Skipper in fitness call (From Free Press Series)

Skipper in fitness call

PONTYPOOL captain Cae Trayhern has admitted some of his players aren't professional enough in their training methods, and that they must buck their ideas up.

And to help them do so, Trayhern revealed a committee made of some of the club's more experienced players would be set-up to help guide the squad.

The tireless forward was speaking ahead of this week's double-header against Pontypridd and Bedwas - two games that Trayhern insists his men can win, but only if they take on board what he says.

He wants them to start training more outside of their normal routine, so that when the club gets together to train at the Park they can work on game plans and moves.

Treharne, who has been watched by Newport Gwent Dragons, isn't happy that some of his players just using those sessions as a means of getting fit, declaring: "They should be fit already."

He went on: "All of us need to improve our fitness. You can not come to training looking to get fit, you should be fit already. Some of us need to be more professional and start taking it on board to improve ourselves outside of normal training."

Trayhern was clearly disappointed with his side's defeat at home to Llanelli on Saturday.

Outside half Sam Mills scored all their points with three penalty kicks in the 13-9 reverse, though they still have a six-point lead over the Premiership's bottom club Caerphilly.

"We just keep losing by the narrowest of margins," stressed Trayhern. "I think this side is a lot stronger than last season's, but we need to be stronger in our mentality and presence on the field."

Things aren't going to get any easier for the club, though, with the two tough games in the space of just four days.

Remaining injury-free and not losing is all Trayhern is hoping for.

"Their games revolve around the pack and although we will try and spread the ball we have to be prepared to get involved in a physical game. That is what rugby is all about at the end of the day.

"The key thing is we don't let our discipline slip. We have to be physical, but play within the laws of the game. If we do that, and are more clinical and stop the silly mistakes that keep popping up in our game, we are capable of winning," concluded Trayhern.

Tonight's match at the Park against Pontypridd kicks off at 7.15pm. and Saturday's match at home to Bedwas kicks off at 2.30pm.