Pontypridd back Kristian Baller has won the Principality Premiership Player of the Month award for February.
Baller, usually a full back or wing, played scrum half for his club for most of the month of February in the absence of Rhys Downes who has been on Wales Under 20 duty and produced some impressive performances, which evidently caught the eye of Premiership coaches, rugby journalists and WRU and Regional performance development staff who select the recipient of this award. The player will receive £100 from the Principality Building Society, title sponsors of the competition.
Baller scored Pontypridd‘s winning try and conversion away to Ayr in the British and Irish Cup, earning the side a 22-21 victory; he produced a man-of-the-match performance against Swansea in the SWALEC Cup, and scored a try, four conversions and two penalties in the Principality Premiership match against Bedwas.
Kristian is a product of Abercynon RFC and the Blues regional age grade system. He was capped at Under 18 level and his recent performances have earned him a call-up to Wales Sevens training sessions.
He said, “I was shocked to hear of the award. Paul John told me I would be playing scrum half while Rhys Downes is away with the Under 20s and I’ve just thrown myself into that to the best of my ability. We’ve had a tough season with the bad weather meaning a long lay-off but we’re starting to get back into the groove now with some good wins over the past few weeks. We want to challenge for honours in the Principality Premiership and the Cup and despite not qualifying in the British and Irish Cup, it gave us a real taste of what cross-border competition is all about and we’re hungry for more.
“There are a great bunch of players at the club and as always everyone is giving 100% at the moment at this crucial time in the season. The forwards in particular have been providing a good platform for us backs. I’m grateful that Paul John has shown faith in me and that’s been rewarded by being invited to train with the Sevens squad which I’m pleased about.”
Paul John added, “Kristian has shown himself to be a natural scrum-half since stepping in at the start of last month. He has a good service off both hands and is always a threat. There is a lot to aim for at the club as we near the end of the season and the last few games have given us the momentum we needed.”
Kristian Baller factfile:
Born: 18.02.87, Aberdare
Club: Pontypridd
Position: Full back / wing / scrum half
Player most admired: Gethin Jenkins
Sportsman most admired: Gareth Edwards
Biggest impact on career: Parents and primary school teacher at Ynysyborth Primary Mr David Pritchard who introduced me to Abercynon Juniors
Occupation: Groundsman for Countrywide Grounds Maintenance, Neath
Other sports: Football (Cardiff City Academy member until Under 13s), cricket
