In the clash of the day in Division One West, Tata Steel travel to fellow highfliers Whitland for what should be an enthralling match of running rugby.
“We were happy to bag a win against Bonymaen last week but the performance was the most pleasing thing for us as the boys played really well. Obviously Whitland are going very well at the moment but the last two visits we’ve come away with a draw and a win so we’ll go down there all guns blazing and hopefully grab a win,” said Manager Mike Healy.
The Steelmen will be at full strength for the clash with only prop Rowan Davies and second row Liam Grice unavailable due to a wedding.
After a shaky start, UWIC moved top of the table on the weekend with a scintillating display of running rugby at Waunarlwydd and will look to maintain their excellent form when they entertain Tondu on Saturday. With the students being one of the clubs included in the WRU Championship next season, it's an exciting time at the University.
“We were delighted to be named as one of the sides included in the National Championship. It looks like it will be a fantastic league to play in and will be a great development pathway for our players to hopefully go on to bigger and better things,” said Director of Rugby Chris Davey. “We’ve had more than 120 new players in September but we’ve already started to filter some of them into the side, and this will be continuing until Christmas.”
The new intake that has been offered the chance to represent the firsts in the league are hooker Rhys Francis, second row John Campbell, back row Sam Cross, and wings Connor Truman and Owen Jenkins.
Tondu, however, will be in no mood to roll over, as the new boys look to build on their recent form.
“Obviously we’re in a higher league this season and it has taken the boys a while to adjust but the past three matches we’ve won two and although we lost to Whitland, there was very little to choose between the two sides,” said Secretary Don Owen. “We didn’t add a lot to the squad in the summer but we have some good youth boys coming through and we kept the core of the squad that did so well for us last season. UWIC are top of the league so we’re expecting another tough match but we’re improving game on game so we’ll go there and see what happens.”
Waunarlwydd travel to Llanharan on Saturday and will be hoping for a big performance to halt their run of three consecutive defeats.
“We have a number of injury concerns so we’re delaying the selection of the team until Friday, but we do have second row Ed Bennett returning who missed last week’s match,” said Club Official Clive James. “Looking at the match-up, we don’t really know much about Llanharan. Waun played them a few years ago and it was a tough match. They are traditionally a strong side so it will be a difficult match, but hopefully we can go up there and get our season back on track.”
Carmarthen Athletic travel to Ammanford on Saturday with both teams eager to bag a win having each lost their last three matches.
“We’re not panicking at the moment, it would be nice to get a win but it’s just a case of keep doing what we’re doing and the results will come. We’ve faced some very good sides in recent weeks but hopefully we can pick up a result at Ammanford,” said Athletic Team Manager Stuart Harries.
Carmarthen will be without second row Tom Blythe who broke his hand in training this week, with Osian Lloyd still sidelined, but Stuart Morris should be fit and wing Dan Gravelle returns to contention after a two week ban.
Bonymaen, who have struggled so far, face another stern test when they welcome Narberth to Parc Mawr on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a very difficult game on Saturday, even with home advantage,” said Team Manager Nick Cunniffe. “We’ve only picked up two wins so far but we are trying to blood in a lot of youngsters and really build for the future.”
Bony face a fitness crisis however, with the coaches delaying selection till Friday as many of the players are suffering from a flu virus.
Elsewhere, Llangennech travel to Bridgend.
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