Scorpions have exceeded expectations
South Wales Scorpions’ coach Anthony Seibold believes that his side has exceeded all expectations in 2010 as they approach their final home game of the season this Sunday against York City Knights at The Gnoll in Neath.
The Scorpions need just one point to clinch a play-off place in Rugby League’s Co-operative Championship 1, an outstanding achievement for a club playing their first season, with 95% Welsh-born players, many of whom are in their first year as a professional.
“As a club we have overachieved this year,” he said: “I need to give the players credit for their enthusiasm, effort and application although they know the job is not done yet.
“We have two massive games to go and our destiny is in our own hands with regards to if we are going to go any further this year.
“We are not yet ready to rest on what we have achieved, it is all in front of us and we start with this Sunday’s game against York City Knights at The Gnoll in Neath.
“With the club only coming into being in early January and the club hosting an open trial with over 110 applicants here in South Wales in mid January, we have come a long way. In some respects it seems like yesterday and in many others it seems like years ago. We have worked really hard as a staff to improve the guys physically and improve game understanding and awareness and individual skills. I am sure that the supporters will have seen a marked improvement since our early games.
“I want to thank my assistant coaching staff in Dan Clements and Hywel Davies who are both new to this level of Rugby League from a coaching perspective and have been a massive help to me and also the players this season. Ian Gibbons as our Strength and conditioning coach has done a terrific job with the players as we had a very late start to pre-season and he has implemented his experiences from full time professional sport with our players based in the south. All three deserve thanks for their hard work and support so far this year.
“I would also like to express my thanks to Phil Davies our Chairman for his support and guidance. He is great for the game of Rugby League here in Wales. Mark Rowley as General Manager has been a great source of support in 2010 as has John Brennan and Rob Buckley along with the rest of the board. Ian Golden has also been a great support in the office as admin and media officer for the Scorpions. Thanks for all your support and assistance.
“A big thank you to all our supporters including our Scorpions Supporters club led by Andy Birchall for all their efforts, travel and support this season. As a new club it is a big step for supporters to jump on board and leave past loyalties aside and I thank you for supporting the Scorpions in 2010.”