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Latest News Update
Excitement is running high at Ystrad following last season’s
Division Two Championship success & with preparations
for the forthcoming challenge of Division One going very
well under the guidance of respected coaches Alan
Roberts & Mike Griffiths
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The valley club has welcomed several new players to bolster
an already strong squad as they realistically look to gain
a mid table finish in the league one down from the Premier.
All will have been encouraged by the player turnout for
the early Summer training sessions & the blend of last
season’s youth including Ashley Macey, Jamie
Wicks, Niall Sibley, Nathan James, Mark Street, Chris Williams,
Rory Silver Evans, Luke Griffiths & Brin Evans all
mixing well with their more experienced colleagues.
The recent success at the inaugural Porth sevens, where
centre/wing Gerwyn Davies scored thirteen
tries & was duly awarded the player of the tournament,
gave twenty of the squad some valuable match practice, the
competition serving as a reminder that there is still much
talent in the Rhondda.
Already signed for the club is strong scrummaging Tylorstown
prop Dai Webb, Ystrad’s two former
second row’s who returned to Aberdare & Wattstown
due to work commitments last season Anthony Shellard &
Matthew Davies respectively, Cambrian’s Craig
Griffiths is looking a useful addition to the squad
as is former Newbridge number eight Anthony
Watts, blindside flanker Dai Owen
has signed from Llantrisant, versatile scrum half Marc
Jones from Porth & powerful centre from Treherbert
Liam Phillips.
The club hopes a speedy return to action of both Paul
Dunning (shoulder) & Christian Rees
(knee) for the huge challenge of Division1
A noteable absentee from last season’s team is James
Davies who has been forced to retire due to another
horrific knee injury, James has been a tremendous first
team player for the last fifteen years & all wish him
well.
In the coming weeks as the season approaches the first team
travel to Bristol to play Keynsham RFC on 9th August (Bus
leaves 11.15, for more info visit www.ystradrhonddarfc.co.uk),
Llantwit Fardre home on 16th & Whitland away on 30th
August before the first league match away to UWIC on 6th
Sept.
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