Rugby: Llandudno ready for cup challenge

Dec 18 2008 By Tim Channon

LLANDUDNO expect to have a near full strength squad available for the biggest game in their history against Welsh Premiership Ebbw Vale in the third round of Swalec Cup at Maesdu Road on Saturday (2pm).

  Skipper Stef Woodward remains the one major doubt with a hamstring injury.

  “We got a few scrapes and bumps at Llandiloes last Saturday but everybody  else should be OK,” said coach Jason Roberts.

 “Obviously its a huge challenge  for us,  but it is also  a great opportunity for our exciting young backs.

 “If some of them have got aspirations of playing at a higher level then this is a match that will  show if they have what it takes.”

 Llandudno will have a final training session on Friday night in preparation  for the  game.

Ebbw Vale  are travelling north on Friday and staying in the town overnight.

 Team manager Alan Evans said: “We have had a few nasty injuries over the last fortnight, but will  be bringing the strongest team we can.

 “Obviously Llandudno are a totally unknown quantity, but we are  looking forward to the game.”

 Between  200 to 300  fans are expected  make  the journey and Iain Swanson of the supporters club said: “We have very good away support and a lot of fans are looking forward to going to Llandudno as it something a bit  different.”

 Ebbw Vale have  just had  four straight league defeats in row, which has dropped them to ninth place in the Premiership table, but  20 members of their  squad have represented Wales at Under-16  level or higher, including  seven at Under-21, and  No 8 Gavin Lucas  has also played for top clubs  Bridgend, Newport, Pontypool and Cardiff.

  Conwy council are working on the Maesdu Road pitch all this week to make sure it is in the best possible condition.

 There is no admission charge due to it being an open field,  but   a  commemorative programme will be on sale to spectators.

  “Having never had a game as big as this before we just don’t know what sort of a crowd to expect,” said Llandudno president Howie Roberts.

 “But  we have got plenty of people acting as stewards and we’re calling on local rugby people to come out and give us their support us.”

  The police are not allowing any street parking by the ground, but spectators will be able to  park at  Ysgol John Bright.

  The club resisted switching the game to the Eirias Park arena,  and Howie Roberts added: “We felt we owed it to the players, the town and everybody connected with the club to play it on our own pitch.

 “We are not out to make money, we just want to make history.”

 Llandudno go into the game on the back of five straight wins after a 14-12 away victory at Llanidloes.

   All Llandudno’s points came in the first half, with tries from winger Steve Lester and flanker Ed Weston, and two conversions by Rhodri Carlton Jones to lead 14-6 at half-time, and although they kept control in the second half,  they were  unable to add to their score in their heavy conditions.