Pictures kindly supplied by Matt Eagles NEXT ISSUE: OCTOBER 3rd 2015 WILL INCLUDE AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE WOMENS AND GIRLS GAME IN NORTH AND MID WALES ORDER YOUR COPY NOW! ALL THE LATEST RUGBY NEWS FROM NORTH/MID WALES Following report by Rob Abergele RFC to unleash former Wales’ strongest Griffiths, North Wales Daily Post WELCOME TO man Simon Johnston on rivals Former Wales’ strong- Following report by Rob Griffiths, North Wales “I am learning, and learning every game. Every est man Simon Johnston Daily Post game I play I am learning a different way. will play for Abergele this season. www.ovalzone.co.uk Former Wales’ strongest man Simon Johnston “Normally I get smashed to bits in the first few will play for Abergele this season. scrums, but as the game progresses I kind of Division One North need pick it up and turn it back in my favour, that is be on high alert this sea- Division One North need be on high alert this how it is going for me at the moment.” son as Abergele prepare season as Abergele prepare to unleash a three to unleash a three time time Wales strongest man in their pack. ‘I seem to be able to smash through quite a few Wales strongest man in players’ their pack. Simon Johnston, who was most recently crowned Wales’ strongest man in 2014 and The sight of Johnston bearing down on a de- Simon Johnston, who missed this year’s competition after turning his fence will be something to behold this season, was most recently The Oval Zone will be a minimum of 32 pages per issue and hand to rugby, is gearing up to wreck havoc as a but the strongman adds even learning the basics crowned Wales’ strong- will include reports, pictures, news, interviews etc with special tight-head prop for the Swordsmen this season. of rugby in general has been a challenge. est man in 2014 and emphasis on North and Mid Wales. Sheer power is great, but if the technique isn’t missed this year’s com- Standing at 6ft tall and having ‘slimmed down’ there, then even the biggest of players can be petition after turning his to 19.5 stone from 23 stone, Johnston will be an beaten. hand to rugby, is gearing If you would like The Oval Zone delivered to your door for the imposing figure as Abergele look to compete in up to wreck havoc as a 2015-16 season - 10 issues - (UK addresses only), please the top flight of the North Wales league. And Johnston acknowledges as much, adding: tight-head prop for the subscribe by one of the following methods: “Ball carrying I seem to do pretty well at – if I Swordsmen this season. But Johnston himself admits he still has a lot to can get a bit of a run up to it, a bit of momen- Send a cheque for £27.00 (made payable to G Williams) master about the ‘dark arts’ of the game, but is tum. Standing at 6ft tall and happy testing himself and learning all the time. having ‘slimmed down’ to Gary Williams, Wylfa, Westwood Park, Welshpool, Powys “I seem to be able to smash through quite a few to 19.5 stone from 23 SY21 7QP, making sure that along with your cheque, you I’m still learning the game players if I can get some momentum, but you stone, Johnston will be include your name and full postal address; have got to get the pace up before you can do an imposing figure as Abergele look to com- “It is hard work, and it is all about learning for that. If you are walking straight on to a tackle Online: pay £27 direct to Nat West Bank - me,” said Johnston, when asked about packing then you are going nowhere because you’ve got pete in the top flight of down in the front-row. “I thought I would go no momentum behind you. the North Wales league. Branch Sort Code 55-70-40 - Account number 81514026 in there and be able to boss the scrum with my Please email [email protected] once you have made this strength, but there is a real technique to it. “Tackling is something that I need to work But Johnston himself payment, giving your full name and postal address please on, but I always manage to bring them down admits he still has a lot someway, it might not be the right way, but they to master about the ‘dark come down eventually. arts’ of the game, but is happy testing himself Johnston turned his hand to rugby after deciding Gary to take a year away from competing in Strong- Email: [email protected] man, the Rhyl-based personal trainer suffering with adrenal fatigue at the time. Telephone: 07713 514 375 After learning he was to take a break, Abergele head coach Jimmy Waring approached Johnston about the prospect of coming down to training with the club, if nothing more than to keep his fitness up. Thanks to all those who have kindly sent in reports and And Johnston admits to having an immediate Picture supplied by pictures, it’s very much appreciated. Contributions are affinity with the game, and his new team-mates. Robert Parry Jones always welcome - please email to [email protected] The two relegated sides Bro Ffestiniog and Hywel’s review of North Dinbych should feature in the promotion stakes and they could be joined by Colwyn Bay. It will Freddie to star Divisions One, Two and be interesting to see how promoted Llanidloes get on at this level - they beat Menai Bridge in Three for 2015-16 Intermediate Final and they could prove to be on Blue Peter dark horses. A Welshpool lad’s passion for rugby has re- Only days to go before the sulted in him receiving one of Britain’s most I would also put Machynlleth and Harlech (who sought after awards – a Blue Peter badge! big kick off - Hywel gives his narrowly lost out to Abergele in Cup final) in review and predictions. this category as they are fully capable of upset- Following report kindly supplied by ting the form book. The remaining sides,Shotto www.mywelshpool.com The fixtures are out, pre season training has n,Wrexham,Menai Bridge and newly promoted already started in earnest with coaches busy ar- Fflint will all strive to keep in the pack and chal- Freddie Murton-Jones, nine, is just one of ranging friendlies to make sure their charges are lenge for the top positions. A nice gesture by four British youngsters to be honoured on ready for the off!. Hopes and expectations are Dinbych when they tweeted Fflint to welcome a special segment promoting sport with the high-- Saturday 5th September is the day when them as hosts for their first Div 2 fixture-great BBC cameras visiting him last week for a all our three Divisions start their campaigns for to see. show to be aired next month. next season. Above: Hywel Roberts My top thee in alphabetical order Bro, Colwyn “Freddie loves his rugby and was ap- proached by the programme after responding DIVISION 1 A young and well drilled Llandudno side were Bay and Dinbych--its up to the rest of the clubs very impressive and should continue to make to prove me wrong!. to their special sports promotion,” said proud mum Hayley. Last season battle for honours in DIVISION progress-they have talented players and are well DIVISION 3 1 turned out to be an epic contest between the coached. “The programme was not only impressed by two front runners from the start Pwllheli and his passion for the sport but also the way he Nant Conwy. The Lleyn boys, the league’s COBRA achieved some notable scalps and DIVISION 3 will only have 9 teams next season has inspired his brother Henry, who is aged top scorers, clinching the title with consist- will look to improve their W11 L11 record this and unfortunately one of the clubs will have free seven, to also play rugby.” ent winning displays to the end with only one season with better away performances-their first Saturday-- I know clubs will bear this in mind defeat throughout the season. Nant consoled match away to Champions Pwllheli will be a and help out with a fixture to try and ensure as Freddie not only loves playing the game but themselves by adding yet another North Wales good test!. many games as possible are played. is also shaping up to be quite a talent. This Cup to their trophy cabinet when they were summer he was named his school’s player of victorious in a memorable final against a very Caernarfon by their own high standards have Relegated sides Rhyl and Newtown could vie the year and for the second time, Welshpool committed Dolgellau at Parc Eirias. under performed but have the resources both on for the title with Llangollen, with Bangor and Rugby Club’s player of the year for his age. and off the field to bounce back and be amongst Rhos with an outside chance of getting to to I predict that Nant and Pwllheli will be in the the leaders. the top three. Welshpool, Benllech,Porthmadog “Freddie has encouraged his brother to play mix for the top spot next season, but who will and Holyhead will invariably cause one or two rugby as a means of staying fit, having fun challenge them for the coveted title in what will Dolgellau finished the season very strongly upsets and you never know may provide the big- and making new friends,” added Hayley.