South Wales Scorpions set for rugby league Bank Holiday bonanza

South Wales Scorpions host a double header of Rugby League action on Sunday when Gateshead Thunder are the visitors to Maesteg RFC (1pm).

The Scorpions will welcome back a number of players missing from the side that lost to London Skolars three weeks ago and are also hoping to confirm some loan signings to boost the squad.

In that game, they had just 10 fit first team squad members after Wales Student call-ups and injuries decimated their squad.

Jordan Sheridan, Harrison Elliott, Osian Phillips, Owain Davies, Mike Connor and Alex Randall, who all helped Wales Students to a 72-0 win over Ireland on the same day, all look set to return.

Matt Wilcox, who travelled to London but was an unused substitute after picking up an injury in the warm-up, could return, as could Ashley Bateman who was unavailable for the Skolars trip for personal reasons.

Shaun Owens, Dan Parry and Alex Jones all remain on the injury list, Jack Pring is struggling to overcome tonsillitis while Barrie Phillips is serving the second of a two match suspension.

Scorpions coach Mike Grady said: “We’re playing well in patches, but we need to work on building those patches into longer periods.

“I’ve watched Gateshead on video, but I’m more about looking after ourselves and building a little bit more each week on the previous week’s performances.

“Gateshead got a link with Hull KR which saw Greg Eden play the other week. Now they’ve signed Jamie Rooney and we know what he’s about; he’s someone we’ve got to close down because he’s got a great kicking game and fantastic experience. It’s a long trip down here from the north east, and hopefully we can turn that advantage into a good performance.

“Training been fantastic this week. My assistant Paul Emanuelli and I spent time with the boys as a group and individually, setting goals, discussing the season so far and letting them know what we want from them as coaches.

“A few of our players are still suffering from knocks so I’m going to wait until the captain’s run on Saturday before naming the side.”

Former Wakefield, Scorpions and England star Rooney looks set to make his Thunder debut.

Rooney said: “I’ve been missing the game. Hopefully I can help Gateshead get promotion as well as bringing on the young lads.”

The under 19s’ first match of the season immediately follows the first team game when they take on Coventry Bears with a 3.30pm kick-off.

The irregular order of the games is to give Gateshead Thunder an early departure time as they make the long journey back to the north east of England.

The Scorpions youngsters compete in a six-team league this season with Championship 1 sides Hemel Stags, London Skolars, Gloucestershire All Golds and Oxford also fielding academy outfits.

In the majority of cases, matches will be curtain raisers to the respective encounters in Championship 1.

The Scorpions have prepared for this game with a friendly where a fortnight ago they defeated Gwendraeth Valley Raiders’ senior side 60-18.

Head coach Jon Ellis said: “We’re really looking forward to the start of the season and taking on Coventry Bears this Sunday.

“We’ve a 24-man squad when we initially started with 60 attending trials in early March. We have some amazing athletes in the squad who should go further in the sport.

“We’re pleased that we played the friendly against the Raiders. We wanted to give our players a physical test and that’s what they got. The players handled themselves really well against a massive forward pack.

“We’ll now move into the season with our ethos of hard work mental toughness and ruthlessness, and see where we end up in the league this year. We’ll give it our best shot that’s for sure.”

Finally, on Saturday, the South Wales under 16 Scholarship side travel to Harvey Hadden Stadium in Nottingham to face Midlands Hurricanes – a Rugby Football League funded regional academy side.

The younger Scorpions are going into this game off the back of a competitive 44-30 home win over North East Thunder last month.

The encounter kicks off at midday with the Hurricanes’ under 20s side taking on Leigh Centurions at 2.30pm.

 “We’re expecting another tough game,” Ellis added.

 “We’re looking forward to the trip and we’ll do our best to get our second win in a row.”

SCORPIONS SENIORS SIDE v GATESHEAD (from):

Jordan Sheridan, Chris Leyshon, Dai Hellard, Paul Emanuelli, Phil Carleton, Chris Vitalini, Connor Farrer, Matt Wilcox, Harrison Elliot, Osian Phillips, Alan Pope, Owain Davies, Scott Britton, Ashley Bateman, Mike Connor, Alex Randall, Ian Newbury, Rhys Fitzgerald, Richard East, Scott Giles.

SCORPIONS UNDER 19 SIDE v COVENTRY

(from, current school and any previous sides in brackets): Ed Howley, Alex King, Marcus Webb (all Bridgend College / South Wales U16 Academy 2013), Cameron O’Sullivan (Bridgend College),  Joseph Symons (Brynteg Comprehensive / South Wales U18 Academy 2013), Gethyn Lloyd (Maesteg School RL Academy), Rhys Brownsell, Harry Boots, Regan Grace, Morgan Jefferies, Ben Jones, Shane Lee, Dan Maiden, Liam Maule, Jordan Thomas, Zak Williams (all Maesteg School RL Academy / South Wales U16 Academy 2013), Rhys Davies (Coleg Gwent / South Wales U18 Academy 2013), James Taylor (Gower College / South Gower Rebels), Paul Edwards (Neath Port Talbot College / Valley Cougars), Calvin Wellington (St Joseph’s School, Port Talbot / South Wales U16 Academy 2013), Curtis Davies, Connor Davies (Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera / South Wales U16 Academy 2013), Jo Festa, Jack Marshall (both South Wales U18 Academy 2013).

Article source: http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-local-players-make-england-debuts-1-6005709

South Wales Scorpions set for rugby league Bank Holiday bonanza