South Wales Warriors Ready To Silence Thunder

By Twm Owen

Head coach Geraint Roberts says his winless South Wales Warriors still have grounds for optimism as they approach what is expected to be their toughest test of the season.

The Warriors host early pace-setters the Sussex Thunder on Sunday (2.30pm) having lost their two opening British American Football Association (BAFA) National League Division One Central fixtures at their Llanharan home.

An error-strewn performance saw the Warriors defeated by the newly promoted Oxford Saints last time out having lost their first Division One fixture, since stepping down from the Premiership, to the Ouse Valley Eagles by just two points.

But Roberts says there will be no crying over spilt milk at the Dairy Field.

“We’ve got to have confidence,” he says.

“We know we can do better, it’s not a case of we’re doing our best. It’s a case of we need to execute and for our guys to do their jobs.

“We just need to be more clinical. We know the playbook works. We’ve just got to do it on the day.”

The Thunder are undefeated having racked up 58 points and conceded just eight in their opening two fixtures and Sunday’s visit to South Wales will be their third successive road fixture.

The Brighton- based side have so far rewarded the faith of those who tipped them for success ahead of the season.

“I believe they are the favourites for the division and are looking to take a place in the Premiership next year,” says Roberts.

“From the film we’ve watched they’ve got good receivers, a strong running game and a very strong front eight on defense.”

The Thunder opened their season with a convincing 35-8 victory in Oxford and while the Saints were condemning the Warriors to a 13-6 defeat Sussex shutout the Solent Thrashers in Southampton, scoring 23 points.

Veteran quarterback Eber Kington has already thrown for five touchdown passes this season, including three against Solent, and he and his receivers are likely to pose the toughest aerial challenge to the Warriors defense yet.

Against Oxford the Warriors gave up 196 rushing yards; 156 of them and the game’s two touchdowns to Great Britain running back James Walter – who the defenders never got to grips with.

Thunder RB Ben Chukw-Onu rushed for 208 yards and a touchdown against Solent and has set himself a personal target of gaining at least 100 yards a game.

The Warriors have traditionally relied on their running game but RB Josh Hughes was one of several key players unavailable against the Saints. However wide receiver Nick Keyse returned to the side, after almost a year out through injury, which probably encouraged the Warriors to attempt 45 passes against the Saints.

A combination of dropped balls and pressure from the Saints saw only 11 of those completed but for an impressive 208 yards and one touchdown.

However the score came inside the final minute of the game after French QB Max Ayoul had relieved starter Dean Jackson but Roberts has confirmed Jackson will retain the starting position.  The Warriors had also left it late to score against the Eagles and have yet to register a first half score this year something Roberts has acknowledged needs to be addressed.

Sunday’s fixture is at the Dairy Field, Llanharan RFC and entry is free while the clubhouse is also open.