Pontypool RFC is pleased to announce that 23 players from the squad that won six of the club’s final seven 2012/2013 SWALEC Championship fixtures have re-signed for the 2013/2014 season.
Mike Barber, Sam Cook, Rhys Cresswell, Luke Dyckhoff, Elliot Goodman, Luke Palmer, Ben Parry, Josh Powell, Matthew Thomas, Ryan Thomas, Dan Walker and Jordan Williams will return to represent the forwards setup next season - whereas Tom Avis, Joe Blackmore, Jack Butler, Dai Davies, Clayton Gullis, Chris Macey, Sam Mills, Steffan Morgan, Ashley Norton and Dai Sandals will continue to operate as backs.
“Retaining our squad that finished the season so strongly is an important step in our rugby club’s plans,” said Mike Hook – Head Coach of Pontypool RFC. “ We have a hard working, passionate and enthusiastic bunch of boys who have bought into what it means to play for Pontypool RFC and they have been rewarded for their hard work. All of the retained players now know what it takes both on and off the field to produce the form displayed at the end of the season and this will provide a steady transition through to an exciting 2013/2014 season.”
Shaun Rees – Team Manager of Pontypool RFC said, “No one can deny that the 2012/2013 season was difficult for the club, as a new squad of players had to quickly adjust to life in the SWALEC Championship. However, our young squad never gave up and came together as a team towards the latter end of the season. As a club, we are now looking forward to next season but continue to work extremely hard during the close season to ensure that we are a competitive force.”
Pontypool RFC also hopes to secure the services of Newport Gwent Dragons Academy players Joe Davies, Josh Guy and Josh Tyler in the coming weeks.
Adam Brake, Josh Faletau and Lewis Roberts have all departed Pontypool RFC to pursue other opportunities. All three were excellent servants of the club and everybody at Pontypool RFC would like to wish them the very best of luck in their future endeavours.