Glyncoch are back... and on a promotion charge Local rugby

REJUVENATED Glyncoch are back and on a promotion charge in Three East Central C – following a season with no rugby.

The proud village club, who won the WRU National Bowl back in 2012, sat out the entire 2016/17 season with dwindling support, a shortage in funding and a lack of players causing them to disband.

But the picture is now very different for the rugby-mad community just north of Pontypridd.

They reground and returned with a bang, reeling off five straight victories in the league before, by their own admission, a desperately disappointing 20-12 defeat at Llanrumney on December 9.

However they have since bounced back on the field with victories over CIACS and Cathays and currently sit fourth in the table, with seven wins and 34 points from their eight matches.

Glyncoch are nine points adrift of current league leaders St Albans but with two games in hand, while have three games in hand on second-placed Llanrumney and Cardiff Saracens, in third.

Finishing in the top two – and earning promotion – is very much in their sights.

“We were just so disappointed with the loss against Llanrumney,” said team manager Jamie Langmead.

“It didn’t go to plan down there and we just collapsed really. It was devastating for us to be honest.

“But I think what it did do was give us a bit of a kick.

“Training has improved and I think the boys realise that one more slip up could affect our chances of getting promotion.”

It hasn’t all been plain sailing, though, with injuries now starting to bite and key players such as hooker Nathan Williams, wing Leigh Sutton and club captain Simon Whincop all on the sidelines.

However the likes of flanker Dan Williams, ex-Merthyr man Gareth Way and winger Matt Webb, in particular, have all stood up to be counted.

“It’s been unbelievable the injuries we’ve had to our top players,” said Langmead.

“They were massive blows but we’ve managed to pull it together which shows the strength in depth that we’ve got.”

Glyncoch have enjoyed some massive wins already this season, most notably against Cathays (83-5), Sully View (86-10) and CIACS (79-3).

They have also already beaten title and promotion rivals St Albans, too, edging a low-scoring contest 9-3 on the opening weekend of the season.

They still have to travel to St Albans, play Cardiff Saracens twice as well as the return with Llanrumney.

On the remainder of the campaign, Langmead said: “We know the job that has to be done and we’ve got a big few months ahead.

“We’re in a good position with the games still in hand and it could come down to the game against St Albans down there.

“To win the league would be something special but we definitely need to get promoted out of this league – it’ll be a massive blow if we don’t manage to get it.

“But we’re hopeful and after the game against Llanrumney, our last couple of results have showed we’re still able to put it together.”

Next up for Glyncoch is a trip to Cardiff Saracens on Saturday.