Captain’s Blog

My thoughts last season were of retiring from playing at Premiership level and I would have been quite happy to do so after everything I’ve managed to achieve. Of course things don’t always go to plan!

The early finish to the league campaign, giving me time to rest and to think about things, then an approach from the Ponty coaches asking me to reconsider, were enough to make me change my mind and push on for another season. I was chuffed to be asked and I’m convinced now its the right thing to do. I was so proud then to be asked by Justin to carry on as captain and to be honest, if I’m still playing I need to do so as skipper.

As long as the coaches are happy with my performances I’ll carry on playing. My aim is to train hard and give it all I’ve got- I feel fitter now than I have for a long time.

We were hitting some decent form when the season was cut short back in March, but not really challenging for honours. The extended break will give some of us older players  quality time to recover and then build up for next season. The boys are keeping in touch with one another, comparing notes on our cross-fit and circuit sessions, each doing his own thing to be ready for when our pre-season starts.

The hope is that over the next couple of weeks we’ll be allowed to get together, maybe in smaller groups, and start squad training – we’ll just have to wait and see.

I’m looking forward to the coming season and to meet up with the squad, with some new faces, and to get stuck into the challenges ahead. We’ll try to organise a summer social for the players when we’re allowed to do so, just to get to know each other once again.

Meeting up at the club, mingling with our supporters, these were things that we could take for granted before this pandemic, but now will take on a new meaning and will become so important to us all. Hopefully, it won’t be too long.

Dafydd Lockyer.

12/07/20