Wigan lure kicking guru Hodgson for pre-season
FORMER England fly-half, Charlie Hodgson has linked-up with Wigan Warriors as kicking consultant. Halifax-born Hodgson, who now works as kicking coach at London Irish, will join the Wigan coaches for the pre-season period.
Hodgson burst onto the England scene when he debuted against Romania in 2001 scoring a record 44 points haul, the most by any England player in a Test match. Executive director, Kris Radlinski, said: “Charlie is very well respected is the rugby community and is an outstanding kicking coach. He will begin working with us in the next couple of weeks. “ Hodgson said: “I ‘m delighted to be linking up with Wigan.
“From my early days of watching Halifax RL, I have hugely admired what Wigan have achieved and it is an amazing opportunity to work with one of the most decorated club sides in the history of the game. “
A LATE Ben Thomas penalty guided Cardiff to a battling victory over Ebbw Vale at Eugene Cross Park.
Cardiff fly-half Thomas opened the scoring with a penalty inside ten minutes but Vale responded well to go in front courtesy of a well-worked team move that saw full-back Dan Haymond crash over in the corner. Callum Hall converted. However, Cardiff hit back through Ian Jenkins and Thomas added the extras before he struck a second penalty.
With Cardiff seemingly heading for a comfortable half-time lead, the Steelmen upped the ante with Hall kicking a difficult penalty. Deep into added time, Hall claimed another to level the score.
And he wasn ‘t finished as he completed a hat-trick of penalties after the break to put Ebbw ahead.
Haymond ‘s second try of the game looked to end Vale ‘s poor run but Cardiff winger Corey Howells ‘ try set up a frantic finale.
Thomas ‘ conversion meant one point separated the two teams with 20 minutes to play Thomas held his nerve to kick right between the posts.
Star man
Ben Thomas – Cardiff
Bridgend ………26 Carmarthen …34
CARMARTHEN Quins emerged victorious after a thrilling encounter with Bridgend Ravens to add to their great run of form.
The win proved to be tough for the Quins as they ended the first half with a narrow two-point lead.
Aled Thomas and Ryan Evans traded early penalties before Quins winger Gavin Thomas got the first try of the game, with Aled Thomas converting.
Joseph Gatt hit back for the Ravens, however, it was Lawrence Reynolds who crashed over for Quins 30 seconds later to put the visitors back in control.
Evans struck his second penalty of the game before Aled James took advantage of weak tackling to extend Carmarthen ‘s lead.
However, a late first-half comeback orchestrated by promising scrum-half Harri Morgan kept the Ravens in contention.
Evans kicked Bridgend ahead before a stunning driving maul from Carmarthen, which started outside Bridgend ‘s 22, saw replacement Torin Myhill go over for the bonus point. Gavin Thomas ‘ try, just past the hour mark, was enough to seal a ninth win in ten games for the Quins.
Star man
Gavin Thomas – Carmarthen Q
