News Update 25-8-06
So here we go again at the start of a new season. Pre-season training has been very intense for those who have been there but numbers have been generally disappointing. On paper we have enough players to run 2 sides but with one week to go until the First and Second XV's are in action it is still touch and go whether we will get both teams on the field to start the season.
Pre-season friendlies produced a real mixed bag of results. We opened with a game against Newbridge and acquitted ourselves really well for an hour against the Division One side while we had our strongest team on the field, doing enough to show real promise for the season. However, it was important that the coaches gave everyone a run out and a weaker side in the final quarter found the opposition to strong. The encouraging sign was the number of players we used, almost 30. We then went to Brynithel on Saturday 19th and came away with an encouraging 17-7 win although the turn out was a little disappointing with only a bare set of backs. Once again the pack looked strong and we gradually wore the opposition down.
In the final game we travelled to the Garn with an even weaker squad. The pack contained only one recognised backrow forward and we fielded four second rows. Behind we were also weakened by injuries and fielded 2 inexperienced wings and a borrowed player from Girlings. Matters were made worse when wing/fullback Matt Hiatt, outside-half Allyn Gore and scrum-half Ritchie Williams were all forced off with injuries. As a result we lost disappointingly by 28-7. However, this was a good experience for a number of youngsters in the side.
We now have 2 training sessions to get it right before the 1st XV entertain last season's fellow strugglers Rumney and the Seconds travel the short distance to take on West Mon in their first Mon District League match. Before training on Tuesday there is a players meeting at the club starting at 6.00 p.m. Even if you are injured you are expected to attend.
We still need more players to strengthen the squad so if you know of anyone drag them down to training on Tuesday (because of the bank holiday) and Thursday.