SWALEC Championship Kicks Off with Bang

Posted on Aug 26, 2012

Ebbw Vale could be forgiven for feeling a sense of déjà vu when the new SWALEC Championship kicks-off on Saturday – but that will be rapidly replaced by a step into the unknown a week later.

East and west will collide when six clubs from last season’s SWALEC One East and seven from SWALEC One West, along with Pontypool, form the exciting new division with last season’s respective east and west champions, Ebbw Vale and Tata Steel, bidding to claim the inaugural title.

And Ebbw Vale will be in familiar territory when they travel to the Memorial Ground to take on Glamorgan Wanderers in Round 1 before they open their home programme by hosting Narberth at Eugene Cross Park in Round 2.

“It will be a massive challenge for us as we really do not know what to expect from around half the clubs who we have never played before,” said Ebbw Vale captain and lock Ashley Sweet.

“We know what to expect from the east sides but the west is something of an unknown quantity. We have never met clubs like Tata Steel and Whitland and we are really looking forward to those new experiences.

“However, on Saturday it will be a case of ‘same again’ as last season we started out at Glamorgan Wanderers and that is where we start this season.

“There is a fair bit of rivalry between us since they beat us in the Principality Premiership play-off match in 2011 so it should be a great opening match for us at the start of a new tournament.

“And, with clubs from the east and west now playing in one division, that should make it even more exciting as we will be playing against new players and new teams at new venues.

“We have got a very young squad, which should be positive for Ebbw Vale in the coming years, and coaches Neil Edwards and Jason Strange have recruited well while putting us through a hard pre-season.

“We pride ourselves on our fitness and we like to play a high tempo, fast flowing game so we hope we can continue in that way.”

Joining Ebbw Vale, Tata Steel, Pontypool, Wanderers and Whitland in a division brimming with potential will be Narberth, Bargoed, Bridgend Athletic, Bonymaen, Llanharan, Newbridge, Cardiff Met, Blackwood and Beddau.

Tata Steel were the champions of the west last season and captain Gareth Edwards believes it will take something even more special to be crowned the champions of the new 14-club division.

“Of course it would be great to go all the way but we appreciate it is going to be a really tough challenge against quality sides,” said the prop forward.

“It will definitely be a lot harder than last season – especially up front – but we feel we have recruited well and are stronger all round.

“We have had a great pre-season and the boys have trained well but we all know how important it is to get off to a good start and travelling to Narberth will be tough.

“We pipped Narberth by a point for the title last season and, on a personal front, I have played there eight times and never won so I know just how hard it is to play there.”

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Webb itching to get back onto Liberty turf

Posted on Aug 16, 2012

The Ospreys return to action on Saturday afternoon when Bath visit the Liberty Stadium and scrum-half Rhys Webb said that the players are excited about ‘coming home’ for the first time since claiming the RaboDirect PRO 12 title in dramatic style at the end of May.

Webb was one of the Ospreys’ international contingent over the summer, and as one of a number who will pull on the Ospreys jersey again this weekend he says he can’t wait for 3.00pm Saturday to come.

Looking back at his summer, which saw him travel to Australia with the national squad, Webb commented:

“I really enjoyed the trip, it was a great experience for me and has given me a real taste of something special. If I want to do it again I know that I’ve got to keep driving on and improving with the Ospreys this season.

“I’ve had four weeks off, come back in for pre-season where we’ve had some really tough sessions in the build-up to Saturday’s game. After a tough training camp in France last week I suppose I’m pretty much like the rest of the boys who weren’t involved against Clermont and itching to get back on the pitch at the Liberty wearing the Ospreys shirt again.”

Given their delayed return to pre-season training, Webb and his Wales colleagues used last week’s training camp in France to work on their conditioning ahead of this weekend’s game and the Bridgend Athletic product said that while it was a tough week, it was hugely beneficial in terms of preparation for the new season.

“It was great being out there together as a group” said Webb.

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Ravens winger swoops in for player of the month award

Posted on Nov 8, 2011

Teenage wing Luke Morgan has impressed in his Bridgend Ravens shirt after scoring nine tries during this years’ Principality Premiership, earning himself October’s Principality Player of the Month Award.

The 19-year-old came through the ranks at Bridgend Athletic and Bridgend college, trains with the Ospreys full-time and is a regular starter for Bridgend each week and has made a huge impact this year during his first season in the Principality Premiership.

Bridgend Head Coach, Steve Tandy, who also coaches Luke at the Ospreys, is pleased with Morgan’s progress.

“Luke joined us just after Christmas last year and in fairness he has been scoring tries left right and centre for us,” he said.

“This season he has been working hard and has improved again on last year. He’s really energetic and finishes tries well.

“He’s really pulled it out of the bag for us the past month and he’s becoming very consistent and helping us to win games. He’s great with ball in hand and we’re very pleased with the way he’s playing at the moment, he deserves this award.”

Speaking after being presented with his award, Morgan commented: "I’m delighted to have received this award. It’s great to have recognition for doing well after putting in the hard work. I’m really enjoying playing at Bridgend and we’re doing pretty well so far so I’m just hoping I can carry on scoring tries for the team.

“Playing on the wing I really enjoy having the ball in hand and I’ve had that opportunity at Bridgend this season. Hopefully I will continue to play well and work hard at improving my game further.”

Sue Parks, Manager of Principality Building Society branch in Bridgend, presented Luke with a cheque for £100.

“We’re delighted that the prestigious Player of the Month award for October has gone to a talented local player,” she said. “Bridgend RFC has shown great determination on the field since re-joining the league and it was exciting to see them beat previous champions Neath in just the second month of the season. It was a pleasure to meet Luke in the branch and we wish him and the team all the best in the coming months – they certainly have the talent to succeed.”

Teenage duo get Ospreys deals

Posted on Aug 19, 2011

The Ospreys have handed a first professional contract to teenagers Emyr Williams and Matthew Morgan.

The highly rated duo have both signed three-year deals after coming through the player development pathway at the region.

18-year old Williams, an openside flanker from Ystradowen in Neath, played his early rugby for Abercrave before gaining selection for the Ospreys at U18 level. Bridgend Athletic product Morgan, 19, has already had a taste of senior rugby at the Ospreys featuring at fly-half in three LV= Cup games last season as well as the Magners League games away to Connacht and Aironi.

Chief Operations Officer, Andrew Hore, said:

“Securing a first professional contract is a big moment for any young rugby player, and it’s no different for these two. Emyr and Matthew are two young men just starting out on their rugby career, and there is a lot of hard work ahead of them if they are going to fulfil their obvious potential. This contract is just the starting point for them.

“As a region we are justifiably proud of our reputation for player development, and these two are in an environment where they will get the best support and coaching to enable them to progress. The rest is up to them, but as long as they show the right commitment and endeavour then they have every chance of establishing themselves as Ospreys.”

After enjoying a good year with Swansea during 2010/11, Morgan has chosen to stay at St Helen’s for the new season and will again play for the All Whites in their forthcoming Premiership campaign, while Williams will play for newly promoted Bridgend.

Hore added:

“The working relationship we have with Bridgend and Swansea will ensure that young players like Emyr and Matthew will gain a real understanding of the Osprey style of play we are looking to develop at all levels of the pathway, and the standards of behaviour we expect from our players, working with young Premiership coaches who we believe have the potential to become world class.”

Young Bridgend winger gets first Ospreys contract

Posted on Aug 15, 2011

The Ospreys have handed teenage wing Luke Morgan an opportunity to establish himself with the region after he impressed in a Bridgend Ravens shirt last season.

19-year old Morgan, who came through the ranks at Bridgend Athletic, has signed a three-year development contract and will train with the Ospreys on a full-time basis while continuing to be made available to the Ravens as they return to the Principality Premiership after a two year absence.

Having initially missed out on selection for the Ospreys age-grade set-up, Morgan shone for Athletic at youth level, and also, with Bridgend College, an important part of the Elite Youth Development Pathway at the region.

Off the back of this he was invited to move to the Riverside Hardware Brewery Field twelve months ago by Bridgend Head Coach, Steve Tandy, and handed the opportunity to train with the C group at Llandarcy Academy of Sport five mornings a week between 7 and 9am, resulting in him also featuring in the Ospreys U18 squad.

At Bridgend he went on to make an impact in a team that raced to the Swalec Division One West title, before scoring two tries in the promotion play-off final against Glamorgan Wanderers at Cardiff Arms Park in a 38-19 win that secured promotion for his team.

Tandy, now combining his Bridgend role with the post of Technical and B Group coach at the Ospreys, says that Morgan has earned his chance at the region:

“Luke is someone who has developed late as a player, coming to the fore over the last 18 months or so. He has a good attitude, is diligent and works hard, and he deserves this opportunity.

“On the field he is quick and shows signs of being a really good finisher, who isn’t afraid of putting his body on the line. As with any young player there is lots of room for improvement, but he is working hard, has the right attitude and desire to learn and has earned the chance to show what he can do at the Ospreys.”

Speaking after signing his contract, Morgan commented:

“It’s every boy’s dream, to play at the highest level of rugby, and although I’ve still got a lot of work to do, I know that I’m heading in the right direction. It’s great news, and it’s really good to be able to come in and train with experienced players.

“Playing on the wing, competition is really tough at the Ospreys. In training at the moment there’s people like Richard Fussell and Kristian Phillips who are good players and it’s great to train with them. Then after the World Cup when Tommy Bowe, Shane Williams and Nikki Walker come back it’s going to be an even better experience again. I’ve got to keep at it and work hard on my game and hopefully I’ll keep improving.

“Being at Bridgend has been great for me personally, I’ve really enjoyed the last twelve months with them. I’ve been made welcome there since I first joined, and it was a good season for the team, ending in the win over Glamorgan Wanderers.

“We’re in the Premiership now which will be a step up for me and the team so I’ll have to prove myself all over again. That’s what it’s going to be about for me now, always looking to prove myself as I step up to different levels.”

Andrew Hore, Chief Operations Officer at the Ospreys, added:

“Despite missing out on our age-grade squads, Luke has shown the right character and determination to really impress our talent ID team, resulting in him joining Bridgend last year where under the eye of Steve Tandy he was a real success story, and has gone on to earn himself a development contract with the region.

“At the Ospreys we are very aware of the importance of maintaining as broad a player base as possible at every level, and that players develop at different rates. This is why as a business we have invested in an extended player development pathway that instead of simply narrowing the focus onto players selected at age-grade level actually incorporates the wider rugby community across the region.

“We have worked with the District set-up to increase their importance and to introduce new U17 and U19 teams, we are running Ospreys development squads at U16 and U18, and last year we were the only region to operate an U20 team. The colleges project, working with Bridgend, Gower College Swansea and Neath Port Talbot has also been a positive move, allowing us to work within the community to really broaden our player base, something that will have a positive impact on all our clubs.

“Luke is an example to all young players on the development pathway not to give up hope. He has worked hard and earned this chance, and we wish him all the best in his future as an Osprey.”