The opening months of the season were positive for me personally. I played in six of the club's first seven games before fracturing and popping my ribs away to Newcastle Emlyn in October. The injury was frustrating as I felt I was in good form and earning my spot in the team.
My injury took just over two months to heal and I returned to competitive action with two appearances for Pontypool United last month. In an ideal world, I would have returned to the fold with Pooler immediately, but I know with the competition that exists for the number two jersey at the club, I will have to bide my time and wait for my chance back in the first team.
The competition that exists at the club is part of what helps to drive standards. In every position there are quality players battling it out for a starting berth and it means you can't rest on your laurels and must continue to work hard to catch the eye of the coaching staff.
Since sustaining my injury, I have missed some big games in the league and National Cup. That is frustrating but I know that there are still a lot of games left in the season and the entire squad will be needed as we chase success on two fronts.
The club has had a quiet start to 2019, with just two games completed so far. That has seen our rivals in the league move ahead of us in terms of games played. Our lead at the top of the table sits at eight points with three games in hand on second place Ystrad Rhondda.
We will of course he hoping to win all of our games in hand but we will take each game as it comes. We are confident in our ability as a squad and individuals and can't wait for the games to start coming thick and fast from the end of March.
The club returns to action with a home game against Newcastle Emlyn next weekend. We enjoyed a 52-19 victory over them in West Wales earlier in the season, but we know it will be a tough game at Pontypool Park. They are currently 11th in the table and will arrive in Pontypool ready to scrap and fight for every point as they are no doubt desperate to start climbing the table.
Alex Watkins was speaking to Andrew Deering.
