The former Wales and Ospreys centre is into his third season of coaching the Division 1 East Central side and will be hoping to steer them through a tricky Specsavers National Plate quarter final against Rhydyfelin this weekend.
The Rhondda Zebras were dumped out of the competition at the semi-final stage by Bonymaen last season and would love to go all the way this time around to erase the memories of the 28-19 defeat to the Swansea side, who were then beaten by Brecon in the final.
After an opening round win over Builth Wells (40-12), a walk-over against Bro Ffestiniog in the second round and further wins against Bridgend Athletic (21-17) and Aberdare (30-8), the Zebras are back in the hunt once again this season.
That said, they know full well they face a massive challenge at the Treorchy Oval this weekend when they welcome Rhydyfelin for a mouth-watering quarter-final tie. Both teams are in the same league this season after Rhydyfelin came back down to Division East Central 1 from the Championship.
They have yet to meet, though, and it will be a clash of the top two teams in their league. Treorchy lead the way with 10 wins form their 11 outings to date, while their cup visitors are eight points behind with a game in hand having lost three of their 10 matches. Third placed Rumney are still unbeaten after eight games.
“We’ve matured this season and some of the problem areas we’ve had in the past have improved. Our scrum has become a real weapon for us,” said long-serving Treorchy club secretary, Bryan James.
“There is far more consistency in our game this season and you get the feeling that out head coach Andrew Bishop has really got to grips with the players and vice-versa. We haven’t played Rhydyfelin yet this season, but we know it is going to be a huge contest.
“We had a great crowd at our home game against Mountain Ash over the Christmas period and I’m just hoping the weather improves and we can play in decent conditions. We’d love to go one better than last season and it is a target for the club to finally reach the Principality Stadium.
“There are a few players in our 1st XV who played in the Youth Cup final against Rumney a few years ago, but we’ve never been there in a senior capacity.”
Rhydyfelin went all the way to the final in 2013, where they were pipped 20-19 by Heol-y-Cyw. Now they want another trip to the Welsh capital.
They warmed-up for the weekend with a 22-20 home win over Cambrian Welfare last Saturday, while Treorchy were 29-21 victors’ over Ynysybwl. Skipper Jordan Lloyd, who is top points scorer, and his brother Jacob, who is the leading try scorer, will be key to home hopes.
Two-time winners Penallta will be at home against Felinfoel, while Plate holders Brecon have to travel to Newbridge for a battle between the top two teams in Division 1 East. They played out a 16-16 draw when they met at the Welfare ground in November.
Fairwater and Canton carry Cardiff hopes in the last eight in the National Bowl, while Cardiff Saracens will be hoping to continue their unbeaten season when they host Holyhead in the quarter-finals of the National Shield.
Specsavers National Plate Quarter Finals
Birchgrove v Glynneath
Newbridge v Brecon
Penallta v Felinfoel
Treorchy v Rhydyfelin
Specsavers National Bowl Quarter Finals
Baglan v Aberaeron
Fairwater v Aberavon Green Stars
Penygraig v Abertysswg
Tumble v Canton
Specsavers National Shield Quarter Final
Cardiff Saracens v Holyhead
Hollybush v Cwmgwrach
Rhigos v Pontardawe
South Gower v Bettws
