PENCOED FLYING HIGH

Gary Russell and Alan Cattle have had to cope with an ever-growing list of casualties similar to that faced by Wales ahead of the Autumn Series.
But with the club’s well-established production line churning out yet more young talent, including Gavin Henson’s cousin Rhys Watkins, Pencoed went top with an emphatic 40-7 victory over Abercwmboi at the weekend.
“There’s a great feeling at the club at the moment because we’re managing to do so well despite all the injuries. At the moment we have 12 first-team players unavailable,” said club treasurer Steve Phillips.
“It’s a real credit to the coaches and captain Keith Burke who are getting the best out of the teams that we’re managing to put out. Hopefully we can ride out this bad patch of injuries and continue our promotion push.”
Among those expected back this weekend is former Wales wing Gareth Jones who has yet to play this season because of a hamstring problem. However their young speedsters Rhys Davey and Keith David have ensured the tries have kept coming with a brace apiece in Saturday’s win.
“We have a lot of young players who perhaps struggled in Division Two last year but they are really developing now and finding their feet,” said Phillips.
“The main aim now is to get promotion back to that division and we’re confident that we could hold our own next time. There’s suddenly competition for places and that is bringing the best out of a lot of the lads. Everyone is very positive.”
Table-topping Pencoed this Saturday travel to Tylorstown who are one of three teams yet to win in the league this season