BEDWAS have been busy in the pre-season transfer market with no fewer than nine signings as they bid to improve on their highly-promising first season in Welsh League Division One.

Biggest capture is Paul Williams, who played for them on dual registration from Premier Division Bridgend last season.

Aberavon and Tondu showed interest, but Williams preferred Bedwas because he enjoyed himself there last term.

With the loss of Matthew Lewis to Cross Keys, Bedwas were in urgent need of back row re-enforcement's and have snapped up former Newport, Caerphilly and Cross Keys flanker Chris Brown from Exeter.

"He's a good friend of mine," said Bedwas coach Ian Gardener. "He's very committed and his fitness levels are fantastic and, importantly, he rang me up because he wants to play for us."

Another open-side they have captured is Ian Hughes from Newport Under-21s, the youngster having been capped by Wales at various levels.

With the loss of Lee Tomlins, who has retired, and Pat McGhee, who is travelling around the world, Bedwas were in need of hookers and have signed three.

They have signed ex-Caerphilly man Dean Colclough from Swansea, where he played for the under-21s and Wales Under-21s. He is the son of former Swansea player Keith Colclough.

In addition, they have singed Newport Under-21s player Lee Pearce (who had games for Abergavenny and Llanharan last year) and 24-year-old Mark Davies, a former Wales FIRA international, from Merthyr.

They have also secured another front row player in loose head prop Barry Davies from Swansea, another who played on dual at the Bridge Field last season.

Behind the pack, Bedwas have signed scrum half Andy Boyd and wing Graham Thomas from Cross Keys and Rob Phillips from Whitland.

It was important to get scrum half cover as Simon Jones will be out for the whole season after breaking an ankle in two places while playing in New Zealand.

"It may seem a lot of signings (a couple more are also on the way)," said Gardener, "but if you take into account that several of our players have retired and one or two have gone elsewhere, it is only filling in voids maintaining squad levels.

"But I believe we have brought in both experience and youth and people who will serve us well."

* Pictured: Chris Brown is just one of Bedwas' new summer signings