Its a warm welcome to the club for a number of new players and some returning players as we enter the 2022/23 season.
As previously reported, Alex Webber joins us in a player coach role in what is a huge boost to the club and he’s quickly making an impact. We officially welcome back fly half Jacob Symes and prop Callum Dawe who both saw out the end of last season with the club. Callum aims to fill the boots of his uncle Neil 'Hackers' Jones, but faces some time on the sidelines for the start of the season due to injury. Both are former products of the mini and juniors.
Another returning player is tight head prop Llewellyn Coleman who’s gained a lot of experience, with Penygraig and is someone who has the profile we hope to develop further. He’s joined by another promising prop Harrison Chapman and Jarrad Walters who makes the positional change into the front row.
The pack is further strengthened with the signings of 3 athletic back 5 players. Rhys Dauncey joins after a successful season at Llanharan, Morgan Burgess has gained Premiership experience at Newport before more recently playing at Cilfynydd and our former youth team captain Kelly Jones returns after a successful spell at Porth. All 3 are exciting youngsters who’ve made good early impressions and we hope will make a big impact this season. Michael Smallman's versaility in the back row complements the group.
In the backs Josh Williams has been a stand out player at Gilfach Goch for many seasons and we look forward to him adding his skills to the back 3 and it’s nice to see Jorrie Griffiths, rejoin from Cambrian. Jack Brooks continues to dual from Newport after making an impact last season but faces a spell out with injury.
We’d like to thank all the clubs for their co-operation in supporting the boys as they make the move this season and we aim to maintain good relations going forward.
All at the club would like to congratulate Thomas Jevons on his move to Merthyr. Tom’s been rewarded for his commitment and effort over the years. Also departing the club are Sion Summers to Bryncethin, Corey Jones to Cambrian, Jesse Brabon to Treherbert and Kieran Mordecai who takes a step back from playing. Ethan Fackrell who turned out for the club a number of times last season has moved on to RGC after being released by Cardiff RFC. We'd like to thank all the players for their efforts turning out for Ystrad and wish them good luck for the season.
Injury looks likely to rob Ethan Dunning of another season due to a shoulder operation which he will undertake after successfully completing the Ironman at Tenby. Unfortunately Mitchell Auger and Kyle Evans playing days appear to be over due to injury. If this is the case, everyone in the club would like to express their sincere thanks to both men for their years of service to the club, wish them well in life after rugby and we all hope to see the boys involved with the club in some capacity in future.
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