CAERPHILLY HOPE FOR BRIGHT FUTURE
Gareth Lintern’s men are four from four at home, but have lost all three games away from Virginia Park – including heavy defeats to League pace-setters Bonymaen and Whitland. And the 2003 European Shield finalists know they need to get some points on the road if they are to return to the Premiership.
“We lost the majority of our squad when we got relegated last season, so we’re at a rebuilding stage,” Caerphilly press officer Phil Whitfield said. “Fortunately, we’ve been running a development squad for the last two or three years and we managed to keep about five of those players, so we’re building a new team around them.
“You can see the difference in the teams we’re playing – they’re established sides who have been playing together for a long time. We need a couple of years to reach that sort of level.”
Caerphilly began the season with an impressive win over Narberth, and have since added the scalps of Llangennech, Beddau and Llanharan to the wall of their Virginia Park clubrooms, but the Cheesemen have been found out on the road. The table-topping Bonymaen side beat them 33-1 and Whitland cruised home 45-3.
“We’re winning at home, which is attracting the fans, but we are struggling away,” Whitfield said. “Having said that, we have faced a few of the big boys so far, and we’re improving as a side. We just need a couple of away wins under our belts.”
Fullback James Balfrey is making every post a winner this season, scoring 81 points – including 22 in the 40-12 win over Beddau.
“Balfrey is playing very, very well,” Whitfield said. “He’s a good positional player and he can kick the ball a mile. Whether it’s out of hand or a place-kick, he’s booting further than anyone I’ve seen this season.”
Caerphilly take on struggling ASDA League Three East side Blaina in the second round of the Konica Minolta Cup on Saturday, with Wales coach Mike Ruddock’s former team facing a huge challenge at Virginia Park.
“Blaina are a good side and we’ll treat them with the respect they deserve,” Whitfield said. “A Cup run would be great, and the fans would enjoy it, but the League is our first priority this season.”
