Who Doesn't Like a Good Comeback - The SRC Podcast - The SRC Podcast

Kicking Off: Welcome to the SRC Podcast & Early Banter This week on the SRC Podcast, we cover all things round three of the SRC Cup and teach you how to overturn 1/2 time deficit. Keep Hello and welcome to this week's edition of the SRC Podcast. Joining me, Big M, as always, the one and only double R Mr. Rob Reese. Good evening my friend. How are we? Speaker 2 Yeah, still drying out, but it's, you know, I'm running down at the moment, am I? Speaker 1 It's not too bad, Not too bad. I mean I'm only like 6 inches deep in water when I step on the outside and. Speaker 2 Thank God who said water. Thank God. Hang on, let me just ask got to be clip that as. Speaker 1 We know we're not past the watershed yet. It's not last week. Let less of that in the. Speaker 2 Group I won't leave them in. Clip that for me. Speaker 1 So that I think, I think Rob has just found his title for this week's episode of the party. Newport's Comeback: Analyzing Cardiff vs. Newport in Pool A So why don't we talk about some sense, some rugby first because round three of the SRC Cup has come and gone. There was a postponement in there, Pontypool Command and claims did not happen but the other game in Pool A did which was Cardiff against Newport. And there was a running theme in all this week's games where the half time score, well it didn't give us much to go on today. So if we just look at this first Cardiff, Newport, I mean 12 nil up Cardiff first half and honestly from the squad selected, I thought Cardiff were weren't going to put up as much of a fight as what they did, especially in that first 40. I believe Bailey cuts on debut again, a try in the first half and a penalty try to boot, giving them a nice hefty lead. But then that second-half it was, you know, we're going to be saying this a few times, but very much a tale of two halves in all these games. Newport come out and just they just turn up and do 1. Newport unable to do, you know, running five tries, 33 seven, you know, in the second-half, finishing 3319 winners. Not quite the six pointer, which I think they'd probably be disappointed with, you know, before going into the match. But you know, given how it unfolded, they probably not as annoyed with that. You know, they're in a sit in a very, very good position now in this pool. Speaker 2 Yeah, it's a bit of a weird one to me. Most of us, if not all of us, went Cardiff with the predictions, right? And then the team news came out and I think we called Cardiff everything under the sun in the group chat because rightly so. The fuck has named a second in string? Speaker 1 It wasn't that bad guy. It wasn't. It wasn't the strongest, but it wasn't the second string. Speaker 2 You know I've seen a score but he the more you know them. Bastards. Name a stronger squad than Cardiff's team to play. Newport thrown it away yet again. They lose a couple of games in a cup and pack it in. Honestly, they fear whatever players done they look they're likely to post in blow over if I'm honest with Newport. Speaker 1 Oh wow, you really don't. Don't want. Yeah, outside the able veil. Yeah, you really don't care. Speaker 2 Just attack people. Speaker 1 Just the type of pairs we are so you know. Speaker 2 The the Newport song sort squad was just too strong, right. I mean, I am surprised he didn't get into the game a bit sooner. But maybe that's a relative unknown of Cardiff. And, and while they were putting together, you know, maybe Newport took a little bit for granted in there, but as you say, put some 13 points after three, seven points ahead of anybody else. And it's it's a difficult pool to call because you've got everybody else is on two games, Quinns is on one, Quinns and Cardiff haven't got any points. Then you go to RDC and Poole who were on 6 and they're at the Newport on 13. They're going to go through now. They will like ultimately top 2GO through to the cup, top 4. So they guaranteed a plate spot basically. That's that's how they're going to finish. They guaranteed a plate spot. So they'll be playing rugby now for the next 4 week. Well, three weeks guaranteed, possibly 4. And yeah, yeah, I just feel that this is a good opportunity for for Newport because this pool now isn't turning in to be the strongest as we may have thought it'd have been. I mean, Quinn's maybe a bit struggling for form at the moment. I know it's difficult to judge. They cut, cut, run off 1. But yeah, I think you've got to be relatively pleased and to wrap up the conditions with five points. I think that's got to be taken into consideration as well. Speaker 1 Yeah, I mean, it has been in hell for the country for for rugby these last few weeks now. And you know, there's no real light at the end of the tunnel when any of this rain or wind is going to stop because pitches are just they're just not surviving the amount of postponements. Like I know we get the normal postponements this time of year, but I we didn't see this sort of damage in the SRC Cup last season. So it's you know, it's been rather unfortunate, but you know, talking about Pool A overall, I know you just run through it, but there, you know, two teams on 02 on 6 and obviously Newport flying high on 13. It's opened everything up with, you know, the draw from Pontypool, Cardiff losing to RGC is really, really hard to predict who you know, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. Like obviously Newport, I firmly believe they do have it wrapped up, although, you know, they they again this week is going to be rather interesting when we come to cover it. You know, the the Pooler come on. Then game again postponed. You know, I'm struggling to see that again replayed now. So that's probably going to go for the draw. You know that I'm expecting 2 points each. I don't think they won't be generous enough to give them three. So this it's very, very open outside of Newport. So two weeks ago, still a lot of play for in there. So I'll keep your eyes open and I'll be honest, the way way it's looking now is not how it's going to look in a week or even 2 weeks time. Speaker 2 Exactly. I think he's one of those ones. And then when everybody's bouncing around each other because of the games in hand. And I probably I'll cover off the bit of a structure after we discuss pool B to be honest, because I think the the layout cap has has affected the alt. But now around a bit of weather and how people got to play games. Speaker 1 Yeah. So that's Pool A done and dusted. Pitch Battles: Ebbw Vale's Comeback Against Aberavon Let's go down to Pool B and we'll start where you can have a bit of a smile on your face, but you don't get a smile for the 1st 40 minutes because Oh no, you know, something happened that we no one really expected. John didn't expect it. I honestly probably 99% of Abravan didn't expect it. So Abravan travelling to Eugene Cross, no. Speaker 2 Martin It was played at the fucking where Martin because of. Speaker 1 The same. Speaker 2 Fucking scheduling that everybody's rammed in that we are forced to move a game to a shitty fucking pitch across fucking Merthyr fucking council estate. No, we are in the park. We can't park anywhere except for the tiny car park they put in. The pitch is absolutely bullshit. The fucking first half. So fucking 2 Acls and a fucking likely dislocation of a shoulder. Combine it with the weather. Speaker 1 I mean, I knew you were going to bite my head off the second I mentioned Eugene there, but Jesus not happy with the state of the pitch is what Rob is obviously saying. But on to the rugby side of things, you know, Abraham pulled out a performance that we didn't expect and we haven't seen for, you know, probably the first two months of the season, you know, to be even though it wasn't at Ebbw Vale's home field to go in leading at half time. No 1310 is really it wasn't on the cards at all. You know, Ebbw Vale obviously named, I think named an identical 22, you know, to do it postponed game the week before. I think the only change was Morgan Reese coming in for Ethan Phillips. Speaker 2 And that actually changed. So Dylan pulled out in pregame, Moreton came in at full back and anything comes into the 23. Speaker 1 So it's still 22 of the 23 exactly this game would have been, would have been nice to have known that, but obviously I don't, I don't go to the games. So unfortunately I don't get to see that. Speaker 2 Name a block called Jamie for that either on either on the Twitter Jamie, Jamie or Phil Steel. They call him Giovanni. Speaker 1 All right, so now we'll go to putting a smile on your face. So obviously 1013 down at, you know, the start of the 2nd and still it wasn't all one way. Realistically if we'll, OK, I'm being a bit pedantic but yeah. But a penalty try is the difference in this game. Speaker 2 Yeah, it's a bit of a weird game to call, really. I thought Ashton Evans had a really good game again for for Aberavon and sort of LED LED a bit of a a good pack performance. St. the strum really struggled for Aberavon when when Ebervale brought the the sort of replacement front row on. But up until then, you know, it was solid. They they give the line out a bit of a a problem for Ebbw Vale in the first half as well. So it's probably contributing and taking away the set piece and that's giving them the platform to go in in a tight game. And if you want to know just what the weather conditions are like, the photographer's camera was focusing on the raindrops when he was taking his shots. That's, that's how poor the weather was. So it's one of those ones. It's, even though you're on a plastic pitch, the, the conditions to play rugby in are just absolutely horrendous. And, and apparently the both team, they, they, they've given it a bit of a bash. I think again, that bit of a strength across the squad settling the set piece in our second-half has has really boosted Ebbw Vale and that's where they've they've pulled through. But it's it's one of those games you just you move the game, you know, from from one ground to another. The conditions you lose a player from the start in 15 in the warm up or you know, pre game, you then have an ACL and a spot. Well, sublocation. Is it dislocation? Whatever it is with the with the in shoulder injury in the first half, you have another ACL or likely ACL in the second-half. It stop start all the time and yeah, when you have injuries like those that take a bit of gas and aid in some circumstances, take a couple of minutes to at least clear the pitch. In those conditions, you're getting cold, you know, you're losing any momentum and starting over. So the 56 points to be scored, I think is is actually a good game. And and like you said, credit to Abravan when he played Ebbw Vale, and I know that might be a different story back first game of the season or whatever it was. It was a six point for Ebbw Vale. And and again, right, the game at tag wasn't quite as dominant. So you can see the progression because I'll be honest, Aberavon did did lose it by a couple of scores in the end down at tag, but they were closer, they looked more dangerous. And again, they've they've evolved and adapted yet again onto that into into this one. So I think, I think they'll take a little bit from this. I think the only problem for Aberavon is they're three games in and and they're only taking bonus points. Ultimately, yes, this is a difficult pool and they played land every and Ebbw Vale at this stage, but double Gen. fixtures hurt them and it and it will do. Although I guess, you know, you look at the wider table at the moment, yes, they've played three games, yeah, Swansea's below them. No points were only played one Bridgend and above them by one point, but have played a game less and then they are above them on by two and have played two less. But if they can take a few points, you're all there. That Swansea fixture could be absolutely crucial to them getting a plate spot. Speaker 1 Yeah. Speaker 2 In reality. Speaker 1 This performance is really, you know, thrown me a little bit on one big prediction for the game this week. But seen as you you were at the match this week, there's two players that I'd like to get a bit more info on. One that we haven't seen. Well, one that hasn't started since that opening fixture of the season for Aberavon was there 13. Sam Matthews, he's a young boy, you know, new in the season playing. They'd played thirteen, yes, scored a try. So, you know, well done with him. And you had a new 10 obviously. I know you've mentioned Dorian Jones has, you know, left the club now for for the season. Speaker 2 Yeah, it is because he is registration basically, he can't play. He was going back out to the States. So land, well the land every game he was there, there. It's a bit of a water boy should we say, But he's he's played his rugby for the season now. Speaker 1 Yeah, so you've brought in from the Dragons Academy, Will Ford. So, you know, three conversions and a penalty, you know, decent from the board. How how how was his game? Because, you know, this is a young boy, obviously I I believe in he's highly Ford's little brother. You know, that kind of logical sense were there. So we know how good of a player he is. So what? What have we seen from the junior? Speaker 2 Is do you know what I think? And again, I, I give the conditions a bit with this, a lot of credit, especially for players kicking. You're putting over a lot of crucial points and you can see if he doesn't, he nails 50% of those kicks, they lose, you know what I mean? So that's the sort of the difference in in games like this. You can see he's young, you can see he's very inexperienced. You know, he's he didn't make any major mistakes. But you can see that sort of very similar to what Quinn's I've seen this season behind the pack. A bit of, you know, trying something and it doesn't quite work or a bit of a trying to be a bit more elusive than than perhaps needs to be given the conditions and just finding your feet and and you get caught out just a little bit then, but nothing, nothing major. I, you know, as someone who's coming in on relatively short notice and in, in a, in a, in a tough game, you know, Aberavon had a really good opening 40 minutes as well to to put a bit of pressure on him and then around the set piece he was playing off back football quite often, which is not a usual thing to say for a, for an Ebbw Vale fly half. It's it's difficult then because how would you judge someone and a bit of context, But yeah, now he's gone. He's gone really solidly. I will say and depending on how Evans injury has now come out of this game, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw him for the for a good large chunk of time, if not the rest of this period. Yeah, I know it that land every game could be so crucial. But we're going to well, I'm going to say we're going to see the Swansea game played before that point. We may not. You know, it sounds ridiculous, but you never quite you could have never quite know. But at that point you start going out, actually the league's going to be the focus and I think that is for the club. I'll be honest. Now they've named a change squad to play the Swansea game. It never was the same again today now from their usual league sort of side and you just get that feeling that they do want that league more than the cup that they can't they they got they can't spread their eggs across 2 baskets as as easily, especially now there's there's a couple more injuries yeah. Speaker 1 Exactly. You know, we we'll, we'll get into it more when when the league kicks back off. But obviously we spoke last season about depth, about peaking, etcetera, etcetera. And we we will get into more that as this cup run and plate we should not fail to mention comes to a close. Tale of Two Halves: Llandovery's Dominance Over Bridgend The other game in Pool B saw Bridgend travel at the Cland every year. You know, Bridgend have played three games in the last three weeks, you know, including a league fixture. So you know, lucky for them to actually get a bit of match fitness and momentum going. And it actually looked like it was showing, you know, they managed to go 10 nil up in the first half at Church Bank, which you know, it it it's not exactly an easy thing to do to really hold out Llandovery for that long. The only caveat I will say is this was one of I think only the second game that Joan and that not you and I was a Steph. Jack Jones has started for the drovers this season and he OK, we we we know the half backs at Fandang. We aren't exactly the biggest anyway. You know, levy some year one who was the main guys. You know, I believe Steph Jack is standard like 5 foot 5. So like I so he's quite diminutive. I can't comment on how well he performed in this game or not, but the second-half really told a tale. You know, so 33 points to seven. It ended being drove his favor in this that second 40 and it it was very much a case of, you know, I think it was at the 49th 50th minute job has got his first try with Steph Jack still on the pitch and then he went off Yohan who's came on and another 26 points came in. Obviously there are other factors at play there, but it seems to tell a bit of a story that found every really need, you know, 1 of Yohan who's and Lewis firing, you know, at the best to really get the best out of this team. We see so much talent throughout versus all these. These boys are the glue these two. And if one of them is not there, and especially if both of them are not there, then standards do tend to drop. Speaker 2 Yeah, I think that just goes to show the experience. I mean, we've just mentioned it around will forward, but somebody of of your one's experience and of Lee's experience certainly and and and working together in those crucial sort of like pivotal roles that you work off of each other sort of thing does make that difference. And I'll be honest, Bridgend, they'll be disappointed if they ever made more out of this game because when you've got someone like land every up against the ropes at that stage, they get in no points. They've walked away with six to go, 18 out of 18. And you just get that feeling that it's, it's the direction, you know, they, they've, they've let land every off the hook, you know, land every have taken they, they, you know, has taken a risk. You rotate, etcetera. Play your youngsters, play the and, and I mean this in the in, in the nicest way, but you're less of quality players. You're not your first choice players. You have to punish teams when they do that, whether it's taking points off them so they don't get as many points as they expect because land every would have expected 6 points out of Bridgend. And especially in those conditions when you're 10 nil down, you think and right, we we're chasing the game by you. And again, the quality of the bench just goes to show and it's disappointing because the we said about Bridgend trying to put performances in and the Molly did blah, blah. And a couple of weeks ago I was going right, this is it is this that, you know, getting into people. And yet again, they, they start quickly against teams. They dent they dent against Newport this season again, Newport last season, they get into a team Ebbw Vale game was was really tight down down their place and you're going this is a good side and they tail away. So I don't know if it's a fitness issue as well. I mean, they they they're not controlling games through that second 40. And again, it comes out to that discipline both over in one in terms of how many penalties you're giving away, but also and how you're conducting yourself and how you go about your business and, and playing smart, not allowing the opposition to have that ball or playing your exits right and getting your territory in the right areas of the field. Playing your ball. Because when when you've got that lead, A2 score lead, you've got to be able to hold on and utilize it and build from it. So they should be disappointed. I'll be honest, yeah. Speaker 1 They really should think they do want to work on, you know, because this is though the two weeks in a row they've done the exact same thing to Carmarthen Queens. I think it was actually 1011 half time as well in that game. And they just weren't able to keep the pressure going. And you know, they were they were lucky enough in that I say lucky they were able to pull back in that Queens game and get the draw. But this one, you know, it was a bit of a different outfit with San Devi and they really pulled away. I mean, looking at, you know, San Devi and you know, this squad is it is ridiculous. And I know we say all the time, but you know when and I know these are really top, top and no, they're coming in to becoming professional players now. But Josh Morrison, Harry Thomas, you know, those boys started, but you know, neither had played a game in like a month, maybe longer, you know, and especially if we're talking just Llandovery. So, you know, pulling boys in cold like that. I mean, they had Liam Tobias as a replacement tight head. As far as I knew before this weekend, he was still a Bridgend player. So that that was that that tickled my fancy a little bit for there. That was quite an interesting name to see pop up. But you know, we we can see that, you know, the the usual suspects of Aaron and Adam Warren. No, they're not in there. Obviously Jack Davis is more or less full on with the Scarlets now. So that 15 shirt, it has really moved. He's moved about between Jack Maynard and Kean Abraham. You know, Kean is is a player I really liked as well. But this this isn't the settle sort of drover side we saw, you know, go through to win multiple cups and leagues and really, really become a dominant force. So it'll. Speaker 2 Be interesting transition, right? Like they lost Jack Jones couple of seasons ago. You can sort of see Persic Berry and Watkins unconfirmed, but you know, if they called it as you know, time at the end of the season, you it wouldn't surprise me. Lee Reese is calling at time at the end of the year. You see in less of the players that are, you know, pushing through the 30s now and they are trying to get that. They play with a lot of Scarlets. You know, whether people like it or not, whether it's working or not, they're playing with a, you know, a good allocation and that's that's never been land every they've typically been the Welsh sevens in the back line, you know, 10-15 years ago, run it through with A7 CDs, you know, with the likes of Lee recent. Speaker 1 And it seems Rob has disappeared. He has been claiming problems with his Wi-Fi this evening and it seems as though he's gone on this. Speaker 2 Out out of the. Speaker 1 He's back. You disappear. Speaker 2 This is a minute ago, I've lost you and I just chatting fucking shit to myself for a fucking minute. Speaker 1 Yeah, you were talking about going back to. Speaker 2 Talk, talk Wi-Fi. It's nearly as bad as Mirtha's pitch. Speaker 1 Oh, he's really hurt. He's. Speaker 2 Really hit that. Speaker 1 Dog shit. So you you mentioned the allocation there. I'll just run through some of the boys that are that we're actually because they weren't a great deal. It was, you know, Steph, Jack Jones, I've already mentioned T and Sparrow at 7, Kai Jones at lock, Harry Thomas, Josh Morris, hooker and loose head. And they also had another loose head, Tom Phillips on the bench. So it's not a massive amount. But when you're talking last season, you know, Josh Morris and Harry Thomas were solely there as as in they only played for well, like say when they played like 90% of the rugby were found every. So, you know, it is massively different when you have when you've got a proper transition player who is not there every single week. It makes things open. And you know, it's interesting to see how it's unfold now, because this would, you could argue these last two weeks have been the easier games. You know, Abraham and Bridgend for Santevo in this group. And now they've got a week off before Ebbw Vale. So is it the way I would have probably gone to prepare for that game knowing there's there's a gap week? I'm not sure, but only time will tell. Gridlock in Pool B: Postponements and Future Implications So a quick look at Pool B's table will tell us that currently, duh, duh, duh. Vande VR top three from three with 18 and then everyone else is just gridlocked. Ebbw Vale one game, five points. Bridgend two games, four points. Aberavon three games, three points. Swansea one game, zero points. So like don't get me wrong, we are all expecting Ebbw Vale to be that second team or even that or even first place depending on how that game in a fortnight goes. But you know first and second, even without the games being played we're pretty comfortable. Saying that's locked up is just how these bottom 3 go. Who won't be going for a semi final in the plate? Speaker 2 I'll be honest, I think a lot of this and and and more on the positioning of of the top 2 and maybe you guess that the plate spot depends on the Ebbw Vale Swansea game now for me, because that's going to be a Wednesday night. So it's either a Wednesday night in between two games. Speaker 1 Could be a draw, could be a force draw. Speaker 2 But the the problem is if if they go for the draw is no good for Ebbw Vale. Basically that's that's the problem you've got is a. Speaker 1 If you're listening to audio, please switch over to the visual on YouTube right now. This lock on Rob's face is absolutely. Speaker 2 Head to head, yo. Speaker 1 You cut that again, mate. I'm sorry. Anyway, you're the really, really lovely pause. I know you're not happy and we'll, we'll move on quick. We'll move on quick this group very interesting that the postponed games are playing a massive massive part so give or take halfway through like share subscribe to the thing height might be a shop underneath if you're watching on YouTube about the gander. We had nothing to do with it. I'm sorry, I'm putting my hands up. So you know if it's great we did it, if it's not, you know, with me. Predicting Pool A: Queens vs. Cardiff & Newport vs. RGC OK, so if we go on to round 4 now and hopefully we will get all four fixtures played this week, something we haven't been able to say, you know, this past week or so. And first up, we have got the in Pool A Carmarthen Queens at home to Cardiff. Now again, this it's a tricky one you've already touched on. We've only really seen 40 minutes of Quinn's in in this cup competition. And they obviously they had the the draw with Bridgend, which is kind of hard really to take, you know, to see exactly where they are. And then Cardiff have they seem to have imploded like I, I know they do it every year they bring in some extra youngsters through to the cup, but I honestly thought we'd have seen them competing for the top 2 spots. Not realistically actually they're looking at 4th or even 5th right now just because of you know, that loss to RGC is really hurt them. They've now got to go to Carmarthen Park and obviously Carmarthen they wouldn't have their tails up, but they won't be tasked between the leg either. So, you know, it's, it's a really tough time for Cardiff losing 2 games already and I'm obviously I'm back in Quinn's all the way. It's it's what I'm going to do. I back him for the plate though, obviously because I'm hoping for the third place finish and higher seeds in that, you know, when a nice home semi final final would go down a treat. But yeah, I'm I don't expect Cardiff to come fully loaded, especially now knowing they're not in that fight for the cup. Speaker 2 Yeah, it's it's really difficult because Cardiff are the sort of team now that turn it around and like just feel the really strong team randomly once. But I'll be honest, like I don't know, I don't know how to approach this because Quinns have got their front row injury issues which Newport took advantage of and we'll go from there. But you then have a Cardiff team who are still relatively strong, but again, changing it up on on effectively a whim. I, I don't know which way to go on this. I think because twins are a little bit less match prepped and have still got injury issues. I'm going to say Cardiff and I'll be honest, we're going to go from there. Speaker 1 OK, but the real question is what? What is Bucky, the man that's not here, that should be here? He didn't give us a reason. Speaker 2 What? Yeah, he's just, he's just shouting that he's online. Speaker 1 Another draw, another draw. This becomes a draw. I'm not going to be happy with this. Speaker 2 In fairness, I think he also said he was, he predicted A postponement. So. Speaker 1 Yeah, he he probably did know him. So now on to the other game in this group. And this is actually turned out to be quite an important game in where the 2nd, 3rd, 4th are going to finish up because RGC are travelling down to Newport. And now while Newport are obviously very strong, we they've shown what they can do in their field matches in this cup already. You know, that victory over Cardiff, I mean, I can't remember what was the score with them. And like they ran Pontypool close at Poole Park as well. RGC did. So they they're not going to be mugs. I I like I, I don't think they've got quite enough to to beat Newport, you know, depending on what sides, but we are expecting Billy McBride back. Obviously that that does need to be said. But will Newport get all six? I, I'm not fully sold. I mean, it's going to be a fun watch. I, I think this is going to be probably the game of the round to really be. If you, if you get a chance to go somewhere and watch a game if you want, you know, a lot of running rugby, a lot of tries, then I, I think this is the one for you. Get a Newport watch Newport RGC. Speaker 2 Yeah, this is actually probably going to be one of the best games. I think we'll see in the Cup. As you say, there's two teams playing good rugby. They they play similar sort of styles in terms of they want to play fast, they want to play open. I don't think Newport at the moment are at a stage of playing some set piece rugby or not overly playing off it. The pack isn't in the greatest of form but being in Newport I just have that feeling that they are a different side at home and and RGC it again a bit unpredictable. So this is Newport for me. Speaker 1 So that's two for Newport. And what, what did Bucky say? He was going for this. He he believes in RGC, doesn't he? Speaker 2 Yeah, he believes in RGC. He's a N he. He likes to see them do well. Speaker 1 Yeah, he's a N Walian attack. You can see it in them by you know how how Fickly is of his own. Speaker 2 Team and anyway, it's not Bucky sicky. Speaker 1 Sicky, Yes. Oh, do we get? Do we get any? Speaker 2 Yeah, someone said. They call him Kit Kat. He's constantly taking a fucking break. Speaker 1 Hey, that's a good one. I like that. Sicky. It is. Is there Siggy? Yeah, Stick. Speaker 2 With Sicky. Speaker 1 Stick with Sicky. Speaker 2 Sam, your suggestion for Kit Kat was shit, but so Martin said he's I'll go over there. Speaker 1 Yeah, he's not taking a break. He's pulling a fast one. That's what he's doing. I, you know, I'm going to feel real bad now if he messages I said like, oh, well, after this is done and gone, oh, you know, I have an accident or something, I'm going to feel really, really bad. But no, I'm, I'm going to, I'm going to power through right now. Predicting Pool B: Bridgend vs. Ebbw Vale & Aberavon vs. Swansea On to Pool B and Bridgend at home to Ebbw Vale. I mean, I'm liking the fact that Bridgend to put in a mobile fight, especially, you know, these last few games, you know, lead in at half time in two of them. And obviously, actually I can't remember if they were leading half time against Aberavon, but they obviously they beat the Aberavon at home. So you know, obviously win draw loss, but you know that loss came again from Dudley. So a decent bit of form for them. But obviously Ebbw Vale 13 man moles, you know, is really hard to, you know, to to get away from them in this in this situation right now. So have have you had any, any news on Evan? Will will he be back anytime soon? Is it a timeline on it? Speaker 2 No, I mean I I still haven't heard what it actually was officially. It's one of those ones. It'd be hit and miss. I just think they'd be wary over playing him if there's any. Speaker 1 Definitely now. Speaker 2 Because last year he played, he played through the final with a broken cheekbone basically because he was the only fly off available to them. I mean, that sort of big game. And I think, like I said, This is why it wouldn't surprise me if we'll start. There's going to be a couple of changes. You're going to see a change on the wing, you're going to see a change at six for definite. So all of a sudden you're opening it up and going, well, we've got to change the Ebbw Vale squad who are again, it's it's how do Ebbw Vale play it? Because there's there was still no news as of Saturday of when the Swansea game is going to be replayed. But if they go Swansea in a way this Wednesday, you have to factor in your squad. You have to factor in who's actually available Wednesday because you can't say, ah, well, we'll rest you and then, oh wait, you're not available Wednesday. So we we could see a bit of a change squad. I feel this week ahead of this game and Bridgend has has never been a great place. It sounds like they say walked away with six points this season and last season from down there in the league. But it's it's it's not an easy place to go. It it's it's a forty 4550 minute slugger, You know, a proper slobber, not a match getting into it. I don't the conditions are going to help. As you say, Bridgend on a bit of a sue Gents, you know, looking a lot more competitive, I guess is probably the best word to describe their their pool, the date. So I would still predict that Ebbw Vale win. But I I'll be honest looking and we're looking ahead to the land every game here and probably doing Bridgend and Swansea a bit of injustice. But I don't see Ebbw Vale taking the full 6 points out of this one, I'll be honest. Speaker 1 That's that's really interesting to to see because I'm I'm I'm the quick look at your your scores. But yeah, and you know, even though you know, you've you've lost Evan for however long it, it will eventually be, you've got a lot of experience that has returned in in Jonathan Evans at 9. You know, obviously he he was on the bench for the postponed Swansea game, but actually made his comeback, you know, against Aberavon. Now obviously he he's or what you'd call it, a Pro 12 winner from with the Scarlet. So there's there's so much experience, you know, with him alone and just looking at the rest of your squad, obviously your backline, you can do a little bit of tinkering, but you know, you've got a full different pack that you could swap it to. I mean, I'm literally the difference between the Cardiff game and this game. It's a completely different starting pack. So you know, obviously depending on the availability, you know you could, you can still put out even chopping and changing to very good squads. Speaker 2 Yeah, and I think that's just John's coming. You know, his return is absolutely crucial, one because of the loss of experience of Dorian in the back line, but also they said Griff looks like he might be done for the season after coming off against Cardiff a couple of weeks ago. So I'll be honest, like you're down, like there's four, there's a fairly 4 scrum arms in the squad, right? But then all of a sudden Griff goes down, you're down to 2. So then you're all right, John's back, you back up the three and you've got the expedience that you lose in Dorian. So I, I do think you need a bit of a, a bit of a calm head there because Ewan's not going to be playing on the wing this week and he's he's been banging in the trace. So it wouldn't surprise me then if they if they play Morgan Reese perhaps on the wing and bring in Morgan Richards at full back. So it's, it sounds like rush, but Morgan Reese is only young and and he's been rehabbing all all season, you know, So, so it's this again is like, right. You need that experience head because you know, if you lose Evan from it, you're paying well, you've got a 17 year old, you've got a back line that's 25 and under basically, except then for your for your scrum half. So yeah, it depends on on who they want to go for, I guess. Speaker 1 Very interesting. And what about what is what is Sickie say for this game? I can't remember. Speaker 2 I think he went for a Bridgend 6 pointer. Speaker 1 He went for Bridgend, Yes, yes, that's 100% right. I can remember him saying we're quite a lot of conviction as well in in his voice when he said. Speaker 2 Yeah, I think, I think it was a bit of revenge because Abravan have binned off the chips because of Andrew Don doesn't like the smell of the clubhouse. And then they they lose to Ebbw Vale and and all of that. And Scott Downevil was caught chatting to Ebola people after the game. He's really in a difficult place at the moment, John. And obviously he's taking it out on Ebbw Vale. Yeah. And you know, said the Bridgend are going to win with six points. So. Yeah. Speaker 1 This is fun. This fun. OK, so last game to discuss is might not be the the game of the week that we've already kind of thought it. But I would imagine Aberavon Swansea is going to come with a lot of intensity just because what this game means for both teams, You know, both of them are without a win so far. Obviously you know just the one game for Swansea, but you know when you're talking there's a group that you're in, you know you this is this is a game that if Aberavon can nick it. It it messes Swansea up, gives out Bravan. You know that chance of, you know, a semi final, possibly even a final or maybe even the plate like, but you know, this is this has got a lot riding on it and I'm going to let you run through this because I'm undecided as it stands. Speaker 2 Yeah, do you know what I think this is? This is what the Cup should be about is games that have a lot of meaningful, like beyond them close to call. And I'll be honest again, do I, do I see it as Swansea's lack of game time, similar to Queens, may be a problem here. Abravana coming in battle Hardens, they've played their toughest fixtures. This is their last roll of the dice. So like there's there's no, there's no next Saturday. You know, their game week effectively comes. That's the best possible schedule really, right? You know your bye week is your last one so you can play, play there if you want, have a rest week, Etcetera is at tag and they've been playing some pretty good rugby there. Do you know what? I'm going to disagree with Bookie and say that Aberavon are going to win this. Speaker 1 I've actually typed Aberavon into my predictor slot as well as you told me. You've convinced me and that the performance against Ebbw Vale has has, you know, played, played a fine part in that as well. You know, to stay within 63125 that game finish if we didn't say earlier, so you know, it is, isn't it a massive improvement and going home, it's going to be a war about Sickie. He doesn't believe in his team anymore, does he? Speaker 2 No, he's he's given up on a Martin ever since they they suffered the dablo to Ebbw Vale and banned chips in the clubhouse. He's not been the same man. Speaker 1 Yeah, I'll be honest, I've heard he wants to support the Swansea Ospreys or something. It's it sounds really bad, You know, I I don't know what's going on with him. He's. Speaker 2 Going to support the green stars. Speaker 1 That that that would be funny for him to do. That would be funny. Thank You for Listening: Episode Wrap-Up OK, and I believe that brings us to the end of this week's podcast, my friend. So a nice short and sharp one. Again, thank you for joining me. Thank you listeners for tuning in. Please like, share, subscribe, do your thing, comment, give us something to chat about, why not? And we look forward to doing this all again next week. Thank you very much. Bye, Super.