BUILTH Wells’ season long battle against relegation continues at champions Tonmawr in Swalec Division One West on Saturday.
John Thurston’s late penalty against Bonymaen last Saturday stretched the Bulls’ unbeaten record and kept them within striking distance of leapfrogging fallen giants Bridgend and avoiding the drop.
The victory also increased the belief that the club can pull off another great escape and avoid an immediate return to the second division.
Coach Jeremy Pugh gave his Builth battlers his endorsement this week and urged them to finish the job ahead of trips to Tonmawr and Llangennech in the final two weeks of the campaign.
“I have had a go at the players when it was needed, but I cannot fault the lads’ commitment over the past few weeks,” said the ex-Wales international.
“I had reservations about coming back as coach midway through the season, but looking back now I am delighted that I did because the players have made me so proud with their performances.”
Tonmawr provide another severe test, but having rallied in recent weeks the Builth Wells coach is expecting another big performance this weekend.
“We will go there with the right attitude and look to continue this run of form, which has seen us close the gap on Bridgend.”
However the Bulls season long battle against relegation has prompted Swansea to send a crop of emerging talent to the Bulls’ chief relegation rivals in a bid to tip the balance against Builth.
The results have been immediate with Bridgend winning back to back games since Swansea recalled players from other clubs, in favour of sending them to boost Bridgend’s cause.
Pugh said: “If it is not enough that Builth Wells is up against a town of over 60,000 in Bridgend, now we have Swansea helping them out by sending them their best young players.
“No rules have been broken as Bridgend are allowed to have up to four players on permit, but it is frustrating.
“However we will not be thinking about that on Saturday and know victory at Tonmawr will keep up the pressure.”