Local rugby
AFTER languishing in mid-table for the last couple of seasons, Canton look fresh and re-energised this season with Dai Manley’s influence starting to show.
Their early season form has seen them bag two bonus-point wins, against Ynysowen (27-10) and Caerau Ely (43-18), in Three East Central B to lift them to the top of the table and there is little to suggest that form won’t carry on.
Ex-Pontypridd winger Manley enjoyed plenty of success during his time with the Valley Commandos in the ‘90s and his experience seems to be rubbing off on the Canton players after a year under his stewardship.
Canton fixture secretary Tim Rhoden believes the players have bought into Manley’s way of playing and that is showing on the pitch.
“We had a tough match Ynysowen first off,” he said.
“We were 10-8 down at half time but came back. To be honest we probably should have been up at half time but they don’t give up easily at Ynysowen, that’s for sure.
“In the end, I think our fitness told because Ynysowen were a bit heavier and we came away with a bonus-point win.
“Then we had our old rivals Caerau [Ely] the following week.
“They had a couple of boys out so we probably caught them at the right time to be honest.
“It was on our pitch, the plastic 4G, so that played in our hands a bit and it was an excellent result for us.
“I’m sure it will be different in December when we’ve got to go at and play them at their place.
“The boys have certainly bought into his philosophy.”
Canton may not have been one of the favourites tipped for the title at the start of the season but Rhoden insists promotion is the main aim for the club.
“I think Dai has looked at Division Three East Central A and believes we can do that,” he continued.
“There are a couple of teams in the league, Llantwit Major are always pretty strong and Treherbert will be a tough one up there no doubt.
“He certainly doesn’t see anyone who he is too concerned about so he’s definitely hopeful. “And we’ve also got some of our longer trips away early on so that’s useful as well.
“What tends to happen is if you get games off then you have to play midweek and it becomes very difficult because boys’ availability midweek is different to a Saturday.
“So hopefully we won’t have that issue and if they are coming to us our pitch will always be available because it is 4G.”
An issue the club won’t have to think about this season is balancing their league schedule with the WRU National Bowl after their 52-17 defeat to Cowbridge in the first round on Saturday, but that may prove to be a blessing in disguise.
“Cowbridge were with us last year and they got promoted. They are going well, they’ve had a good start to the season with two bonuspoint wins,” added Rhoden.
“We more than matched them upfront but what we should have been playing them on was a nice muddy pitch with plenty of rain instead of on the plastic where their flyers were really flying, which really pushed the score up because their back three were really quick and young.
“But they definitely deserved the win and good luck to them for the next round.”