BRACKNELL RFC head coach Dan Ap Dafydd believes the threat of National Three South West relegation is dwindling after the Lily Hill men recorded a sixth win in eight games with a 28-10 triumph at home to Cleve, writes Richard Ashton.

Saturday’s bonus-point victory pulled them 11 points clear of third-bottom Lydney, and Ap Dafydd believes his side are building some momentum.

He told the News: “We feel like we can stop looking over our shoulder now and focus on looking up the table.

“The focus for the season was to finish in the top half because we’ve got a young team with a lot of boys aged 18, 19, 20 and we knew it was going to be tough to do anything more than that. That’s still the aim and then we’ll have a real crack at it next year.”

Ap Dafydd stepped up from coaching the 2nd XV last season before taking over full time from former coach Rory Greenslade-Jones.

He said: “I’m really enjoying it although it’s been challenging. From being a player and then coaching your friends is a challenge, but it’s one I’ve enjoyed and hopefully one I’m doing justice to.”