MIKE Peard would have been forgiven had he quit rugby when he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury to his left knee at the age of 29.

But instead he had operations, reconstructive surgery and eleven months out of the game as he determined to keep going.

Now, aged 30, he has taken on the challenge of leading Newbridge in the tough battle zone that is the Welsh Premier Division, a challenge he is relishing despite the club's disappointing start.

"I'm really enjoying it, it's really good," said the popular police officer, "but after a good pre-season and a good performance in the opening game at Llanharan it has been disappointing that we have been off the boil in our last two games.

"I think a lot has been down to attitude. It's something we have talked about at training this week.

"We have a good record against Cross Keys and in local derbies generally and before our game against them in midweek we felt good, but in the game we seemed happy to accept whatever Cross Keys did to us and that's not our style.

"Even when things were going wrong we continued to do the same things and did not change our style of play and so made it easy for the opposition.

"But I honestly believe we have a stronger squad this season, there is still a good feeling in the camp and I still think we will do better than last season and finish higher up the table.

"You have got to win your home games to do that and in that respect it was annoying to lose at home to Aberavon. We have to make sure the same thing doesn't happen against Caerphilly on Saturday.

"They are in a similar position to us and will come to the Welfare Ground with all guns blazing, but we know their style of play and hopefully will have a game plan to overcome it and make use of home advantage.

"After that we have two more home games (against Newport and Bedwas), so a win on Saturday will boost confidence and, who knows what we might get out of those games."

But back to his injury, and Peard explained: "The season I was injured I was named player of the season so I was determined to carry on.

"I had been captain at Rumney so when I was asked to captain Newbridge I was happy to do so, provided I felt I could give my full commitment (which he showed with two tries against Keys)."

Newbridge: C Wills, M Addis, P Jones, J Williams, C Arnold, R Watts, M Taylor, A Oliver, L Davies, R Davies, M Peard, J Powell, G Gladwyn, M Ackerman, S Greedy. Replacements: C Miller, G Bowen, D Williams, D Alexander, W Sims, S Evans, N Coles. Kick-off 2.30pm.