South East Wales

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Para-bowlers Julie Thomas and Steffan James began their Commonwealth Games campaign with a stunning comeback tie-break victory against Australia in the B2/B3 category.

Thomas and James lost the opening set 4-2 before levelling things in the second set by winning 6-3. This forced a tie-break end and Wales triumphed 2-0.

James, who is playing in his first Commonwealth Games, said: "We were really chuffed and excited to have got it over the line.

"It was amazing. I am so fortunate to have the support and backing of my family here and friends back home who are following the Games."

Thomas has won a silver and bronze at the past two Games.

"It was brilliant," said Thomas, who took up bowls in 2014 after losing her sight.

"It is a very cut-throat format but we just have to accept it is another end and play as best as you can."

James and Thomas are aided by directors James Jones and John Wilson, who is the oldest member of Team Wales at 72.

The team are back in action against England on Friday evening at 20:40 BST.

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As well as the earlier exploits of Ela Letton-Jones, other Welsh swimmers were in Commonwealth Games action in the pool in Glasgow this morning.

Wales women qualified third fastest for Friday night's 4x100m freestyle final, but the men's team were disqualified in their heat and miss out on an opportunity to win a medal.

Tyler Melbourne-Smith was punished after leaving his block early on the third leg.

The Wales women's relay team will be boosted by the inclusion of promising teenager Theodora Taylor, who sat out the semi-final after earlier qualifying for the 50m butterfly semi-finals.

Taylor, 17, is expected to replace one of Medi Harris, Sophie Daves, Megan Higgs or Rebecca Sutton, who all swam well to give the team a shot at a medal.

Joshua Inglis also qualified for the men's 100m breaststroke semi-finals with a time of 1:02:23 in the heats.

Image source, Team Wales

Teenage para-swimmer Ela Letton-Jones had made a stunning start in her bid to win the first Team Wales medal of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The 19-year-old from from Y Felinheli in Gwynedd finished second in the heat of the women's S13 100m freestyle to ease through to Friday night's final which takes place at 19:23 BST.

Letton-Jones recorded a time of 1:04.73 behind Australian Jenna Jones, who will be the gold medal favourite after her time of 1:04.67.

"I'm happy with my performance," said Letton-Jones.

"I wanted to get the job done this morning. It felt like I was just on adrenaline because I could hear the whole crowd.

"It's been such a build-up towards this race, it's kind of crazy.

"It's special and making me even more excited to race tonight."

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As we wait for the action to start in Glasgow for the Welsh athletes, just a reminder of what is at stake generally today.

There are 14 golds up for grabs with nine in swimming and Para-swimming, four in Para-powerlifting and one in artistic gymnastics.

We wait to see whether Team Wales will have a podium position by the end of the opening day.

Image source, Getty Images

Darren Purse has left his role as manager of Cardiff City Under-21s to become manager of Sligo Rovers.

The former defender will spearhead the bid to avoid relegation from the League of Ireland Premier Division, with Sligo five points from safety with 12 games left.

Purse has signed an 18-month contract to replace John Russell after he left last week for rivals Shelbourne.

"It's a really good football club, and one I'm looking forward to taking places," said Purse.

"You can have a long-term plan as much as you want, but the big thing for us is winning games over the next 12 and staying in this division."

Purse spent four years as a player at Cardiff between 2005 and 2009, making 123 appearances, and returned as an academy coach in December 2021.

The former skipper played a leading role in the development of a raft of young players that helped Brian Barry-Murphy's first team secure an immediate return to the Championship as League One runners-up.

Matthew Bloxham has taken charge of Cardiff's under-21s, assisted by head of academy coaching Dane Facey, while the club search for a permanent replacement.

"We're sad to lose Darren as our under-21s lead coach," said academy manager Gavin Chesterfield.

"His tireless worth ethic and selfless approach to player development means he can be very proud of the impact he has made upon our players and culture."

Sligo are a point back on Waterford, who have had an upturn in fortunes under former Newport County boss Graham Coughlan, and five points from safety.

As things stand, Sligo would drop out of the Irish top flight and Waterford would play in a promotion/relegation play-off.

Image source, BBC Sport

We have had the opening ceremony and now the focus switches to the action as the first official day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games begins in Glasgow on Friday.

It will be a busy start with a couple of medal hopes, including Para-swimmer Ela Letton-Jones.

The world silver medallist could be the first Team Wales competitor to achieve a podium position with the final of the women's S13 100m freestyle final scheduled at 19:23 BST.

The swimming heats start in the morning with Alexandra Bastone (women's 400 metres freestyle), Theodora Taylor (women's 50m butterfly), Joshua Inglis and Kyle Booth (men's 100m breaststroke) and the women's and men's 4x100m freestyle, which include Olympians Matt Richards, Kieran Bird and Medi Harris.

Should the various swimmers progress through their heats, the semi-finals or finals of all those events will take place that evening.

The men's artistic gymnastics team of Jacob Edwards, Joe Cemlyn-Jones, Elliot Vernon, Henry Lewis and Alexander Niscoveanu will compete in the team final, while there will also be qualification for individual events.

At the SEC centre, the bowlers will be in action with Julie Thomas and Steffan James, aided by directors John Wilson and James Jones, playing their first games when they face Australia in the Para-mixed pairs before playing England in the evening session.

Ross Owen will continue his men's singles campaign against England's Sam Tolchard, while the women's pairs of Amy Williams and Lauren Gowen face Fiji.

Timings (all in BST)

Swimming

10:30: Alexandra Bastone (women's 400 metres freestyle), heat 4

11:08: Ela Letton-Jones (women's S13 100m freestyle), heat 1

11:37: Theodora Taylor (women's 50m butterfly), heat 5

11:54: Joshua Inglis and Kyle Booth (men's 100m breaststroke), heat 5 and 6

12:23: Women's 4x100m freestyle relay heat 2

12:45: Men's 4x100m freestyle relay heat 2

Potential semi-finals and finals in evening session

19:07: Alexandra Bastone (women's 400m freestyle final)

19:23: Ela Letton-Jones (women's S13 100m freestyle final)

20:08: Theodora Taylor (women's 50m butterfly semi-final)

20:31: Joshua Inglis and Kyle Booth (men's 100m breaststroke semi-final)

21:11: Women's 4x100m freestyle final

21:21: Men's 4x100m freestyle final

Bowls

12:45: Para mixed pairs Wales v Australia

17:50: Men's singles Sam Tolchard v Ross Owen

20:40: Para mixed pairs Wales v England

20:40: Women's pairs Wales (Amy Williams and Lauren Gowen) v Fiji

Gymnastics

17:30-21:15: Men's artistic team gymnastics final.

Image source, Getty Images

After King Charles and Queen Camilla and Scottish cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy stepped out of the Tardis at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, it was Team Wales' turn to take centre stage.

The squad marched into the stadium second from last, just before hosts Scotland.

Boxer Rosie Eccles had the honour of flying the flag, while bowler Daniel Salmon was the baton bearer, the two reigning Commonwealth Games champions rightly handed the accolade.

The uniforms consisted of official Team Wales tartan that was registered in Scotland using the Team Scotland Blue from their official tartan. The team were also wearing custom pin badges, designed by Clogau.

For the first time in Commonwealth Games history, the athletes took centre stage before formalities kick in.

Image source, Team Wales