Twin sporting success celebrated

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First Minister Rhodri Morgan has hailed the double sporting success for south west Wales at the weekend.

Swansea City clinched promotion from League One with a 2-1 win at Gillingham on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ospreys, who share the Liberty Stadium with the Swans, beat Leicester to win the EDF Energy Cup at Twickenham.

"it was the turn of those from the Liberty Stadium to make us proud," said Mr Morgan.

Swansea, the long-standing League One leaders, needed a win at relegation-threatened Gillingham to guarantee their first promotion to football's second tier for 24 years.

The club sold out its 1,400 allocation for the trip to Kent but another sell-out included 2,000 tickets sold for a TV relay at the Liberty Stadium.

The match ended 2-1 to the Swans after two quick goals by Guillem Bauza just before half time.

Hospitality suites around the stadium showed the match on TV after the club got permission from the Football League and Gillingham and these tickets too have been snapped up quickly.


Ospreys skipper Ryan Jones celebrates the cup win

Swans legend Alan Curtis, who watched the match at the Liberty Stadium, said afterwards: "It's been 24 long years, we're back to where we belong, let's hope we can push on."

Fan and radio presenter Mal Pope added: "Today we had to scrap for a win, but what a fantastic event!"

Mr Morgan said Swansea had been a "cut above the rest".

"I'm very pleased that today they've finally got over the line to ensure their devoted fans get Championship football next season," he said.

"Let's hope they now keep their foot on the gas and take the title they so richly deserve."

Fly-half James Hook set up two tries and scored 13 points in the Ospreys' 23-6 win over Leicester.

The victory, in front of a 65,756 crowd at Twickenham, was revenge for their defeat to the English champions in the final last year.

More than 2,200 fans travelled on official coaches alone.

Mr Morgan said: "The Ospreys team is looking pretty awesome on its day, and I'm sure there will be plenty more trophies for them in the years to come.

"With so many Welsh players in the side, their success can only be a very good thing for the national team."