New Recruits Settling Well

Behind the scrum outside half Daniel Jones displayed an excellent kicking game as well as being courageous in defence. For such a young man he looked very comfortable at this level. Scott Beaumont, also at number 10, was aggressive in defence and showed good tactical awareness. Scott can play in most positions along the backline and is truly a versatile recruit. In the centre Kier Ennis is a player who has great running angles as well as being destructive in defence and on the wing Simon Cole is a dangerous runner whose not afraid to back himself.

In the fullback position James Quirk is calm, safe and positionally aware. Owen Ashman runs strongly with a powerful fend and was rewarded with a try. Other scores came from Matt Hutchion, Rhys Humphries, Mike Roberts, Phil Smith, Lewis Prothero and Bryn Francis.

Backs coaches Dai Lynch and Neil Williams were very pleased with their young chargers. Dai commenting that the new recruits have blended well with the established players and given training a ‘buzz’. We seem to have more strength in depth this year. Summer conditioning has gone well, the boys are fit, strong and raring to go. Selection is going to be a major headache. Neil was full of optimism for the coming season. Last year, he said we lost a few quality players but we have recruited well and I am sure that we have the environment here at Bargoed to make the new batch just as formidable. Danny Jones ran the last 20 minutes of the game like a seasoned pro and it was nice to see Jeremy Lovell and Ian Jenkins back after injuries which have hampered their pre season progress. Lee Pearson is another who made a welcome return after his ‘holiday’ to Merthyr RFC this summer!

Steve Barber (forwards coach) spoke of the sleepless nights he had suffered since quite a few of last years’ team departed but now feels the new batch are ready to launch an assault on the division 1 title. The squad are healthy with the exception of Jason Kedwood (calf) and Lewys Weyman (groin) who should both be ready within a fortnight. The fixture list has again thrown up an interesting opener with Steve returning to the club where he played so much of his own rugby, Rumney RFC. I had great times at Rumney but there’ll be no signs of sentiment from me on Saturday, we must hit the ground running and an away win is just what we need.

Team manager Brett Wakefield was upbeat after the runout: This weekend we travel to the Aberaeron 7’s to give some of our players much needed game time and then it’s the big one next Saturday in Cardiff. I feel we have a squad to challenge for the championship again this year and the progress of the young players over the past few weeks has been remarkable. As usual I am expecting us to have the best band of travelling supporters around and look forward to seeing them on the road again this year.

And Finally… Well done to Toby Richards for bringing down ‘the chief’ with a bone crushing tackle which some of his ancestors would have felt. I for one think it unkind to suggest that Tobes simply ‘got in his way’!