not out was the undoubted highlight of the match and he was understandably delighted. "We fought like cornered tigers. It was a great team performance and the players did themselves proud." The final against Exeter went Cardiff’s way from the
outset with tight bowling limiting the West country side to 101, with Parkin and Swell taking two wickets apiece. Cardiff ’s innings got off to a flyer with Lamb and Edmonds making 60 off 6 overs and, following a mini collapse, the two openers returned to hit the winning runs with an over still left to play. Following their success captain McCullough was jubilant. "I think we were well organised and played as a team. The other teams had a couple of star players but didn’t generally play as a team. We’re strong in all areas." Hopefully the side will be able to repeat the form they showed at the national final in London next month.
UWC Cricket: winning their regional section
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