The season has rightly finished early because of the Coronavirus situation, which has certainly put sport in perspective. However i'm sure that when this is all over and hopefully we are all safe and well, we will be glad to get back to normality. I thought i would try and put my personal thoughts on the Season 2019/20 for Llanharan RFC, however short it has been, on this website. Let me start by saying i did not see all the games, so this is from my perspective based on the games i saw. Firstly it was great to see the 2nd Team up and running again, although they didn't play every week it was just good to see them back on the field. Sadly we couldn't field a Youth Team this season but several of the boys from last season played for both 1st's and 2nd's. The good news is that Phil Hearne has a very promising U16 side coming through who hopefully will be our Youth side in 2021/22. Below that Gemma Jones and her coaches are working very hard to bring through the next generation of Llanharan players.
Now to the first Team. If the last game of the season against leaders Canton is anything to go by, the future is looking good. Coaches Gareth Nicholas and Andy Price along with Team Manager Clinton Davis have led a transformation of the side. Although not winning every game, the style of play and attitude of the players is a world away from last season and we were looking better with every game. It's difficult to pick out individual players because we have evolved in to a style of play that demands all players are able to pass and run with ball, no matter what their position is. This has meant that as a team everybody is contributing around the field as well as doing their own jobs. Having said that i will try and pick out some units and players who have made an impression. The front row have worked hard all season with the 3 Sam's along with Brandon Nelson and Kyle Jones being impressive at scrum time and around the field. Probably the unsung heroes this season have been the Second Rows Richard Byers, Tom Harris, Chris Osborne and Tom Buckle. They have played against much bigger forwards but always given their all. The back row has benefited from an injection of youth. In their first season out of Youth Rugby both Louis Stansbury and Lloyd Gregory have impressed and look to have bright futures in the game. Jordan Hughes has never let the side down and old warhorse Owain Howe never seems to have a bad game and led the way for his younger back row boys. Behind the scrum Craig Burton has been impressive as has his young brother Leon in his first season out of youth. Captain Scott Jones has led by example and has probably been our best back this season. In the centre Lloyd Thomas has played with a number of partners, most recently Ross Pritchard and has manged to steady the ship when things have got tough. Roy Furnival, Stuart Griffiths, Lee Davies and Jack Pring have been consistent in their play with Jack Pring especially scoring some good tries. Thanks to all the boys who came in when we had injuries especially Alex Newbold who subbed on a number of occasions. There! i said i could'nt pick out individuals, so i gave everybody a shout.
The coaches know that when we eventually get back on the field there is still a lot of work to be done and they need everyone to pull together to bring success to Llanharan RFC next season. Stay safe everyone.
