Scorpions reserves face Halifax this Saturday in Caerphilly

With no South Wales Scorpions first team game this weekend, all attention focuses to their already successful reserve side as they take on Halifax’s second string at Caerphilly RFC on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).

Formed at the start of the year as an under 20s side, the recruitment by South Wales’ only professional outfit has increased and they’ve now evolved into a fully-fledged reserve team with players already having been promoted to the first team.

Last week, in the narrow defeat at Coventry Bears, 20-year old winger Rhys Gant, who has come up via the academy system, starting in the South Wales under 16s, made his first team debut and was considered by many to be one of the best performers on the day.

This match against Halifax, a return leg after the Scorpions were beaten up north in January this year, will be a chance for more of the up and coming South Wales talent to shine as the club’s head coach Phil Carleton explains.

“Rhys Gant was outstanding last week,” Carleton said. “He had a tough job asked of him. Jamie Murphy had a bit of a back problem so he had to deputise at full-back for a while and did very well. He didn’t drop a ball and he didn’t falter in defence or attack.

“We’ve a lot of young talent at the club and it’s nice to see them coming through. There’s more underneath, some are knocking on the door at the first team so the next couple of months, even years will be very interesting indeed. You’ll be able to see many of those really good players in action against Halifax in Caerphilly this Saturday.”

So far this season, the reserves have faced their peers from Halifax, Hemel Stags, Longhorns (Ireland), Oxford and Salford Red Devils, along with Bridgend Blue Bulls’ first team and Scotland under 20s.

Scorpions’ reserves head coach Paul Emanuelli is also delighted about how his players are progressing.

“Zak has become a regular fixture with seniors,” he said. “Sion Jones, who was at Widnes last year, is now the same after taking his chance.

“Rhys Gant and Ben Jones have played one first team each and Jake Thomas has been 18th man four times so is very close to getting a shot.

“Ethan Coombes and Lewis Hughes have also trained regularly and have been in 19-man squads for the first team.

“All these boys are under consideration for a development contract next season.

“Turn up on Saturday in Caerphilly and you’ll see most of these lads in action and hopefully you’ll see how well they play.”

Admission to the Saturday’s reserve team game – South Wales Scorpions v Halifax – is £3 for adults and £1 for juniors.

What do you think?

Post on our forum – http://swscorpionsrl.proboards.com/