The former Wales Under 20 outside half is currently helping Pontypridd chase the Principality Premiership trophy currently held by Merthyr on the field. Off it, he is part of the coaching team at home town team Treharris, who are well in the hunt to claim the Division 3 East Central A title.
Treharris picked up their ninth successive league with a 51-27 win over Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd last week to continue their rise up the table as they make up for lost time. The last time they won a title was back in 2012, when they topped the Division 7 table – the same season that Warren Gatland’s team captured their last Grand Slam.
Four days after winning 21-14 at table-topping Fairwater, Treharris cut the gap at the top to 13 points with their 10th win in 11 league outings. With four games in hand over both Fairwater and second placed Cowbridge it means the race for the title is still very much up for grabs.
“Confidence is high and we don’t fear anyone at the moment. That said, we respect every team we play and we are expecting as tough a challenge from Cefn Coed this weekend as from that we had from Fairwater recently,” said club secretary and vice-chair, Karl Edwards.
“We added a couple of additional players in January and they have made a big impact. Lee Bennett joined us from Bedlinog and Matthew Edwards returned from injury.
“Now we are looking forward to the run-in to the end of the season, even though we are due to play twice a week throughout April. The coaches, Barry Morgan, Ben Jones and Steve Parry, have done a brilliant job and we are getting more than 20 players to each session.”
Treharris still have to place bottom of the table Cefn Coed twice in their run in, starting with a home clash this weekend. They also have to meet title rivals Fairwater at home.
But apart from that mouthwatering fixture, the remainder of their matches this season are against teams below them in the league table. They do have to play Pontyclun, who are two points behind them having played only two matches more, but if they can keep on winning then they could be on course for a big celebration in May.
The Rise and Rise of Treharris Phoenix
2011/12 1st Division 7
2012/13 2nd Division 6 Central
2013/14 3rd Division 5 South Central
2014/15 5th Division 3 East Central B
2015/16 5th Division 3 East Central A
2016/17 4th Division 3 East Central A
2017/18 9th Division 3 East Central A
Remaining Fixtures This Season
02 March – Cefn Coed (home); 23 March – Old Illtydians (away); 30 March – Pentyrch (home); 03 April – Gwernyfed (home); 06 April – Cefn Coed (away); 13 April – Fairwater (home); 20 April – Penygraig (away); 24 April – Pontyclun (home); 27 April – Old Illtydians (home); 01 May – Penygraig (home); 04 May – Pentyrch (away)
