Page 6 - GRFC_News_Summer_15

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ANOTHER YEAR ON...
As a team we have really enjoyed our first season in the premiership, regardless of the scores that haven’t always gone our way.
Nevertheless, it has allowed both the team and individual players to pick their wits against internationals and more established players on a weekly basis. Last Season, we lost 10 players due to injury and pregnancy. We knew we had a tough year ahead, pre-season planning and mid season positional reshuffles were not ideal preparation for our venture into the lofty heights of the Premiership, but in true Gwernyfed form we pulled together and ended up a credible seventh in the league. That was enough to secure a place in the Premiership again this season.
Through the hard work of existing players, we have recruited a lot of new blood for this season. Kathryn Carmody, Becky Whitney, Emily James, Eleri Williams, Evie Jones and Jade Griggs have been instrumental in keeping the Ladies team afloat, with the temporary loss of some players - as nature took its course. We have some hugely committed players, some of whom make return journeys of over 80 miles for training. We are now in a position to build on our initial endeavours for further success in future years. I’m looking forward to seeing these players turn out for us again this year and carry on their development at the club. We have also gained a new coach in John Kenchington from Brecon, John further adds to Gordon’s fantastic coaching team along with Dan and Zack.
Our cup run was brilliant and we only lost two games in the group stages, putting us in the cup draw of the quarter finals. Unfortunately, we met the eventual Cup winners in this particular round and were knocked out following a gallant performance. This is the first year since we entered the competition that we haven’t got through to finals day, but we consider it as another progression, as we have never reached the actual cup competition stages before. We are progressing all the time, even with the tough transition faced this season.
Since the start of Gordon’s coaching days, he has kept a record of every players’ start in the Gwernyfed shirt and this season saw several players reaching their 50th game for the Club - they were Rosie Snape, Rosie Jones, Lily Snape, Sian Dyke, Ania Coliek, El Pigden and myself. A big ‘well done’ to us all! I hope to see us reaching 100 games in a few years time.
Regional representation was achieved by Rosie Jones for the Newport Dragons and Lily Snape for the winning regional team Cardiff Blues; congratulations to both girls - there will hopefully be more players joining them this year.
On another note, I would like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement as Captain and Chair for next season. I have really enjoyed my three years in office and my highlights were the team’s three consecutive promotions, a Bowl win in 2013, finalists in the Plate Competition 2014 and lastly, our international award from ‘Scrum Queens’ that saw us as the first Welsh female club to gain recognition for our pathway and club ethos - winning ‘World Team of the Year’. I have enjoyed being part of and leading such a great team and working with Gordon to make that team a success. I look forward to passing on the captaincy to Rosie Jones and wish her all the best - I know she will do a great job leading us from the front in the forthcoming season.
The Captain’s role is at times thankless one, perhaps when results are not positive, but the support of the club and the committee I have received has been invaluable - something that is not always seen at other clubs we play against. It has enabled the Ladies section to build on foundations that have already been laid down. Whatever happens in the future - we will rally to the call “Come on the Greens!”
Captain Delyth Thomas offers an end of season report from the Ladies Section...
JUNIOR LADIES
The Under 18 girls have had another great season and improved from strength to strength throughout every aspect. We have been lucky enough to have new players join us from Builth and Brecon to strengthen our talented team.
Our most memorable game last season, was against the Camarthen Quins in horrific conditions. The previous year Quins beat us by 50 points, this year the girls fought hard and played some amazing rugby in torrential rain before coming away with a fantastic draw.
What started as a number of girls learning the sport has now flourished into a successful team.
This is the team’s first full season, and they finished a creditable 18th out of 25 teams in the National Merit table. The future is bright for both the girls and the Senior team.
One of the older members of the team, Evie Jones has had a fantastic season and represented the Cardiff Blues at regional level and at the same time has become an integral part of our own Ladies team.
As a coach, I am very proud of the girls and their commitment to training each week and, hopefully, this team will continue to progress next season and enjoy playing rugby. In addition to their hard work, some of the girls will soon be eligible to play for the senior Ladies.
A lot of hard work has been carried out by the players and coaching staff on the field and with support from the general committee off the field. There is a firm foundation for future years.
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