The NPTC director of rugby has got virtually the whole of the Ospreys Regional Under 18 back division in his squad and the instructions will be to get on level terms up front and then let skipper Luke Scully pull the strings behind.
NPTC can move into third place in the table if they win and leap-frog reigning champions Coleg Sir Gar and Cardiff & Vale College. Their only defeat to date came against league leaders Coleg Y Cymoedd, 43-17.
“We have gathered momentum throughout the season, but we stumbled a bit when we met Cymoedd. They have got a very powerful back five up front and are probably the front-runners for the title,” said Howells.
“We know it won’t be easy against Newport HS, but the message to my team is to play with confidence and be a bit more ruthless. We have won games, but not put teams away when the chance has arisen.
“Hooker Garin Lloyd has been our chief ball carrier and Luke Scully has orchestrated the side well from outside half. We’ve got about 10 of the Ospreys Under 18 side in our ranks and I’m sure there are a few who are capable of moving up the ladder towards the professional game in the future.”
It has been a tough season to date for Rob Sidoli’s Newport HS side and while they beat Llandovery College 29-25 at home last time out, they lost their two previous home games against Cardiff & Vale College (45-19) and Ysgol Glantaf (28-0).
“We know they will be strong and stubborn – they showed that in the opening game of the season against the champions, Coleg Sir Gar. We need to get on top up front and provide some quick ball for our back line to use,” said Howells.
It could be a defining few weeks for NPTC with home games coming up against Glantaf (29 November) and Sir Gar (5 December). If they can push themselves into the top three at Pontypool Park they will be in striking distance of a play-off place.
The game at Pontypool Park will be available live on the S4C Facebook page ?
Welsh Schools & Colleges League – Round 6
7 November
Newport HS v Neath Port Talbot College (Pontypool Park, 7.00pm kick-off)
Teams
Newport HS: Morgan Richards; Dan Gibbons, James Barrett, Ieuan Smith, James Hanlon; Iwan Burgwin, Dafydd Buckland; Tom Workman, Brodie Cocglan, Luke Yendle, Liam Beer, Luc Slocombe, Sam Taylor (captain), Oliver Howard, Jack Littlejohns
Reps: Joel Gilbert, Ethan Harris, Owen Peddle, Callum Oliver, Keanu Williams-Marr, Nathan Williams, Kristian Nicolaas, Evan Probert
NPTC: Dewi Cross; Frankie Jones, Bradley Roderick, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Kyle Jones; Luke Scully, Iwan Temlett; Callum Evans, Garin Lloyd, Jake Woodward, Ben Heywood, Geraint Powell, Ioan Jones, Will Pope, Rhys Thomas
Reps: Cellan Skyrme, Jae Key, Joseph Rowden, Michael Grange, Jack Keenan, Alex Morris, Jozeph Humphries, Ki Morgan
