Deal with first-team pressures
WRU National Plate action returns this weekend with Treorchy taking on Ystalyfera in one of the stand-out ties.
Current Worthington’s Mid District Cup champions Treorchy started the season slowly with three defeats in their first three One East Central fixtures.
But they have changed the form book around with four wins on the bounce, including a 15-10 victory over Llantrisant in the first round of the Plate. ference and they’ve got a winning mentality.
“The youth have been Welsh champions in the past couple of years and they’ve just brought that with them, they don’t like losing and they never give up.
“They’ve come up from the under-7s right the way through, have stuck with us and are now with the first team squad and playing well.”
The defeat by Treorchy was certainly a blip after a decent start, although Rumney were forced to play most of the match a man short after prop Rob Rowley was shown a red card early on.
“It’s just like any other game,” insisted club secretary Bryan James. “We’ll probably give some players who haven’t featured in the league team [a chance] because we’ve had two good results two weeks on the run.
“We beat Glamorgan Wanderers away and we beat Rumney away.
“I don’t know what the coach has in mind, I suppose he likes to win every game but in my own personal view I think he needs to concentrate on the league
It came after a mass brawl followed a high tackle with a Treorchy player also receiving a yellow.
Rumney led for the entire first half and were 20-10 up at the turnaround but could not hold on as the Zebras made their numerical advantage pay.
No.8 Lewis Mills, scrum-half Williams and a penalty try were the Rumney scorers with kicker Mahoney adding eight points from the tee.
However, the losing bonus point gained means Rumney, with something to show from every game, have 21 points from six played and are now just two because we are still only three places above the bottom.”
Elsewhere, Cambrian Welfare host Porth Harlequins, Cilfynydd take on last year’s runners-up Nant Conwy and Glamorgan Wanderers face Dinbych.
The Bowl also returns with Three West Central A leaders Pyle travelling to Chepstow.
Cardiff Met II will have to get past Treharris to make the next round while Pentyrch and Gwernyfed face each other. back on leaders Rhiwbina.
“We’re pleased with the start,” said Wilcox. “We were dominant for large periods of the game against Treorchy but, although we were dominant in the pack, we were done out wide in the end.
“To come away with a losing bonus point with 14 men is no mean feat and they’re not a bad side Treorchy.
“The aim was to finish top half at the beginning of the season given the struggle we’ve had the past few years but, the way we’re playing, I think we need to be looking at top three.”