Captain's Blog #10

Here we are again, into another new season, and Guto has been pestering me to continue with my captain’s blogs… I’m honoured to do so!

The full extent of the expectations and demands of a new season only dawned on me when I attended the Principality Premiership launch in Cardiff last week. With the league, the play-offs, the SWALEC and British & Irish Cups, if we can be successful in all competitions we could play, at my reckoning, up to 48 competitive games! There’s a long season ahead, but with the squad that Chief and Johnsey have put together, I feel that we can seriously push for honours, and achieve more success than in years gone by.

As with every pre-season, players from local lower division clubs came to train with us, and those who impressed were asked to sign up. Every summer we unearth one or two quality players in this way, to bolster our squad, and this year was no exception. Chief and Johnsey are keen to develop young players from the RCT area – if only the regions took the same attitude, I’m sure we would see more local talent making the step-up to fully professional status.

Our pre-season preparations were a success, with Booly putting us through our paces in a rugby specific way, Langers kitting us out in smart new gear, and more importantly, going through our friendly matches unbeaten.

Whilst settling for a draw, we were more than capable of beating Doncaster (despite their £2 million wage bill!) and we relish their return in the British & Irish Cup. Tonmawr are an ambitious club who put us under pressure early on, but we finished the game in dominant fashion. The Cinderford away game was simply a pleasure to play in. Our forwards set up a decent platform for our backs to play some of the best rugby I’ve witnessed since joining this club.

When we scored a try just before half time, watching the inter-play that led up to it, I just had to tell our backs that it was a pleasure to watch. With the level of support that we had that day – which I hope will continue and grow into the new season – it felt just like a home game.

On the trip home from the Forest of Dean, the squad enjoyed a pre-season drink or two, and we had a good laugh. There were initiations, singing, general mischief making, and all in all we bonded together ready for the season to come.

Before the first league game against Llandovery I must admit to feeling slightly nervous, knowing that we can beat anyone on our day, but wondering in what frame of mind our players would turn up. Our opponents fielded their strongest side for many a season, but during the warm-up my nerves were calmed, as I witnessed the determination and the willingness of the Ponty players.

We enjoyed the best possible start to the new campaign, with a bonus point win. Hopefully we can build on this, maintaining our home record and gaining a reputation away from home, starting at Carmarthen.

Our support is simply tremendous, and all we can ask is for more of the same, and more again, as we go all out to make this a successful season for Pontypridd.

Nathan Strong.