Back in the 1989/90 season, when the Sunday Express sponsored the then Welsh Schools National League Cup competition, Williams was bossing things from No 10 for an unbeaten Neath side that were among the strongest schools teams in the UK.
In the final at the old National Ground, Cardiff Arms Park, Williams the player scored a hat-trick of tries in a 42-21 win over Nantyglo Comprehensive. Now Williams the coach wants to see NPTC recapture those glory days in the Welsh Schools & Colleges League.
Having kicked-off their competition with wins over Whitchurch HS (52-8) and Gower College (24-10), they go into a another home clash at The Gnoll against Cardiff & Vale College on Tuesday, 26 September (kick—off 7.30pm) in S4C’s Live Facebook game.
A lot of the players will have met before the in the Regional Age Grade U18 championship earlier in the season, when they Ospreys beat Blues South 43-23 at the Arms Park. Williams will be hoping for more of the same against a CAVC side that opened up with a over Llandovery College (43-10) before losing at home to arch-rivals Coleg Y Cymoedd (45-23) last week.
“We are looking to make major strides this season and to continue the improvement we made last year to continue. We’ve got a good crop of players, many who stayed on from last year, and that has given us a strong second year sixth presence,” said Williams.
“There is a lot to play for with the split in the league after this season, so top six is where everyone wants to be. That’s our aim after being in the doldrums for about the last five or six years.
“There is a rich heritage and NPTC is known for its rugby and the number of internationals we have produced and the quality of rugby we play. It is trying to get back to those giddy heights and I don’t think we’ll be a million miles away from that.”
Williams is pleased to see his players playing on such a big stage as The Gnoll, a situation brought about by a sponsorship deal between NPTC and Neath RFC, and the excellent playing surface will give his players the
chance to express themselves in an inspiration environment.
“Things are rosy at The Gnoll and we are hoping to make it even rosier by taking our college games there. We want these players to at least be able to play for the town team in two or three years,” said Williams.
NPTC had a try in each half from wing Frankie Jones to thank for their 24-10 win over Gower College in Round 2.
As well as Jones, centre Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler crossed for a try and skipper and outside half Luke Scully kicked three conversions and a penalty.
The home side were 17-0 down at the break and at least conjured up two consolation scores in the final quarter as centre Ben Cambriani and back row man Evan Budge crossed for tries
Welsh Schools & Colleges League – Round 3
Tuesday, 26 September
NPTC v Cardiff & Vale College (The Gnoll, 7.30pm)
Wednesday, 27 September
Newport HS v Glantaf (2.30pm)
Coleg Llandrillo v Whitchurch HS (Parc Eirias, 2.30pm)
Coleg Y Cymoedd v Bridgend College (Sardis Road, 2.30pm)
PSRA v Gower College (Neyland RFC, 2.30pm)
Coleg Sir Gar v Coleg Gwent (2.30pm)
Tuesday Teams
NPTC: Dewi Cross; Frankie Jones, Bradley Roderick, Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, Kyle Jones; Luke Scully (captain), Iwan Temlett; Callum Evans, Garin Lloyd, Tom Sly, Ben Heywood, Ioan Jones, Rhys Thomas, Will Pope, Jac Morgan
Reps: Scott Mahoney, Jae Key, Jay Roberts, Joseph Rowden, Michael Grange, Alex Morris, Jozeph Humphrey, Ki Morgan
CAVC: TBC
