Vitalini looking forward to making 50th Scorpions appearance in Cardiff

South Wales Scorpions’ team captain Chris Vitalini is looking forward to making his 50^thappearance for the club when they take on North Wales Crusaders in the Big Welsh Derby at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday 4^th June (kick-off 5pm).

The 29-year old from Newport becomes the eighth player to hit this landmark for the Scorpions. Welsh international Christiaan Roets will join him soon, he’s set to run out for the Scorpions for the 49^th time in the same game.

Vitalini started his professional career with Celtic Crusaders as a trainee, signing from Newport Titans in 2006 after starring for Wales under 19s, where he was directly up against a young Israel Folau in his first game.

In June 2009 when he was close to breaking into the Celtic Crusaders Super League squad, he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. After two years of operations, the last one that took place in the summer of 2011 was a complete success.

A full Italian international, he recently had a couple of spells at Gloucestershire All Golds before returning to the Scorpions permanently for the start of the 2016 season.

Vitalini said: “What a great occasion to mark my 50th appearance for South Wales Scorpions at the Big Welsh Derby. It’s great to be able to do so at the iconic BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. I live in Cardiff now so will be great to run out for my 50th appearance on my doorstep.

“I have only ever played at the Arms Park once before, with the Scorpions a couple of years ago against London Skolars and that was a great day. The atmosphere was electric and there was plenty of support from a lot of the community clubs who played earlier that day, which was great to see.

“We managed to pick up the win that day with a drop goal from Paul Emanuelli which was just rewards for a great team performance. I can’t wait to get that buzz again running out to such a great support.”

The day starts at 12.30pm with a Conference League South match between local rivals Valley Cougars and Torfaen Tigers before Super League Academy side Salford Red Devils give South Wales Scorpions’ under 20s their biggest test yet at 2.30pm. The Big Welsh Derby between Scorpions and Crusaders in Kingstone Press League 1 concludes the day.

Last year’s match against the Crusaders at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park was close going into half-time with the North Wales side securing the win in the second half. Vitalini thinks that this year’s game could be closer and are in with a chance of winning.

“We are disappointed with our results lately,” he said. “Some of the score-lines are not reflecting the games but we have to learn from our mistakes. If we can stay in the arm wrestle I anticipate a close game. The boys will be raring to go playing in the Arms Park and in front of a healthy crowd. We have a point to prove and hopefully we will do that next week.

“I’m delighted that the day itself is showcasing the best we have to offer at all levels in Wales. We’ve our two top community sides Valley Cougars v Torfaen Tigers to start with, then the Scorpions under 20s take on Salford Red Devils, which will be their biggest test so far coming up against a Super League academy.

“I can’t wait for the whole day and I’m sure we’ll get a big crowd cheering us on.”

Tickets for the whole day cost just £10 for adults, £5 concessions and £1 for juniors. Hospitality tickets are priced at £30 per person or £250 for a table of ten. This ticket includes access to all three matches plus a celebrity dinner featuring the three former Wales and Great Britain stars. They can be bought by going to www.scorpionsrl.com.

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