Western Mail

It's a Bridge Too Far for Rodgers On His Chelsea Return

4:1 CHELSEA SWANSEA ATTENDANCE: 41,800 REFEREE: Mike Dean (Wirral) BRENDAN RODGERS endured what countless managers have had to experience at Stamford Bridge and he won't have enjoyed it one bit. During four years as part of Chelsea's backroom staff Rodgers saw managers from Sir Alex Ferguson to Frank Rijkaard take teams to West London and leave with nothing at the hands of the ruthless Blues.

Torres' Tackle Angers Gower

MARK GOWER says he was lucky to avoid a major injury after Fernando Torres' horror lunge at Stamford Bridge. Under-fire Torres was shown a straight red card for a reckless two-footed tackle on Gower in Swansea's 4-1 defeat to Chelsea.

Mackay has to Wait On His Walking Wounded Ahead of Saints

MALKY MACKAY will wait on a day of hospital scans before determining who is fit enough to play for Cardiff City in Wednesday's big home clash with Southampton. "It's like Casualty Ward 10 inside the dressing room," said the Cardiff City manager after the bruising 0-0 draw with a no-nonsense Leicester team.

Cup

CARDIFF CITY will meet Championship rivals Burnley for a place in the last eight of the Carling Cup. The Bluebirds have been drawn at home against opponents whom they have already drawn 1-1 with at Turf Moor this season.

Stalemate

MALKY MACKAY likened the Cardiff City dressing room to "Casualty Ward 10" after this bruising battle which tested the tenacity and resolve of his new-look Bluebirds to the absolute limit. Make no mistake, this was very much a point gained, rather than two lost, against a Leicester team who showed they have a steely streak and ruthless edge to go with the obvious talent Sven-Goran Eriksson has been able to assemble with pounds 15m in the close season.

Cronk Looking to Build On Victory After Newport See Off Pooler

TEAM NEWPORT PONTYPOOL 36 20 NEWPORT'S first league win of the season and a bonus point with four tries were a boost for Sven Cronk after defeats in their previous three games, writes George Williams. "We showed structure and must keep at it," said the head coach.

Ponty's Second-Half Display Finally Unlocks Keys

TEAM CROSS KEYS PONTYPRIDD 13 22 A GAME of two halves may be a cliche but it's hard to know how else to describe this match, with the dominance of the home side in the opening half being more than offset by a resurgent Pontypridd in the second. Both sides may only have scored a try apiece but that is no reflection on the effort and commitment on display in a thoroughly entertaining display which was a positive advertisement for Welsh Premiership rugby.

Drovers Round Up Another Win to Move Into Third

TEAM LLANDOVERY BRIDGEND 23 12 ON a day when the Annual Sheep Festival drew hundreds of visitors to Llandovery, the Drovers continued their good form with this deserved win over competitive Bridgend. They move up to third place in the Premiership, their best position for many a day and played with increasing confidence.

Cardiff Get No Bonus From Their Victory at the Bridge Field

TEAM BEDWAS CARDIFF 17 26 REFEREE James Jones apologised for not giving Cardiff a penalty try after an hours play, which cost them a bonus point. Though Joe Griffin kicked the penalty and replacement Roger McBurney was yellow-carded, a penalty try should have resulted or Cardiff even given the chance to carry on and score.

Neath Keep Unbeaten Tag Despite Spurning Chances

NEATH returned to familiar territory at the top after easily accounting for bottom club Tonmawr at The Gnoll. The Blacks now possess the league's only unbeaten record, but it remains to be seen how long they can keep it.

Prydie Is Back After Nightmare, but It's No Win Boost

TEAM SWANSEA ABERAVON 17 22 WALES' youngest international Tom Prydie returned to action at the weekend admitting the last six months recovering from knee surgery have been a 'horrible' experience. The 19-year-old winger set the new age record when he played against Italy in March 2010 aged 18 years and 25 days. He was also the youngest player to figure in the Six Nations Championship.

Quins Pip Their Rivals to Top Spot

TEAM CARM QUINS LLANELLI 19 15 LLANELLI were knocked off the top of the Principality Premiership by fellow Scarlets regional club Carmarthen Quins in a full blooded game at the Park. Driving rain throughout made for mistakes galore but both sides tried their best to move the ball whenever possible only to find the tackling of the highest order.

Byrne Determined to Take the Big Chance and Keep His Place in Side

LEE BYRNE has outlined his determination to keep his place in Warren Gatland's Wales team. Byrne earned a recall for today's Pool D clash with Namibia after being ostracised by Gatland because of a combination of injuries, loss of form and lack of confidence.

Gatland's Men in Fine Shape After Samoa Power to This Convincing Win

Andy Howell at Eden Park, Auckland FIJI SAMOA 7TRY: Talei CON: Luveniyali 27 TRIES: Fotuali"i, Stowers CON: Williams PENS: G Pisi (4) DROP GOAL: G Pisi Team: K Murimurivalu; V Goneva, G Lovobalavu, S Bai (J Valivuli 53, T Tuapati 75)), N Nalaga; N Little (W Luveniyali 58), N Kenatale (V Buatava 65); C Ma"afu, S Koto, D Manu (capt) (S Somoca 63), S Kalou (R Nasiga 65), L Nakarawa, N Talei, S Koyamaibole, M Ravulo (A Qera 56). Team: P Williams; S Tagicakibau, G Pisi (E Fuimaono-Sapolu 53), S Ma...

Dan's the Man As Ospreys Prove Only Welsh Winners

GARETH GRIFFITHS at the Liberty Stadium OSPREYS ULSTER 32 TRIES Penalty try, Fussell CONS Biggar, Morgan PENS Biggar (6) 14 TRIES Jackson, penalty try CONS Jackson, McKinney B Davies (K Phillips 73); R Fussell, T Isaacs, A Bishop, H Dirksen; D Biggar (M Morgan 67), R Webb (S Parker 73); D Jones (C Griffiths 74), R Hibbard (M Davies 66), A Jarvis (J Rees 52-74), I Gough, J Goode (J King ht), T Smith (M Davies 24-30, J Bearman 62), J Tipuric (capt), J Thomas J Payne (A D'Arcy 53); C Gilroy, N S...

Trundle's One-Man Show Sinks Bala Without Trace

NEATH 4 BALA TOWN 0 LEE TRUNDLE was at his mercurial best as Neath blew away Bala at the Gnoll yesterday to move second behind leaders The New Saints. The former Swansea City favourite scored a sensational solo goal and had a hand in two others as he tormented an overworked Bala defence with his trickery and clever movement.

It's Smiles Better for Gunners

3:0 ARSENAL BOLTON ROBIN VAN PERSIE was glad to put a smile back on the faces of Arsenal's fans following his match-winning performance in Saturday's 3-0 defeat of Bolton. Arsenal's worrying start to the season took a turn for the better when they picked up their second win of the season to move away from the relegation zone.

Moyes Anger with Kompany

2:0 MAN CITY EVERTON boss David Moyes has accused Vincent Kompany of deliberately trying to hurt Tim Cahill during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester City. The incident occurred in the second half, when the game was still goalless. Cahill was booked for a rash challenge but as Kompany took evasive action, he landed on the midfielder's leg.

Adebayor has Eye On Spurs Deal

1:2 WIGAN TOTTENHAM EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR produced a performance which suggested he may have his eye on a long-term White Hart Lane future as Tottenham withstood a stirring second-half fightback to win 2-1 at Wigan. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted he would "love" to turn Adebayor's current loan arrangement from Manchester City into a permanent deal after the Togo international shone despite playing the second half with his vision in one eye seriously impaired.

Pulis Praises Magnificent Crouch in United Draw

1:1 STOKE CITY MAN UTD Crouch (52) Nani (27) ATTENDANCE: 27,582 REFEREE: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire) STOKE boss Tony Pulis hailed Peter Crouch after the club's record signing opened his Potters account with the equaliser in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the Britannia Stadium. Crouch, recruited for pounds 10m from Tottenham last month on transfer deadline day, headed home Matthew Etherington's corner seven minutes into the second half, cancelling out Nani's 27th- minute str...