MOUNTAIN ASH APPOINT NEW HEAD COACH
FORMER Mountain Ash and Pontypridd backrow forward Mike Butts has been appointed as the new head coach of Mountain Ash RFC for the coming season when the Old Firm will compete in Division 1 East Central.
Butts was a part of the successful Youth set-up at the club for five years when the Mount team won the Heart of Wales League and Cup twice each.
He also helped coach the Heart of Wales District squad as well.
He will be joined by the experienced Robert Downes, who joins him as backs coach, Dean O’Brien, who has been part of the senior squad set-up for the last two seasons, and concentrates solely on coaching next season, and former player Mark Anderson, who takes up his first coaching position.
Former 1st XV captain Andrew Roberts, who served as team manager from 2003/04 to 2014/15 and has vast experience in this role, returns to the post and takes over from O’Brien who concentrates solely on coaching duties.
The new coaching team has a young, talented, eager squad of players who finished fourth last season in Division 1 East Central and who have cut their teeth in Division 1 rugby over the last two seasons, and their challenge will be to build on that.
All at Mountain Ash RFC would like to thank former coach Paul Matthews, who resigned at the end of last season, for his work over the last two seasons and wish him well in the future.
Pre-season training starts at 6.45pm on Tuesday, July 4 at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School, and will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same venue thereafter. Any player wishing to join the Old Firm squad is welcome to do so and should report to one of the coaching staff or team manager Andrew Roberts at the changing rooms under the grandstand at the club’s 1st XV match venue, Duffryn Pennar Park, prior to training at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School.
Former Wales international backrow forward Rowland Phillips was guest of honour at the Old Firm’s presentation evening held at the clubhouse recently.
A youthful Mount team, captained by hardworking No 8 Kriss Sanders, finished fourth in Division 1 East Central, and the awards certainly reflected the youthfulness of the team.
Hooker Jack James had a night to remember, picking up the 1st XV Player of the Year, Supporters’ Player of the Year and Best 1st XV Forward awards, which capped a fine season for him.
Second row David Richards, who was in his first season of senior rugby, and got better as the season progressed, was voted 1st XV Players’ Player of the Year.
Prop Thomas Harper, in his first season of senior rugby, was awarded the Most Improved 1st XV Player, and centre Alex Hughes, in his second season of senior rugby and who scored six tries during the season, picked up the Best Back of the Year award.
Another promising young prop forward, Thomas Evans, who also made five 1st XV appearances through the season, was awarded the 2nd XV Player of the Year award, and scrum half Jonathan Lock, who did a superb job organising the 2nd XV throughout the season, and captained the team for a sixth consecutive season, was voted 2nd XV Players’ Player of the Year.