Captain's Blog no. 3

The postponement of the Llandovery game gave me a chance to look back on what has been a manic month and a half since my last blog.

Even though the game was called off, the boys who were not snowed in had a brutal training session down at the One to One Gym. The session consisted of a 30 minute spin class and then a 30 minute MMA session. After the session it became very clear that there are no budding Lance Armstrongs in the squad or UFC Fighters. The session was extremely tough but in a strange way it was very enjoyable.

I feel I must start the blog with a huge thank you to you the fans. The support we have had this season has been nothing short of amazing. The crowd for the Cardiff game was unbelievable and really spurred us on although we didn’t get the result we desired. It’s not just our squad who notice the crowd, a number of visiting players have said after the games that the atmosphere is very intense and not matched in any other grounds. So a big thank you for spurring us on and putting the opposition off, it is a huge advantage for us!

The games have been coming thick and fast through the last few months which has really stretched our squad but this has given all squad members some game time. Each player has put their hand up in each game and the strength in depth this season is the best I have known since I’ve been at the club. The academy boys (WillGriff, Smouty, Cory, Sheppy, Screechy and Callum) have really stepped up to the mark when asked to and the future of the club looks very bright. The players new to the team this season have also been outstanding on and off the pitch and have settled in and bought into the clubs values and ethos. This stands us in good stead for the rest of the season as there is a real closeness amongst the squad.

Although we are still top of the table having not really played to our full potential there have been a few disappointments and missed opportunities during the last month. The main issue here being discipline and not killing games off. We had Neath right where we wanted them in what was a tough game but two silly penalties in injury time cost us what would’ve been a great away win. The defeat at the Gnoll really hurt us as a squad but the following week we had to correct our failure and as Chief says ‘jump back on the horse’. We did exactly that and showed good bounce-back-ability down at Tonmawr, which is a tough place to go, and to come away with the bonus point is something not many teams will do.

The win at Tonmawr gave us a confidence boost going into the BIC down at Llandovery which also gave us a breather from league commitments. Church Bank is another tough place to go and we knew we would have to play well in order to get the result we wanted. It was also important to get off to a winning start away from home in this competition with three home games to come. Although the game was not a classic it was a win and points on the board at a place we rarely win.

We moved then onto the biggest game of the season not just for you fans but also us players - Cardiff at home. The game had been given so much coverage and build up it was like going into a cup final. Running out in front of a 4000+ crowd really hit home how much this game meant. Again in another tough game we had Cardiff on the ropes but failed to deliver the knockout punch. We were very disappointed with the draw, none more though than myself after giving that stupid penalty away when there was no need. The boys haven’t let me forget this especially Lockers who feels the need to bring it up every week since the game, but we all learn from our mistakes.

Next came the classic game of two halves, Newport away. Going in at half time 18 – 3 down we deserved the ticking off we got from Chief, but deep inside I knew we were not going to lose that game. Thankfully that is the way it turned out scoring 20 unanswered points in the 2^nd half and picking up another rare away win at Rodney Parade. I think that game hit home how much this squad can achieve and our desire to go the full 80 minutes for each other. We were really on a high after this game and knew returning to Sardis for two home games back to back was a chance for us to pick up some more points.

The Llanelli game was a mud bath with us winning in a scrappy game thanks to a huge game from Adam Thomas who carried well all night then crossed for the important try. Tonmawr at home was a chance for all the squad to get on the pitch and after a difficult 40 minutes we stepped it up in the 2^nd half to clinch the win even though disappointed we didn’t pick up the bonus point.  These two important home wins set us up nicely for a top of the table clash down at St Helens.

The 11 o’clock kick off brought back memories of playing mini rugby all those years ago on a Sunday morning. We started off with a massive bang scoring early with the game swinging back and forth all match. Going in at half time with a lead and playing with the wind 2^nd half gave us the confidence we needed to push on and wrap the game up. The game was end to end and totally exhausting but yet again we came away with the win and another away bonus point.

The win really set us up for the day and the early kick off meant we had more time for our team bonding session in Swansea. Having a good drink after a good win makes it taste that much sweeter and the boys, including management, held open mike auditions on the bus on the way home ready for Stars in Your Eyes 2011!!! There are a few dark horses this year and I’m going to have to work hard to keep my crown.

The Swansea session was soon forgot about as the return of Newport was looming and we knew they would be out for revenge. Yet again we managed to play for 40 minutes and came away with a win and a very rare home bonus point. To keep going for the 80 minutes in each game and seeming to be on top of teams in the fitness department is due to the hard work of Darren Bool. He has made the fitness sessions rugby specific and full of variety during pre season and the hard work has continued into the season. 

As a squad we are keeping our feet firmly on the ground and taking each game as it comes. We know we are still yet to play for 80 minutes and are only playing well in patches. When everything does click into place and we play at our best the team we are playing against, are in the words of Strongy, “in for a tuning”.

The next month and  the lead up to Christmas is huge for us with two league games before the New Year and two home BIC games. Your support as always is going to be vital and I know you will come out in force for each game as you have all season. If we could end the year still in pole position in the league, and with three wins in the BIC it would set us up nicely for 2011!

Finally I would like to wish everyone associated with the club, in whatever role you may have, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing you home and away in the build up to the New Year, ready for the return of a certain Mr Strong with the Wizards on January 3^rd.

Chris Dicomidis

1^st December 2010