|
Aberavon v Llandovery MatchPack : Programme Notes
|
Welcome Drovers
Welcome to the Aberavon supporters for the first programme of the 2008-09 season and also to our first league visitors, Llandovery.
The Drovers coach Iestyn Thomas has retired - even though one hopes to see him today - and Roy James is the Director of Rugby at the club with Richard Hardy the new team manager. Head coach is the former Wales flanker Rob Appleyard, who coached Tonmawr and Wales under-20s last season, while his assistant is the former Wizards full back, the popular schoolteacher Lyndon Lewis with John Kendrick again the club secretary.
Aberavon will again be coached by Simon King and Nicky Lloyd and the club gained a good and deserved win at Swansea by a little wider margin than the 29-27 scoreline showed last week. Indeed, Aberavon were in front after two minutes and stayed there.
I was exceedingly pleased with the display as it was our first win at Swansea in league play and first since the friendly of September 5, 1990 when Phil Sutton and Delme Davies scored the points in a 13-7 win.
So pleased was I that I actually took the wife out for a drink on Saturday night, though it is one day of the week that I rarely go out on.
League debuts last week were made by Luke Hathaway, David Pritchard, Nathan White and Corus hooker Brett Thomas with Luke and David both scoring tries.
What was good was to see almost a full team of injured or reserve players watching the game with Chris Wells (knee), Anthony Edwards (back), Mike Harris (wrist) and Chris Morgans (shoulder) hopefully returning to fitness soon.
How good also to see Richard Morris playing so well and Jamie Davies receiving great plaudits from Nicky Lloyd for a masterly display. Jamie has recovered from a broken arm and is just six points away from 3,000 for the club.
Lock Chris Gittins did not play last week, but if he gets on today it will be his 200th appearance for the club in two spells, having joined another club down the road for one season!
I first met a young Gittins when he skippered Bonymaen, who he joined from Tonna. He has always been a charming person, totally unflappable and one of the most popular players on the premier circuit.
The way the side played last Saturday was certainly exciting with some fine handling from forwards and backs alike. Marc Breeze, of course, handles like a threequarter and was in many moves, while Andrew Fisher saw more of the ball in the open than usual.
Paul Bamsey played in yet another position. He once told me that full back was his favourite one, but this season we have seen him at fly half, wing, centre and even flanker. Yes, he packed down there for several scrums after the tireless Chris Davies received a yellow card.
Finally, a word on skipper Ian Moore. A rare try early in the game last week at the start of his second season in charge. Last September Ian said he would lead from the front. He always does and there is no more hard-working players' player in the league than the popular 'Buddha'.
Howard Evans
|
