It's not often you turn up to a Division 5 match and expect to see two Wales internationals going at it, but that's exactly what fans were treated to at the Memorial Ground in Tonna.
It's no secret that Craig Mitchell, the former prop whose professional career spanned almost 15 years and included 15 caps for his country, is still doing the business at Tonna RFC - in a new position in the back-row, having shed more than three stone since retiring. He was front and centre when the club won the WRU Shield last season, beating 52-19 in the final.
But turning up in the Pontardawe ranks last weekend was former Wales No. 8 Dan Baker, who was on the books at the Dragons just last season and has a handful of Wales caps. This term, the 30-year-old is with Aberavon but has taken on a role as forwards coach at Pontardawe, though the clipboard was nowhere in sight this weekend as he trotted out into the middle.
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Going into the clash, both teams had won two from two and it was Mitchell's Tonna who kept their record intact, going on to claim three wins from three with a 38-28 victory, claiming a four-try bonus point.
Speaking last season, Mitchell said: “Tonna has been my club for many a year. A group of us went up from Skewen RFC at U16s/Youth and they welcomed us from the start. It all began there. It’s a real family friendly club.
“They welcomed us with open arms and ever since I have always had an affiliation with Tonna. I coached there for two seasons a few years back.
“I still love the game, it’s just now I am doing it at a different level. Not that I didn’t enjoy it playing professionally, but I am enjoying it being with all the boys.”
With the victory, Tonna are now top of Division 5 West Central and are the only team with a perfect record. Pontardawe have slipped down to third but the season is only just getting started.
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