MATTHEW Llewellyn will captain Newbridge in their 125th anniversary season, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 26-year-old back row forward joined the Welfare Ground outfit from Bridgend this summer and has been named skipper after impressing the management team in pre-season.

Llewellyn believes the signs are promising for 'Bridge, who finished fifth in the inaugural Championship last term, a whopping 52 points back on runaway winners Ebbw Vale.

"The pre-season training programme that the squad has been put through has been really intensive and I believe we will all benefit massively from this over the long, hard season that is to come," he said.

"I also think that the coaches have added some quality players in all playing positions which will only strengthen what was already a strong squad.

"With the quality of coaching that Andrew (Gibbs) and Jon (Hawker) are providing I can see this being a very successful season for Newbridge.

"Ebbw Vale are obviously leading the pack at the moment but I hope that with the quality of players we now have in the squad and the coaching we are being given, we will be pushing them all the way come the end of the season.

"Looking over the teams in the Chamionship there is not a easy game but if we can make the Welfare a fortress and play to the standards we can achieve away from home then this could be a very successful season.

"I know that the supporters at Newbridge will get behind us and that we can get the wins they want to see."

'Bridge have a tricky start to the season with clashes against an away opener at Bargoed on September 7 followed by a home clash with Tata Steel the following Saturday.