Bridgend Ravens have announced the first of a number of new signings for the 2010/11 season:
Behind the scrum, we welcome to the Brewery Field goal kicking outside half and Newport RFC’s record points scorer Dan Griffiths. Having scored 1,551 points in seven seasons for the Black and Ambers, the signing of Dan is somewhat of a coup for the Ravens, and he’s plotting a quick return to Rodney Parade in the colours the Ravens. He commented, “The plan is to be back in the Premiership with Bridgend and it would be great to play again in Newport. I have so many great memories from my time with the club but the every time I ran out at Rodney Parade was special. I played in front of massive crowds in France for Bayonne and experienced a bit of regional rugby but I never tired of running out at the Parade.”
Exciting Wales U18 Scrum Half Tom Habberfield (Bridgend College) will also be arriving, as will Centres Jon Leyshon (from Carmarthen Quins) and Adrian Thomas (from Swansea), along with the return of ex Bridgend Ravens wing Steve Cullen, who returns after a four seasons and 65 games in the Premiership with Glamorgan Wanderers.
New faces in the Ravens pack include prop Jonny Thomas who arrives from Cwmllynfell having previously been on the books of Neath and Back Rower Adam Hillier-Rees (Ospreys Academy). There are also two players returning to the Brewery Field though, namely Second Row Huw Alford, who has put pen to paper to seal a move from Swansea while Back Rower and ex-Ravens Player of the Year Winner Ioan Cunningham returns after a spell at Carmarthen Quins.
In addition to the new signings, we have also retained the services of highly rated youngsters Tom Grabham (Scrum Half), Nathan Edwards (Centre) and Tom Williams (Full Back) while also retaining the signatures of last season’s squad members including Rhys Hewitt (Hooker), Rhys Blumberg (Hooker), Kyle Maiden (Second Row), Jon Campbell (Second Row), and Luke Probert (Back Row) to name a few.
New Bridgend Ravens Head Coach Steve Tandy commented, “It is hoped that the new boys will help bring a bit more experience to the back line while also developing the exciting youngsters like the three Toms – Grabham, Williams, Habberfield and Nathan Edwards. Players like Dan Griffiths, Ioan Cunningham, Jon Leyshon, Steve Cullen and Huw Alford are proven and experienced performers in the Premiership and this will only stand us in good stead for the season ahead as we look to get Premiership rugby back at the Brewery.”
Hooker Rhys Blumberg said, “There is no doubt that this year, we are after one thing and that is the Division 1 West title. Although last season was disappointing, we were so so close in so many games and now with the new recruits we have made, I’m sure we can change those L’s to W’s! I for one am looking forward to the season!”
