Page 3 - Llandovery RFC Programme 2018

CROESO
WELCOME
Ymlaen y Porthmyn!
Mae’n fraint ac anrhydedd i mi estyn croeso cynnes iawn i bawb i Banc Yr Eglwys, cartref Y Porthmyn, am y tymor 2018/19! I am honoured and privileged to be President of such a fantastic club, with last season amongst the most successful in the Drovers long history which amazingly stretches back some 140 years.
The 1st team is the beacon that proudly shines at the top of our club’s rugby pyramid. Runners- up in the Principality Premier- ship we were desperately unlucky not to return to the Principality Stadium for a 3rd Cup Final appearance, which, for an agonizing last ten minute bombardment of Newport’s try line at Aberavon looked to be the inevitable outcome of the semi-final tie.
Our coaching and back-room staff are the very best in the league and deserve every credit for their professionalism, teamwork and organizational skillset, in what is after all a semi-professional environment; particularly when you consider
that they also have full time employment and associated logistical and time management issues to contend with.
Huge congratulations to our excellent squad of players who play such an attractive brand of winning - more often than not
- rugby that is so enjoyable to watch. Long may this successful recipe continue!
Of huge significance this season is the fact that 4 (possibly 5 via the play-off?) teams are to be relegated following the WRU’s decision to reduce the number of teams in the Premiership from 16 to 12. With WRU funding also being drastically cut by more than 50% over the
next three years, the inevitable future repercussions are already highlighting serious concerns amongst clubs.
Unfortunately since the league’s inception some 15 years ago there has been no semblance of consistency, with at least three consultant led reviews resulting in changes each and every year. Typical examples include; altering the number of participating teams, amending the ‘A’ license criteria, trialing various cross border competition formats or tinkering with experimental law changes (remember the 6 point try and 2 point penalty?) Disappointingly because the Premiership has not been
for the latest drover news go to www.llandroveryrfc.co.uk