The former Wales hooker believes his side are heading in the right direction after securing their first IndigoGroup Premiership win of the season in a local derby against Llanelli last weekend. But he maintains they will have to go up a few gears if they are to win at Cardiff Arms Park.
“Cardiff are a quality side and it is going to be a very difficult game for us,” said the 32-year-old. “But I thought we took a giant leap forward with our performance against Llanelli. We got our set-piece working well and we played some good rugby behind the scrum while our defence was pretty firm.
“But if we are being honest we haven’t put in an 80 minute performance yet this season and we will have to do that this weekend. The good thing is I don’t think we are far away at all from doing that and hopefully everything will click for us on Saturday.
“If we can match them physically for 80 minutes we will have a chance.” This weekend’s round of fixtures kicks-off tonight with Pontypridd welcoming Ebbw Vale to Sardis Road. Pontypridd have made an uncharacteristically poor start to the season as they lie one position off the bottom of the table.
The Steelmen come into the game off the back of a morale boosting 37-21 victory over Llandovery but will be expecting a backlash from Justin Burnell’s side. On Saturday Paul Fisher’s Llanelli face a vitally important clash with RGC1404 at Parc Y Scarlets.
Llanelli are rooted to the bottom of the Premiership without a single point to their name with their early season form suggesting they will be in a scrap for survival again. The Gogs on the other hand have made a strong start to their Premiership campaign and lie third in the table. Euros Evans’ Llandovery will be looking to get back on the horse with a home victory over a struggling Bridgend outfit.
Llandovery enjoyed a stellar campaign last term and will be looking to replicate last seasons successes. Mid-table Newport travel to St Helen’s to face a dangerous Swansea side on Saturday. Swansea will be confident of getting back to winning ways after claiming a losing bonus point at Cardiff last time out.
Elsewhere on Saturday defending champions Merthyr host Aberavon at the Wern. Merthyr are currently fourth in the table but will face a stern challenge against Jason Hyatt’s side who occupy second spot just a point behind Cardiff.
Fixtures
Friday
Pontypridd v Ebbw Vale (7.05pm)
Saturday
Llandovery v Bridgend (2.30pm)
Llanelli v RGC1404 (2.30pm)
Swansea v Newport (2.30pm)
Cardiff v Carmarthen Quins (5.15pm)
Merthyr v Aberavon (2.30pm)
