Gilfach aiming for return to Division One next term Local rugby

GILFACH Goch are eyeing a return to Division One after a strong start to the new season.

The club competed in Division Two for the first time since 2010 last year following their relegation to Two East Central at the end of the 2015/16 campaign.

Club secretary Darren Hughes believes the loss of players like Lee Purnell (to Aberavon), Huw Dowden (Pontypridd), James Lock (Bargoed) and Josh Clark (Llanharan) played a part in their downfall along with the retirements of several key players.

“We had a lot of our older players, who had got us to that level, finishing their playing careers,” he explained.

“We also lost a few to Premiership and Championship-standard clubs. So we had to play our youth boys, who were inexperienced.”

And on their return to Division Two, the club went on to win nine of their 22 fixtures to finish in a comfortable midtable position – something Hughes insists was part of the plan.

“We had such a young squad that it suited our level,” he continued.

“Because we’d come down from Division One, our main aim was to stay in Division Two and not fall down again.

“We’ve more or less steadied the ship and everyone has stayed from last year so that’s a positive for us.

“They’ve learned from last year’s experiences.”

And it seems the youngsters have learned quickly with Goch currently second with five wins out of five, four points behind leaders Aberdare, who have played a game more.

Among Gilfach’s wins this season was a 28-24 success at Aberdare along with victories over Llanishen, Llantwit Fardre and Penarth.

And their strong start continued at the weekend with a brace from Nathan Walters guiding them to a thumping 41-5 win at Abercynon.

“Abercynon scored within the first three minutes but from then on the boys’ heads didn’t drop.

“They looked forward and Abercynon weren’t in the game after that,” said Hughes.

“When the chips are down, the boys up the ante and have racked up some nice scores.”

With the way the results have gone in the opening weeks of the season, Hughes believes the title race is likely to be a “two-horse race” and explained the club aren’t just focusing on the league.

Having already beaten One East Central outfit Rumney in the opening round of the National Plate, Goch have been drawn with Gorseinon in round two at the end of the month.

“We are looking to make the latter stages of the Plate, it is one of our aims,” Hughes admitted.

“And what it does for you is it extends your season.

“The season finishes around April but if you get a good cup run then it’s good for the club in regards to the clubhouse because you are extending the playing period for just a little bit longer.

“And in conjunction with that we’ve also got the Glamorgan County Silver Ball.

“We’ve won four games out of four for that so we are in the running for the final stages of that competition.

“We’re also in the District Cup, which is another cup we are interested in.”

After colliding with a few obstacles in the past few years, Gilfach Goch are now riding high.