Page 5 - GRFC_NEWS

Gwernyfed RFC’s Club Captain Jordan Curran takes a look back on a promising season cut short...
GWERNYFED RFC
05
A SEASON WE WILL NEVER FORGET
This will certainly be a season that we will never forget; unfortunately, this is not for positive reasons, but for the fact that it was cut short due to the current pandemic.
When the season came to a sudden and unexpected end, we were fifth in the league. Although teams below us had games in hand, I think fifth place was a fair reflection of our season. Our league is a tough one with many gritty opponents and we have certainly faced some tough battles away from home. While we have performed very well at times with some very good performances, I feel we have probably struggled with consistency.
My personal highlight from the season was pushing league leaders, Llantwit Major, to within 3 points away from home.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get across the line with the last move of the game. Llantwit Major supporters even commented that it was the best game they had witnessed in a long time. A close second would be overturning a heavy away defeat to Caerau Ely, finding ourselves leading them at home with one minute to go, only to be robbed by an awful refereeing decision with the last move of the game. These two games reflected the fact that we aren’t far from the top, but we still have a few things we need to work on moving for- ward.
One of the most pleasing parts of the season for me was to see some boys coming back to rugby after some time away, developing as players and putting their hands up and to be counted upon as the season has progressed.
Many of the boys have commented that this has been one of the most enjoyable seasons in recent times and that is both pleasing and promising. Much to Rob Stephens’ delight, the ratio of farmers within the senior squad has seen a steep increase throughout the season, thanks to the lads from the Painscastle crew and Llandefalle massive. To say that the chat in the changing rooms has become far more agricultural, is an understatement.
Reflecting on this season, my hope for the senior teams moving forward is to develop some more consistent performances and results, to continue to develop as a squad and to enjoy our rugby on the pitch and in the bar afterwards.
Yours in GBW,
Jordan Curran Club Captain
Gwernyfed RFC’s Youth XV Manager Mark Eckley
reflects on the season gone and looks forward to the future...
GWERNYFED RFC
AN UNEXPECTED AND SURREAL SEASON!
The season started with high expectations with a Friday night 16-16 draw away against our neighbours Brecon in the opening game of the Cardiff Blues Premiership League. Pre season training had been encouraging with good numbers training twice a week under the tutelage of Steve Harley, Rob Morris and Richard Davies.
The new premiership league would be a challenge but with good numbers coming through from the under 16s adding to the existing youth players from the season before with Sam Clegg made captain, an exciting season beckoned.
The season however had mixed fortunes with some narrow losses pre Christmas against
some strong sides such as Llanishen, Pontyclun, Penarth and Merthyr. Bonus points were however picked up in these games which kept us mid table. No doubt the highlight of the season was the cup run in the National Youth Plate competition with wins against Llandovery and away to Bangor which led to a quarter final away win at a hostile, wet and windy Maesteg. Unfortunately this is as far as it went as the youth team succumbed to a good Swansea Uplands team in the semi-final.
Then came March and we all know what happened with the premature end to the season. We can only now look forward to next season, whenever that may be, when we will welcome a new year group into the youth side and say goodbye to the 3rd years. We also say goodbye to
Steve Harley who has been a key member of the coaching team for the last 2 years – everyone involved would like to say a massive thank you for his determination and input to the youth team.
Who knows when we will get going again – let’s hope sooner rather than later...
Mark Eckley Youth Team Manager
AUTUMN 2020