Pat Lewis is willing to play in any position for Pontypool RFC after moving to the wing and bagging the opening try in Saturday’s victory at Narberth RFC.
The 24-year-old has formed a strong partnership with Joel Mahoney at centre this season but he was deployed on the left wing for the trip to the Lewis-Lloyd Ground.
It proved to be an astute change with Lewis touching down on six minutes to open the scoring. Darren Hughes, Scott Matthews, Ethan Davies and Aaron Quick added further tries while Matthew Jarvis kicked two conversions as Pooler edged to victory.
Lews is no stranger to wearing the eleven jersey having played on the flanks since his teens but he stressed that he is more than willing to do a job for the team wherever he is picked.
“I’ve played senior rugby since the age of sixteen or seventeen and a lot of my rugby has been played on the wing so the switch for me isn’t too bad,” explained Lewis.
“There’s a few differences between playing on the wing to thirteen, but I feel that these differences are key elements that we as players should be able to perform to a certain standard anyway.
“I’m always happy to pull on a Pontypool shirt no matter what number is on my back.”
“As one of the players who finds themselves in the wider channels more often than not I’m always happy to be able to make a positive impact on the game.”
“Whether that be creating an opportunity for someone else or, in the case on Saturday, getting on the scoresheet.”
Lewis’ touchdown was his 22nd in just 39 appearances but he is frustrated that he will have to wait to add to his tally with another break in the fixture list.
“From my viewpoint this break couldn’t come at a worse time,” he confessed.
“This season has been very stop-start due to COVID so to have another two-week lay-off is disappointing.
“We’ve had two big results coming off a six-week lay-off and to perform the way we have against two very different teams who were very determined and made us work hard for our result, shows the maturity we have as a team.”
Pontypool are back in action on Saturday 19th February when they travel to Bargoed RFC.