Dai Sport

By Owen Morgan The Cardiff Cross Challenge lived up to its new status as a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold standard event with thrilling finishes in top quality senior men's and women's races. Charlotte Arter retained her title ahead of Cardiff team-mate Jenny Nesbitt, while Derby's Hugo Milner produced a blistering time to win the men's race. The sun came out to celebrate the event's elevation to global standard and training partners Arter and Nesbitt rose to the occasion in the most un-cross country-like warm conditions.

By Steffan Thomas Wayne Pivac believes more exiles will follow Thomas Young’s lead and return to Welsh rugby.  Despite having only three test caps to his name Wasps back-row star Young was named in the Wales squad for this autumn's tests against New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji, and Australia after signing a contract to join Cardiff Rugby next season.  And Pivac is confident the likes of Leicester’s Tommy Reffell, Bristol’s Callum Sheedy, Bath’s Taulupe Faletau, and Gloucester’s Louis Rees-Zammit will eventually join a Welsh region in the near future. 

By Paul Jones Former Swansea star Jamal Lowe thanked Bristol City fans for their respect and solidarity in sending a message of support to Welsh international David Brooks. Surrounded by his Bournemouth teammates, Lowe held up the No.7 shirt of the absent Brooks after the scorer had just silenced the home support with a well-struck volley to give the visitors the lead.  It was a gesture that might have drawn abuse in a different context, but Brooks has revealed he is starting treatment for cancer and the reaction of the home fans was as dignified as their applause in the seventh minute, moments earlier. 

Jamie Paterson has thanked Russell Martin and Swansea City for rescuing his career – and his well-being – after he was dumped by Bristol City. The Swans’ midfielder, whose man-of-the-match performance in the 3-0 win over Cardiff City underlined his value to his new club, has revealed he was at his lowest ebb after leaving Ashton Gate this summer. The 29-year-old was shown the door and left without a club following an injury-hit final few months with the Robins.

Rhys Priestland’s form has been given the thumbs up by Dai Young, just two weeks before Wales face the All Blacks. Cardiff No.10 Priestland kicked 13 points and steered his side to a hard-earned 23-17 victory over the Sharks which earned the approval of his coach. It meant the 34-year-old signed off a successful few days, having been recalled for Wales duty earlier in the week.

Elfyn Evans has kept his hopes of becoming World Rally champion title alive by finishing second on Rally Spain. Evans took an 18 point lead into the final Rally Monzalast year, but crashed out and handed the title to Sébastien Ogier.

Mick McCarthy has pledged to fight on as Cardiff City manager after Swansea inflicted a south Wales derby mauling and a sixth successive defeat on his side. Jamie Paterson, Joël Piroe and Jake Bidwell were on target as Swansea piled the pressure on the embattled McCarthy with a comfortable Championship victory. “I am bitterly disappointed,” said McCarthy, whose side are two places and three points above the relegation zone. “It’s difficult when you are on a run like we are. All of a sudden it doesn’t look cohesive and sometimes you get opened up.

Welsh athletes will take part in a revolutionary new indoor competition in Glasgow next year. Dynamic New Athletics Indoor (DNA) is a new mixed-gender, fast-paced, short, team athletics event, heading to Emirates Arena on 5 February 2022.