Scorpions chairman pleased with progress

Correspondent

South Wales Scorpions’ chairman Phil Davies is delighted about how his side have approached their first season in professional Rugby League.

The Scorpions need just one point from their last two games to qualify for the play-offs and could clinch it this Sunday in their final home game of the season against York City Knights at The Gnoll (kick-off 1pm).

But Davies, who is also a director at Port Talbot Town Football Club, says that win, lose or draw on Sunday, he is proud of his team.

“We came to fruition in late December last year, we had our first trials in January, and the staff were employed from February 1st,” he said. “We kicked off less than four weeks later and beat established and former Super League club Workington Town in our very first match.

“I’m proud of everyone who has played for and worked for the club this year. They’ve all done an outstanding job to get us into the position that just one point is needed for us to make the play-offs.

“We’ve taken on the best clubs that this level of rugby league has to offer, beaten some and run others close.

“The Workington match was a particular highlight but the game that really showed that we had made it as a team was our outstanding performance against Oldham a couple of weeks ago when we beat them 42-24 on their own ground. I, and the other directors, were shouting the roof off at the Whitebank Stadium that day because we are fans like everyone else and love it when our club and Wales do well.”

Davies is pleased that the majority of Anthony Seibold’s squad are Welsh.

“Let’s put into perspective how well we’ve done so far this season,” he adds. “In total, we’ve used 33 players, 24 of whom are Welsh born and bred with another four who are Welsh qualified. Of the other five, only Loz Wildbore has been a regular so we have been near to 100% Welsh all year.

“Nine wins out of 18 is an excellent statistic for our boys. I’d like to thank all of them for their efforts as well as all the fans who have supported us throughout 2010.

“But we need one more burst of energy from the fans. Come to The Gnoll this Sunday and shout until you’re hoarse. Bring your friends, especially those who have not seen our club before. Let’s make this a game and occasion to remember.”