Humberstone back in the mix

Pontypridd outside half Simon Humberstone made a long awaited comeback from a significant spell on the sidelines as he took to the field against Tonmawr last Saturday, and came through the experienced unscathed.

The Basingstoke product, who joined up with Pontypridd from UWIC in the summer of 2010, had undergone a shoulder operation pre-season and spent the ensuing months gradually recovering and working his way back to full fitness.

A cameo appearance for his home town club in the London One South division and a second half introduction as substitute for Ponty in the league game away at Aberavon paved the way for Humberstone’s first full start of the season against Tonmawr.

The influential playmaker is now feeling refreshed and raring to go for the remainder of the campaign.

“It’s the first significant injury that I’ve had in my career” explained Humberstone “and as such it was a very frustrating experience. You tend to feel removed from things, a little bit isolated as you’re not involved in the action week in week out. It’s a great relief to be back in the mix again now.”

The twenty-four year old former Harlequins Academy player had been a major contributor to Ponty’s previous successful campaign but felt that there was unfinished business to carry on from last season.

“I couldn’t wait to play again as I felt that we had fallen at the last hurdle in not winning the league title back in May, and that disappointment stayed with me during my time out with injury.

“That added to the feeling of frustration, but with hindsight now I feel that the break might have done me some good. I’m now feeling refreshed, physically stronger after my operation and feeling a hunger for the game.

“There is good competition for places in the Ponty squad and with Dean Gunter and Lewis Williams playing well I feel that I’m coming back into the equation as third choice outside half. It will take a lot of hard work to reclaim the position. There is a lot to play for and I just hope that I can make an impression and help Ponty to win some more silverware this season.”