15/06/09
NPT Steelers U15's 20 - 4 Newport Titans U15's
The U15’s kept up their winning ways on Sunday against a well organised Titans side. The sun was shining on the Aberavon Quins ground making it a perfect recipe for some flowing rugby league. The first 10 minutes was very intense with both sides getting off to a brilliant start, both completing their sets of 6 and big tackles coming from defence but it was the Steelers who got the first score through Jo Frankie, scooting out from dummy half and driving over for a try, the conversion was unsuccessful. The titans replied with a quick try with some strong running and perseverance. The rest of the half was played at an impressive pace with some excellent rugby.
The second half got off well for the Steelers when they won a penalty for holding on in the tackle, then scored wide from and excellent move in midfield by the use of dummy runners to put in Dom Frankie under the posts, conversion successful. It wasn’t until the 45 minute when the try of game come up when Andrew Waite run from a scrum in his own half, breaking 2 tackles and played a beautiful reverse pass to Tom Evans where he went in under the post, conversion successful. This put the Steelers in the clear but Titans come back strong in the last 10 minutes but dogged defence from the Steelers forwards kept them out until the final whistle.  The boys look forward to a week rest before travelling to Cardiff to face the demons.
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14/6/09
Cardiff Spartans U/17's 18 - 50 N/PT Steelers U/17's
After the earlier loss to Swansea Dragons the young Steelmen produced an outstanding performance to beat a powerful Cardiff Spartans team. The young Steelmen well led by skipper Aaron Lewis hit the ground running in the opening half with outstanding forwards Luke Joseph and Sam Richards regularly making in roads in the Cardiff defence. Also prominant was powerful centre Tom Powell and hooker Corey Bailey who also played a key part in the successs with some great passing and aggressive tackling. In turn this enabled flying wingers Riley Kehoe and Sam Brown plenty of space and room to demonstrate their elusive running skills. In the second half the Spartans never stopped battling and produced some excellent rugby league of themselves and they outscored the young Steelmen in the try count department. N/PT Steelers Junior co-ordinator Andrew Harris would like to remind young people that training starts every Thursday, 6pm at Corus R.F.C. with an open invite to all young people to attend.
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14/6/09
Steelers U/13's 28 - 8 Newport Titans U/13's
 
The senior counterparts of the Steelers will be hoping for a smilar performance when these sides meet next weekend as the young steelmen produced their best performance of the season to overcome a strong Newport Titans outfit. In contrast to last weekend the hard ground and hot sunshine enabled both teams to produce a free flowing game. Strong running from the forwards laid the foundation to the victory with some slick passing and offloading in the tackle another feature. Next up for the young Steelers is this forthcoming Sunday versus Pontyclun Panthers at the Aberavon Quins in what should prove to be a very entertaining game.

31/05/09
NPT Steelers U15's 56 - 14 Merthyr Wildcats U15's
Witnessed by a large crowd this match was a great advert for junior rugby league with both sides demonstrating extremely high skill levels both in defence and attack. Though the first quater of the game belonged to the Wildcats the young steelmen clawed their way back into the game thanks to some superb defence and great ball retention. The half back partnership of Courtney Davies and Shaun Curran was also another feature and both controlled the game well with some slick passing and great kicking out of hand. The Steeler's coached by former Wales Student International flying winger Richard Lewis admitted afterwards that he was happy with his teams performance when he stated " Ive been very impressed with the young people's attitude to date both in training and during both rounds of the competition. That said the scoreline probably flattered us today and Merthyr I thought were the better team on occasions." 
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31/05/09
Steelers U13's 38 - 8 Merthyr Wildcats U13's 

In a match played in perfect conditions for rugby league the N/PT Steeler's U/13's had the better of their match against Merthyr Wildcats and were victorious by 38 points to eight. Coaches James Davies and former Great Britain Rugby League International Paddy O'Callaghan were visibly delighted by the the young steelmen who demonstrated great handling skills and a willingness to off load in the tackle which was also another feature. Merthyr Wildcats to their credit scored two excellent tries and their defence was outstanding on occasions. The Steelers would like to thank the Aberavon Quins for hosting the game at short notice and for use of their facilities, with a special thank you also to Glenys and the rest of the girls from the catering team for the excellent food provided after the match.
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30/05/09
NPT Steelers U17's 14 - 64 Swansea Dragons U17's

In a match played at Corus R.F.C this game proved to be a baptism of fire for many of the young Steelmen with Swansea producing some sparkling rugby league with their handling and greater fitness being a key feature in their excellent performance. Many of the young steelmen were taking their first step up from playing U/15's the previous season and every one can hold their heads up high with each young person tackling themselves to a standstill on occasions. Stand out performances from the young Steelmen were Rhys Morris, Sam Richards and captain Aaron Lewis which epitomised the effort and committment shown by the Steelers. However, the Dragons always held the upperhand with their greater pace and power and were always in control of the match. The game was a great opportunity for the whole squad of the Steelers to play together for the first time as a team and there was plenty of room of encouragement and hope for the future. This match will also be remembered for the excellent sportsmanship shown from both teams from players and supporters alike and was a great advert for the RESPECT campaign which Wales Rugby League have currently undertaken.
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24/05/09

Steeler U15's Win Rugby League Festival - Round 1

The NPT Steelers U15's enjoyed a very encouraging start to the season by winning the festival tournament which was held at Pontyclun R.F.C. In perfect conditions for rugby league, Steeler's coach ex Wales Students Rugby League International and Aberavon Green Stars rugby union player Richard Lewis utilised the whole squad and also gave the opportunity to introduce some new young people who are new to the game of rugby league. All players are to be congratulated on their performance and the Steeler's would like to thank all the match officials and everyone concerned from Pontyclun for organising such an exciting tournament.
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24/05/09

Steeler U13's - Round 1

The NPT Steelers U13's got their campaign for the new rugby league season underway in a junior festival held at Pontyclun R.F.C. With many of the young people having their first taste of rugby league and with many playing together for the very first time together as a team the young Steeler's gave a great account of themselves by finishing third in the tournament. After beating both Merthyr Wildcats and Newport Titans in matches played with great skill and effort from all teams concerned the young Steeler's were finally beaten by a strong and powerful Pontyclyn Panthers outfit. All the young people who represented the Steeler's can take great pride and satisfaction from all their efforts on the day and all bodes well for the forthcoming season.

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05/05/09

NPT Steelers 24 - West Bank Bears 10

01/05/09
NPT Steelers Juniors Rugby League looking forward to a brighter Summer
Last year was a very successful season for the Neath/Port Talbot Steeler’s Rugby League Team in and the borough can be proud to boast to having junior teams in U/13's, U15's and U/17's age groups. Further success was evident with the U/13’s age group coached by Terry Cooksley reaching the semi-final of the play offs before losing narrowly to Newport Titans whilst the U/15’s lost to a last minute try to Cardiff Demons in a pulsating Grand Final at Blackwood R.F.C.
Some of these youngsters also had the illustrious and unique opportunity of representing both their county and country in rugby league. Some of the young people who represented the club are from many different areas of the borough including Sandfields, Cwmavon, Margam, Glyncorrwg, Bryn, Briton Ferry, Skewen, Fairyland, Tonna, Cimla, Bryncoch and Seven Sisters.
Since rugby league has been introduced to young people in Neath and Port Talbot it has enabled young people to have an opportunity to participate, has given young people empowerment to make their own decisions, an opportunity to express themselves in a fun, safe, caring environment and has also served to educate young people.
Andrew Harris Junior Rugby League Co-ordinator for the Steelers also recognises the role that rugby league can play within local communities when he stated that;

“For a young person the transition from adolescence into adulthood is a difficult journey. With the demise of the steeling and manufacturing industry in Neath and Port Talbot it has resulted in anti-social behaviour, substance mis-use and more young people using alcohol and drugs. With young people being a regular topic of agenda and having a constantly negative spotlight in the media, it serves to alienate them further in the community. In Neath and Port Talbot the game of rugby league has served as a means of breaking down barriers and building new bridges whilst also attempting to forge new relationships between generations of people both young and old. With rugby league predominantly a summer sport it can give young people an opportunity to participate and as a way of having fun during the summer months and school holidays when young people are most likely to become bored and complain of having nothing to do." 

This season the Steelers are hoping to have further age group rugby league teams and plans are already underfoot to organise a girls rugby league team. If anybody is interested in playing rugby league please contact Andrew Harris on 07792 206017.