PENRHYNCOCH manager Gari Lewis has spoken of his pride after his side retained the Spar Mid Wales League Cup, to complete a memorable double triumph.

The Spar Mid Wales League division one champions beat a very capable Hay St Mary’s side 4-2 to lift the silverware at Llanidloes’ Victoria Avenue on Saturday.

Lewis hailed a tremendous effort both on and off the pitch by his squad of players, who are preparing to step up into the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance next season.

“I’m so proud,” Lewis said. “It has been a massive effort from the players, which I thank them for, and also the back room staff we have here is second to none.

“All the hard work during the season has paid off, the boys have shown a lot of character and kept going when they have had setbacks, and they have been rewarded with a magical last few weeks.

“Even though we had won the league, there was still a lot of hunger to finish the season in style by adding the League Cup, and you could see in training last Tuesday what winning the cup meant to the boys.

“Our opponents Hay are a good side, I tip them to go really well next season, and they scored two worldly goals against us.

“But we were solid, were very professional and defended well, and Lee Jenkins did not have too much to do in goal.

“Although you’re never totally confident with a two-goal cushion, I felt we looked in control with our work ethic, and desire to win. I was immensely proud of the team, and they can also be very proud of what we have achieved this season.”

Lewis added that the club was now looking forward to stepping up to the second tier of the Welsh pyramid system.

“We now go up to the Cymru Alliance next season, we are fortunate to have got some sponsorship, and we look forward to the challenge. We have to be realistic, however, and survival will be our aim.

“If we can do that, then it would have been a good season. We have already had some good players approach us, and I will be looking to strengthen our squad.

“But we want to enjoy our success at the moment, and there will be plenty to celebrate at the club dinner on Friday.”

In all, the Roosters claimed a hat-trick of trophies during the season, having also lifted the Spar Mid Wales League Summer Cup with a 3-1 win over Llanfair United at Cae Baker back in September.

Provisional friendlies are scheduled for Saturday, 9 July at home to Port Talbot, Saturday, 16 July at home to Haverfordwest; Friday, 22 July at home to Llanidloes and Friday, 29 July against Aberystwyth.

Meanwhile, Penrhyncoch will be hosting S4C cameras at their Cae Baker base tonight (Wednesday) where the Aberystwyth Town Academy will be running some coaching sessions from 5.30pm.

There will also be a question and answer session afterwards at the clubhouse from 7.30pm with Sgorio presenters Malcolm Allen, Dylan Ebenezer and Iwan Roberts.