NEWBRIDGE skipper Andrew Green admits that leaving the club after his first stint seven or so seasons ago was one of the worst moves he ever made, writes Paul Tully.

He is enjoying himself more than ever at the Welfare Ground now and leading Newbridge to probably their best season since.

Another victory over Llanharan at home tomorrow (2:30pm) will cement them in the top four, but Green reckons they can do better than that.

"Realistically, I don't think we can win the title now, but we can clinch a top three spot. And we have the nucleus of a team to compete very strongly next season," said the powerful centre.

"I can't see anyone wanting to leave and I can't see the club wanting anyone to leave. Everyone is playing very well when they get their chance and there is a good atmosphere with everyone getting on well both on and off the field.

"We've won more games in this division than Newbridge have ever managed before and we still have ten games to go."

He added: "I should never have left Newbridge when I first went there. I like the people involved, I like the club and you couldn't ask for a better atmosphere to be playing in." In previous seasons Newbridge have often started well before slipping in the second half of the season.

That doesn't look like happening this time and asked why Green added: "It's just that we have a bigger and stronger squad with all the players capable of playing well week in, week out.

"Last season we went down to the bare bones with so many games and people injured it made things impossible for us. This year, up to now, we haven't had too many injuries and when we do bring people in they do very well.

"In the past we haven't had the strength in depth to manage that." Green expects Newbridge to beat Llanharan today, but warns his team-mates their opponents can be difficult.

"I've never had an easy game against them. Anyone who says they have would be lying," he added.

"They've got a big, ball-carrying pack and if the weather stays wet and the ground stays heavy it's going to suit them more than it suits us.

"I would be extremely disappointed to lose and I can't see any reason why we should, but Llanharan can be a sticky wicket and we can't go in against them expecting a stroll." Newbridge: H Lock, M Ridley, A Green, S Webley, G Turner, J Williams, M Taylor, A Oliver, L Davies, P Taylor, C Blunsdon, A Edwards, G Howells, D Cooper, M Griffin. Replacements: M Sage, S Pennell, M Spencer, D Williams, G Gladwyn, M Ackerman, S Greedy.