125 Years of Rugby

Home , Abergavenny RFC, Crumlin RFC, Llandaff North RFC, London Welsh RFC, Machen RFC, Pontypool RFC

125 YEARS OF RUGBY

1875 - 2000

ABERGAVENNY RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB FOREWORD

by our Patron Mr ALUN GRIFFITHS, Esq

As Patron, it is with pleasure that I write the foreword to this book being published covering the past 125 years of Abergavenny Rugby Football Club.

The Committee who have researched the developments of the club from its very humble beginnings to its present day have been most grateful to the members and people of Abergavenny who have come to us with paper cuttings, photographs etc. They have also used the reminiscences of members and life members of the club to provide an informative and readable account of players and personalities who have been associated with us over the years.

This book indicates the development of the club which has teams from eight years old to senior level, which shows a very positive contribution to Abergavenny R.F.C. and Welsh Rugby.

Many people over the years have unfailingly served the club, and I would pay tribute to them all. They have developed a club steeped in tradition and a club of which, not only the town, but Monmouthshire and Wales can be truly proud.

I have been associated with Abergavenny R.F.C. a number of years and seen us survive the era of professionalism, which proves that we can compete with bigger clubs in what we provide at Abergavenny, and that we may continue to do this positively for the game we all love.

Alun Griffiths

2 ABERGAVENNY RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Members of WELSH RUGBY UNION, MONMOUTHSHIRE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION, MONMOUTHSHIRE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB, PONTYPOOL DISTRICT RUGBY UNION, EAST MONMOUTHSHIRE RUGBY UNION.

CLUB OFFICIALS Patron : ALUN GRIFFITHS Esq. President : GRAHAM HAWKER C.B.E. Chairman : MIKE AYLETT Esq. Hon. Secretary : CHRIS BREAKWELL Hon. Treasurer : COLIN WATSON Vice-Chairman : DAI WAITE Fixture Secretary : PETER EVANS Subs. Secretary : CHARLIE SHAW Club Captain : DARREN WILLIAMS Quins Captain : BRYAN MORGAN Team Manager : IAN COSTIN Coaching Staff : GEOFF WILLIAMS, TERRY RICHARDS Physio : REBECCA BOWLES

GENERAL COMMITTEE NIGEL EVANS MIKE PREEDY VAUGHAN GREEVES CLIVE WEDLOCK RON HINKSMAN IAN WYLLIE CLIVE HOWELLS NEIL PHILLIPS ANDREW MOSS

LIFE MEMBERS D. W. BREEZE E. N. D. WILLIAMS C. OAKEY D. G. JAMES J. BELFIT L. GRAHAM T. C. LLEWELLYN J. TOWNSEND R. WALBYOFF L. A. BREEZE K. J. HEWITT T. A. JONES R. V. JAMES A. NORMAN

3 Abergavenny RFC : Committee : 2000/2001

Sir Tasker Watkins opening Abergavenny’s new stand : 1998

National pride : Mr Ken Hewitt at the Millennium Stadium : 1999

5 The Early Years

by Keith Davies

Firstly let us congratulate Alan Breeze who wrote the first Club History Booklet back in 1975. His research - as the Committee set up for this book know only too well was painstaking and thorough. We thought it time that since another 25 years has elapsed since the Centenary Book was written we should update the records to the present day.

Surprisingly, our research has taken us back further than 1875, in fact to 1867 where in the Book ‘Fields of Praise” Abergavenny Rugby is mentioned. For eight years after 1863, when the Football Association was founded and the dribbling code tabulated into fourteen rules, forms of rugby continued to be played in a confused limbo of local variations. It was to check this accelerating process of fragmentation from sliding into total anarchy that the first of the national controlling bodies, the Rugby Football Union, was established in London in 1871, and the Rugby code clearly differentiated from the Association game in a legislative overkill of fifty nine rules. These did not become uniformly adopted overnight, even where they were fully understood, and they required continuous modification for the next twenty years before the game began to resemble its modem form.

The need for systemization is clearly to be seen from accounts of a hybrid football game, neither dribbling fish nor handling fowl, played at Abergavenny in 1867. The visitors were a Newport team including in the persons of Joseph Gould, Charles Lyne and H.C. Lloyd, fathers of subsequently greater rugby sons of Newport and Wales. It appears that this fifteen-a-side mongrel game contained a good quota of hacking, yet players could not pick up the ball and run with it, nor

6 pass from hand to hand, and while there was running and dodging, there was also dribbling. The evidence of town v. town games of the early 1870s confirms that the distinctive features of the rugby and association codes were not immediately clarified by the cumbersome commandments of 1871, though the abolition of hacking was rapidly welcomed by leading groups in society that viewed the practice as repugnantly uncivilized. Some old-boys regretted its disappearance, and well into the 1870’s held a minute’s ‘Hallelujah’ at the end of a match for unrestrained hacking.

Lampeter could only claim to have the first established rugby side in Wales after they had found other sides to play against. It became possible to find opponents within reasonable reach as the skeleton of the rail network which had been laid in the 1840s was filled out during the next two decades. The spinal chord was the line that snaked in from Gloucester to Newport initially, then on to Fishguard, ultimately, the familiar route of the old G.W.R., which is what it became in 1863. It had been linked up with tracks already connecting Hereford, Abergavenny, Brecon and Merthyr by the late 1850s, and the valley lines joined it and each other in the 1860s. The Llanelli railway reached Llandeilo in 1857 and Llandovery the following year; the mid-Wales line connecting Llandovery and Swansea had been completed in 1868; Lampeter had access to the whole of South Wales now the line from Carmarthen had reached it in 1866; the completion of the track from Swansea via Neath to Brecon in 1875 added final confirmation that the midwives at the birth and immediate growth of rugby football in Wales would be arriving on the scene together.

As was mentioned in the Centenary Book, and in the case of so many other Clubs, the early records of Abergavenny Rugby Club have been lost or destroyed. In fact, it was only the quick thinking of the Chairman - Mike Aylett who recovered a lot of the pictures and items of memorabilia from a skip, when back a few seasons, a few people decided to give the Club a clean out!

As a keen Rugby Collector myself I know only too well the importance of memorabilia and preservation of such items, so that in years to come the next generation, and generations after them will be able to look at the life and times of one of the oldest and longest running Clubs in the Monmouthshire County. With the aid of newspaper cuttings, photographs, and memories of past players and committee men it is possible to put together - what I think is a good account of the Club spanning the last 125 years. We do apologise for any omissions or inaccuracies, they are certainly not intended.

The earliest years of Abergavenny Rugby is dated and printed in the Abergavenny Chronicle of February 1876 which reports on a match between The

7 Vale of Usk Wanderers and Newport Rugby Football Club which was played “under Rugby House Rules” on 10 February 1876 played on the Castle Meadows, Abergavenny.

Their kit, a shirt with a black fleur-de-lys on the left hand side, is almost the reverse colours of the “Press” team who were founded in 1888.

The Vale of Usk Wanderers : 1876

Also mentioned around this time is Abergavenny “Hearts of Oak” who played Crickhowell on 12 June 1887 and beat them by 1 point in an exciting and well contended game.

In 1887 the South Wales Football Club constituted a Challenge Cup Competition. The Cup competition had been launched at a meeting of the South Wales Football Club at the Cardiff Arms Hotel on 23 October 1877, when it was decided to institute a challenge cup of the value of fifty guineas, open to competition by any club subscribing two guineas. After applications had been received, the draw was made:

Carmarthen v Cardiff to be played at Neath Talgarth v Merthyr at Merthyr Brecon v Monmouth G.S., at Cardiff Cowbridge G.S. v Llanelli at Neath

8 Carmarthen G.S. v Lampeter College at Carmarthen Glamorgan 10 Rifle Volunteers (Cardiff) v Llandovery College at Swansea Pontypool v Newport at Newport Llandeilo v Neath at Neath Swansea v Abergavenny at Brecon

And it was Newport, after dismissing Pontypool, Llanelli and Carmarthen, who defeated Swansea by a goal to nil in the final on 2 March 1878 at Bridgend, to become the first holders of the South Wales Cup.

We are also proud to have been one of the First Members of the Welsh Rugby Union. In 1875, had our delegate got to the meeting held to form the Union we would have been a Founder Member!

It may also interest some readers to hear that according to the Abergavenny Chronicle on the 22 December 1877, Abergavenny Grammar School played their first match under Rugby Rules. It was against Monmouth School, Abergavenny winning by two points to nil. On 8 November, 1877 Blaenavon played their first game against Abergavenny. The game took place at Blaenavon and the Pontypool Free Press carried this report:-

“A most exciting match was played between the two teams yesterday on the ground of the former (Blaenavon). The game was most pluckily contested and eventually ended in a draw, namely a goal to a goal. We noticed some splendid players on the Abergavenny side amongst whom we mention W. Phillip (Newport) captain, and the liveliest interest was excited by the great concourse of spectators assembled. At the conclusion of the game, three cheers were given for the respective teams. This was the first match the Blaenavon Gentlemen have played and it speaks well for them that they held their own. The goal for Abergavenny was kicked by T.B. Jones from a free kick, the Blaenavon goal by C. Davies from a try”.

During the 1877-78 season, on the 24 January 1878 to be precise, Abergavenny played Cardiff at Cardiff. Cardiff being a “newly formed club”, it was the first meeting between the two clubs and Abergavenny won by 2 goals to 1. Abergavenny’s tries, scored by Hewitt and C. H. Newman, the latter being capped for Wales from Newport (capped from 1881-1887). Also in the Aber- gavenny side was Tony Clapp who also moved to Newport. He also captained Abergavenny Cricket Club. Clapp was capped from 1882-1888.

Abergavenny went on to play Cardiff a further 5 times from 1878-1929, with the statistics showing that Cardiff won 2, lost 2 and drew 2. Abergavenny’s highest loss to Cardiff was in 1883 at Cardiff, the score being 63 : 0.

Probably one of the most forgotten men of Abergavenny Rugby Club was farmer Alfred Bevan. He was born in Carlfleld, Melbourne, Australia. He later immigrated with his parents to Britain and studied at Eton. They resided at Grosmont and he played rugby for Abergavenny until he later went on to Newport, and gained his first cap for Wales in 1881 when Wales played England for the first time. He only ever played for Wales once and later became a clergyman.

In November 1878 Abergavenny played Swansea in the South Wales Challenge Cup and lost. However, four seasons later - on 10 February 1883 we travelled to Cardiff for the first round of the cup and won by 1 goal - 1 try and 3 touch down to 1 try. Cardiff gained revenge a month later on the 1 March 1883 when they beat us 63.0.

Abergavenny’s greatest cup glory came in the 1892-93 season when we were practically invincible. We won the Monmouthshire Cup and the Welsh Cup, beating Cwmbran in the final. The winning try in this match was scored by Geoff Morgan, about whom you will read later. The Abergavenny team remained fairly constant throughout the season and was as follows:-

C. Jay, Rev. A.C. Evans, J. Thomas, W. James, F.W. Cooper, A.R. Williams (Capt.), J. Hill, G. Morgan, R.W. Powell, R.W. Brock, F.W. Sadler, H. Griffiths, H. Davies, A. Lewis, J. Pritchard, Reserve - E. Barnett.

The names of these player will still evoke memories nowadays. R. W. Powell played several years for Abergavenny before going to Newport and gaining his Welsh Cap in 1888 and then returning to Abergavenny where he remained as a player and committee man for many years.

Freddy Cooper reckoned to be one of the best wings of his day, played for Newport several times before going “North” to Bradford in October 1894. In 1898 he won the 100 yards British Championship and also the Welsh Championship in a time of 10 seconds, so you can readily judge his speed on the wing. Two other players from that team also went North, “Traction” Griffith and “Erky” Davies. The scrum half and captain A.R. Williams played for the club for many years before going to Newport. J.W. (Fred) Sadler was a Welsh trialist, the Rev. A.C. Evans was to be a long and loyal servant of the club as a player and committee man. But no-one epitomises clubmanship more than Geoff Morgan. Goff, the father of Cliff and Joe who played for the club in the 20’s played for Abergavenny between 1888 and 1916, winning his first County Cap at the age of 17 and going onto win 16 more. He had 6 Welsh trials whilst playing for Abergavenny (at wing forward) and although guesting several times for Newport could never be persuaded to

10 leave his club. After his playing days were over he served on the Committee until well into the 1930’s. On many of the photographs of the 20’s and 30’s he is to be seen with the Linesman Flag in his hand.

Abergavenny RFC 1903/1904

The club in which many of the best players seemed to move in these early days was Newport. For a time they featured regularly on our Fixture Lists. We first played them in 1881-82 Season. The following Season we faced them in the

11 Semi Final of the Welsh Cup and lost by 9 tries to nil at Rodney Parade. In 1883- 84 we held Newport to a no-score draw at Abergavenny and promptly departed from their Fixture List.

The press reports of the late 1880’s provide some insight into the enthusiasm and style of play of that time, for example on Good Friday 1893 we played Cardiff Rovers (a team from various Cardiff Clubs) and on our own ground at Bailey Park we won by 2 goals and 3 tries to nil, one of the tries being scored thus:

“The Rovers worked the oval half way, when Williams, the Abergavenny Captain picked up and running through the opposing backs gave possession to Hill who scored a well earned try amidst cheers.” Again, on 17 February 1893 when Abergavenny travelled to Llandaff who were then the Holders of the Welsh Cup and completed the double “With a rush the visitors carried the ball into the Llandaff 25 where a few tight scrummages were formed, the local team going over the line, Llandaff was forced to concede a minor. The drop out brought them little relief, Barnett, Sadler, and Morgan going off with a combined dribble, the latter scored. Jay successfully converted. Final Score - Abergavenny won by 1 goal, 2 minors to 1 minor.”

The Fixture List for the 1893-94 season gives some idea of the quality of the opposition in those days i.e. Penarth, Cardiff Rangers, Dowlais, Llandaff, Pontymoile (later Pontypool), Merthyr, Penygraig, Newport, Cwmbran, Brynmawr, Abercarn, Cardiff Northern, Pontypridd. Luckily they didn’t have any Neil Jenkins type kickers in the Pontypridd side in that period of time!

A second team called “Abergavenny A” was also in action in 1893-94. On 21 October 1893 they took the field against Ebbw Vale, wearing their “new Canary and Red jerseys” they played a drawn match. The Abergavenny team was:- J. Jonathan, H. Powell, H. Williams, H. Thomas, W. Dover, E. Winnie, W. Watkins, A. Sadler (Cap.), W. Davies, G. Thomas, T. Perry, H. Pickering, G. Bevan, H. Jones, F. Roberts.

The club used various grounds in the early days. Although some matches were played on the Castle Meadows, the first permanent ground was Ysgyborwen Fields, which forms the Penypound end of Park Crescent. After a few seasons in the Fairfield the club started playing on the council pitch in Bailey Park - this was in the 1890’s and has remained there to this present day. Until our own Changing Rooms were built as part of our Clubhouse in Bailey Park in 1960, we relied on the goodwill and often rough and ready facilities of various Public Houses, including the Herefordshire House, the Black Lion and most famous of all - The London Hotel. From 1924-28 the teams often used to change in a Mortuary situated in Slaughterhouse Lane at the bottom of Bailey Park. Abergavenny were

12 fortunate at that time to have the services of a very good Masseur called Hughie Steele (Son of one of the club’s earliest players - Col. Steele). It is asserted that Hughie used to work best when rubbing down the players on the mortuary slabs!

Keith Davies

Abergavenny RFC 1925/1926

Abergavenny RFC 1932/1933 D. Breeze, V. Rogers, T. Meale, L. Breeze, G. Priddy, R.Holder W. Shackleton, T. Phillips, W. Bebb, R. Price, L. Porter (Capt), W. Tanner, H. Bishop, J. Williams W. Parham, J. Morgan

14 The Post-War Years

by Tom Jones Former Club Captain, Former Chairman, Life Member

I have been asked by Chairman Mike Aylett to put my memory to the test and write a few words on the playing side and fortunes of the Club during the post war years, beginning over half a century ago.

My first game for the Club was away at Machen in Season 1946-47, the second full season after the war. It was a game I will always remember because veteran wing Les Breeze scored two tries and I converted them.

Many of the players at that time had played for the town in pre-war years and they were the first, along with a number of stalwart Committee men responsible for reforming the Club after the cessation of hostilities. At the other end of the scale you had players who were very young - fresh out of school.

Jim Davies, a very useful front row forward, was the first captain and along with Jim were Fred Parker, Ted Williams, Vic Blackmore, Ellis Jones, Charlie Nicholls, Fred Didcote and Jack Lloyd, all pre-war players who rendered yeoman service to the Club as players and afterwards as Committee men. Les Breeze and Fred Parker had both played for Monmouthshire County XV in the 1930’s; with distinction, I am told.

College rugby and National Service prevented me, as it did so many others, from playing regularly for the Club but holidays and leave enabled me to put in a generous number of appearances.

By the late 1940’s the old stagers had given way to younger players returning from the Forces, one or two servicemen stationed locally and a few outsiders who had come to live in the town. These people were a great asset to the Club, which had now established itself as one of the best second class sides in Wales.

The headquarters were at The London Hotel which, nowadays, has been converted into flats. An old stable at the back of The London had been converted into changing rooms but it served its purpose well. An old boiler heated water for the Showers and the water was always piping hot, thanks to Mr. “Squeenie” Neil the extremely popular boilerman.

So successful had the Club become that other Clubs began to take an interest in a number of our players. A young Clive Best left the Quins to join Ebbw Vale before eventually signing Rugby League forms; similarly Keith Alderton a highly skilful three-quarter had gone the same path earlier on. Cecil ‘Buzzy’ Lewis and Tony Wyatt had gone to Pontypool - soon to be followed by Don Prosser. Despite these losses season 1950-51, under the captaincy of Gwyn Walbyoff, was one of the most successful in the Club’s history. You could count the defeats on one hand and still have a few fingers over!

Successful seasons followed successful seasons, and times were good. Our fixture list was a strong one including teams like Usk, Monmouth, Blaenavon, Abercarn, Crumlin, Blackwood and Brynmawr - many of which, because of the league’s structure, do not appear on our list today.

One of the most popular teams to appear in Bailey Park was the Monmouthshire Police XV - a side that invariably contained former and current internationals. Names that spring to mind are W.E. Tamplin, R. T. Evans, W. J. Evans and Russell Taylor. Russell, a pre-war Lion and the highest points scorer on the British Isles tour of South Africa in 1936, played a season or two at outside-half towards the end of the 1940’s. If ever anyone deserved to be called a gentleman - it was ‘Russell’.

Bath United and Bristol United, two very strong sides, both appeared on our fixture list and away visits to Bristol and Bath were special occasions when wives and girlfriends were allowed to travel on the team bus. The games were always fiercely contested; after-match meals were provided, which wasn’t always the case with most clubs, and much beer was consumed. The team coach would arrive back in Abergavenny in the early hours of Sunday morning.

16 Abergavenny RFC 1sts : 1946/1947

Abergavenny RFC Quins : 1949/1950 R. Jennings, D. James, R. Lewis, J. Hudson, K. Bailey, V. Blackmore, L. Thresher, L. Lambert, P. Williams R. Watkins, V. Jones, M. Steele, C. Walters (Capt), M. Pritchard, L. Graham, G. Steele

17 Abergavenny RFC : 1966/1967

Abergavenny RFC : 1961/1962 G. Jones, J. Belfitt, C. Hanbury, T. Jones, A. Griffiths, T. Crane, J. Stephens, H. Atkins J. Barnes, J. Meadows, G. Main (Capt), J. Webb, J. Townsend B. Pitt, E. Townsend

18 Abergavenny RFC : 1956/1957

Sevens Winners : 1958/1959

19 Memories come flooding back as I write, of a succession of landlords at The London Hotel - Jack Williams, followed by Eddie Holland, a great Ebbw Vale rugby enthusiast, and Colin Paton. Memories too of Captains I played under when based at The London - Jim Davies, Fred Parker, Keith Rawlings, Tony Matthews, Tom Powell, Gwyn Walbyoff and Peter Williams - father of Geoff. I can honestly say that Peter, as a Captain, was second-to-none and the times spent in The London after matches while he was in charge were what rugby was, and still should be, all about.

Over the years I was privileged to play with many fine players but it would be remiss of me if I did not mention one player whose loyalty to the Club was never in doubt -Tony Matthews. Tony was probably the most gifted ball player Abergavenny has ever produced. At rugby, soccer, cricket and tennis Tony, could have, if he so wished, reached the top. Rugby was his winter game and despite offers from many 1st class clubs, he elected to remain with Abergavenny and excelled in whichever position he played behind the scrum.

Derek Main, brother of Gordon, played for London Welsh and won at least three caps for Wales. Gordon himself in more recent years played for Ebbw Vale, while Bob Phillips left for Newport and later London Welsh where he gained an “A” cap for Wales during their tour of Argentina. Clive Swinnerton turned out for Rosslyn Park after representing Combined Universities. I also remember Bob Hodson - a goal-kicking second-row forward who transferred from Abergavenny to Newport prior to “going north”.

The success of a Club depends not only on its players but also on its administrators - many of these spring to mind and I must mention Charlie Oakey, Doug Breeze, David James, Roy Jenkins, Bill Macpherson (pictured) and Tommy Llewellyn.

To those whose names I have unfortunately omitted many apologies.

Tom Jones

A TIME TO REMEMBER

by Ken Hewitt former Hon. Secretary WRU District A representative

Anyone who has ever been associated with Abergavenny’s one hundred and twenty five year history will undoubtedly have their own memories of “their time” and I’m sure the common theme in these memories will be a sense of pride and a huge sense of enjoyment both on and off the field. I share in that sense of pride and enjoyment through my years as Secretary and hopefully my recollections from that time will serve to recognise what was achieved in that time.

I believe I was particularly fortunate in being part of the club during what I consider to be the most successful period in it’s history both from a playing and development point of view. This success was due to a combination of good fortune, talent and dedication together with good management on the part of a lot of people.

On the field the first real indication of future success was undoubtedly the club’s Youth policy which initially was so enthusiastically nurtured by Peter Lewis, John Mills, Malcolm Davies and Jock Tohland. In 1971 as a newcomer to the club I joined them for a couple of seasons as coach, but it was the quality of the players available to us that really set the tone for what was to come. This became evident when they beat Pontypool Youth to win the East Gwent Cup under the captaincy of Micky Lane. Up to that time Abergavenny’ s cupboard was quite bare in terms of ‘Silver ware’ but the future was to be an entirely different matter.

The Centenary year 1975 proved to be something of a catalyst in terms of progress. Pontypool, the then Merit Table Champions came to play to mark the occasion and were held to a sixteen points to thirteen score-line. The W.R.U. President’s XV involved many of the greats of that time including Gareth Edwards and for the first time also included an English International - John Pullen of Bristol. The Welsh Crawshays XV also had many stars in their line up notably Brynmor Williams, and the Monmouthshire Union XV included the best in Gwent at that time. By the way, the three hundred people who attended the Centenary Dinner only paid three pounds per head, including transport, for what was a memorable evening at the Gwernvale Manor.

Abergavenny RFC : 1971/1972

Abergavenny RFC Committee : 1973/1974

At this time the Mini rugby section was becoming established with sixty five boys attending training sessions each week. Off the field, under the Chairmanship of Alan Breeze, initial plans were laid for extending the facilities in the clubhouse to include a function room on a second level. Life Member John Townsend led a building sub committee comprising of Bill Macpherson, Peter Coleman, Bernie Ruck, Alan Price and Bill Grifflths who with the help of a large number of volunteers completed the project in the following year when it was opened by the then President of the W.R.U. -Cliff Jones. Ebbw Vale eventually came down to mark the opening of the extension resulting in a drawn game.

The club had previously produced many outstanding players and a number of formidable teams, but Winger Ken Davies was the first senior player to leave and move to higher things in my time. He joined Newport and went on to create a Newport try scoring record on the wing. His cousin -John Henry Davies - came back to the club around that time after a very successful couple of seasons with Pontypool.

Outside half Anthony Green went on to play for Wasps and also represented the Combined Services against New Zealand All Blacks. Paul Exton at full back

21 played for the British Polytechnics XV as well as guesting for a number of Merit Table Clubs. Centre Bob Thomas featured for Pontypool. Prop Tony Macpherson’ s talents were recognised as he captained the renowned Cardiff College XV. Ian Morgan joined us as player coach following times playing for Tredegar, Ebbw Vale and Abertillery. Ian was probably the most influential factor in the early development of our teams over several seasons. His coaching acumen would bear comparison with that of any others around at that time. Nigel Evans, Jeff Gardner, Dai James and Randy Lewis each former captains of the club played in the most successful Abergavenny teams as well as for the Monmouthshire Union. One of Nigel’ s moments of glory must surely be when he captained the club against Llanelli in the Schweppes Cup, scored a try and helped to hold Llanelli to seventeen points to six with support from hundreds of Abergavenny supporters - a performance which won the club the Sunday Telegraph ‘Team of the Month Award”.

Winger David James must hold the club record for the number of tries scored. This was due in large part to the understanding he had with scrum half Jeff Gardner and number eight Terry Richards. They were a devastating combination from a scrum anywhere down the right hand touch line. Prop Alun Jones has the longest playing record in the club and has set an example to all in terms of commitment and fitness and has been acknowledged as one of the best props around. Abergavenny RFC Quins : 1975 centenary

The name of Adrian Green - brother of Anthony - will always figure prominently in any list of quality players who have played for the club - known generally as ‘AA’

22 he had superb rugby vision at outside half and must rank as one of the most successful place kickers in the history of the club.

Geoff Williams, now coaching, created a club record as he captained the club for seven successive seasons. He also captained the Monmouthshire Union Team as well as playing for the Welsh Crawshays XV as did wing Phil Webb and Peter Hrastelj. Geoff also played at Ebbw Vale at flanker whilst Peter Hrastelj served them well at prop.

Any reference to players around at this time would not be complete without the name of Brian Clark being highlighted. Brian is probably the most respected player ever to put on an Abergavenny jersey As an all round hooker he had few peers and in hind sight should have gone to Ebbw Vale earlier in his career. Brian’s talent was acknowledged by his regular selection for the Monmouthshire Union and Monmouthshire County. He helped to form some formidable front row partnerships with Peter Hrastelj, Alun Jones and Tony Macpherson, but most notably with George Edwards and Robert” Finney’ Harris. They were selected regularly and capped in a Monmouthshire Union Team that in one season contained no less than seven Abergavenny players in the pack - a unique record. The Union team at that time went on to win the W.R.U. Inter Districts Cup. Second row Wayne Trumper also played up at Abertillery, whilst Bob Morgan joined us from Crosskeys to bring a wealth of valuable experience.

The list could go on and on as many others deserve individual mention but space does not allow, apart, perhaps, for Mostyn Richards - brother of Terry. Mostyn joined us from Ebbw Vale and played a big part in a Ben Francis Cup Winning team. He went on to become the Director of Rugby for District ‘A’ and Technical Advisor to a number of W.R.U. Development Teams, but has now risen to Development Manager for the W.R.U.

As a point of interest, I wonder how many older regulars can identify other former team members who came from South Africa, Australia, America and ‘England’.

The club was also always well represented in the Pontypool D.R.U. teams and in the East Mon. Teams at Youth level and at that same level we were delighted to see Andrew Sutton gain a first international cap for Wales Youth to be followed later by a WALES ‘B’ Cap. A vote of thanks must go to Grenville Lewis, Clive Howells, Randy Lewis and Alan Evans for their contribution to the coaching of successive Youth teams.

The developing facilities in the club encouraged other Rugby Organisations to use them regularly, particularly, the Welsh Youth, Welsh Senior and Intermediate

Schools, District ‘A’, Pontypool District R.U. The Monmouthshire Union and The Monmouthshire County.

We all realised success wasn’t just going to happen. Priorities were set both on and off the field and undoubtedly the biggest single factor in our progress was the appointment of coaches of the calibre of the highly talented Ian Morgan, Alan Evans, Tony Macpherson and Terry Richards. Their influence on the playing field at separate times cannot be over stated.

It was the Quins who really opened the door to Cup success when they won the Rocyn Jones Cup in April 1980 captained by Phil Pritchard beating Newport Saracens 2nds. The first Senior Cup win anyone in the Club at that time could recall. A little later the First XV - led by Terry Richards -were confirmed as winners of the Monmouthshire League - another first. The teams record for that season was P37, W31, L5, Dl.

In the following season on the way to winning the Ben Francis Cup for the first time the first XV defeated Blaina six points to three points in the Semi-Final. On the same day the Youth team drew with Newport Youth. In the final the club defeated Abercarn by twenty points to twelve. The victorious team was: Paul Exton, Dai James, John Gunter, Bob Thomas, Nigel Evans, Adrian Green, Jeff Gardner, Tony Macpherson, Brian Clark, Alun Jones, Wayne Trumper, Keith Knight, Mark Lloyd, Terry Richards, Rashid Majiet. At the same time the Quins side had won its way to both the Ivor Jones and Rocyn Jones Cup finals. They won the former by beating Forgeside with the following team: Kevin Buck, Kevin Neal, Phil Pritchard, Steve Cole, Simon Lewis, Gareth Jones, Alan Evans, John Smith, Dave Phillips, Peter Hrastelj, Randy Lewis, Gareth Havard, Ian Morgan, Mark Lloyd and Peter Evans.

Apart from the Cup wins the club was also awarded the Pontypool R.F.C. Supporters Cup and the prestigious Sunday Telegraph Team of the Month” Award. The latter on the basis of the first XV having played forty six matches consecutively over two seasons undefeated, apart from Schweppes Cup. The playing record for that season read P32, W27, D4, Li, scoring 98 tries.

In the 1981/82 season the first XV were Runners up in the Premier Division of the Monmouthshire League whilst the Quins won the Pontypool District League. It was in that season that we instigated the Club’s own Seven Tournament held on ‘Mayday’ and this was an outstanding success for a number of years.

The following season - 1982/83 - saw the club’s best-ever run in the Schweppes Cup. We defeated Merit Table club Abertillery thirteen points to nine and then defeated Llanharan and Pembroke Dock Quins to get to the last sixteen to meet

Llanelli at Llanelli. It was a memorable occasion - not only for the club - but also the town. We eventually lost seventeen points to six points but outscored Llanelli by six points in the second half. We had every right to feel proud of ourselves. Our performance was recognised by a second award from the Sunday Telegraph as “Team of the Month”.

By the end of the season the club had won it’s way to yet another three finals. The Quins just lost out to Blackwood Seconds and Hafodrynys but the firsts picked up the Ben Francis Cup for the second time as they defeated Pontypool United. Team: Paul Exton, David James, Huw Thomas, Steve Cole, Kevin Neal, Mostyn Richards, Jeff Gardner, Alun Jones, Brian Clark, Peter Hrastelj, Keith Knight, Wayne Trumper (C), Terry Richards, Mike Williams, Geoff Williams. In May 1984 the Quins added another Pontypool District Union League title to their record. The Club’s successes may have had some influence on the Monmouthshire County Council granting permission for the installation of floodlights on Bailey Park. This was eventually achieved in 1992.

However talented the players, they still needed the support of a dedicated Committee. The club has been very fortunate in having the support of members who have been willing to give up their own time without any form of remuneration to serve on the General Committee. Chairman Mike Aylett, ever present over the years of success, a former captain of the Quins and First XV, was supported by a large number of people who helped in whatever way they could from time to time, but there was always a hard core of dedication that provided the club with stability. President Tom Jones and Patron Trevor Morgan kept a watchful eye and were always supportive.

Abergavenny RFC : Committee : 1981/1982

I apologise for omitting any names that should be amongst the following. It will be due to a lapse of memory rather than a lack of appreciation. However, it would be entirely remiss if those who helped manage the club over the period I refer to did not have some form of recognition. Together with those mentioned previously the ‘team’ list would be:-

Peter Coleman, Ron Hinksman, Clive Howells, Jim Neil, Morley Jennings, Tony Matthews, Ray James, Chris Macpherson, Gareth Havard, Mike Bruton, Bob Morgan, Louis Bannon, Randy Lewis, Brian Shackleton, Eric Smith, Derek Havard, Keith Bennett, Brian Griffiths, Malcolm Barry, Ken Seed, Phil Jones, Terry West, Bill Watkins, Dai Nichols, Bob Woodford, Geoff Gage, Charlie Shaw, Martin West, Dai Waite, Joe Hrastelj, Mike Schwank, Chris Breakwell, Ian Wylie, Brian Baldwin, Grenville Lewis, David James, Phil Pritchard, Ben Maddy, Ian Costin, Mario Van De Vyver, Alan Price, Hugh Williamson, Don Merrett and a man who had a great influence on the development of the club - Bill Macpherson. I cannot conclude this list without a special mention of Eunice Aylett, Betty Hinksman, Jean Macpherson and Jane Jones who over the years were the Officers of a superb Ladies Committee, which apart from catering on match days made very substantial financial contributions to club funds at the end of every season.

The introduction of a formal match programme and admission charge raised a few eyebrows at the time but was an indication of the growth of the club. This was further recognised by the interest and support then shown by Sponsors. In this respect the club will always be grateful to Keith Price and Coopers for their

26 early help, and to Alun Griffiths whose major financial support right up to the present day has been invaluable.

The following couple of seasons from 1984 didn’t bring outstanding success but nevertheless the club maintained a good standard of play, always looking to improve. The improvement became apparent in 1986/87 when we narrowly failed to take the Monmouthshire Union First Division Title but were promoted to the Premier Division as Runners Up. The real icing on the cake was a third Ben Francis Cup win when we defeated Crumlin with the following team:

Abergavenny RFC 1sts : 1986/1987 Steve Griffiths, Alan Mills, Dai Stevens, Mike Williams, Ted Jones, Rob Harris, Tony Gethin, George Edwards, Phil Watkins, Steve Gethin, Steve Coles, Kevin Neil, Mostyn Richards, Geoff Williams, Dickie Merchant, Simon Lewis, Rob McCormack.

This was another huge boost to the club and we couldn’t have had any further proof of the standard we were playing at when in the following season 1987-88 we won the Monmouthshire Union Premier Division Title. There is little doubt in my mind that had the W.R.U. National League been in being in the eighties then Abergavenny would have more than held it’s own against clubs that now occupy places in the higher divisions and who knows what our future would have been! However, that’s all ‘maybe’ and the reality is that the club still has every reason to

27 feel proud of it’s history and confident in it’s future. From a more personal point of view I am indebted to the club for providing me with the opportunity of representing clubs in our District on the General Committee of the Welsh Rugby Union since 1993 and from that, being on the first working committee and latterly a Director of the Millennium Stadium. The constant support is very much appreciated, but above all, may I say how grateful I am for the many lasting friendships I made during my time as Secretary.

Since then the game has changed considerably both on and off the field, but hopefully it will still provide a new generation with “A Time to Remember”.

Ken Hewitt

Hosting the first televised WRU Lottery Draw at Abergavenny : 1995

Abergavenny 1sts : 1978/1979

Abergavenny Quins : 1980/1981

Action re-play : 1981 : Jeff Gardner takes the pass

and Keith Knight dives for the line!

Arbergavenny 1sts : 1985/1986

Abergavenny Quins : 1985/1986

Abergavenny 1sts : 1986/1987

Abergavenny 1sts : 1989/1990

Abergavenny RFC : 1990/1991

Abergavenny RFC Quins : 1990/1991

Abergavenny 1sts : 1994/1995

New kit modelled by Robert ‘Finney’ Harris

YOUTH STORY

by Mike Preedy Youth Team Coach

In 1968 a decision was taken to form a Youth Side. Peter Lewis was approached and together with Malcolm Davies a Youth Team was set up which turned out to be a good thing for the Club, which at that time was going through a difficult period. Not long after, these two stalwarts were joined by John Mills, Frank Tollard and Denzil Williams.

Then Ken Hewitt joined the Club as Coach, who not only made his mark as Youth Coach but later as a Club and County Administrator.

Peter Lewis, first Youth Team Secretary

The first game was against Glanhowy Youth - a game which Abergavenny won. The first season was an average one, but the team soon established itself and carried a good reputation throughout the County. Later the Club was to produce some good sides, possibly the best of these was in 1972-73 season captained by Micky Lane which won the East Mon Youth Cup and went on to score 553 points in 23 matches - a very good record!

A number of the Youth Side at this time went on to play for bigger clubs - Anthony Green (R.A.F.), Jeff Hughes (Cross Keys), Mark Wallbyoff (London Welsh), Tony Macpherson (Cardiff Training College and Pontypool), Bob Thomas (Pontypool), Andrew and Martin Meredith (St. Mary’s Hospital), Jonathan Williams (Ebbw Vale).

Although we only had one international cap in that of Andrew Sutton (inset) quite a few of our Youth Players had county honours. Brian Clarke must have been very unlucky, as he was an outstanding youth player having played 83 games in 3.5 seasons.

As you will have read he went on to be a good senior player too. Other players who figured well at senior level were Tony Macpherson, Paul Exton, Hugh Parsons, Gareth Havard, Bob Siddons to mention a few. Soon the first fifteen consisted mostly of players who had come through from Youth, and if they didn’t figure in the first fifteen they made their mark in the Quins. This proved a Youth Policy was the right idea.

We were fortunate that many came forward to coach and act as administrators for the youth side after the sad loss of Peter Lewis and Malcolm Davies. We are indebted to people like Louis Bannon who acted as Youth Secretary for a while

36 and coaches like Granville Lewis and Randy Lewis, Alun (Archie Evans), Clive Howells.

We missed out with a side a few odd years later and hope this will now be solved by age groups coming through. We were fortunate to have people who were prepared to spend time with the Youth like Mario Van-de-Vyver Stuart Spencer, and Mark Lewis. Although a lot of boys played for the Youth, only a few now play in the First Fifteen - Matthews Collins, Matthew Allaway, Bryan Morgan (Quins Captain), Ross Morris, Leyton Thomas, David (Tesco) Rogers, Geraint Pritchard, James Williams, Paul Cornock and Gareth Spencer.

Abergavenny RFC Youth : Winners East Mon. Youth Cup : 1972/1973 R. Smith, P. Griffiths, A. Jones, J Gardner, J Williams, W. Trumper, D. Knight, A. Green C. McPherson, D. Exton, A. McPherson, M. Lane (Capt), B. Clarke, H. Thomas, P. Gethin

Abergavenny RFC Youth Team : 1983/1984

Abergavenny Youth team : 1994/1995

Abergavenny Youth team : 1998/1999 I. Churchill, G. Edmunds, B. Chatfield, P. Cornock, D. Pritchard, J. Lambert, R. Weir, J. Smith

G. Evans, S. Edwards, J. Williams, R. Thomas, C. Lambert, D. Morrison, P. Moss

Records of Youth Rugby in the club are a bit sparse, so we had to rely on the memory of members. One thing is certain by our records; it is essential to have a Youth/Junior Policy for the future.

Mike Preedy

25 years of Mini Rugby (1974/1975 - 1999/2000)

by Clive Howells

The concept of mini rugby is one of the most significant developments in rugby history. It was first introduced in 1971 as the Welsh Rugby Union’s attempt to widen the interest in rugby within Welsh primary schools.

At the time less than 25% of the 1600 primary schools in Wales were playing any kind of rugby. The game proved to be popular with children because of its straight forward rules and administration. However, contrary to the W.R.U.’s hopes, mini rugby did not grow enormously in the Welsh schools after its introduction, its biggest growth area was found to be within the rugby clubs. There was some hostility at first, but now 30 years on it is accepted by the majority as part of the games future. Mini rugby introduces young players into the disciplines of the game within the club, district and internationally.

In July 1974 discussions were held between committee members of Abergavenny R.F.C. and Mr Norman Williams with the intention of starting mini rugby at the club. As a result of this meeting, the committee agreed to be the parent body and an advertisement was placed in the local paper, asking for any children interested in mini rugby, to report to the clubhouse on the first Saturday in September 1974. The response was overwhelming, approximately 55 turned up. Some of these youngsters are pictured below with founder Norman Williams.

Abergavenny RFC : Mini-Section 1974/1975

The club was very supportive during the first few months, helping to raise funds for new kit and smaller rugby posts. The committee and senior players also helped with supervision on match days. It soon became evident that parental help would be required, and at a committee meeting in November 1974, Mr Williams was invited to discuss this matter and a meeting of parents was called. A group of individuals set up the running of the mini section. Then, in January 1975 the main committee nominated Mr Alan Price to become the first Mini- Section Liaison Officer.

At the club’s A.G.M. on June 27th 1975, a report was given by Mr M. Jennings saying that the mini rugby had made a successful start. During this first season, training sessions were held every Saturday morning and a total of twelve games were played at under 11 and under 9 age groups. The teams won 6, lost 4 and drew 2. The parents had raised £70 towards the cost of new jerseys for the teams. The under 9 team had reached the final of the Pontllanfraith festival. Mr Jennings thought that R. Merchant and A. Alford were showing particular promise and this would surely benefit the club in future years.

Abergavenny RFC : Mini-Section : The Early Years

The first game was played against Gilwern on 30 November 1974 and resulted in a 14- 0 win for Abergavenny. The winning team (pictured above) were P. Havard; A. Gummery; J. Jones; I. Jennings; D. Bull; B. Davies; J. Williams; M. James; A Alford; H. Bevan; R. Merchant (Captain); T. Elliot; P. Ball.

At the start of the following season 1975/76, a regular group of people had become involved in the running of the mini section. This resulted in the election of the first committee. The first officers were:-

Chairman Mr A. Price Secretary : Mrs E. Worrall Treasurer : Mrs M. Barnett Catering Mrs D. Cooke Coaches : Mr G. Jones / Mr M. Kneath

The progress made within the clubs showed the need for district associations to be formed. This was a governing body, aiming to provide the same standards of mini rugby throughout the district. This included registration, age groups and rules.

A meeting of interested parties took place on October 30th 1975, at the Pentllwyn Hotel, Pontllanfraith. Mr Godfrey Howells chaired this meeting and an introductory talk was given by Mr Ray Williams, Coaching Organiser of the Welsh Rugby Union. He gave an informative account of the W.RU.’s attitude towards mini rugby, answered questions and distributed a booklet - “Acceptable rules of mini rugby”. Also discussed was the formation of a Gwent Association of Mini Rugby Clubs, this was implemented at the next meeting with the first officers being:-

Chairman : Godfrey Howells (Newbridge) Vice-Chairman : Allan Price (Abergavenny) Secretary : Mike Townsend (Pontllanfraith) Treasurer : David Cornelius (Newbridge)

After the election of officers it was agreed that the rules of mini rugby (as presented by Mr Ray Williams) would be those by which members of the Association would abide. It was also agreed that the purpose of the Association would be to promote the game for children of primary school age, those being under 11 years of age on the 1st September of that season. A league system for clubs within the district was discussed but it was concluded that it would be detrimental to the philosophy of mini rugby, if a competitive league was formed in Gwent. It was felt however, that the players need for competition might be

42 satisfied with a festival of mini rugby that would be held at the end of each season.

The first tournament was held at Islwyn Park, Pontllanfraith at the close of the 1975/76 season.

Abergavenny RFC : Under 9’s winning tournament at Pontllanfraith : 1975/1976

Abergavenny mini rugby continued to develop with more youngsters wanting to learn about the game. During the 1975/76 season there were teams at under 9, 10 and 11 age groups and a total of 71 members. The under 11’s team started the 1977/78 season well with a win at the Llanhilleth Rugby Club’s invitation tournament.

Abergavenny RFC : Under 11’s winning Llanhilleth Tournament : 1977

They continued with successes at the Ponthir Seven-a-side tournament in April 1978 beating St Cadoc’s in the final 20 points to 10. This victory must have boosted the teams morale as the following weekend they reached their high point of the season beating Llandaff North 13 - 0 in the final at the Pontllanfraith Invitation tournament. The under 11's win was all the more rewarding, considering that two years previously, as 9 year olds, they won their age group. Achieving the win this year they became the first team to win at both levels.

At the end of this season there was a thrill in store for the boys when Wales and Pontypool captain, Terry Cobner, turned up at the club to present certificates to those who were finishing mini rugby, due to their age. There was fun for them, their parents and other guests when Terry refereed (under Australian rules), a game between the mini rugby committee and the senior club committee, the players of both sides looked more as if they were going to a carnival than to play rugby. The game which ended in a credible draw provided some hilarious moments for the large crowd on the touch line. Before the presentations the boys sat down to an enjoyable meal, provided and served by the mums of the under 11's. This end of season hilarity has continued with the celebrities refereeing the game including, Mark Wyatt, Elgan Rees, John Perkins, Bobby Windsor, Clive Burgess. Eddie Butler and Mark Jones.

End of season presentations with Terry Cobner

End of season ‘match’ 1990

Fine figures on the rugby field! : 1991

End of season presentations with John Perkins

During the following season the under 10’s team won the Monmouth Tournament. On October 12th 1980 we made our first visit to the Keresley Mini Rugby Festival. The under 12’s won their competition. The mini section now had teams in the under 8’s, 9’s, 10’s, 11’s and 12 year age groups. The weekend was so enjoyable that we have continued this event. Abergavenny returning the hospitality, by providing the venue for alternate years.

Abergavenny RFC : Mini-Section Under 10’s : 1985/1986

Due to the expansion, with around 120 boys per home game to be catered for, the mini committee asked the ladies (mums/wives) to form a sub. committee to provide the catering. The first ladies committee was formed in the 1981/82 season and were:-

Chair / Treasurer: Carol Howells Secretary : Barbara Morgan Members : Julie Kennard, Trish Hicks, Dee Collett, Jackie Mansfield.

Match day catering expanded to include the sale of drinks, sweets and snacks and the inclusion of a match raffle made it possible for the ladies committee to purchase club track suits for the coaches at the end of this season. The ladies sub. committee has become an integral part of the mini section. Their continued support is much appreciated.

Gosforth Football Club, Mini Junior Rugby teams tour was during the 1984/85 season. Abergavenny took part along with teams from Pontypool, Glamorgan Wanderers and Tredegar Ironside 5. Also during this season the under 1I’s were runners up in the Tredegar Ironsides Tournament.

Abergavenny RFC : Mini-Section Under 11’s in action against Gosforth

The mini teams travelled to Old Deer Park, Richmond, Surrey to participate in the London Welsh R.F.C. Centenary Mini Rugby Festival in November 1985.

The under 11’s team won the Thornbury Tournament during the 1987/88 season. The club also entertained teams from Abbey R.F.C. (Reading), London Saracens and Bournemouth.

During the 1988/89 season a former Mini-Section player, Robin Preece, won his first cap for the Welsh Schools under 15 team. The following season the under 11’s team won the Bath mini rugby festival.

Visitors from our twin town Beaupreau came to Abergavenny for a sports weekend during the 1988/89 season. They were unable to field a rugby team themselves and had brought along a team from their nearby town of Cholet. We made a return visit to Beaupreau the following season and again had competition with the rugby teams of Cholet, with very few Beaupreau players. During this visit Cholet showed interest in developing a “twinning” between the two clubs. As a result a visit was made to Cholet by members of the Mini-Section in 1991 to cement this relationship and ensure safe passage. This visit was a wonderful occasion, since it coincided with the Rugby World Cup final. Having flown out in a 10-seater plane (with our own ‘Biggles’ in the co-pilot seat), we enjoyed French hospitality whilst watching England get beaten by Australia on their club TV!

Mini-Section Committee visit to Cholet with ‘Biggles’ : 1991

Cholet were invited to spend Easter 1991 with the families of the mini section, to take part in the first tournament between the teams. This has continued with reciprocal visits each year, the tenth anniversary being our Easter trip to Cholet in 2000.

One of the early visits by Cholet : 1991/1992

The Mini Section were involved in a momentous occasion during 1991, running the World Cup Relay Message through the town to Bailey Park, where all of the teams participated.

The Under 9’s reached the final of the Trinant Mini Rugby Tournament during 1992/93. This match ended in a draw, and was lost by the toss of a coin.

In 1993 the Mini Section were invited to an International Festival, to be held in Grenade, France. With teams from Italy, Spain, Andorra and the hosts, France. All age groups returned with trophies and the Fair Play Trophy was awarded to the Abergavenny contingency. Grenade played the following year in Abergavenny. We returned in 1995 leading a procession of players through the French town and again the children came home with trophies. Sadly we have not returned since then.

Abergavenny Mini-Section : 1975

Mini-Section with the Seniors sides : 1975

Abergavenny RFC : Under 12’s at Bath Tournament : 1989/1990

Abergavenny RFC : Under 11’s : 1990/1991

‘Running the ball’ : World Cup 1991

Mostyn Richards, WRU takes the World Cup ball on to next venue : 1991

In the season 1995/96, Abergavenny under 11’s had 15 players from their team in the Blaenau Gwent District squad, with many playing for the ‘A’ team. James Harris was the captain.

Abergavenny RFC : Under 11’s : 1995/1996

“Bridging the Gap” between the mini section and seniors was achieved in 1996. The club now has teams from the under 8 age group through to the first team, which includes under 13’s, 14’s, 15’s, 16’s and a Youth team. These are not controlled by the mini section but have come about due to the continuing development of rugby for youngsters at the club.

During 1999, Abergavenny celebrated it’s 25th Anniversary of mini rugby, a social evening was held at the club where members of the original team and committee were reunited.

Mini-Section players re-united 25 years on : 1999

On September 29th 1999, over 1000 children from primary schools and rugby clubs in the local area, took part in a Dragon Training skills afternoon, culminating in the Webb Ellis World Cup arriving. Where all the children had the opportunity to have their photographs taken with the trophy.

Mini-Section with the Webb Ellis World Cup Trophy (in the rain!) : 1999

The Mini Section has been invaluable to the club. Developing players through the age groups and into the senior teams. Some that have made the full transition from mini to first team include: Huw Bevan, Anthony Gumery, Ian Jennings, Richard Merchant, Carl Walbyoff, Ken Morgan, Howard Davies, Anthony Ham, Craig Llewellyn, Simon Moorcroft, Ben Atkins, Jan Milsom, David Prosser, Lee Oakey, Carl Whiteman, Matthew Allaway, Peter Wylie, Steven Pocock, Robin Preece, Jonathan Morris, Geraint Pritchard, Barry John Lewis, Ross Morris, James Didcote, Ross Thomas, Gareth Spencer and Paul Cornock. Clive Howells

Ten county caps for Mini-Section and Juniors : 1996/1997

Abergavenny RFC Juniors Under 14’s : 2000/2001

Abergavenny RFC Juniors Under 16’s : 2000/2001

THE FINAL SAY

by MIKE AYLETT Chairman 1977 -

I have had the honour and pleasure of being the Club Chairman for the past 23 years - and when you start to write about past memories you have to take care you don’t get carried away. Having so many memories of my own playing days and later as Chairman I could probably take up a lot more space or even a book of my own.

I was encouraged to join the club by Reg Walbyoff - an Ex police sergeant and former Club Cap tam. I had played a few first class games and was trying to get fit after a knee injury. I joined the club in 1967 and have been here ever since. In fact my playing days went on into my forties!! I recall my latter playing days in a game against Oakdale with myself, Grenville Lewis in the front row with John Bannon - a youngster as hooker. Our three ages amounted to one hundred and eight years and John was only twenty years old!

Spot the young Chariman? 1973/1974

Abergavenny RFC : Ben Francis Cup winners : 1986/1987

Abergavenny RFC Quins : Winners Pontypool District : 1987/1988

Abergavenny RFC Committee : 1990/1991

Abergavenny RFC : 1991/1992

Some more of our capped players

George Edwards

Robert (Finney) Harris

Brian Clarke

Geoff Williams

Abergavenny RFC Quins : 1992/1993

Abergavenny RFC 1sts celebrating success : 1994/1995

Presentation of WRU shield by Glanmore Griffiths : 1994/1995 : Division 6 East winners

Abergavenny RFC : 1996/1997

Abergavenny Juniors Under 14’s : 1995

Abergavenny RFC Juniors on tour in Ireland : 1997

Abergavenny RFC : 1997/1998

The Webb Ellis World Cup Trophy at the Clubhouse : 1999

At the time I started playing for the club we had quite a strong side - particularly when the College boys were home on vacation with some really good players like Bob Phillips, Clive Swinnerton, Eric Ellaway and David Ellaway to mention just a few.

Abergavenny had a strong fixture list in those days with a strong English influence. Teams such as Bath United, Bristol United, Gloucester United and Cinderford - these sides contained several English Internationals of that time - the likes of Mike Burton, Dave Rollitt, Micky Booth and Peter Ford. The playing squads were introduced and a lot of Clubs did away with their second sides. The Monmouthshire League was determined by choosing so many games from the fixture list. Because of this we didn’t figure much in the top half until we started playing just Monmouthshire sides and the New Monmouthshire Championships was inaugurated.

I was elected Chairman in 1977 after some persuasion from Bill Macpherson and Ray James. Bill was a good friend and I received a lot of good advice from him in my early days as Chairman. Unfortunately, Bill died five months after my election to office. He was a man sorely missed by everyone.

A few months later we were able to open the Upstairs Function Room. A former Club Captain -Fred Parker died at this time and in lieu of flowers £500 was donated to the Rugby Club Extension Fund in recognition of his services to the club - therefore the Bar was named “Parkers Bar”. We were then able to hold fund raising events - such as Discos, Race Nights and Smoker Evenings. Our Smokers Evenings were and still are very well attended and have attracted quite a list of After Dinner Speakers. We were very fortunate to have a very good Ladies Section in the Club whose first Chairlady was Jean Macpherson and was later followed by Betty Hinksman. Eunice Aylett acted as Secretary with Jane Jones as Treasurer - these officers were supported by many other ladies to whom we are extremely grateful. Their expertise in catering was second to none and apart from preparing team meals they catered for Weddings and Engagement Parties plus many other celebrations. Due to the generosity of a Past Patron of the Club - Alan Long who organised the Antique Fairs in the town - the girls were given the Catering Franchise at these Fairs with a result the Ladies were able to donate a tremendous amount of financial support to the club every year. Sadly, after twenty five years or so our Ladies Committee no longer exists.

Fund-raising by the Ladies Committee for Kidney Research : 1974

Still on my knees to the Ladies Committee : 1987

We are fortunate that we have people and companies who are willing to sponsor the club to whom we are extremely grateful. Our main sponsor is our ever generous Patron Alun Griffiths. Apart from his financial assistance he also provided us with a seated grandstand with the seats coming from the Old Cardiff Arms Park National Stadium. Sadly, they were vandalised and due to their dangerous condition had to be removed. Perhaps the vandals have memories too, albeit twisted, of how they used to vandalise Bailey Park. I know which memories I prefer!

I have had some proud times as Chairman of the Club, in particular seeing Nigel Evans and his team put up a good performance against the might of Llanelli in the WRU Schweppes Cup round, and then seeing the boys as they left the field to go to the area of the ground which appeared to hold every person from Abergavenny who was there to cheer them on. I don’t think there was anyone left in the town that day - a truly proud occasion.

Proud again the way everyone worked together to finance the floodlights on one side of the pitch with a lot of D.I.Y. There was a great deal of banter between Committee, Players and club members armed with their spades as they dug out a trench from the Club House to the top pitch to carry the electric supply, while Mike Bruton was busy welding together street lamp poles which had been transported from Newport to the Club by Ken Seed.

Imagine the pride everyone connected with the club felt when Sir Tasker Watkins, President of the Welsh Rugby Union, came along and officially opened our Grandstand along side our floodlight pitch, which added to our already wonderful facilities we have as a Clubhouse.

Another moment of pride was when the World Cup Relay was run through Wales and came to Abergavenny, transported through the Town in an open top bus to be greeted at Bailey Park by some 1300 children of all ages who then went on to carry out an exhibition of Rugby Skills in torrential rain.

We haven’t been without sad memories - when one of our players - Paul Matthews (Maffo) died in a tragic accident in Paris in March 1983. Not only memories but many friendships have been made during my time at the Club. Eunice and myself still receive cards and letters from all over the world from people we have met through rugby. Three years ago Phil and Zelda Pritchard, Chic McCarthy and Eunice and myself went back to Crosshaven Rugby Club to celebrate their first 25 years. We met up with Tom and Jo McCarthy and many others whom we met when we entertained them at our Club when they were on tour 25 years previous.

It is always a pleasure when our French friends visit - Bernard and Murielle Combeau and Gerard and Claudette Clausier with the Cholet Mini Rugby.

Cholet stalwarts : Bernard Combeau and Gerard Clausier

Our Mini Rugby Section has been in existence for 26 years and was started by Norman Williams. It is nice to see players come through from Mini to figure strongly in the 1st XV - the likes of Matthew Allaway, Carl Whiteman, James Didcote come to mind, and many others too.

I have been fortunate to serve with a great deal of good officers - Brian Taylor, Tony Matthews, Gareth Havard, Phil Jones, John Townsend and Ken Hewitt and latterly Chris Breakwell, Dai Waite and Colin Watson, plus many other good committee men who have been very supportive.

One of the aforementioned who has served the Club well is Ken Hewitt, first as coach to the Youth Team and then as Secretary. Ken was elected Chairman of the District A Sevens Committee. Then in 1979 when the Monmouthshire League was revamped he was elected as Championship Secretary He was then elected in 1993 to represent District A Clubs on the Welsh Rugby Union - a position he still holds. He was on the Old National Stadium Ground Committee and also on the Committee responsible for the building of the Millennium Stadium of which he is now a Director. We are proud to have him as a Life Member of the Club and held in such high esteem in Welsh Rugby.

The Summer of 1995 the historic announcement was made to go professional. The Southern Hemisphere Clubs already had a much greater idea of what to expect and how to handle it. They were almost professional anyway. When the game was declared open they just carried on as normal but in the Northern Hemisphere hardly anyone was prepared for it. Some clubs thought that because the game had been declared open that players had to be paid top money with the result clubs were paying out money they now realise they couldn’t afford. Some have had to be bailed out and others are in a very sorry financial state.

Our then Secretary Phil Jones came up with a unique idea called the “Bailey Boys” - this is to help with a financial reward for the players who would be paid from a kitty provided by these people and would not put any financial burden on club funds. The “Bailey Boys” is still in existence and anyone is welcome to join. I still wonder when I am told what some clubs are paying mediocre players and think back to some of the players I have been proud to watch play for Abergavenny Rugby Club and what they could have demanded.

We are at present middle of the table in the WRU Division 3 East. Let’s hope by the end of the season Geoff Williams, Terry Richards (our coaches) and Ian (Jock) Costin - Team Manager - will have taken us to the top.

Space won’t allow for anymore of my reminiscing. I have been extremely lucky over the past 25 years that Eunice has given me every support through thick and thin. Along with my Sub-Committee of Keith Davies, Clive Howells, Vaughan Greaves and Ron Hinksman we very much appreciate the length people have gone to in handing in old photographs and paper cuttings etc. and hope you have enjoyed a look back at 125 years of Abergavenny Rugby Club as much as we, the Sub Committee, have enjoyed compiling the book.

Mike Aylett

125 year book Sub-Committee

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Abegavenny Chronicle Abergavenny Museum John Addiss Eunice Aylett Alan Breeze Colin Watson (Editor)