Our pre season warm up games proved valuable with away victories against Weston and Cleve when we travelled over the Bridge to play, and our recent visit to Sardis Road to play Pontypridd was a great test for us and in a bruising but very entertaining game Ponty were flattered by the eventual scoreline of 45-20 with our set piece play and defence proving to be very effective.
On Saturday last the Warriors travelled to Tredegar Ironsides and with a very young squad, the average age being just 22 years old and with 15 former youth team players being well led by the veteran and legend, 40 year old Ian Jenkins, they ran out 19-36 winners. Having won the Welsh Rugby Union Conference title last season it is exciting to see the effort being put in to defend that title in a much changed format, but there was huge disappointment at the club on Saturday when Penallta RFC withdrew from the fixture not giving us enough notice to get another game, leaving 25 players without any rugby.
The effort that has been put in throughout the Summer under the new coaching set up is very pleasing and has shown increased fitness levels across the board. Having retained the bulk of last year’s squad and recruited well we will still have to be at our best to compete in this Division with some tough games on the horizon
The Youth squad had 12 players move up into the senior ranks at the end of last season but are still working hard under their new coaches and will continue to improve as the season progresses. Their first game of the season against Whiteheads RFC resulted in a well deserved win 36-15 well done to the players and coaches, keep up the good work.
The club junior section is once again very well supported and thanks to the senior players involved with the coaching and also the parents who support them, the future looks bright.
One of our Senior Citizens, former Cub Captain Mr. Bernard Murphy, has been hospitalised during the summer but is now at home and making steady progress we wish him well and hope for his continued recovery.
Our thanks to all those who support us at all levels, it is very much appreciated and makes a difference to whatever team you support. The club lottery is still active and with a prize of £2,500.00 for a £1 ticket, the draw being made after today’s game at the club, a win could buy a lot of beer or chocolates for the wife and girlfriend.
The Supporters Club will continue to function as before and there is a buffet lunch at the club on the 5th October, Tata Steel will be our visitors that day, anyone interested in joining this merry group should contact Mostyn Davies, Allan Lovell or Noel Phillips who will be pleased to talk to you.
Also at the club on Wednesday 9th October an evening hosted by Phil Steele and introducing Dan Lydiatt and Scott Baldwin kicking off at 7pm, tickets £10 per head and is inclusive of a small buffet.
We are reminded that today’s referee will be working very hard to make sure that everything goes right on the field of play and deserves to be treated with respect. We don’t have to agree with decisions that he makes but we have to accept them, even when they are wrong they are right. There is a code of conduct for the treatment of officials, please make sure that this is adhered to, abuse is not acceptable in any form and without him we don’t have a game.
Enjoy your visit we hope you will join us for a pint or two at the Club after the game.
