Jones, who still features regularly for the Ospreys, is a former Neath College pupil himself and is helping the current squad this season by working on their skills in the scrum and at the contact area.
The addition to the coaching staff of someone boasting 57 international caps could prove vital for Neath and if Wednesday’s 17-16 derby win over Gower College is anything to go by, Jones is already proving his worth.
Neath may have been reliant on a last gasp penalty from Dylan Francis to win the game, but they were certainly on top at scrum time with their powerful pack to the fore.
“Duncan has come on board to look after the scrum, the contact area and the policies around it,” said Neath Port Talbot College Director of Rugby Max Howells.
“We’re looking to introduce a framework where everyone knows what they’re doing and the roles they have.
“More importantly, Duncan is an ex Neath College student so he understands the badge and what we have here. He’s from the area so when he spoke to the players today, he spoke from the experience of being here as a player himself.
“It’s great for the boys to have Duncan around. He’s a very nice chap, very approachable and has been there, seen it and done it in terms of what he’s achieved in rugby. From his point of view, the rapport he has with the boys is great.”
Neath had started their derby clash with Gower in fine form, leading 14-6 at the break with tries from Jack Perkins and Jack Anderson. Francis had converted both tries with two penalties from Matthew Aubrey Gower’s response.
The second half was a different affair with Aubrey booting Gower back into things. And after Jonathon Fox crashed over from close range, it looked like they might sneak home. Francis had the last laugh though, his late penalty securing victory.
“I do think it was a game of two halves. We had a lot more of territory and possession in the first period but in the second half, we lost our way slightly,” Howells added.
“We gave a lot of penalties away and they kicked us into the corner a number of times and built on the territory they had. It was a very difficult encounter.
“Both sides are under the Ospreys umbrella and they all know each other but it was all about winning today. Yes you want to play well, but winning was the main thing.
“We’ve got a hard encounter next against Cymoedd. They gave Gower a beating but we’ll prepare as we normally do and to the best of our ability. We need to put in a performance we can be proud of.”
In the other Wednesday League fixtures to take place this week, Bridgend College and Coleg Sir Gar both made it two wins from two. Bridgend got the better of Pembroke 33-0 while defending champions Sir Gar again served notice of their intentions this year. Newport High School were their victims this time around, Euros Evans’ side securing a 57-10 victory.
In Colwyn Bay, Llandrillo College secured a famous scalp by upsetting the odds against Llandovery College. Wing Ryan Pike did the damage, crossing for a brace of tries with hooker Tim Grey and flanker Dan Colcough adding further scores.
“We knew we had a shot at winning and we played well enough to do that,” said Llandrillo College Director of Rugby Josh Leach.
“We played better in the first half than in the second and with a bit more composure, we could have won more comfortably. But we’re very pleased with the victory, playing at Parc Eirias certainly gives the boys a boost.
“We’ve got a big game against Cowbridge now, if we win that it gives us a good chance of finishing in the top half of the group.”
The final fixture saw Coleg Gwent edge Cowbridge High School 18-7.
WRU Wednesday Under 18 League week two results:
Bridgend College 33-0 Pembroke
Newport High School 10-57 Coleg Sir Gar
Coleg Gwent 18-7 Cowbridge High School
Llandrillo College 27-20 Llandovery College
Neath Port Talbot College 17-16 Gower College
Week three fixtures (Wednesday, October 9):
Coleg Sir Gar vs. Bridgend College
Pembroke vs. Newport High School
Llandovery College vs. Coleg Gwent
Cowbridge High School vs. Llandrillo College (live via the S4C website)
Coleg Cymoedd vs. Neath Port Talbot College
