G'day Sports (From Free Press Series)

G'day Sports

Young Pontypool rugby stars Lloyd Burns and Sam Mills will leave for Australia on May 20 to play in the National Provincial Championship for Gold Coast Breakers.

The trip has been sponsored by Pontypool RFC Chairman Jeff Taylor as part of an on-going player exchange agreement with the Australian club, currently coached by ex-Cardiff and Wales boss Alex Evans.

In the past Duane Luki and Brad Leho have come to Wales from down under and last year Pontypool skipper Cae Trayhern and hooker Leighton Jones benefited from travelling in the other direction.

Mills is Pontypool's leading scorer this season having notched up more than 250 points over the course of the campaign.

Clothing and travel equipment is being sponsored by the Practice Rugby Community Initiative

Secretary Elizabeth Clarke said: "It is a pleasure to sponsor two young players who have a big future in the game with both our clubs and hopefully the Gwent Dragons.

"The continued improvement in their rugby development is largely due to the excellent coaching skills of firstly Derek Parry at Pontypool United Youth which has been enhanced by Steve Jones at the Park."

Further sponsorship has been obtained from Stuart Green and Andrew Evans of A and S Brickwork, Pontypool; Malcolm Maize of Hanbury Construction, Abersychan and Rugby Store, Galashiels.