Three Days with the All Golds

Monday - The Prince of Wales Stadium hosted the RFL South West trials, with local Rugby League legend Malcolm Holmes officiating proceedings.

Tuesday - The Holiday Inn Express in Cheltenham, has recently team up with the All Golds to form a partnership with the Rugby League outfit, They have chosen to sponsor Joe McClean and have already taken bookings for the upcoming 2016 season!

Tuesday - Wales were recently crowned Eurpean Champions over in Bray, Ireland after their 30-4 victory. Here three out of the 4 All Golds involved in the squad are pictured at the All Golds Season Launch after having their individual head shots taken. (Left to Right: Jamie Murphy, Courtney Davies & Steven Parry. Lewis Reece being the missing Dragon!)

Wednesday - Danny Fallon celebrates after scoring the opening try during UGRL's 28-20 victory over Nottingham Trent at the Price of Wales Stadium.

My First Wedding

Earlier in the year I was informally approached to photograph my friend's wedding, I agreed with the understanding that I am rather inexperienced at covering these important events, having only photographed them as a guest in the past. The night before the big day I met up with Brian again to go through the plan for the day, with shooting starting right at the beginning at the local cafe up until the big Bosnia v Wales football match in the evening. It was a great experience and will hopefully have some more wedding dates lined up for 2016, I have shared what is probably my favourite image from the day below, but here is a link to the album with many other photos of the day, which I am waiting to get printed - http://issuu.com/lewismitchell/docs/wedding_l

All focus is on the Wales v Australia World Cup match on the head table.

4 All Golds called up for Welsh duty!

There has been a lot of hype surrounding the Rugby Union World Cup recently, as it is being hosted locally at Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium, however there is also other International rugby news being made in Gloucestershire, as Welsh Rugby League head coach John Kear has called four of the All Gold's Welsh contingent up to represent the national side for their upcoming International matches matches against Scotland, France & Ireland. Here are some images from the last match of the season, a 22-48 away victory at Coventry Bears.

Captain Steve Parry (Treharris) returns to the Welsh set-up after missing out on last years' squad through injury, whilst Lewis Reece (Cardiff) also makes a return, after receiving his belated cap after our visit to North Wales Crusaders in Wrexham back in August.

Courtney Davies (Port Talbot) is hoping to make his international début in the upcoming European matches.

Jamie Murphy (Bridgend) is also looking to earn his first cap after missing out during his Super League stint with the Celtic Crusaders.

The 2015 Wales #rugbyleague squad p2. @LewisReece2 @stevenlparry9 @CourttDavies7 @themurphyman - all @AllGolds. Craig Kopzcak - @Giantsrl

— Wales Rugby League (@WalesRugbyL) September 29, 2015

Sumatran Tiger arrives in Pembrokeshire!

After much anticipation from those involved with the Manor House Wildlife Park, Terima arrived on Saturday evening following a long journey from France. I was lucky enough to be invited along to the arrival of this endangered big cat.

Anna Ryder Richardson was very excited by the arrival of the one year old, who will soon enter an important breeding programme when they gain a male in the future, as fewer than 400 remain in the wild.
This particular image has been published across the region including the Evening Post & Carmarthen Journal

I was also lucky enough to come into contact with Rebecca Naden, a Reuters photographer who covers all sorts of events, but specialising in Sports, who kindly allowed me to shadow her as she worked at the park and shared a long insightful chat about the industry throughout the day.

All Golds Rise to the Top! (Of the Southern Teams)

On the weekend the All Golds finally defeated the Hemel Stags 34-38 in dramatic fashion, an achievement that has allured them up until now. This superb result comes off the back of an impressive victory against Newcastle Thunder 26-10 on August the 8th, becoming the first  Southern team since last years All Golds to beat a Northern side in 57 weeks! I wasn't able to be at Hemel on Sunday so here are the Newcastle photos. The All Golds now sit 9th in the Kingstone Press Championship 1 table with three more matches to play against Swinton Lions, Keighley Cougars & Coventry Bears.

Ollie Purslow powers past the Thunder defence.

Steve Parry crosses over from close range..

..And in the second half took advantage of a free play to score the second of his brace!

Alex Davidson & Courtney Davies, who has recently returned from injury celebrate with their captain Steven Parry.

Callum Mulkeen & Jamie Murphy tackle Papa New Guinea international Jason Tali.

Lee Mapals celebrates his try with Callum Mulkeen.

New signing from Belgium Yvan Leroyer converts.

Ryan Pywell races towards the thunder defensive line.

All Golds Update

Izaak Duffy is halted at Iffley Road.
Oxford 20-12 All Golds
31/5/15

Phil Cowburn celebrates Chris Vitalini's try during his 50th All Golds appearance against the Hemel Stags
All Golds 30-34 Hemel Stags
6/6/15

Steven Parry indicates to the referee that we'll take the penalty kick
Barrow Raiders 26-18 All Golds
20/6/15

Joel Thomas runs with a rip in his shirt towards the Oldham defence
All Golds 30-41 Oldham Roughyeds
27/6/15

An impressive backdrop in South Wales at Mountain Ash RFC
South Wales Scorpions 16-36 All Golds
5/7/15

Alex Davidson crosses over to score against Oxford
All Golds 38-24 Oxford
18/7/15

Joe McClean, Krista Woodman, Andy Pitchford & Lee Greenwood celebrate the new shirt sponsorship with Smith & Williamson
All Golds 10-34 London Skolars
25/7/15

The Barrow fans enjoy their victory away to Oxford, hosted by the All Golds in Cheltenham
Oxford 22-34 Barrow Raiders
25/7/15

New signing from Belgium Yvan Leroyer converts
North Wales Crusaders 38-20 All Golds
2/8/15

Golf

I'm back home in Bridgend for a few weeks and a few of the lads decided to go for a round of golf, we chose the local nine hole venue of Pencoed College for the event as it's not a high profile location at all, more welcoming to a muck around.

All Golds Update

All Golds 4-8 Coventry 22/2/15
A mudbath welcomed the Coventry Bears to the Prince of Wales Stadium, here is All Golds captain Steve Parry during on one of the many stoppages in play thanks to the conditions.

Barrow 16-14 All Golds 1/3/15
Phil Cowburn crossing the line during an impressive first half for the All Golds who played through a second half snowstorm against Barrow, falling to the Raiders in the iPro Cup.

All Golds 66-4 Skirlaugh 8/3/15
Steve Parry poses next to the Challenge Cup prior to a record win against the ameteur club from the North East. 

All Golds 10-28 Hunslet 22/3/15
Ryan Pywell runs at the Hawks defence during the Challenge Cup fourth round defeat to the south Leeds side who were promoted to the Championship last season.

All Golds 36-6 South Wales 3/4/15
Joe Martin flies over the line to land a try during the first match of the Kingstone Press Championship 1 season, defeating the Scorpions for a fifth time in a row.

All Golds 18-38 Rochdale 11/4/15
It was a fourth home match in a row for the All Golds as they fell to the Hornets in Cheltenham, Callum Mulkeen is seen celebrating his try with Toby Topham. 

London 10-36 All Golds 19/4/15
Matt Bradley slams home his try against his former Skolars side on the Desso pitch at White Hart Lane. 

All Golds 18-60 Swinton 26/4/15
Chris Vitalini anticipates heavy contact during the heavy league defeat to Swinton. The match was played in remembrance of Bev James who had passed away after a long illness, so it was fitting that Jordan James brought his Lions side to Cheltenham.

Oldham 33-30  All Golds 3/5/15
Jamie Murphy exploits space in the Oldham defence during a spirited performance at Whitebank stadium.

All Golds 6-46 York 5/5/15
The rugby league family came together before the weekend fixtures with a minutes silence for Danny Jones who sadly suffered a cardiac arrest whilst playing for Keighley Cougars in London.

All Golds 66-6 Coventry
Mark Bowen crosses over to score one of three tries during a man of the match performance against the Bears.