BEDWAS head coach Ian Gardner says there is “no doubt” that his team has improved since Steffan Jones arrived at the club this summer.

Fly-half Jones picked up the Principality Premiership player of the month for September this week after helping guide Bedwas to the top of the eastern conference.

Bedwas and Jones will be looking to strengthen their position tomorrow when Pontypridd, who they beat at Sardis Road on the opening weekend, travel to Bridge Field (kick-off 2.30pm).

Highlighting former Dragons playmaker Jones’ importance to the Bedwas cause, Gardner said: “He has been outstanding.

“His game management and the control he brings is excellent, and you can’t fault his leadership skills.

“He has been a great addition to our squad and there is no doubt that we have improved since his arrival.

“Lewis Evans started the last game at 10 and we are blessed with some really good players in that position – Steffan and Lewis have been playing exceptionally well.”

Bedwas sit five points clear of second-placed Pontypridd in the league table, but Gardner knows his men “are there to be shot at”.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s test, he added: “We’ve probably improved since we beat them at Sardis Road and there is no doubt that they have as well.

“They had a few new boys in the team at the start of the season and hadn’t quite gelled when we played them.

“But since then they have had some really good wins and have a lot of confident at the moment, so I’m anticipating a really tough game.”

Nathan Hudd suffered a blow to the shoulder while on British & Irish Cup duty last Saturday and is an injury concern for Bedwas.

Bedwas were 54-5 winners over Ebbw Vale in their last game on October 7.